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• Bay Cruises

San Francisco Bay Tours: My 10 Favorite Boat Cruises on the SF Bay

by Jill Loeffler   •

Updated: February 12, 2024

There are so many great San Francisco bay tours and boat cruises that it can be hard to find the perfect one.

I've been on almost all of them and have a few thoughts on all of them.

I hope it will help you decide which one is right for you.

Some of the most popular picks by visitors include the standard 60-minute bay cruise as well as some of our sunset cruises.

If you are looking for something a little fancier, you will find a wonderful Dinner Dance Cruise offered by Hornblower. 

You can also head out past the Golden Gate Bridge to get in some whale watching while you are here or take a special cruise to watch the fireworks on Fourth of July or New Year's Eve.

Disclaimer : I receive a small commission from some of the links on this page.

3 Top Rated Bay Cruises

• Golden Gate Bay Cruise : Most popular, runs often, 60 minutes
• Premier Brunch Cruise : 2 hours, buffet brunch, unlimited mimosas and sparkling wine, great views!
• Twilight/Sunset Cruise : Head out on the water in the evening as the sun sets, 90 minutes

1. Golden Gate Bay Cruise

Tour Length: 60 minutes

Tickets : Book your tickets

As I mentioned in my intro, this is by far the most popular cruise and a go to for many first-time visitors.

It offers a great overview of the SF Bay both from a sightseeing and history perspective. 

These San Francisco boat cruises leave from Fisherman's Wharf several times a day.

It's another reason why they are so popular--because they run the most often.

These San Francisco bay tours are offered by both the Gold and Blue Fleet and the Red and White Fleet.

I've been on the water with both companies several times and they both offer great service.

The only difference is that the Gold and Blue Fleet provides their narration over loudspeakers on the boat while Red and White Fleet hands out individual headsets. 

One benefit to the headsets with Red and White is that they offer narration in several languages, so this is something to consider if English is your second language.

Both SF cruise companies follow almost the same route.

The boat cruise leaves from Fisherman's Wharf and starts out along the northern waterfront.

You head west past several SF sights including Fort Mason , the Marina District and the Palace of Fine Arts .

You will then ride by Fort Point National Historic Site as you head to the main attraction - the Golden Gate Bridge .

After you float under the Golden Gate Bridge, you turn around for a second time under the bridge.

You will head to the northern side of the bay. You'll pass Sausalito , Angel Island and take some time cruising past Alcatraz Island . 

You can catch one of these San Francisco bay tours several times a day.

In the summer, each company offers about a dozen boat cruises. In the winter, it's about 7 to 9 (more on the weekends). 

Your ticket is good for any cruise for that day. When you arrive, you will line up for the cruise and those in front will board first.

However, don't stress too much (unless it's a really busy holiday weekend) as they don't often fill up all the way.

People also move around the boat quite a bit, so you don't really need to be first in line.

You can buy tickets for these cruises either online or in person.

>> Find tickets for this cruise on GetYourGuide

If you want a full write up of what to expect on this tour, you can also visit this page . It's my overview with more pictures and what to expect. In this case, I reviewed my time with the Red and White Fleet.

2. San Francisco Bridge to Bridge Cruise

Tour Length : 90 minutes

Tickets: Book your tickets for this cruise today ! 

My second recommend for San Francisco bay tours is the Bridge to Bridge Cruise.

This one is run by the Red and White Fleet. It's a popular option, but only runs a few times a day. 

They are also usually flexible with timing too on which San Francisco boat tour you can board unless it's a really busy day.

You can stop by their dock at any time to confirm which tour you can go on for the day of your ticket.

It's slightly different from the SF Bay Cruise as this one offers 30 additional minutes on the water. It will follow the same route as above.

However, instead of heading back after circling Alcatraz, you will head on for a trip under the Bay Bridge.

You will also cruise past Treasure Island and the Ferry Building . So, it offers a little more fun on the water for just a few more bucks per ticket.

As with the Bay Cruise, the narration for the Bridge to Bridge Cruise is on personal headsets. You can choose from one of 16 languages on their headsets too.

>> Find tickets

3. San Francisco Champagne Brunch Cruise

Tour Length: 2 hours

The San Francisco Champagne Brunch Cruise is a great option from Hornblower.

What makes this one of my favorite San Francisco bay tours is the combination of the food/champagne and the cruise around the bay in the morning.

The buffet varies a bit throughout the year to allow for seasonal changes.

Some of the items you will find include fresh baked breads, a variety of salads, French toast, scrambled eggs, bacon, home fries, herb crusted beef, ham with country mustards, and SO much more.

And, of course, their house champagne (as well as coffee, tea, water and soda). 

You will cruise along a similar route to what was mentioned in the descriptions above including heading under the Golden Gate Bridge, near Alcatraz, near the Bay Bridge and past other top sights along the water. 

This is a really fun cruise and worth the extra money for a delightful experience.

This San Francisco boat cruise also picks up at Pier 3, which is NOT in Fisherman's Wharf, but instead close to the Ferry Building on the Embarcadero.

>>  Find tickets for all cruises on Viator

4. Twilight OR Sunset Cruise (Depending on the Season)

Tour Length : 2 hours

The Twilight or Sunset Cruise is offered by the Red and White Fleet. The difference between the two cruises is the time of year. 

The Twilight Cruise is offered during the winter months (roughly early November through mid-March). It's called a Twilight Cruise since the sun will already be down by the time the cruise is underway.

However, you do get amazing views of the lights on the Golden Gate Bridge, the Bay Bridge, San Francisco, and all around the SF Bay.

The Sunset Cruise is offered the rest of the year (roughly from mid-March through early November). They change the time this San Francisco boat cruise leaves in order to have you on the water during the sunset.

You will get some great views of the sunset as long as the fog has not decided to make its way into the bay before the sun goes down.

Both cruises follow the same route. They first head along the northern shoreline, then under the Golden Gate Bridge, around Alcatraz, past Treasure Island, under the Bay Bridge and then back to Fisherman's Wharf.

These cruises only leave once a day (and only Thursday through Sunday during the winter months), so your ticket will be for a specific time.

I love this evening cruise as they also serve a nice buffet of appetizers. You can also enjoy a drink or two on board (available for purchase at the bar). There is also a musician on board playing some light music in the background. 

It makes for a really nice evening on the water with family, friends or your romantic partner.

>> Find tickets for this fun cruise

5. Escape from the Rock

Tour Length: 90-minute tour

The Escape from the Rock cruise follows the same path as the SF Bay Cruises for the first 60 minutes. The difference with this one is that it offers an additional loop around Alcatraz as well as more stories about this famous island and its inmates.

In addition to hearing about SF's history, you will also hear more about Al Capone, Robert Stroud "The Birdman of Alcatraz," and those who tried to escape.

This one is very popular, but it only runs a couple of times a day.

Some people get confused by the name and think that it will stop on Alcatraz for a visit.

It does not.

It simply cruises around the island a couple of times, so you get some great views and photos.

This one is a good one if you missed your chance to get tickets to Alcatraz or if you want to see it closer up from the water.

If the timing of this cruise works for you, I would select this one over the standard 60-minute bay cruise as it gives you some great insight into Alcatraz.

6. Wine Tasting on the Bay

Tour Length : 90 Minutes

This awesome cruise is aboard Wine Therapy. This floating wine bar is a blast and allows you to sip on your local wine as you soak in the views from around the SF Bay.

The boat is a 45-foot classic yacht with seating both indoors and out. 

Your cruise starts and ends at Pier 39. You'll then head toward the Golden Gate Bridge, circle close to Alcatraz, enjoy the downtown San Francisco skyline, and then head back to where it all began.

The cruise is 90 minutes. The wine is by the glass and is not included in the price of the cruise.

>> Find out more and check for availability

7. Dinner Dance Cruise

Length: 2.5 to 3 hours

The Dinner Dance Cruise is the first on my list from Hornblower. This company features San Francisco boat tours that I would consider are more for special occasions.

They have larger boats in order to accommodate tables for their dinner dance cruises and they also have a higher price tag because so much more is included with this ticket.

The Dinner Dance Cruise is one of their most popular cruises and it runs a few nights a week (usually around the weekends in the winter and most nights in the summer).

It features a four-course seated meal with a choice of options within some of the courses.

After dinner, you can head outside for views of the SF Bay, enjoy a little dancing on one of their upper decks, or just sit back to listen to the music.

As for drinks, tea, coffee, water, and soda are included with your ticket. Their bar is open the entire tour and you can buy beer, wine and cocktails here.

What I love about these San Francisco boat cruises is that you get some decent views of the bay from almost all of the seats in the dining room. 

