Top San Francisco On the Water

Sail across San Francisco Bay at twilight to admire the city skyline as it begins to light up for the night. With an experienced captain at the helm, you’ll glide past Alcatraz Island and cruise underneath the Golden Gate Bridge. Light hors d’oeuvres and two drinks are included.

Glide across San Francisco Bay with unlimited mimosas and sparkling wine on this weekend brunch cruise. Sail under the Golden Gate Bridge, pass Alcatraz, and see the city skyline from the deck. A hearty buffet and onboard music keep the mood festive while you enjoy brunch and sightsee.

Visit charming Sausalito, cruise across San Francisco Bay and stare up in wonder at the redwood trees of Muir Woods on this combo tour from San Francisco—the perfect day out in the Bay Area. Experience the Golden Gate Bridge from both above and below as you drive across it and glide under it, and learn about some of California’s oldest and tallest natural wonders, the coastal redwoods. In Sausalito, you can stroll along the waterfront or shop in the galleries and boutiques.

Admire San Francisco and its surrounding sights from the water on a San Francisco Bay sailing cruise. Onboard a catamaran, sail past the iconic Golden Gate Bridge, legendary Alcatraz Island, and the hamlet of Sausalito. Take advantage of great photo ops while you soak up the sea breeze during this scenic tour.

Spend an evening on the San Francisco Bay during this dinner cruise, including a 4-course gourmet meal of fresh, local ingredients prepared on board. After dinner, dance to the live band or enjoy the nighttime views of Alcatraz, the Golden Gate Bridge, and the city skyline from the exterior deck. Viator Exclusive: Upgrade to include window seating and a bottle of sparkling wine, an option available nowhere else.

Explore one of California's most iconic settings from the beauty of San Francisco Bay. This narrated Golden Gate Bay cruise journeys alongside Alcatraz and Angel Island State Park, past the shores of Sausalito and beneath the Golden Gate Bridge. You can choose to view the sights from inside your boat or out on deck.

Take a relaxing afternoon sailing cruise aboard a traditional sailboat on the San Francisco Bay. Cruise past landmarks such as Alcatraz Island, Angel Island, the Sausalito waterfront, and Golden Gate Bridge, and see the San Francisco skyline on your way back to Pier 39. Includes two drinks, and personalized attention from the crew and captain.

Cruise across San Francisco Bay twice in one day on this combo tour that includes entrance to the former island prison of Alcatraz, one of those most popular—and often sold-out—attractions in the city. Start with the ferry ride to San Francisco’s famous jail, which you’ll explore with a self-guided audio tour. After returning from Alcatraz, take a sunset or twilight cruise (depending on time of year) on the bay with an onboard buffet of hors d’oeuvres and a glass of wine or beer.

Come aboard the Privateer for a beautiful sailing journey along the San Francisco Bay where you can enjoy sightseeing at the most beautiful time of day—sunset. Coast along as you spot out Alcatraz, the Sausalito shoreline, and the Golden Gate bridge, all with a drink of choice in your hand.  

Have dinner with panoramic city views on a San Francisco Bay supper club cruise. Spend time on the water with the twinkling city skyline as your backdrop. Take in the views and enjoy the sea breeze on the exterior decks, cut loose on the dance floor with a DJ spinning top 40 hits, and enjoy a buffet dinner with classic American and international dishes on the menu.

Tread in the footsteps of world-champion sailors on this 2.5-hour America’s Cup Day Sail on San Francisco Bay. You’ll board a high-speed International America’s Cup class yacht and take a turn on the official race course from the 2013 competition. With a skilled sailor in charge, you’ll take your turn as crew working the sail trim controls and even have a chance to skipper the boat. After departing from San Francisco’s famous Pier 39 you’ll take to the Bay and cruise beneath the magnificent Golden Gay Bridge. There’s no better way to see the Bay than this sailing trip with USA 76.

Go sailing on the San Francisco Bay on a spectacular sailboat cruise from Pier 39 at Fisherman's Wharf. Head to the Golden Gate Bridge for sweeping views of the Marin Headlands, Tiburon and Sausalito, then glide across the bay, passing Angel Island, Alcatraz Island, The Presidio, Crissy Field, Ghirardelli Square, and the Bay Bridge. You can enjoy two complimentary glasses of sparkling wine, beer or soda, and ask your captain and crew any questions you may have along the way.

