Top San Francisco Cruise Tours

See San Francisco from the water and the city opens up: the Golden Gate Bridge soaring ahead, Alcatraz Island off your beam, sea lions lolling by Pier 39, and the Ferry Building clock tower anchoring the Embarcadero skyline. Bay cruises glide past working piers and headlands for wide angle views you cannot get on land, with indoor lounges and open decks to suit the citys famously breezy harbour conditions.

How City River Cruise Tours in San Francisco Work

San Francisco has no central river; sightseeing runs on the natural harbour of San Francisco Bay. Most cruises depart around Fishermans Wharf and the Embarcadero, typically from Pier 41, Pier 39, or Pier 43 1/2. Standard narrated loops last about 60 minutes and circle key sights such as Alcatraz Island, the Golden Gate Bridge, and the city skyline. Longer itineraries of 90 minutes or more often add a run under the Bay Bridge for views of South Beach and the Financial District. Schedules operate year round with the highest frequency from late morning to late afternoon, and selected operators add sunset, cocktail, or dining departures. Boats provide open top decks for photography and enclosed cabins for wind and fog, with multilingual audio or live commentary focused on maritime history, bridge engineering, and the growth of the waterfront.

Top Stops and Attractions

  • Alcatraz Island - Cruise around the former penitentiary for close views of the lighthouse, cellhouse, and steep cliffs without disembarking.
  • Golden Gate Bridge - Pass beneath the span for a striking perspective on its towers and the strait that links the bay to the Pacific.
  • Pier 39 Sea Lions - Look toward K Dock to spot the resident colony hauling out near the bustle of Fishermans Wharf.
  • Ferry Building and Embarcadero - Take in the marketplace and clock tower, plus historic finger piers and modern ferry slips.
  • Bay Bridge and Downtown Skyline - Bridge to bridge routes frame the Salesforce Tower and the angled skyline from open water.

Why River Cruises in San Francisco Are Worth Taking

San Francisco Bay concentrates the citys icons along a compact, photogenic corridor. From the rust red sweep of the Golden Gate Bridge to the fortress like profile of Alcatraz Island and the layered downtown skyline, the route delivers uninterrupted sightlines that are hard to stitch together on land. The changing interplay of fog, wind, and light creates constantly shifting scenes across the Presidio bluffs, Marin Headlands, and waterfront piers. Narration adds context about shipping channels, tidal flows, and the transformation of Fishermans Wharf and the Embarcadero from working docks to a public promenade. With departures clustered near transit, restaurants, and attractions, cruises fit easily into a day of sightseeing while giving your feet a break and your camera a stable platform.

Planning Tips for Visitors

  • Time it for clearer views: Summer fog often builds from midday, so morning to early afternoon sailings usually give the best odds of seeing bridge tops. Winter can bring crisp visibility after rain.
  • Choose the right ticket: One hour narrated loops work well for tight schedules; 90 minute or bridge to bridge cruises add Bay Bridge angles and extra skyline time. Combo products may bundle attractions or flexible departure windows.
  • Boarding strategy: Arrive 15 to 20 minutes early for upper deck positions. If it is breezy on the outbound leg, consider inside seats first and move outside when the boat turns for the return.
  • Dress in layers: Even on sunny days, wind on San Francisco Bay can be sharp. Bring a light jacket, hat, and sunglasses; a soft cloth helps clear lens fog or sea spray.
  • Link with nearby sights: Before or after your cruise, explore Fishermans Wharf, the Musee Mecanique, or the Exploratorium along the Embarcadero. Photographers get strong compositions near the Ferry Building and from the port side as boats head toward the Golden Gate.
  • Accessibility and comfort: Larger vessels generally feature ramps, wide decks, restrooms, and stable seating. Check specific operator notes if you need wheelchair access or priority boarding.

The city river or boat tours in San Francisco provide a relaxing way to see its most famous landmarks from a fresh perspective, ideal for travellers who want to enjoy both comfort and authentic local views along the water.

Best San Francisco Boat Tours Price

Golden Gate Bridge Sailing Tour €121.71
San Francisco Bay Sailing Cruise €65.1
San Francisco Bay Sunset Catamaran Cruise €80.2
San Francisco Premier Brunch Cruise €120.96
San Francisco Premier Dinner Dance Cruise €138.3
Straight to the Gate Access: Golden Gate Bay Cruise €35.85
Straight to the Gate Access: San Francisco Bay Twilight or Sunset Cruise €47.17
San Francisco CityPASS €79.25
Mix & Save: San Francisco Grand City Tour + Escape from the Rock Cruise €93.4
Alcatraz and Streets of San Francisco Guided Electric Bike Tour €221.72
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Golden Gate Bridge Sailing Tour

1. Golden Gate Bridge Sailing Tour

clock Duration: 2 hours
  • This is a magical sail boat tour that will take you to witness Marin Headlands, Sausalito and Alcatraz Island
  • Have the complimentary drinks during your amazing ride
  • Get a glimpse of the varied ocean wildlife in the waters and the historic ships
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San Francisco Bay Sailing Cruise