The other thing to note about these bay cruises is they do require that you dress up a little bit. No jeans are allowed, and they require business casual dress. 

It's the perfect pick for a romantic date night or upscale dinner.

One of the things to keep in mind with the Hornblower cruises is that they pick up at Pier 3, which is closer to the Ferry Building and NOT near Fisherman's Wharf.

There usually aren't discounts for these San Francisco bay tours, but I do highly recommend booking your tickets early.

They do sell out during the busier travel seasons and holidays. 

>> Visit GetYourGuide for more details and to check for ticket availability

8. Whale Watching

Tour Length : Varies from about 2.5 hours to around 6 hours

The next on my list of the 10 top San Francisco bay tours is our fun whale watching tours .

I'm cheating a little by adding it to this list because most of the time you will be on the Pacific Ocean for this boat tour.

However, you will cruise through the bay to get to and from the ocean.

I also wanted to add this one because these are some of my favorite San Francisco boat tours.

The waters right outside the bay are very active all year long with migrating whales, dolphins, dozens of birds and other sea animals.

These boat cruises are so much fun that it would be a shame to miss your chance to head out for some whale watching.

The Golden Gate Whale Watching tour runs from late April to October. This is the standard summer whale watching tour and leaves from Pier 39 up to 4 times a day.

In 2.5 hours, you will keep an eye out for whale activity and sightings. 

In the winter months, gray whales are migrating through this area and there is a special Gray Whale Sightseeing Cruise. This one runs December - March.

It only heads out once a day and only a few days a week. Even though there are fewer people around at this time, I find this one of my favorite times to head out whale watching. 

The great thing is all of the boat companies work together (you will hear them on the radio) to ensure passengers on all of the boats get the chance to see whales during the cruise.

9. Sunset Catamaran

Tour Length: 90 minutes

This is the second sunset boat cruise on my list of the 10 best San Francisco Bay Tours.

I offer this one as an alternative to the Twilight/Sunset Cruise for a couple of reasons.

First, this bay cruise is smaller and offers a more intimate experience. This one is better if you are looking for a more romantic evening on the water.

There are also fewer people on this boat, so you can get to know people a little better.

Second, this one is more casual.

They do offer a drink which is included in your ticket price.

The catamaran is smaller, but still has plenty of space.

They also have both indoor and outdoor seating. Soft-soled shoes are also recommended so you can easily walk around the catamaran. 

If you love the water and want to spend a relaxing evening cruising around the bay, then this is the tour for you! 

It follows the typical path with two trips under the Golden Gate Bridge, a cruise around Alcatraz, and a chance to see all of the wonderful sights along the water. 

It only runs once a night and the time changes by season to give you the best chance to catch the sunset.

The tour does runs from early March to the end of November.

>> Find tickets to this fun catamaran tour

>> Find some additional night tours on both land and on the water

10. Special Event Cruises

Tour Length : Varies

My final entry for my list of the best San Francisco bay tours is all of the special event cruises. There are several throughout the year for holidays, but three dates offer an extra special experience.

The first two are cruises for our amazing fireworks shows.

On New Year's Eve and Fourth of July, dozens of San Francisco boat tours head out on the water to watch the fireworks shows.

Some of them offer dinner and dancing, while others head out just for the show.

If you are around on either of these dates, I highly recommend one of these cruises.

Find out more about the NYE Cruises here and more on Fourth of July on this page.

Fleet Week is another time of the year when you will find some special San Francisco cruises. They head out on the water for the very popular airshow that features the Blue Angels.

They offer cruises usually on Friday, Saturday and Sunday during the shows and some also offer cruises during the Blue Angels practice runs. 

Learn more about Fleet Week on this page . 

Comments? Questions? Suggestions?

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By  Karen

Updated August 16, 2023.

The Best 15 Bay Cruises in San Francisco

A local's guide to cruising on san francisco bay.

Going out on the water on one of the San Francisco Bay cruises is the best way to see the stunning beauty of San Francisco Bay!

There's a San Francisco Bay boat tour for just about any taste.

How do I know which are the best San Francisco boat tours?  Having lived in San Francisco for 30 years, I’ve been on a lot of these bay tours.

We also like to take our out-of-town visitors on a San Francisco Bay cruise..always a hit!

I’ve included my own experiences and my insider tips so you can pick the best San Francisco Bay cruise for you.

And I've checked the ratings and reviews so I know other people really enjoyed them, too.

There are so many San Francisco boat tours, but which one to choose?

Here's my list of the what I think are the best ones...

This article contains affiliate links and I get a small commission if you book through them, at no additional cost to you. See disclosure policy . This helps me provide all the free information on the site. Thank you!

Don't want to read the whole article? Book this Champagne Brunch Bay Cruise. Lots of fun, highly rated! 2 hour weekend cruise.

You'll see incredible views of the San Francisco skyline , the Golden Gate Bridge and Alcatraz   Island that you can't get on land.

The San Francisco boat tours sail past Alcatraz, Angel Island, the Ferry Building, and Coit Tower. 

You can often get a close look at the sea lions, and sometimes porpoises and whales, and you'll see the San Francisco waterfront from a very different perspective.

My Top 3 Picks: San Francisco Bay Cruises

Champagne Brunch Cruise

• Unlimited (yes) Mimosas & Sparkling Wine 
• Bountiful brunch
• See both bridges

Bridge to Bridge Bay Cruise

• Sail under both bridges
• Narrated tour
• Skip the line 

Catamaran Cruise

• Sail under the Golden Gate
• Sail around Alcatraz 
• See wildlife

I’ve listed what I think are the top 15 San Francisco Bay cruises so you can choose the one that works for you (plus some bonus extras at the end).

• Premier Champagne Brunch Cruise
• Bridge to Bridge Cruise 
• Catamaran Sailing Cruise
• San Francisco Bay Sailing Cruise
• Sunset Catamaran Cruise
• Fishing Boats at Fisherman's Wharf
• Wine Therapy Tour
• Straight to the Gate Access:   Golden Gate Bay Cruise
• San Francisco Bay   Twilight or Sunset Cruise
• America's Cup Day Sailing Adventure on San Francisco Bay
• Premier   Dinner Dance Cruise
• Straight to the Gate Access: San Francisco   Escape from the Rock Cruise
• Adventure Boat (RIB) Sightseeing
• Alcatraz Island Tours
• Sausalito Ferry            And some extras ...

Jump to maps showing the typical routes the bay cruises use .

1. San Francisco Premier Brunch Cruise

Rating: 5/5 stars.   2 hours.   See current availability & rates . 

Sail around San Francisco Bay while sipping mimosas and sparkling wine (Champagne, unofficially) and enjoying a sumptuous brunch. Treat yourself to a lovely weekend cruise.

This is a super fun boat ride all around the Bay, sailing under both the Golden Gate and the Bay Bridges, past Alcatraz Island and along the San Francisco waterfront. 

Enjoy great views of the San Francisco city skyline, Chrissy Field, Aquatic Park, and the Palace of Fine Arts, while listening to live music, from the comfort of a classy ship.

Because it goes under both bridges, you also cruise past the Ferry Building and McCovey Cove (Oracle Park baseball).

2. San Francisco Bridge to Bridge Tour

4.5/5 stars.   1.5 hours.  Check prices .

This Straight to the Gate Access bay cruise takes you all around the San Francisco Bay and under both bay bridges , the Golden Gate Bridge and the Oakland Bay Bridge.

Most of the boat tours don't go under the Bay Bridge, so it's an extra treat. This route also gives you a spectacular view of the downtown San Francisco skyline, and sails past the Ferry Building and Oracle Park (baseball). 

They sail close to Alcatraz   Island so you get a good look at it.

There's an popular  audio tour included that tells you about all the landmarks you're passing. Available in multiple languages (16).

Tip: ask for the headphones to use with the audio tour because the boat and wind can be noisy.

You can ride inside (if cold and windy!) or outside for the ocean air. 

Snacks and drinks are available for purchase on board from the full bar (you can even bring your own food if you want).

It's an open ticket , so if something comes up (rain, fog, schedule change?), you can go on another day. Why buy the ticket in advance? Skip the ticket line!

Provided by the Red & White Fleet . Leaves from Pier 43½ at Fisherman's Wharf. 

    ➡️ Book Bridge to Bridge Cruise

3. San Francisco Catamaran Day Cruise

Rating: 5/5 stars.  1.5 hours.    Check availability and rates .

Sail around San Francisco Bay, under the Golden Gate Bridge and around Alcatraz Island, in a catamaran, the Adventure Cat .

Gliding over the water with just the sound of the wind and the gulls, the spectacular views, with only a few other people, is the ultimate SF Zen experience!

