The 7 Best Sightseeing Cruises in San Francisco

1.Golden Gate Bay Cruise

★★★★★★★★★★4.7 · 3,644 reviews · 1 hour · from $38Our pick

Cruise from Fisherman’s Wharf beneath the Golden Gate Bridge and around Alcatraz Island aboard the Red and White Fleet. You’ll get recorded commentary in 16 languages, skyline and Sausalito views, an onboard bar, indoor and outdoor seating, and a chance to spot sea lions, pelicans, dolphins, or whales.

“The scenery was nice. The audio was a bit faulty with the limited amount they had. The bar was nice and the staff was very friendly and easy to talk too while waiting for my drinks.”

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2.Golden Gate Bay Cruise (60 Minutes)

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 1,621 reviews · 1 hour (approx.) · from $39

Board the Red and White Fleet at Pier 43 1/2 for a narrated one-hour loop beneath the Golden Gate Bridge and past Alcatraz. You’ll also see Angel Island, Sausalito, the Marin Headlands, Coit Tower, and the Bay Bridge, with indoor and outdoor seating and audio in 16 languages.

“Great toursit cruise. An earlier time meant the boat wasnt crowded. The automated "guide" track was actually really interesting with some great fun facts to listen to - in between taking LOTS of pictures of course.”

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3.Inside Alcatraz Tour with Bay Cruise

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 1,577 reviews · 4 hours · from $135

Visit Alcatraz Federal Penitentiary with a 45-minute audio tour featuring inmates and guards, including Al Capone’s era. Then take a separate 60-minute Blue and Gold Fleet cruise past Pier 39, the waterfront, skyline, and Golden Gate Bridge. Alcatraz ferries leave from Pier 33; bay cruises leave from Pier 39.

“We happened to tour Alcatraz on a day when the last living inmate, Bill Baker, was there signing his book. That made a fabulous day SPECTACULAR!!”

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4.Skip-the-Line 1-Hour Bay Cruise by Boat

★★★★★★★★★★4.6 · 1,483 reviews · 1 hour · from $38

Board Blue and Gold Fleet’s one-hour cruise at Pier 39 for close views of the sea lions, Alcatraz, San Francisco’s skyline, and the Golden Gate Bridge from below. Indoor and outdoor seating, multilingual audio, a souvenir map, and snacks make this an easy first-day introduction to the bay.

“Being able to see the Golden Gate Bridge and Alcatraz up close from water amazing!”

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5.Skip-the-Line Escape from The Rock Bay Cruise

★★★★★★★★★★4.4 · 1,393 reviews · 1h 30m · from $47

Spend 90 minutes on a narrated Blue and Gold Fleet cruise from Pier 39, sailing under the Golden Gate Bridge and completely around Alcatraz. You stay aboard, use your smartphone for audio in eight languages, and can buy food or drinks on the boat.

“Staff was courteous and well informed. The actual trip was a great experience, I would definitely do it again.”

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6.Alcatraz with San Francisco Bay Cruise

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 1,049 reviews · 4 hours · from $125

Spend time at Alcatraz Federal Penitentiary with a multilingual audio tour, then take a separate one-hour Blue and Gold Fleet cruise from Pier 39. The Alcatraz ferry time is fixed, but you can schedule the bay cruise for another time or day, subject to space.

“Excellent tour, informative, professional with time to explore independently. Great value for money.”

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7.Alcatraz Island Prison Tour & Bay Cruise Combined Package

★★★★★★★★★★4.6 · 399 reviews · 4 hours · from $112

Visit Alcatraz by ferry, follow the 45-minute Doing Time audio tour through the cell house, then take a separate bay cruise past Fort Mason, the Presidio, Crissy Field, Alcatraz, and the Golden Gate Bridge. The cruise date and departure time are flexible, but you must plan both outings carefully.

“what I liked the most is how they help you to get to your trip and take care of you if you need anything”

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