2. San Francisco Bay Sailing Cruise

clock Duration: 1 hour 30
  • Hop on to a catamaran and see most of the iconic sites of San Francisco
  • This cruise takes you away from the city to give you a good look at it from a different angle
  • A flexible tour that allows you to choose among the various departure times available
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San Francisco Bay Sunset Catamaran Cruise

3. San Francisco Bay Sunset Catamaran Cruise

clock Duration: 1 hour 35
  • Imbibe the beautiful sunset views with this San Francisco Bay Sunset Catamaran Cruise
  • Sip on your drinks on this relaxing journey
  • Get some amazing views of the iconic sites of San Francisco from the cruise
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San Francisco Premier Brunch Cruise

4. San Francisco Premier Brunch Cruise

clock Duration: 2 hours
  • Be amazed by the beauty and luxury San Francisco has to offer by booking this trip
  • Take a delightful Brunch cruise along the beautiful waters of San Francisco Bay
  • If you are a photo addict and enjoy taking amazing pictures then this trip is waiting just for you
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San Francisco Premier Dinner Dance Cruise

5. San Francisco Premier Dinner Dance Cruise

clock Duration: 3 hours
  • Hop on to this cruise with all the facilities required and roam in the waters of the city of San Fransisco while you help yourself be treated to some beautiful music played by a band over a glass of wine.
  • The beautiful locations of the city will simply amaze you with their lit-up areas.
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Straight to the Gate Access: Golden Gate Bay Cruise

6. Straight to the Gate Access: Golden Gate Bay Cruise

clock Duration: 1 hour
  • Take a look into the best sites of San Francisco on a cruise with this tour
  • Choose among the various departure times and enjoy the flexibility of the tour
  • Be assured to skip the lines and get straight to the gate access
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Straight to the Gate Access: San Francisco Bay Twilight or Sunset Cruise

7. Straight to the Gate Access: San Francisco Bay Twilight or Sunset Cruise

clock Duration: 1 hour 30
  • Get a different view of San Francisco if you take part in this cruise tour
  • Enjoy drinks and a light snacking option when on boars
  • Watch the beautiful sunset along with wonderful music, that adds up to the lavish experience
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San Francisco CityPASS

8. San Francisco CityPASS

clock Duration: 9 days
  • Avail of the 60% discount to must see attractions within San Francisco downtown.
  • You will get to see the beauty of San Francisco Zoo & Garden, the Contemporary Jewish Museum and California's Great America.
  • This city pass comes with a complementary guide book to assist you on your tour within the area.
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Mix & Save: San Francisco Grand City Tour + Escape from the Rock Cruise

9. Mix & Save: San Francisco Grand City Tour + Escape from the Rock Cruise

clock Duration: 5 hours 30
  • Take a breathtaking view of the city of San Francisco and roam around the various places that are one of the best locations in the whole of the USA
  • Here you get to take on this 3.5-hour San Francisco city tour and 1.5-hour cruise around Alcatraz Island.
  • These two places are rich with history and culture and vibrate with the
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Alcatraz and Streets of San Francisco Guided Electric Bike Tour

10. Alcatraz and Streets of San Francisco Guided Electric Bike Tour

clock Duration: 4 to 7 hou
  • Come be a part of a two day trip package that lets you not only explore Alcatraz but also explore San Francisco on a bike
  • Hop on a ferry to make a round trip from San Francisco to Alcatraz Island and then come back at the end of the day
  • Also receive an audio-guided tour of the Prison
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Alcatraz Inside with Fisherman's Wharf Lunch Credit

11. Alcatraz Inside with Fisherman's Wharf Lunch Credit

clock Duration: 3 to 5 hou
  • This is a visit to the historical island of Alcatraz which once held most notorious criminals in American History into its prison.
  • It is a package which will give you the service of an award - winning audio guide upon admission into the prison.
  • A ticket which has a round - trip ferry transportation included, as well as
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Bus & Boat Adventure

12. Bus & Boat Adventure

clock Duration: 60 to 120
  • This is a 48 hour Hop-On Hop-Off Bus Tour a board the Golden Cruise and the amazing open double Decker bus by land through San Fransisco.
  • Tourists will have a taste of the vast culture, the beauty and the history of Spanish settlers here.
  • Explore the Fisherman's Wharf which is a must see together with the Legendary Town of
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2 Hours Private Sailboat Charter in San Francisco Bay

13. 2 Hours Private Sailboat Charter in San Francisco Bay

clock Duration: 2 hours
  • Imagine sailing underneath the Golden Gate Bridge and seeing wildlife. Celebrate your special event under the romance of sailing.
    Private sailboat cruises are a great way to celebrate your special event. All the events can be customized for you! There will be just you and your group on the...
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90 Minute Daytime Tour Aboard Wine Therapy

14. 90 Minute Daytime Tour Aboard Wine Therapy

clock Duration: 1 hour 30
  • Join us for the best views of the Golden Gate Bridge and San Francisco Bay aboard the classic yacht, Wine Therapy! The tour begins at PIER 39 and takes us towards the Golden Gate Bridge, Alcatraz, San Francisco city front, and past many other famous landmarks and attractions. You’ll experience San Francisco from unique vantage points, while...
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