You can ride on the outside, or go in a wind-protected area. Limited to 12 guests.

This is a good choice for a real sailing experience without the tilting deck of a traditional sailboat. The catamaran stays level, so it's better for younger children and less able sailors. Better for the queasy stomach, as well; smoother ride than a sailboat.

Snacks and drinks are available onboard, plus an audio tour in 8 languages.

From Pier 39 . 

 ➡️  Book the Catamaran Cruise  

4. San Francisco Bay Sailboat Cruise

Rating: 5/5 stars.  1.5 hours.  Check availability and rates.

One of the prettiest things to see in San Francisco are the white sailboats on the blue waters of the bay. Going out on one of them is even better!

The  San Francisco Sailing Company  runs several bay tours on their sailboats that I highly recommend.

We went out on their 90-minute sailing tour on the Privateer sailboat...what a treat! It's like being on a private yacht, fun and relaxing, with a mellow crew and free wine and beer. 

Better for adults and older children, since you'll need to hang on at times when they're tacking back and forth. 

They also do a two-hour version and a sunset cruise.

See our photos of the cruise, and details about the trip , at our sailboat cruise .

Leaves from Pier 39 .

 ➡️  Book the Sailboat Cruise  

5. SF Bay Sunset Catamaran  Cruise

Rating: 5/5 stars.  1.5 hours. Check availability and rates.

The Catamaran Sunset Cruise is one of the most romantic boat rides in San Francisco, out on the Adventure Cat catamaran.

You get a great view of the San Francisco Bay just as the sun is setting on the city and the bridge, out on the  Sunset Catamaran Cruise .

This cruise is similar to the daytime catamaran cruise, same route, except it includes one free drink.

Sail along the San Francisco waterfront and city skyline, out under the Golden Gate Bridge, past Angel Island, and around Alcatraz Island.

You can purchase snacks and more drinks on board, and listen to the audio tour in 8 languages. Limit of 12 guests.

 ➡️  Book the Sunset Catamaran Cruise  

6. San Francisco Fishing Boats Cruise

 No ratings.  1 hour.  $20.

You can also hop on one of the small fishing boats docked at the marina on the main street of Fisherman's Wharf (Jefferson Street at Jones).

They'll take you out on the Bay for an hour's tour, out under the Golden Gate Bridge and around Alcatraz.

What's different from the other tours? Fewer people, lively wave action, and salt spray if you sit in the front!

There's live narration from the skipper on board (though it was hard to hear in the front).

No snacks are supplied, but you can bring your own refreshments, including alcohol. Bathroom on board, always good. 

No advance reservations , just sign up at the dock on Jefferson Street for the next trip. They leave about every hour.

We went out on  Chucky's Pride , one of several fishing boats available for the cruises.

I think it's more exciting to sail out under the Golden Gate in a smaller boat than in one of the much larger ferries.

You really feel the waves and the ocean seems mightier, especially just outside the protection of the gate.

The boat goes all the way around Alcatraz, so you see the other side that's not visible on the actual Alcatraz ferry ride.

Also, it's a real bargain - only recently went from $15 to $20, cash only.

7. SF Bay Wine Therapy Cruise

Ratings: 5/5 stars.  1.5 hours.    Check availability and rates.

Combine wine tasting and a sunset bay cruise; very mellow!

This is a family-run business that takes you out for a tour of the Bay and provides a large selection of California wines for you to try.

Good, close views of Alcatraz and passes by the Pier 39 sea lions coming and going.

Friendly atmosphere, quaint and homey boat. Small group, limited to 15.

Leaves from Pier 39

   ➡️  Book the Wine Therapy Cruise  

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

Ratings: 4.0/5 stars.  1 hour.   Check availability and rates.

If you only have a short time in San Francisco, or can only do one thing at the Wharf, this is the San Francisco Bay cruise to do!

This is a good basic cruise . A one hour tour of the Bay, along the San Francisco waterfront , out to the bridge, under the Golden Gate , past Alcatraz , and back to Fisherman's Wharf .

The Red and White Fleet  in San Francisco is a family-owned business that started offering this cruise in 1939. The audio tour is available in 16 languages. 

It's particularly good if you have limited time, or young kids that get restless. You can see all the sights of the San Francisco Bay on a quick San Francisco cruise tour, for a very reasonable fee.

Leaves from Pier 43 ½ in Fisherman's Wharf.

There are two ferry services that run these one hour Golden Gate Bridge boat tours: the Red & White Fleet and the Blue & Gold Fleet . They are very similar tour operators and both leave from Fisherman's Wharf with frequent departures.

This Straight to the Gate Access  lets you skip the line and get right to the boat. It's an open ticket good for a year, so you can be flexible using it.

 ➡️  Book the Golden Gate Bay Cruise  

The Alcatraz Ferry doesn't go around the island, except on their night tours.

This is the view from the other side, which you can see on most of the bay cruises, but not from the city.  Like the dark side of the moon?

9. Golden Gate Twilight or Sunset Cruise

Ratings: 4.5/5 stars.  1.5 hours.   Check availability and rates.

The Golden Gate Sunset Cruise in San Francisco goes out on the Red & White Fleet. This is a fun way to get out on the bay and see the city as the sun goes down, with all the lights coming on. 

Amazing views of the San Francisco skyline after dark, very sparkly. The sun setting behind the Golden Gate is something to see!

The Sunset Cruise sails during the summer and the Twilight Cruise sails during the winter. A very romantic way to cruise the bay!

They sail past Alcatraz , Angel Island , the San Francisco waterfront , Sausalito and under the Golden Gate Bridge (very cool at sunset). You can purchase snacks and drinks at the full bar on board. 

Bring your jacket even if it's summer (especially if it's summer, haha); it's cool and windy out on the water.

This San Francisco harbor cruise can sell out, so it's good to book it in advance.

Skip the line tickets.  Go right to the boat. Leaves from Pier 43½ at Fisherman's Wharf.

 ➡️  Book Twilight or Sunset Cruise  

10. America's Cup Sailing Adventure

Ratings: 5/5 stars.  2.5 hours.   Check availability and rates.

This is for the more adventurous sailors! You can go out on a high-speed racing yacht of the type that was used in the America's Cup competition and follow the same route the race took in 2013 when it was held in San Francisco.

The crew lets you help with the sails and the steering if you want (you don't have to, though). I haven't done this trip but it looks exciting.

Limited to 20 people. They say you should have a "moderate physical fitness level" for this Bay Area cruise.

  ➡️  Book America's Cup Sailing Cruise  

If this cruise isn't available, the 90 minute sailboat cruise is a fun substitute.

11.  Premier Dinner Dance Cruise

Ratings: 4.0/5. 3 hours.   Check availability and rates.

City Experiences, a classy company that provides sailing trips on their yachts, has a San Francisco Bay dinner/dance cruise that is a lot of fun.

This may be the most romantic boat ride in San Francisco.

A nighttime extravaganza: a delicious four-course meal, and stunning views of the city and the bridges all lit up. Amazing!

Sail around the bay on a yacht, dancing to a live band or DJ, and savoring a tasty meal.

Enjoy dinner selections like watermelon and feta salad, crab gazpacho soup, chicken cordon-bleu, or maybe glazed salmon, with key lime pot de creme and macaroons, or perhaps berry parfait with Gran Marnier.

I've been on several of their San Francisco evening cruises - a very professional outfit.

My son and I went on this dinner cruise. For all the details on our dinner cruise experience, plus photos and maps, see my page on  our dinner cruise in San Francisco .

It's magical to be out on the water at night with the city lights twinkling in the distance.

The views of the city and the bridges at night were incredible, and the food was great! A fun San Francisco experience.

  ➡️  Book Dinner Dance Cruise  

12. Escape from the Rock

Ratings: 4.0/5.  1.5 hours.    Check availability and rates.

This cruise is a bay tour that focuses on Alcatraz , but it also goes out under the Golden Gate and around the bay . This tour is given by the Blue and Gold Fleet .

The boat goes around Alcatraz Island a couple of times up close while you can listen to the audio narrative about the history of Alcatraz and the prisoners and their escapes.

What is the difference between the Golden Gate Bay Cruise and the Escape from the Rock Cruise? This is similar to the one hour Golden Gate bay cruises in that it does a complete tour of the bay along the same route, but this tour also spends extra time at Alcatraz Island and provides a lot of information about Alcatraz history during the cruise. 

In order to hear the audio, you will need a smart phone with wifi enabled; also, it's best to bring some ear buds or a headset to hear it over the sound of the boat.

Most of the negative reviews were about problems accessing the audio, or misunderstandings about whether the tour goes onto the island. It does not go onto the island.

