San Francisco Golden Gate Bay Cruise
Overview
Experience San Francisco’s iconic waterfront with the original San Francisco Bay sightseeing cruise company, family owned and operated since 1892.
Departing from Pier 43½ at Fisherman’s Wharf, this one-hour cruise takes you beneath the Golden Gate Bridge and around Alcatraz Island. Learn about the history and landmarks of San Francisco Bay with complimentary audio narration available in 16 languages on personal audio guides—no app or download required.
Enjoy panoramic views from the open-air decks or relax in comfortable indoor seating. Along the way, keep watch for local wildlife, including sea lions, pelicans, harbor porpoises and, on occasion, whales.
Plans changed or worried about San Francisco’s unpredictable weather? Your flexible, open-dated ticket may be used on any available departure through the end of the calendar year.
What's Included
- One-hour cruise
- "Straight to the gate" access
- Restrooms: Access to clean and convenient restrooms during your cruise.
- Multilingual personal audio-guide in 16 languages
- Gratuities
- Food and drinks. There is a full service bar onboard to purchase drinks and snacks.
Meeting Location
Pier 43 5
San Francisco, CA 94133, USA
Detailed check-in instructions, including the exact address, are provided with your booking confirmation.
This activity ends back at the meeting point.
What To Expect
Book Online
Safe & secure Easy breezy Hassle‑free
San Francisco Maritime National Historical Park (pass by)
Fort Mason, the Great Meadow (pass by)
Marina District (pass by)
Golden Gate Bridge (pass by)
Marin Headlands (pass by)
San Francisco – Oakland Bay Bridge (pass by)
Pier 39 (pass by)
Additional Info
- Confirmation is instant and will be received at time of booking
- Wheelchair accessible
- Transportation options are wheelchair accessible
- Service animals allowed
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
- Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
- Boat crew are trained to provide first aid and CPR support, and first aid kits are readily available on all vessels
- The main deck of each vessel are fully wheelchair accessible
- All cruise vessels offer indoor and outdoor seating, restrooms, and snack bar service.
- Vessels operate on biodiesel - a renewable energy source.
- The award-winning audio narration is available in English, French, German, Spanish, Portuguese, Thai, Mandarin, Hindi, Korean, Japanese, Italian, Russian, Hebrew, Arabic, Bahasa Indonesian and Vietnamese.
- Please come to our location 15-20 minutes prior to the departure time.
- This tour/activity will have a maximum of 25 travelers
Frequently Asked Questions (8)
Q: Will I get seasick on San Francisco Golden Gate Bay Cruise?
Cancellation Policy
Still have questions?
We're here to help.
Activity code: C-2630SFOCRS
Traveler Photos
Reviews
Average 4.76 out of 5 stars based on 1,655 traveler reviews collected by Cool San Francisco and partner sites such as Cool Destinations and TripAdvisor
Additional Info
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Frequently Asked Questions (8)
The answers provided below were previously given in response to questions from Cool San Francisco customers.
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If you have any doubts about becoming seasick on the water, we recommend taking a Dramamine® Motion Sickness Relief tablet the night before your trip. Some people recommend taking it the night before your cruise and then again that morning so you will not feel so drowsy.
Feb 2023- For a full refund, you must cancel at least 24 hours before the tour start time.
- If you cancel less than 24 hours before the tour start time, the amount you paid will not be refunded.
- Any changes made less than 24 hours before the tour start time will not be accepted.
- Cut-off times are based on the tour local time (PST).
- This tour requires a minimum number of travelers. If it’s canceled because the minimum isn’t met, you’ll be offered a different date/experience or a full refund.
- One-hour cruise.
- "Straight to the gate" access.
- Restrooms: Access to clean and convenient restrooms during your cruise.
- Multilingual personal audio-guide in 16 languages.
- Gratuities.
- Food and drinks. There is a full service bar onboard to purchase drinks and snacks.
There is no minimum age for this tour, so bring your wee one along for an adventure..
Apr 2025If a date or time is not listed on the calendar, it’s sold out or unavailable for another reason. Support cannot assist further if a date or time is not on the calendar.
If you find a date and time that works for you, book it NOW because things always sell out at this time of year.
Apr 2025Accessibility information for the San Francisco Golden Gate Bay Cruise is as follows:
- Wheelchair accessible
- Transportation options are wheelchair accessible
- Service animals allowed
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
Detailed check-in instructions – including meeting point address, Google map, and parking information – for San Francisco Golden Gate Bay Cruise will be included in your confirmation email from Cool San Francisco. Please be sure to double and triple check your email address is correct at checkout so this important email makes its way to you!
Mar 2024Once your refund is processed, it usually shows on your card statement within 5–10 business days. The exact timing depends on your bank or card issuer.
Want it sooner? When you cancel, choose Receive a refund to my wallet instead. The credit is in your Wallet straight away and is applied automatically at checkout on your next booking when you’re signed in with the same email. You can see your balance any time in My Wallet.
If you paid part of your booking with Wallet credit, that part always goes back to your Wallet. Trip protection isn’t refundable.
Oct 2026What's Included
- One-hour cruise
- "Straight to the gate" access
- Restrooms: Access to clean and convenient restrooms during your cruise.
- Multilingual personal audio-guide in 16 languages
- Gratuities
- Food and drinks. There is a full service bar onboard to purchase drinks and snacks.
Additional Info
- Confirmation is instant and will be received at time of booking
- Wheelchair accessible
- Transportation options are wheelchair accessible
- Service animals allowed
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
- Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
- Boat crew are trained to provide first aid and CPR support, and first aid kits are readily available on all vessels
- The main deck of each vessel are fully wheelchair accessible
- All cruise vessels offer indoor and outdoor seating, restrooms, and snack bar service.
- Vessels operate on biodiesel - a renewable energy source.
- The award-winning audio narration is available in English, French, German, Spanish, Portuguese, Thai, Mandarin, Hindi, Korean, Japanese, Italian, Russian, Hebrew, Arabic, Bahasa Indonesian and Vietnamese.
- Please come to our location 15-20 minutes prior to the departure time.
- This tour/activity will have a maximum of 25 travelers
