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San Francisco Bay Ferry, San Francisco, CA
SightseeingLocal GemFamily Favorite

San Francisco Bay Ferry

Ferry Building · San Francisco, CA

Why you should go…

Passenger ferries connect San Francisco's Ferry Building to Oakland, Alameda, Sausalito, Vallejo, and other Bay Area waterfront towns, doubling as both commuter transit and a scenic way to see the bay. Open-air decks give riders views of the skyline, Alcatraz, and the Bay Bridge on the crossing. It's a low-cost way for visitors to reach waterfront destinations around the bay without a car.

  • #ferry
  • #bay cruise
  • #scenic ride
  • #san francisco bay
  • #transportation

Good to know

General sightseeing guidance

Habits that pay off across this whole category, not rules for this one venue. Always check the official site for the specifics.

  • The forecast is part of the ticket

    Haze, low cloud, and rain flatten a view. Clear-day visits are worth rearranging your plans for.

  • Golden hour sells out first

    Sunset slots at observation decks and cruises are the first to go, so book those further ahead.

  • Dress a layer warmer

    It is always breezier up high and out on the water than it feels at street level.

  • Timed entry is common

    Plenty of landmarks release tickets in windows rather than at the door, so check before you walk over.

What's around here?

The closest stops to San Francisco Bay Ferry, ordered by straight-line distance. A few more like it, plus some different kinds of fun so you can build a full day.

  • Shopping
    Iconic

    Ferry Building

    Free

    Browse nearly 50 food merchants and restaurants inside an 1898 ferry terminal on the waterfront, with bay views.

    Right next doorSwitch it up: Shopping

  • Museums
    Local Gem

    San Francisco Railway Museum

    Free

    A small nonprofit museum on the Embarcadero celebrating San Francisco's cable cars and vintage streetcars.

    Steps awaySwitch it up: Museums

  • Museums
    Iconic

    Exploratorium

    $25–$50

    Hands-on science, art and human-perception museum on San Francisco's waterfront with hundreds of interactive exhibits.

    0.5 mi awaySwitch it up: Museums

  • Sightseeing
    Iconic

    Chinatown

    Free

    Walk through the Dragon's Gate onto Grant Avenue for lantern-lined streets, temples, markets and dim sum parlors.

    0.7 mi awayMore like this

  • Sightseeing
    Iconic

    San Francisco Cable Cars

    Under $25

    Ride an open-sided cable car up and over the hills on three historic lines pulled by underground cables.

    0.8 mi awayMore like this

  • Sightseeing
    Iconic

    Coit Tower

    Under $25

    Ride the elevator up this 210-foot Art Deco tower on Telegraph Hill for 360-degree views of the city and bay.

    0.8 mi awayMore like this