To see Alcatraz Prison and explore the Island, see my articles on visiting Alcatraz .

 ➡️  Book Escape from the Rock Cruise  

13.  RIB Boat Tour

Ratings: 5/5 stars.  1.5 hours.   Check availability and rates.

This is a newer addition to the boat rides in SF Bay. The RIB boat (Rigid Inflatable Boat) is the more extreme version of the Rocket Boat (which I loved, but it disappeared in 2019):

...90 minutes zooming around SF Bay on an inflatable boat, and a lot wetter (they provide you with rain gear).

This cruise also includes a guided tour of the bay, narrated by the captain. 

Sail by the Ferry Building, Fort Point, the sea lions, and the Presidio.

Go under both the Golden Gate Bridge and the Bay Bridge, around Alcatraz, and past the SF skyline. Sometimes the whales are out there.

Limited to 12 people. I haven't tried this one yet, but I've seen it out on the Bay and it looks pretty wild and fun! 

 ➡️  Book RIB Boat Tour  

14. Alcatraz Tours

The only way to actually get onto Alcatraz Island.

Alcatraz cruises are in class by themselves. Only one company, City Experiences , at cityexperiences.com, runs ferries out to Alcatraz where visitors can get off the boat and explore the island.

If you have several hours and have any interest in the history of the island prison, take one of the City Experiences tours to Alcatraz.

Not only is the building fascinating to explore, the views of the city and bay are wonderful.

All the other bay cruise companies sail around the island, which is fun, too, but they don't stop at the island to let you off.

The Alcatraz Island tours aren't really bay tours, but on the 15 minute ride out to Alcatraz Island, you get a great view of the San Francisco skyline and the Golden Gate Bridge, plus a view of Angel Island nearby.

You don't sail out to the Golden Gate, though. For that you have to take one of the other cruises.

The Alcatraz tours are well-worth doing for their own sake. Probably one of the most interesting things to do in San Francisco.

The Alcatraz Ferry leaves from Pier 33 and only goes to Alcatraz , but getting Alcatraz tickets is the only way to get out to the island and get off the boat there. The ticket includes all the tours on the island. Very cool!

Should you take the day tour or the night tour? To learn more about the Alcatraz Island tours available and the best ways of getting tickets for Alcatraz, plus what to expect out on the Rock, see my article on  Alcatraz tours .

Alcatraz tickets aren't discounted, but you may be able to save a little on tours if you get a combination tour, Alcatraz plus another attraction or activity you're interested in.

Sometimes the combos are a little more than buying them individually, but may be the best chance of getting a ticket when Alcatraz is sold out.

Is Alcatraz sold out for the date you want? Here's how to get those tickets.

The link below will take you to a list I made of the more popular Alcatraz combination tours available.

    ➡️  Check Alcatraz Combo Tours  

15. The Sausalito Ferry

The best ferry ride in San Francisco!  One of the cheaper, but no less beautiful, ways to see San Francisco Bay is to take the ferry across the bay from San Francisco to the seaside town of Sausalito. 

The ride across San Francisco Bay on the Sausalito Ferry was named the second best ferry ride in the world by the society of American Travel Writers in 2009 (second only to the Starr Ferry ride in Hong Kong).

It's a gorgeous ride, with great views of the city skyline, Alcatraz, Angel Island and the Golden Gate Bridge. Highly recommended, and a bargain to boot!

Around $28 round trip as of July 2023.

Once in Sausalito, you can explore this charming little town with houses climbing up the steep hills.

Check out the art galleries and shops and have some great seafood at one of their highly-regarded restaurants (e.g. Trident, or Scoma's).

And try the ice cream at Lappert's. Everything is on Bridgeway, the main street in Sausalito.

When you're done, you can catch the next ferry back to town. The ferry landing is right in the town.

Taking the Sausalito Ferry. You can take the Blue and Gold Ferry from Pier 39 at Fisherman's Wharf or the Golden Gate Ferry from the Ferry Building downtown. The ride over is about 30 minutes .

These are big ferries; no reservations are needed . You can buy the tickets on your phone, online, or at the ticket booths at the Ferry Building or the Blue and Gold ticket booth to the left of Pier 39 on the Wharf.

Tip: buy a round trip ticket in San Francisco. There's no ticket booth at the Sausalito ferry terminal, which is basically a parking lot (though you could still buy a return ticket on your phone if you needed to).

Want to bike across the Golden Gate Bridge to Sausalito, and take the ferry back?  This is a great way to see the bridge and bay scenery.

See my guide to biking the bridge: how to rent the bikes, what the ride is like, tips for taking the ferry, plus maps of the route and photos of the trip, at biking the bridge .

Should you worry about being seasick on the San Francisco bay cruises?

If you have problems with seasickness, it might encourage you to know that I've never felt sick on one of these San Francisco boat tours. And that is coming from someone who can't even watch the Teacups at Disneyland.

SF Bay Cruises Route Maps

Where do the boats go on the san francisco bay cruises.

There are two basic routes that the San Francisco bay tours use. These aren't exact, but they will give you a good idea of where most of the boat cruises go.

There are two basic varieties of San Francisco boat tours :

• Bay cruises that go to both bridges (the Golden Gate Bridge and the Oakland Bay Bridge) 
• Bay cruises that only travel to the Golden Gate Bridge . 

Both types of cruises do a circuit of the Bay, along the San Francisco waterfront, out under the Golden Gate, around Alcatraz Island, then back to the wharf.

The difference: the two-bridge cruises head south after going around Alcatraz, and sail past the downtown skyline, the Ferry Building, the Bay Bridge and Oracle Park.

The one hour cruises generally just see one bridge, the Golden Gate. Some of the 1.5 hour and longer tours see both bridges. Check each tour description for route details.

Most SF bay cruises leave from Fisherman's Wharf or Pier 39 as shown, but some cruises (brunch, special events, & dinner cruises) leave from Pier 3 near the Ferry Building (close to the Bay Bridge).

Route to the Golden Gate only

Route to both Golden Gate and Oakland Bay Bridges

Map of San Francisco Bay Ferry Destinations

SF Ferries leave from the Ferry Building, Pier 33 (Alcatraz Landing), Piers 39, 41, & 43.

Heading to Sausalito, Tiburon, Angel Island, Alcatraz, and the bridges. 

Tips for saving money on SF bay cruises

• The San Francisco City Pass includes a one hour bay cruise with admission to the California Academy of Sciences, plus two more attractions from a list.
• Do a bay cruise combined with a one-day Hop On Hop Off city bus tour. See the city and the bay. Check HOHO City Tour & Bay Cruise for times and availability. $10 off if booked online.

More ideas for special bay cruises

Whale watching tours.

Again, this isn't designed as a tour of San Francisco Bay, but on a whale watching tour you travel across the bay, past Alcatraz and through the Golden Gate, and go further out to sea than the other boat tours.

They sail through the channel outside the Golden Gate, past  Lands End Point ,  Baker Beach , and  China Beach , and out into the open ocean a bit (where the whales are likely to be).

On our whale tour we sailed down the coast a little way, past the  Sutro Baths  and the  Cliff House , to the beginning of  Ocean Beach , which faces the Pacific Ocean, before heading back to San Francisco.

It was a gorgeous, sunny day and we thoroughly enjoyed the trip, even though we never saw any whales. But they said 95% of the time they do see them!

I was worried about being seasick but I was fine. I'd had a really rough whale-watching trip off Monterey years ago and was reluctant to try this one, but I'm glad I did.

That earlier trip went pretty far out to sea to see the enormous Blue Whales; they were truly amazing, but once was enough. An hour straight out to sea in a heaving small boat each way! :(

This tour sticks close to the coast. Also, it was a pretty calm day on SF Bay when we went.

Bring a warm jacket, sun glasses, and a sun hat; it can get chilly out there farther away from land.

So I highly recommend this cruise, whales or no whales!

The SS Jeremiah O'Brien Liberty Ship

The SS Jeremiah O'Brien is one of the few surviving liberty ships that delivered supplies to the troops in Europe during World War II.

It's been lovingly maintained over the years and is available for cruises around the bay on special occasions. 

I haven't sailed on it but my friends have and they had a great time. 

See the  Jeremiah O'Brien website  for their scheduled trips.

Exploring the ship...

The ship is also open for  do-it-yourself tours  at the dock. 

I went on board and explored it; very interesting! You can climb up and down through the different decks and look at the exhibits and sample staterooms open to the public. 

The boiler room scene on the film Titanic was filmed on this ship and you can climb down deep into the ship's hold to see the spot.

The Jeremiah O'Brien spent decades at Fishermans's Wharf next to Musée Mécanique at Pier 45 but it's recently moved to new quarters at Pier 35.