Discover top sights along San Francisco's iconic waterfront during this time-saver guided tour. Learn about the evolution of the picturesque waterfront city, from the gold rush frenzy to the advent of the cable-car. Highlights include the sea lions on Pier 39, stunning views overlooking the Golden Gate Bridge, and a stop at the historic Old Del Monte Fruit Cannery. Upgrade to include a sightseeing cruise along the water.

Bypass the line and head directly to the gate with your prebooked tickets. This sunset cruise takes you across San Francisco Bay with outstanding views of the city skyline, Golden Gate Bridge, Alcatraz Island and Sausalito. Enjoy a light appetizer buffet while you sip an included glass of wine, beer or soda from the full bar. Relax as you listen to the captain’s live commentary while background music sets the tone. Watch the sunset or select a twilight cruise during winter months.

Get acquainted with the City by the Bay during this 3.5-hour San Francisco tour, including a 1.5-hour cruise around Alcatraz Island. First make your way through the city’s most popular neighborhoods, and see main attractions, such as Fisherman’s Wharf and the Golden Gate Bridge. Then, hit the water on a cruise around Alcatraz Island, and learn about the history and the former inmates of the notorious penitentiary.

Visit Alcatraz Island before most visitors arrive and tour San Francisco on a motorized classic cable car. Head to Alcatraz early to enter this National Historic Landmark District. Explore the former prison via the award-winning audio guide, and enjoy a sightseeing tour of the Golden Gate Bridge, the Palace of Fine Arts, and Fort Point on a cable car retrofitted with wheels, so you can see more of the city.

Highlights: - Panoramic view of the San Francisco skyline, sail around Alcatraz Island and underneath the Golden Gate Bridge on this 1 hour bay cruise sail. - Get out of San Francisco and enjoy a half day excursion to Wine Country! - Enjoy tastings at 2 wineries (All wine tastings fees included). - Exclusive winery cave tours included!

Sail around the San Francisco Bay and view the city’s iconic sights while enjoying a buffet lunch on this yacht cruise from downtown. Only from the water can you see the city’s skyline and pass right under the Golden Gate Bridge. Load up on both meat and vegetarian entrees, salads, and sweets during your scenic cruise.

Take the helm of an International America’s Cup Class yacht on a 2.5-hour sail that traces the official course of San Francisco’s 2013 America’s Cup race. Cast off from the city’s bustling waterfront, and work alongside the crew to trim sails and operate the hoist while you head towards the Golden Gate Bridge. Enjoy fresh Pacific breezes as you get underway, and capture unforgettable images of Alcatraz, the San Francisco skyline, the bridge and the soaring Marin Headlands from the deck of the USA 76.

Experience northern California over two consecutive days by combining a wine tasting tour in Sonoma and Napa with a sailing cruise on the San Francisco Bay. Ride in style in a private luxury car from your San Francisco hotel to your choice of up to five wineries during your full-day wine tour. The next day, board your sunset sailing cruise from Pier 39 to see San Francisco from the water.

Experience the San Francisco Bay on a 2-hour sailing tour aboard a boat that competed in the America’s Cup, one of the world’s most prestigious sailing competitions. Depart from a convenient location on Pier 39 for this family-friendly sailboat tour, which offers sweeping views of Alcatraz, the Golden Gate Bridge, Sausalito, the city skyline, and more.

Climb aboard USA 76, an International America’s Cup Class racing yacht and join the crew to race against 40 other yachts in a regatta on the San Francisco Bay. Participate with active crew roles: try pinning the sail trim, take a turn at the helm, or just sit back and enjoy the ride. Learn the history of the ship and have a safety interdiction from your US Coast Guard Licensed crew.

Combine some of the San Francisco area's top sights—Alcatraz, Muir Woods, and Sausalito—in a single day tour. Traveling in a luxury bus, you'll be able to focus on the sights while someone else drives and provides insightful commentary. Explore Muir Woods and Sausalito independently, then hop a boat for a cruise around Alcatraz Island in the San Francisco Bay.

For most of the year, all kinds of whales can be seen in the San Francisco Bay: humpbacks and blue whales in the winter, and gray whales, killer whales and sperm whales in the summer. This afternoon sailing trip into the Bay is a great way to get close to these majestic creatures and watch them as they feed. With only one sailing a day and limited places on the ferry, make sure to book quickly or risk missing out.