San Francisco Bay Sailing: Golden Gate Bridge & Alcatraz Cruise

Pier 39 to the Golden Gate: A 90-Minute Catamaran Crossing

You board at Pier 39 and spend 90 minutes on a catamaran sailing past the Golden Gate Bridge, Alcatraz and the San Francisco skyline. Choose between a covered cabin with windows or open deck nets for the ride. The on-board bar serves drinks, audio guides are available in eight languages, and the boat is stable enough for all fitness levels. Bring a jacket and soft shoes. Boarding involves a few stairs.

Step-by-step itinerary

Stops and time spent at each3 stops

1. 13th Arrondissement1h 30m
2. Golden Gate Bridgepassing by
3. San Francisco Baypassing by

San Francisco Bay catamaran cruise

• Depart from Pier 39
• Sail past city skyline
• View Alcatraz Island
• Pass under Golden Gate Bridge
• Spot marine wildlife
• Enjoy views from deck and cabin

The experience

The crew at Pier 39 hands you a boarding pass and points you toward the catamaran: no fuss, just "watch your step, the nets are slippery when wet." That's when you realize this isn't a tour bus with a microphone. It's a boat, and the next hour and a half is going to feel different. The catamaran leaves the dock and you've got a choice: stay in the covered cabin where the windows frame the bay like a series of postcards, or climb onto the trampoline nets on deck where the spray hits and the Golden Gate Bridge fills your whole view as you sail straight underneath it. Most people do both.

The San Francisco Bay sailing cruise runs 1.5 hours and covers the water most visitors only see from shore. You pass Alcatraz close enough to photograph the cellblocks, watch the city skyline shrink as you move out into the bay, and if you're lucky (and the crew says it happens) you'll spot sea lions hauled out on the rocks or a pod of dolphins moving parallel to the boat. Pelicans dive in front of you. The light changes every few minutes depending on where the fog is sitting. Bring a jacket because the wind off the water is real, and soft-soled shoes because the deck gets wet and the crew takes that seriously.

The boat has an on-board bar if you want a beer or coffee to settle into the rhythm of it. Handheld audio guides are available in eight languages, though plenty of people skip them and just watch. The catamaran itself is stable (wide, twin-hulled, designed so you're not gripping the rail the whole time), and the cabin means if the wind picks up or you need a break from the spray, you've got shelter without leaving the water. Restrooms are on board, though they're tight. Boarding requires three to four stairs, so manual wheelchairs work but the boat isn't fully accessible in that sense.

Departure is from Pier 39, which is walkable from downtown and has public transit nearby. No outside drinks are allowed on board, but the bar takes cash and cards. The whole thing (getting there, the cruise, getting back) fits into a morning or afternoon without eating your whole day. You come back to the pier with salt in your hair and a different angle on a city most people only see from the street.

What’s included

• Your 1.5-hour cruise includes departure from Pier 39, passage underneath the Golden Gate Bridge, views of Alcatraz Island and the San Francisco skyline, access to both the covered cabin and open deck nets, and an on-board bar where you can purchase snacks, beer, wine and soft drinks.
• Handheld audio guides in eight languages are available.
• Soft-soled shoes and a jacket are recommended.

Information

Lasts 1h 30m, runs Friday to Sunday at 13:00, from US$ 65 per person and with free cancellation up to 24 h before.

Days and timesFriday to SundayDeparts at 13:00Another time? ›

GroupUp to 42

Audio guideEnglish, Spanish, French, German, Italian, Portuguese, Chinese and KoreanOther languages ›

Meeting point and pickupNo hotel pickup: you go to the meeting point. Ends back at the starting point.

Book up toStart time

AgesAdult (13 and older) · Youth (6 to 12 years) · Child (under 6): free

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

Prices and times updated 7 days ago

Good to know

Low physical effortWheelchair accessibleStroller-friendlyPets welcomePublic transport nearby

Operated by Adventure Cat Sailing Charters

Is this one for you?Book this if you want the Golden Gate Bridge and Alcatraz from the water without arranging a private boat or spending hours on a guided tour. The fixed 1.5-hour window gets you the main views and back to the city in time for lunch or an afternoon elsewhere.

Traveler reviews

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Top questions

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Youth (6 to 12 years); Child (under 6): free.

What happens if it rains?

It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund. Free cancellation up to 24 h before the start.

How long is the San Francisco Bay sailing cruise?

1.5 hours, departing from Pier 39.

Do you sail under the Golden Gate Bridge?

Yes, the catamaran sails directly underneath it as part of the route.

Can you bring your own drinks on board?

No outside beverages are allowed. There is an on-board bar serving beer, wine, soft drinks and snacks, accepting cash and card.

What should I wear?

Bring a jacket (the wind off the water is cold), and wear soft-soled shoes because the deck gets wet.

Are audio guides available?

Yes, handheld audio guides are available in English, Mandarin, French, German, Italian, Korean, Portuguese and Spanish.

Is the boat wheelchair accessible?

Manual wheelchairs are accepted, but there are 3-4 stairs to board and restrooms are not ADA accessible.

Will we see wildlife?

The bay is home to sea lions, pelicans, dolphins and occasionally whales, though sightings are not guaranteed.