One of their more popular cruises is the SF Fleet Week cruise .

See my article on Fleet Week in San Francisco  for information on the event and all the bay cruises available for the air show. A boat on the bay is a great spot to watch the Blue Angels!

Rent a sailboat or a yacht (and crew)

Want a Private Cruise?

Through the  SAILO company , you can rent a sailboat or yacht and sail the bay with a group of friends or family.

There's a big selection of sizes and prices of boats to rent. Nice looking boats, too. Not as expensive as you might think, based on the number of guests splitting the cost.

Quite a range, for example from $960 per day for 6 people, up to huge boats holding 350 guests for a lot more. They provide the captain and necessary crew.

Take a look at all the boats  they have available for San Francisco Bay; pretty cool.

They are offering a 7% discount, now until August 2024.

Special Event SF Bay Cruises

As you might guess, there are popular San Francisco bay cruises for special events, like Christmas, New Year's, Mother's Day, Father's Day, etc.

They come and go as the year goes by. The City Experiences company does a lot of them. 

One big event with a number of cruises is Fleet Week in San Francisco .

This is a great way to watch the Blue Angels perform, right out on the bay, where the boat stops for the show.

I have an article about Fleet Week in San Francisco which includes cruise recommendations. These book up so plan ahead if you want to do one of these. 

Parking for the Bay Cruises

Where to park for the San Francisco bay cruises and boat tours?

Parking, yes. Always an issue in San Francisco!

For the cruises that leave from Fisherman's Wharf (Piers 41, 43 ½ & Pier 39) as well as Alcatraz cruises (pier 33), I recommend using Spot Hero .

There are a number of parking garages and lots around the Fisherman's Wharf area, but they can be very expensive and sometimes full.

Rather than driving around trying to find a spot in Fisherman's Wharf (not fun), the stress-free and usually much cheaper way is to book a spot in advance through Spot Hero.

That's what I use when I'm trying to park in the more congested areas of San Francisco.

Check with Spot Hero to see what's available and book parking.

The City Experiences cruises (brunch, dinner, and special events) leave from Pier 3 near the Ferry Building at the end of Market Street. There's a parking lot at Pier 3 that they make available for cruises leaving from there.

It's pretty reasonable ($10 when we went) and staffed, so people are around, therefore less likely for break-ins. It's not reserved, but you have a good chance of getting a spot if you get there a bit early. We parked there for our dinner cruise.

Advice for everyone parking in San Francisco: leave nothing of value and nothing visible in the car! Sorry.

San Francisco Bay Cruises: FAQ

What is the best time of day for a San Francisco bay cruise?

During the summer months, June, July and August, the San Francisco fog tends to roll in mid afternoon, though it's not always predictable.

So the best time to take a San Francisco boat tour during the summer would be in the morning or early afternoon, or later in the early evening, when the fog often rolls out again.

In the winter months , it's hit or miss with rainy days interspersed with sunny ones. It generally warms up a bit in the afternoon. There does tend to be a lot less fog in winter.

What's the best time of year to do a San Francisco bay tour?

The best time of year to go on a bay cruise in San Francisco is during September or October. Those are our months of great weather, warm and sunny, and the fog and rain are pretty much absent. But it's weather, so there's no guarantee.

Which San Francisco bay cruises go past Alcatraz Island?

Just about all the San Francisco boat tours sail past Alcatraz Island. Read the description to be sure, but it would be hard to find one that doesn't.

What is the difference between the Golden Gate Bay Cruise and the Escape from the Rock Tour?

Both tours sail past the San Francisco waterfront, go out under the Golden Gate Bridge and then sail around Alcatraz Island.

The difference between the tours is that the Escape from the Rock Tour also circles Alcatraz a couple of times while providing lots of information on the history of Alcatraz Island and the prison, and stories about the prisoner escapes. 

Are there bathrooms on the San Francisco boat cruises? Food and drink?

Yes, all the boats on the San Francisco bay cruises have bathrooms, even the small fishing boats!

And most of them, except the fishing boats, have food and refreshments on board available to purchase. The Privateer sailboat has beer and wine, but no food.

How long is the ferry ride from San Francisco to Sausalito?

The ferry from San Francisco to Sausalito takes about 30 minutes.

How long is the bay cruise in San Francisco? 

The Golden Gate bay cruise in San Francisco is one hour.

Both the Red and White Fleet and the Blue and Gold Fleet in San Francisco do one hour cruises of the bay.

The shortest San Francisco bay cruises are one hour, but many SF bay tours are 1.5 hours, and others are 2-3 hours.

What should you wear on a San Francisco bay cruise?

The most important thing to wear on a SF bay cruise or boat tour is layers!

Even on a warm, sunny day in San Francisco, it can be windy and chilly out on the water. Bring a jacket onboard even if you don't need it on shore.

Also, the fog can roll in while you're out there and it can be downright cold!

Will you get seasick on a San Francisco bay cruise?

Some get seasick no matter what, but generally, it's not rolling enough on the bay for most people to get sick. Out on the open ocean is another matter.

I've been on many of the bay cruises and I've never felt seasick. 

What is across the bay from San Francisco?

The main cities and towns across the bay from San Francisco are Sausalito and Tiburon in the North Bay (in Marin County), and Vallejo, Berkeley, Oakland, and Alameda in the East Bay.

Are there great white sharks in San Francisco Bay?

Yes, and no. Yes, they do come into San Francisco Bay on rare occasions, but most of the time they stay out of the bay. Great whites are not considered a danger in San Francisco Bay. But there are 11 other species of sharks living in the bay.

At certain times of year (mainly in October), there are lots of great white sharks swimming up and down the coast past San Francisco.

Their hunting ground stretches from Half Moon Bay, south of SF, up to Stinson Beach in Marin County, and out to the Farallon Islands, 30 miles straight west of SF.

This area is sometimes called the Red Triangle (!) because of the frequency of great white shark attacks there.

Since the waters are too cold and rough for most swimmers, it's the surfers and divers that are usually the targets. Scientists suspect it's the wetsuits worn year round that cause the sharks to occasionally mistake humans for their usual prey, the sea lions and harbor seals.

Related Articles

Read about our experience on the dinner dance cruise .

Enjoy a delicious 3-course meal while sailing past spectacular views.

Here's our experience on the Privateer sailboat cruise on the bay.

The perfect way to see San Francisco Bay with a glass of wine!

Take the Alcatraz ferry over to the island where you can explore the prison and the rest of the grounds. Audio tour and guided tours included in the ticket. See all my info on  tours, booking and best way to get tickets.

Alcatraz sold out? Never fear. See my tips on getting those elusive Alcatraz tickets at last-minute Alcatraz tickets .

More Attractions in San Francisco:

What if it's foggy in San Francisco?

Heading for the Golden Gate Bridge...

Why is San Francisco so cold? Check out my article on San Francisco weather .

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Take in the Golden Gate Bridge on Bay Area Cruise in San Francisco, CA!

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, up close to the infamous Alcatraz, down the San Francisco city front, and past many other famous landmarks and attractions. You’ll experience San Francisco from unique vantage points, while having the opportunity to take iconic photos of the city skyline and wildlife along the route. Enjoy personalized treatment interacting with the Captain and Crew. We have an indoor heated cabin with large windows for amazing views.

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Whether you’re looking for something the whole family can enjoy or a romantic evening out for two, your sail on Adventure Cat is sure to be a memorable highlight. See some of the Bay’s most popular attractions up close and personal as we sail around Alcatraz Island, directly underneath the Golden Gate Bridge and head back admiring the city’s famed skyline – it’s quite a sight! Catch a glimpse of marine wildlife including pelicans, sea lions, dolphins, and even the occasional whale. Our sailing excursions are consistently rated among the top five things to do in San Francisco, and our thousands of happy guests can testify.

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San Francisco Bay Cruise: This fully-narrated, one-hour cruise sails past the world-famous sea lions at PIER 39, underneath the majestic Golden Gate Bridge, around mysterious Alcatraz Island, past Angel Island State Park and along San Francisco’s historic waterfront. Enjoy fantastic photo opportunities and breathtaking views.  Click here  for more information.

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Signature Lunch Cruise | Premier Brunch Cruise | Signature Dinner Cruise | Premier Dinner Cruise | Fleet Week Air Show Lunch aboard the San Francisco Belle | Rock the Yacht Cruise | San Francisco Belle Premier Dinner Cruise | Alcatraz Day Tour | Premier Dinner Cruise | Alcatraz Behind the Scenes Tour | Bay Discovery Cruise | Alcatraz Night Tour

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San Francisco Bay Cruises

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On a nice day, a San Francisco Bay cruise is a good way to rest your tired feet and see the city from a different angle. You have a lot of options. You can do a traditional sail around Alcatraz and under the Golden Gate Bridge or take a fascinating trip to other locations and go on sunset sails, dinner cruises, tours, and ferries. A bay cruise is one of San Francisco's top-rated things to do .

