AAmericaExperiences

Best Bay Cruises in San Francisco

Under-the-bridge sailings are the most reliably good hour on the water in the city.

Our verdicts

Each verdict cites the evidence behind it. Where the data doesn't support a classification, we leave it out.

Best overall

Painted Ladies San Francisco City Tour

4.9 ★2,523 reviews· 2 hours

Come jump on a city tour with us to cruise through some of the 15 top city highlights including Union Square, Chinatown, North Beach, Hayes Valley, Golden Gate Park, the Haight/Ashbury, Western Addition, Civic Center and The Marina. Also, you get 3 stops for photo ops at landmarks such as The Golden Gate Bridge, Painted Ladies and Palace Of Fine Arts (shhhh ...on occasion you might see us driving

Indicative from $82 — confirmed on Viator

Check availability on Viator

Highest confidence-weighted score here: 4.9 across 2,523 reviews.

Best value

San Francisco Golden Gate Bay Cruise

4.7 ★1,784 reviews· 1 hour

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 langua

Indicative from $39 — confirmed on Viator

Check availability on Viator

Lowest indicative starting price among the strongly rated options in this list (4.7★).

Best premium option

Alcatraz with Muir Woods and Sausalito Tour

4.5 ★1,230 reviews· 7 hours

Combine three of the Bay Area's top attractions—Alcatraz Island, Muir Woods, and Sausalito—into one tour from San Francisco. Travel in a luxury small-group tour van across the Golden Gate Bridge, enjoying the scenery without the hassle of driving. Explore Muir Woods and Sausalito at your own pace. Choose between a day or night tour of Alcatraz. The night tour features a sunset cruise, cell door

Indicative from $159 — confirmed on Viator

Check availability on Viator

Highest indicative price point, with review volume to back it up.

Muir Woods is simply majestic.Best small-group experience

San Francisco, Muir Woods, Sausalito and Optional Alcatraz Tour

4.8 ★1,597 reviews· 9 hours

Discover San Francisco, Muir Woods, and Sausalito with the option to add tickets to Alcatraz! Join a small group tour that covers four iconic experiences in a single day: explore San Francisco’s historic neighborhoods, cross the Golden Gate Bridge, stroll beneath the Red Woods of Muir Woods National Monument, and enjoy a drive through Sausalito. Ride in comfort aboard our premium minibuses, with

Indicative from $109 — confirmed on Viator

Check availability on Viator

Explicitly described as a small-group or capacity-limited departure.

Every eligible option

Painted Ladies San Francisco City Tour

4.9 ★2,523 reviews· 2 hours

Come jump on a city tour with us to cruise through some of the 15 top city highlights including Union Square, Chinatown, North Beach, Hayes Valley, Golden Gate Park, the Haight/Ashbury, Western Addition, Civic Center and The Marina. Also, you get 3 stops for photo ops at landmarks such as The Golden Gate Bridge, Painted Ladies and Palace Of Fine Arts (shhhh ...on occasion you might see us driving

Indicative from $82 — confirmed on Viator

Check availability on Viator
The best way to get to Muir Woods

Golden Gate Bridge Muir Woods Sausalito with Optional Alcatraz

4.9 ★1,469 reviews· 6 hours

All of our tour guides are Bay Area Natives, which will help you understand what it’s like to grow up in SF and now live here as grown ups with our own families. You will enjoy an introduction to San Francisco on this 5 to 6 hour tour that includes Neighborhoods like Chinatown, North Beach, Pacific Heights and a trip across the Golden Gate Bridge to Muir Woods National Monument. You'll be driven a

Indicative from $119 — confirmed on Viator

Check availability on Viator
Muir Woods is simply majestic.

