San Francisco: Distillery Cocktail Class & Ferry Views

Summary

Mix whiskey cocktails with Bay views and San Francisco stories

You’ll ride a scenic ferry to Treasure Island for a hands-on cocktail class inside an art deco distillery with sweeping San Francisco views. Taste three local whiskeys, learn to mix classic cocktails with expert bartenders, hear city stories, and catch glimpses of Alcatraz as you sip. It’s lively but somehow peaceful too — something about those Bay windows sticks with you.

What’s the experience like?

We stepped off the ferry from the San Francisco Ferry Building, which was only six minutes but felt like a tiny adventure — that sharp sea smell, the wind doing its thing with my hair. The Gold Bar Whiskey Distillery sits right there on Treasure Island, this big art deco building that looks like it’s seen some stories. Our guide, Marcus, greeted us with a grin and one of those “you’re in for it” winks. I could see the Bay Bridge behind him and honestly, I had to stop for a second just to take in all that glassy water and city skyline.

Inside, it smelled like toasted oak and something sweet — maybe caramel? We started with a whiskey tasting (I definitely made a face at the first sip; Marcus laughed and said everyone does). He showed us how to spot different notes in each Gold Bar whiskey. I tried repeating what he said about “vanilla undertones” but mostly I just liked how warm it felt going down. Then we got our own bar tools and learned to make three cocktails: Old Fashioned, Whiskey Sour, and this one called Paper Plane. My first attempt at shaking looked ridiculous — at least our bartender was patient. She told us little bits about the building’s past between steps, like how it was once part of the World’s Fair grounds.

I kept glancing out the windows during the class — you can see Alcatraz and both bridges from there if you turn your head just right. There was this moment when everyone went quiet after mixing their drinks, just sipping and watching boats drift by outside. It felt kind of peaceful, which I didn’t expect from a cocktail class. Afterward, we hung around chatting with Marcus about local sports (he’s big on the 49ers — apparently Gold Bar is their official whiskey), and then wandered outside again before heading back over the bridge into downtown SF. I still think about that view sometimes when I taste whiskey now.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Whiskey tasting and cocktail class

• Arrive at Gold Bar Whiskey Distillery
• Enjoy scenic ferry ride from Ferry Building
• Learn history of San Francisco and Treasure Island
• Sample three Gold Bar whiskies
• Craft Whiskey Sour, Old Fashioned, Paper Plane
• Take in views of Golden Gate and Bay Bridge

Top questions

How do you get to the San Francisco distillery cocktail class?

You can drive over the Bay Bridge or take a 6-minute scenic ferry ride from the San Francisco Ferry Building directly to Treasure Island.

What cocktails do you make in the class?

You’ll learn to make an Old Fashioned, Whiskey Sour, and Paper Plane using Gold Bar whiskeys.

Is transportation included in this day trip?

No transportation is included but public transport options are nearby; ferry access is recommended.

Are there views of San Francisco during the cocktail class?

Yes, you’ll have views of the Golden Gate Bridge, Bay Bridge, Alcatraz, and the city skyline from inside the distillery.

Is lunch or food included in this experience?

No meals are included; only whiskey tastings and cocktails are provided during the class.

Is this distillery tour wheelchair accessible?

Yes, all areas and surfaces are wheelchair accessible including transportation options.

Do you need to bring ID for this activity?

Yes, bring identification to confirm you are over 21 years old as alcohol is served.

Can pregnant travelers join this cocktail class?

No, it’s not recommended for pregnant travelers due to alcohol consumption involved.

What’s included

Your experience includes entry to Gold Bar Whiskey Distillery on Treasure Island with guided tastings of three local whiskeys plus an interactive mixology class where you’ll craft three signature cocktails using premium bar tools under expert guidance—plus plenty of city history along with those panoramic Bay views before heading back downtown.