We've organized this San Francisco Bay cruise tours guide by activity, to make it easier for you to pick the one that meets your needs. If you're thinking about taking one while you're in San Francisco, they're often included with multi-attraction cards like Go Card or San Francisco CityPASS , but one of the cheapest places to get them is through Goldstar .

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The "Standard" San Francisco Bay Cruise

These San Francisco Bay cruises will take you around Alcatraz, under the Golden Gate Bridge, and along the waterfront west of Fisherman's Wharf . They'll last from an hour to 90 minutes. 

• Red and White Fleet : Leaves from Pier 43 1/2 near Boudin's and Fisherman's Wharf. Includes audio headset narration in eight languages. They offer two cruises: a one-hour bay cruise that takes in Alcatraz and the Golden Gate Bridge and a 90-minute Bridge 2 Bridge tour, which adds a loop around the Bay Bridge.
• Blue and Gold Fleet : Leaves from Pier 41.
• AdventureCat : The unique thing about this cruise it that you'll go on a 55-foot sailing catamaran. It leaves from J Dock next to Pier 39 .

Trip to Sausalito

A ferry ride to charming Sausalito for shopping and lunch is an excellent way to spend a day. You'll also see most of the same sights you'd see on the "standard" San Francisco Bay cruise boat tour described above, but the trip will cost you less. You can make that trip with these companies:

• Blue and Gold Fleet: Pier 41 to Sausalito and Tiburon.
• Golden Gate Ferry : Ferry Building (near the Bay Bridge) to Sausalito.

Cruise to Tour Alcatraz

If you want to tour the former prison on Alcatraz Island , don't let the advertisements fool you. You can see the island from many cruises, but if you want to set foot on it, there's only one choice: Alcatraz Cruises. They leave from Pier 33 near Fisherman's Wharf. Combine this tour with a visit to Angel Island on the same day for an "Island Hop." To ensure you get an Alcatraz tour when you want it, reserve at least one week in advance.

Cruise to Angel Island

Angel Island is sometimes called the Ellis Island of the West, but it's got more to see than the fascinating Immigration Station, and there are a couple ways to get there:

• Blue and Gold Fleet: Leaves from Pier 41 at Fisherman's Wharf. They offer a visit to Alcatraz on the same day for an "Island Hop."
• Angel Island-Tiburon Ferry : Leaves from the town of Tiburon.

Sunset Cruises

• Red and White Fleet: Leaves from Pier 43 1/2 near Boudin's and Fisherman's Wharf. The cruise includes drinks and Italian-style appetizers. These sightseeing tours are available early April through early October only.
• AdventureCat: A 55-foot sailing catamaran leaving from J Dock next to Pier 39. Their two-hour sunset cruise includes light hors-d'oeuvres and two complimentary drinks.

Brunch and Dinner Cruises

Hornblower Dining Cruises offers champagne brunch, dinner, and dancing cruises.

Holidays and Special Cruises

Some cruises do not run on December 25. Many of the companies listed above offer special Fourth of July fireworks cruises and special outings during Fleet Week in October.

The San Francisco Yacht Club's "opening day" is the last Sunday in April (except when Easter falls that day) and their big boat parade makes for an extra-festive time to go on a cruise.

• If you're especially prone to motion sickness or the water is extra rough, take your usual precautions. The AdventureCat catamaran is also more stable and may be a good choice for you.
• Take a sweater or jacket. You can leave the dock in warm sunshine and return 90 minutes later to a cold fog.
• Reserve ahead if you're concerned about availability, but be sure you know about the cancellation and no-show policy.
• Don't forget your camera. If you're trying to take pictures of things as you're sailing past, try to keep the subject centered in the same spot in your viewfinder instead of your normal still-as-possible technique.

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San Francisco Bay Cruises and Boat Tours

This post compares and reviews the many different San Francisco Bay cruises, boat tours and dinner cruises available to you to help you decide which is best for you. 

• 9 Best Cruises
• Cruise Discounts
• Alcatraz Island Cruises

Disclosure:  While our recommendations are always unbiased, we may receive a small share of sales through some of the links below at no cost to you. See the  full text .

9 BEST CRUISES IN SAN FRANCISCO

Most of these bay tours take guests under the Golden Gate Bridge and then circle around Alcatraz, though some include longer small group tour and half-day tour with more sites.

It's important to note, however, that though many boat cruises by and discuss Alcatraz, only one company, Alcatraz Cruises, is allowed to drop guests off on the island.

Most of the choices may be included as part of the San Francisco City Pass or Go City San Francisco Card.

Read our guide on whether a tourist discount pass is a good fit for you .

1. SAN FRANCISCO BAY CRUISE

There are currently two different companies offering this type of cruise, and as the name implies, you can expect to enjoy excellent views of the San Francisco Bay.

Some of the landmarks you can expect to see are of course the Golden Gate Bridge and Alcatraz, although there are actually other cruises that focus more directly on these locations.

If you're looking for a general overview of the Bay Area and you want to see as much as possible, consider one of these cruises:

Blue and Gold Fleet

SF Bay Cruise Adventure

• $35.99 - Adult | $26.99 - Child
• Dates: Daily
• Hours: 10 am - 4 pm
• Purchase tickets here .

Red and White Fleet

Golden Gate Bay Cruise

• $38 - Adult (18+) | $29 - Youth (5-17)
• Free for kids under 5
• Hours: 11 am - 5:40 pm  

More info and to book .

Blue & Gold Fleet is included for free with the purchase of the San Francisco CityPASS and the Explorer Pass - all three are tourist attraction discount passes.

2. ESCAPE FROM ALCATRAZ CRUISE

This cruise will take you as close to Alcatraz as possible without landing there. As with other cruises in the San Francisco Bay Area, you can also expect to see other notable sites such as the Golden Gate Bridge.

There are also ferries that will take you directly to the island, but tickets can sell out for weeks in advance. If you miss out on the opportunity to actually visit Alcatraz, this is the next best option.

• $46 - Adult | $27 - Child
• Hours: 12:30 pm and 3:30 pm
• Purchase tickets here

This cruise is offered by Blue and Gold Fleet, and it's included with the purchase of both a San Francisco CityPASS and an Explorer Pass .

3. BRIDGE 2 BRIDGE CRUISE

This is similar to the San Francisco Bay Cruise, but it will take you from the Golden Gate Bridge to the Oakland Bay Bridge. In addition to seeing Alcatraz, you can also expect to catch glimpses of Sausalito!

If you're looking for a cruise that covers the widest range of the Bay Area possible, this is going to be one of the best services on our list.

• $48 - Adult (18+) | $36 - Youth (5-17)
• Hours: 11:40 am - 4:20 pm  

4. CALIFORNIA SUNSET CRUISE

If you're interested in seeing the San Francisco Bay at sunset, this sightseeing cruise is an excellent option.

There are also dinner cruises that tend to start at sunset, but we'll cover those a bit later on this list.

The Bay Area looks magical during sunset, and this is a great way to experience the city skyline as the sun is going down.

• $50 - Adult (18+)| $38 - Youth (5-17)
• Availability: Mar 27th - Nov 5th
• Hours: 7 pm

This outing turns into the California Twilight Cruise during the winter months as a result of changing daylight hours.

This is essentially the same as the Sunset Cruise, but this outing takes place after dark due to the sun going down earlier, giving the crew an opportunity to see the city lights after the sun goes down.

5. ALCATRAZ ISLAND CRUISE

For those set on visiting Alcatraz Island , Alcatraz Cruises is your only option.

Tours are available in the mornings, afternoons and at night, and each includes a visit to the island and ferry building.

The night tour is the only one that is personally guided; the rest rely on an audio tour.

However, during the busy season, tickets for all tours can sell out weeks, if not months, in advance, but there are ways to get standby and last minute tickets.

Check out our post on visiting Alcatraz to learn more about how to get tickets and what to expect.

6. SPEED BOAT CRUISE

This 90-minute speedboat ride is always a hit with kids and adults!

You’ll pass many popular sites such as the Golden Gate Bridge and Alcatraz with classic rock playing in the background. Expect to get wet!

If you’re looking for a more exciting experience out on the San Francisco Bay, you can’t go wrong with a trip on a speed boat.

This is one of the fastest boats in the bay area, and it will take you on a speedy trip that you’ll never forget.