San Francisco, Muir Woods, Sausalito and Optional Alcatraz Tour

4.8 ★1,597 reviews· 9 hours

Discover San Francisco, Muir Woods, and Sausalito with the option to add tickets to Alcatraz! Join a small group tour that covers four iconic experiences in a single day: explore San Francisco’s historic neighborhoods, cross the Golden Gate Bridge, stroll beneath the Red Woods of Muir Woods National Monument, and enjoy a drive through Sausalito. Ride in comfort aboard our premium minibuses, with

Indicative from $109 — confirmed on Viator

Check availability on Viator
San Francisco Bay Sunset Cruise

San Francisco Bay Sunset Catamaran Cruise

4.8 ★1,435 reviews· 1h 35m

Enjoy the serene San Francisco Bay at sunset on this evening with the Sunset Cruise aboard a luxurious catamaran. Sail by Alcatraz Island, under the Golden Gate Bridge and look for sea lions, then cruise down the city skyline. Both the Adventure Cat 55' or 65' catamaran are complete with a 360-degree, protected viewing area for those who don't like the wind in their faces as well as canvas trampo

Indicative from $88 — confirmed on Viator

Check availability on Viator

San Francisco Golden Gate Bay Cruise

4.7 ★1,784 reviews· 1 hour

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 langua

Indicative from $39 — confirmed on Viator

Check availability on Viator

Muir Woods and Sausalito Tour (Return by Bus or Ferry)

4.4 ★5,284 reviews· 5 hours

Take time out from San Francisco on a half-day trip to Muir Woods National Park and Sausalito. This enthralling half-day trip takes you across the Golden Gate Bridge to the Bay Area's most popular National Park Monument to experience the magnificent views of the Giant redwoods during a 90' stop. Visit the beautiful coastal town of Sausalito, a gorgeous Mediterranean-style village with quaint sh

Indicative from $80 — confirmed on Viator

Check availability on Viator

Napa and Sonoma Wine Country Full-Day Tour from San Francisco

4.3 ★4,631 reviews· 8 hours

Cross the Golden Gate Bridge and explore California’s top wineries on a luxurious full-day tour. Visit famous wineries in Napa & Sonoma, enjoy tastings, a delicious lunch, and free time in Sonoma Square Plaza (if you choose this option). Discover Castello di Amorosa & Artesa Winery, savor premium wines with charcuterie & chocolates, and explore downtown Napa (if you choose this option). Along the

Indicative from $157 — confirmed on Viator

Check availability on Viator
San Francisco Skyline

San Francisco City Lights Cruise

4.5 ★2,172 reviews· 2 hours

See San Francisco sparkle on the San Francisco City Lights Cruise, a relaxing 2-hour evening cruise on the Bay. Sail beneath the Golden Gate Bridge, past Alcatraz Island, and along the waterfront for sweeping views of the city skyline. Unwind to pre-recorded music, enjoy a beverage available for purchase from the onboard bar, and take in the sights from indoor or outdoor seating. Cruise with San

Indicative from $58 — confirmed on Viator

Check availability on Viator

Alcatraz with Muir Woods and Sausalito Tour

4.5 ★1,230 reviews· 7 hours

Combine three of the Bay Area's top attractions—Alcatraz Island, Muir Woods, and Sausalito—into one tour from San Francisco. Travel in a luxury small-group tour van across the Golden Gate Bridge, enjoying the scenery without the hassle of driving. Explore Muir Woods and Sausalito at your own pace. Choose between a day or night tour of Alcatraz. The night tour features a sunset cruise, cell door

Indicative from $159 — confirmed on Viator

Check availability on Viator

SF: Hop-on Hop-off Sightseeing Tour by Open-top Bus

4.1 ★4,777 reviews· 1h 15m

See San Francisco’s top sights the easy way with Big Bus Tours. We offer the most comprehensive tour with over 17 hop-on hop-off locations spanning from the Golden Gate Bridge for panoramic views of the Bay, to Fisherman’s Wharf to enjoy fresh clam chowder and watch sea lions at Pier 39. Explore Chinatown’s bustling streets, admire the Painted Ladies’ Victorian charm, and stop at Union Square for

Indicative from $56 — confirmed on Viator

Check availability on Viator

Alcatraz Visit with Night Option and SF Bay Cruise

4.2 ★1,022 reviews· 2 hours

Choose between a day tour or a special night tour of Alcatraz. The night tour includes a narrated cruise at sunset, cell door demonstrations, and talks from expert historians. Both tours include an audio guide available in multiple languages to delve into the prison's history and infamous escape attempts. Additionally, enjoy a narrated 1-hour cruise with views of landmarks such as the Golden Gate

Indicative from $139 — confirmed on Viator

Check availability on Viator
← All San Francisco experiences