ADVENTURE BOAT  (by Bay Voyager)

Ticket Prices

• $99 - Adults
• $89 - Seniors (65+)
• $69 - Child (5-11)
• Purchase tickets or learn more .
• 11 am, 1:30 pm, and 4 pm

7. ADVENTURE CAT SAILING CHARTERS

Adventure Cat is one of the most popular sailing companies. In addition to their typical charters, they also offer special combo excursions that include hikes, a visit to Alcatraz, and more.

If you want to experience the San Francisco Bay from a sailboat, they offer daily sailing options at a more than fair rate.

They have earned a 5 out of 5 stars on TripAdvisor. Very few passengers have reported having any issues with this company.

Adventure Cat Bay Sail

• $60 for Adults
• $30 for Children
• Children under 5 sail for free
• Daily at 2 PM and 4:30 PM

Adventure Cat Sunset Sail

• $75 for Adults and Children
• Daily at 7 pm from Mar - Oct

8. DINNER CRUISES

HORNBLOWER CRUISES

This company offers four-course dinner cruises around the Bay Area.

Alcohol is not included in the price of a ticket, but there is a cash bar on board. They also offer lunch and brunch cruises for a slightly lower rate.

Whether dining with a close partner or a business associate, Hornblower Cruises provides fantastic service at a decent price.

This dining cruise company also provides private charters for corporate events and weddings.

Hornblower has earned a 4 ½ out of 5 stars rating on both TripAdvisor and Get Your Guide ( see the reviews ), indicating that they provide pretty good service.

Most negative reviews include complaints about the quality of the food, but this is an entirely subjective experience.

Other passengers took issue with how crowded their boat was, which can be easily resolved with appropriate scheduling.

Despite the negative comments, most passengers report that this service is absolutely excellent.

San Francisco Lunch Cruise

• $112 for Adults | $85 for Children
• Boards at 11:30 AM
• Cruises from 12 PM - 2 PM

San Francisco Brunch Cruise

• $135 for Adults | $108 for Children
• Boards at 11 AM
• Cruises from 11:30 AM - 1:30 PM

San Francisco Dinner Cruise

• $209 - $230 per person
• Boards at 7 PM
• Cruises from 7:30 PM - 10:00 PM

9. FERRIES AND WATER TAXIS

There are 2 different types of water taxi rides available in the San Francisco Bay. The first is a typical ferry cruise run by Blue & Gold Fleet and the second is a water taxi.

Below we have listed both options to help you determine which works best for you.

Blue & Gold Fleet Ferries  

In addition to their sightseeing cruises, Blue & Gold Fleet also highlights ferry services between San Francisco and Sausalito, Tiburon, and Angel Island.

Each route runs regularly at a specific time between approximately 9 am and 5 pm where you can experience a panoramic view of the San Francisco bridge and the San Francisco skyline.

There is no guided commentary or narration. However, they do offer great views of the area for a very affordable price.

From San Francisco: Ferry Service to Sausalito or Tiburon

• A 1-hour ferry that operates from 9:40 am - 5:20 pm
• Round Trip - $27.50/adult | $16/child/senior
• One Way - $13.75/adult | $8/child/senior

From San Francisco to Angel Island 

• Operates from 9 am - 5 pm
• Round Trip - $19.50/adult | $11/Children and Seniors
• Not Currently Available.
• Included with both the Go City San Francisco Pass and Explorer Pass .

The Water Taxi functions very much like a normal taxi; guests can book a ride either online or by phone, and the service can then drop guests at a number of different public or private ports around the Bay Area.

On the weekends they run the Bay in a Day loop, which stops near Sam’s Anchor Cafe in Tiburon, The Trident in Sausalito, Pier 1.5, or Hyde Street Pier near Fisherman’s Wharf and Jack London Square in East Bay.

Finally, they also run a special water taxi service for fans after Giant’s games, which is a great alternative to fighting the crowds and traffic!

If you are traveling out of Pier 1.5, you may be close enough to consider combining this service with our Market Street walking tour .

This tour will take you on a historical trip down one of the most notable streets in San Francisco.

Tideline Water Taxi has a 4 ½ star rating on Yelp with very few negative reviews.

Most of the reviews were positively glowing, some saying that this company has provided memories that will not soon be forgotten.

BUS/BOAT TOUR COMBO

One of the many benefits of purchasing the San Francisco Go Card or City Pass is the ability to pair together different tours and attractions at a discounted rate.

Check out our post on choosing a tourist attraction discount pass to learn more! 

SKYLINE SIGHTSEEING (FORMERLY CITY SIGHTSEEING) 

Skyline Sightseeing also offers bus/boat combo deals for those looking to save on touring around San Francisco by both Crissy field and San Franciso's historic waterfront, which gives you 24-hour access to their hop-on-hop-off bus service in the city. The best option to experience the great views of the city skyline.

Bus & Boat Adventure (1 Day Pass) 

• Adults - $79.99
• Children - $64.99
• Purchase the deal here .

BIG BUS ALCATRAZ COMBO

Big Bus offers an interesting package that combines a ticket to Alcatraz Island (operated by Alcatraz Cruises) with a hop-on-hop-off bus service in San Francisco.  

NOTE: During the high tourist season, tickets to Alcatraz Island may be booked out a few weeks in advance.

• 48 Hours of  hop-on/hop-off
• 3 walking tours of Chinatown, North Beach, & Barbary Coast
• Panoramic Night Tour
• Sausalito Tour
• Aquarium of the Bay admission
• 1-hour bike rental (with 1-hour purchase)
• Voucher for Players Arcade and Grill
• Purchase here .

TOWER TOURS

Alcatraz + Grand City Tour

This is an excellent opportunity to discover Alcatraz after going on a highly rated bus tour. Discover the bay area to have more intimate experience in style and explore this island prison at a discounted rate.

All you have to do is select more than one attraction in order to start saving money! 

This boat tour package is offered through Tower Tours.

They have a 4-star rating on TripAdvisor and are generally considered to be one of the better bus tour companies in the bay area.

Many report that the Grand City Tour is both educational and entertaining. The Alcatraz tour is offered through Alcatraz Cruises, which is also a highly rated service. 

• $150 for Adults
• $115 for Children
• Tours begin at 9 AM when available
• Expect to spend 7 hours total on both tours

ADVENTURE CAT SAILBOAT

Sail and Jail: Alcatraz Island Tour Package

• $85 for Adults and Children
• Daily at 11 AM during Summer
• Daily at 1 PM during Spring/Fall/Winter
• Not currently available.

RELATED POSTS

• Which Bus Tour in San Francisco is Best?
• Things to Do in San Francisco
• How to Visit Alcatraz

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Come aboard one of our weekly excursions, including eco-sails, sunsets and holiday fireworks cruises. Our ticketed events are a favorite for guests of all ages!

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SF Bay Adventures has been at the helm of marine film and photography projects on the San Francisco Bay for over 30 years. Safety services include small boats for swims, races and other special events.

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Say “I do” on San Francisco Bay! Select an all-inclusive wedding package or completely customize your special day. Our experienced staff is standing by to help you plan the perfect nautical wedding.

Angel Island

Some of the best and most diverse views of the Bay Area are found while hiking or meandering on Angel Island. Accessible only by boat or ferry Angel Island is located just off of the Marin County mainland. The island is a National History Landmark as it was used as an immigration station.

Whale Watching, Wildlife & Ecology

San Francisco Bay is uniquely located just inland of the Pacific Ocean. Marine Mammals, Birds and Wildlife are attracted to the protected waters that lay just inside and beyond the famous Golden Gate Bridge. The Bay’s brackish waters are hospitable for life from both the ocean and rivers.

Nothing compares to a sunset on the famous San Francisco Bay. Enjoy golden hour aboard a private sail, motor yacht charter or public ticketed cruise. SF Bay Adventures offers every price level for a magical experience on the water.

SF Bay Sunset Cruise

An SF Bay sunset cruise is the ultimate Bay Area experience! See the most iconic sights from the very special vantage of the water. Famous landmarks like the Golden Gate Bridge , Alcatraz Island, Crissy Field, Fort Mason, the Bay Bridge, Mount Tamalpais, Angel Island and more are shown in their best light; the golden hour – all while enjoying an unforgettable sunset.

An SF Bay sunset cruise is the perfect way to liven up your weekend. It’s an ideal mix of luxury and adventure! Choose an intimate private charter for a San Francisco sunset cruise on the charming, all wood Grand Banks, Cimba . Or get a fun group together and come aboard a classic tall ship like the Schooner Freda B . Another wonderful way to get out on the Bay is always a Public sails !

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General Motors’ autonomous car company, Cruise, has reportedly agreed to pay an $8-million to $12-million settlement to a woman who was hospitalized after getting dragged along the pavement by a self-driving taxi in San Francisco last year.

The woman, a pedestrian, was struck by a hit-and-run vehicle at 5th and Market streets and thrown into the path of Cruise’s self-driving car, which pinned her underneath, according to Cruise and authorities. The car dragged her about 20 feet as it tried to pull out of the roadway before coming to a stop.

She sustained “multiple traumatic injuries” and was treated at the scene before being hospitalized.

It’s unclear when the settlement was reached or the exact amount, sources familiar with the situation told Fortune and Bloomberg . The condition of the woman, whose name was not released by authorities, is unknown, but a representative of Zuckerberg San Francisco General Hospital told Fortune that she had been discharged.

Cruise initially said that its self-driving car “braked aggressively to minimize impact” but later said the vehicle’s software made a mistake in registering where it hit the woman. The car tried to pull over but continued driving 7 mph for 20 feet with the woman still under the vehicle.

“The hearts of all Cruise employees continue to be with the pedestrian, and we hope for her continued recovery,” Cruise said in a statement.

What does the future of driverless taxi service in Los Angeles look like? It’s already here

Waymo, the self-driving taxi company owned by Google’s parent, Alphabet, gets the green light to expand its robotaxi service to Los Angeles County.

March 25, 2024

Cruise halted its driverless operations after its autonomous taxi license was suspended by California’s Department of Motor Vehicles. The company was also accused of lying to investigators and withholding footage of the car crash.

Cruise said this week that it would start testing robotaxis in Arizona with a “safety driver” behind the wheel in case a human needs to take control of the vehicle, according to a company news release.

“Safety is the defining principle for everything we do and continues to guide our progress towards resuming driverless operations,” according to the release.

More to Read

L.A. to pay $9.5 million to settle lawsuit over ‘dangerously designed’ intersection

April 9, 2024

Tesla settles lawsuit over fatal crash involving Autopilot software

Letters to the Editor: Automate everything? Driverless taxis mean more jobs taken from humans

March 16, 2024

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Summer Lin is a reporter on the Fast Break Desk, the Los Angeles Times’ breaking news team. Before coming to The Times, she covered breaking news for the Mercury News and national politics and California courts for McClatchy’s publications, including the Miami Herald. An East Coast native, Lin moved to California after graduating from Boston College and Columbia University’s Graduate School of Journalism. Lin was among The Times’ staff members who covered the Monterey Park mass shooting in 2023, which was recognized by the Pulitzer Board as a finalist in breaking news.

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School crossing guards say they've had to dodge driverless cars to avoid being hit

The nbc bay area investigative unit spoke to 30 school crossing guards stationed at more than 20 schools across san francisco and found nearly one in four said they experienced a “close call” in the crosswalk with an autonomous vehicle.  some crossing guards, however, described self-driving cars as better drivers than humans, by bigad shaban , michael bott , jeremy carroll and michael horn • published may 22, 2024 • updated on may 22, 2024 at 8:23 pm.

In San Francisco, one of the nation’s largest testing grounds for driverless vehicles, school crossing guards say they have had to rush out of crosswalks to avoid being hit by self-driving cars.

“I just don’t think it’s very safe,” said Theresa Dorn, a school crossing guard of 11 years. Dorn says driverless vehicles operated by Google’s sister company, Waymo, have nearly struck her on three separate occasions over the past year while she was guiding children and their families along crosswalks.

Watch NBC Bay Area News 📺 Streaming free 24/7

The parent grabbed the child and looked at the car -- there was nobody driving it. Theresa Dorn, San Francisco crossing guard recounts one of her near misses with a driverless car

“The parent grabbed the child, looked at the car, and there was nobody driving it,” she said.

To learn more about the potential safety concerns, the NBC Bay Area Investigative Unit interviewed 30 crossing guards stationed at more than 20 schools across San Francisco. Nearly 25%, about one in every four, told the Investigative Unit they experienced some type of “close call” in the crosswalk with a Waymo driverless car, where either the vehicle suddenly hit the brakes to prevent a collision, or the crossing guard rushed out of the way to avoid being hit.

“It did not recognize me in the intersection,” said Dorn, who added that each of her near misses occurred while she was holding up her stop sign in the crosswalk.

“Why do they have these driverless cars?” she said. “I think somebody should be driving them.”

Crossing guards describe "close calls"

Get a weekly recap of the latest San Francisco Bay Area housing news. Sign up for NBC Bay Area’s Housing Deconstructed newsletter.

Of the 30 crossing guards interviewed by NBC Bay Area, all but Dorn spoke on the condition of anonymity since they did have permission from their employer to speak publicly. 

A total of seven San Francisco crossing guards, including Dorn, described a near-miss encounter involving a Waymo autonomous vehicle.

“I’ve almost been hit half a dozen times,” one crossing guard told us.

“I tell kids to stay back,” said another.

The majority of crossing guards who spoke with NBC Bay Area, however, said they had not encountered a close call with a driverless car. In fact, some said they have consistently found self-driving vehicles to be better drivers than humans.

“I’ve almost been hit by parents, not driverless cars,” one crossing guard said.

Another added, “they stop better than people.”

But even among those crossing guards who didn’t report experiencing any near misses, some said the cars still made them nervous and recounted other types of traffic issues, such as autonomous vehicles blocking lanes or crosswalks for seemingly no reason. 

“I hate them,” one crossing guard said, before adding, “but I have more problems with these idiot [human drivers].”

Those who said they encountered a close call with an autonomous vehicle noted they occurred within the past year, although none could remember exact dates or times. 

Waymo said without specific details, it couldn’t explain what its cars may have done or why.

The company declined an on-camera interview request from NBC Bay Area, but said in a statement it takes public concerns “very seriously,” adding “while we’re proud of our safety record, we also recognize the importance of ensuring that other road users feel confident and comfortable around our technology.” 

In its statement, Waymo also said the “tens of thousands of rides” taken in Waymo vehicles each week are “significantly reducing the number of injuries and police-reported crashes compared to human drivers.”

“We want to be good members of the communities we operate in and appreciate the ongoing dialogue we have with the other road users and regulators,” the statement said.

A paper trail of near misses

Calculating the exact number of near misses involving driverless cars is currently impossible because the companies operating them are only legally required by regulators to disclose details on actual collisions. The California Department of Motor Vehicles and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) each maintain separate records regarding accidents self-reported by autonomous vehicle companies, however, those databases do not include records involving near misses.

While driverless car companies are allowed to keep their close calls secret, there is a partial paper trail. 

NBC Bay Area obtained a database of complaint records submitted to the California Department of Motor Vehicles through a California Public Records Act request. 

Last year, the DMV fielded more than 200 complaints, the vast majority of them involving Waymo and its competitor, Cruise, a subsidiary of General Motors. 

About 30% of the complaints detailed safety concerns in crosswalks.

“We had to hit the car with our hand,” said one complainant, describing an interaction in a crosswalk with a Cruise autonomous vehicle.

Another person wrote, “We shouldn’t have to be their crash test dummies.”

Cruise, like Waymo, also declined NBC Bay Area’s interview request, but said its cars are “designed to detect, track and predict the behavior of road users, including pedestrians and cyclists," and added it has "a dedicated team that investigates concerns ... and the insights gathered help our [autonomous vehicles] improve."

Cruise also noted that each of its vehicles are “equipped with a 360° field-of-view, radar, and thermal cameras to measure distances to objects and maintain visibility, including at night and during inclement weather.”

Rules of the road

Vehicles must wait to drive through a crosswalk until all pedestrians are completely out of it, according to the California Highway Patrol. However, in cases where a concrete median separates both directions of traffic, cars are free to pass once pedestrians have cleared that side of the street.

NBC Bay Area’s previous reporting has raised questions about how often driverless cars are complying, including when small children are involved.

Cruise offers to pay $112K in fines over allegations it misled regulators about driverless car

Bills aimed at closing traffic ticket loophole for driverless cars get initial green light

Call for more oversight.

Some lawmakers in congress and the state capitol are now calling for more stringent reporting requirements from driverless car companies. 

“You've identified some pretty discernible patterns,” said U.S. Rep. Kevin Mullin (D-San Mateo), who called NBC Bay Area’s findings “concerning.”

“I will share what you found with my colleagues in Washington to see how we can use this information to keep pressure where we need to apply it.”

You've identified some pretty discernible patterns. U.S. Rep. Kevin Mullin (D-San Mateo) commenting on NBC Bay Area's findings

In April, Mullin sent a letter to NHTSA formally requesting the agency begin forcing driverless car companies to reveal how often their vehicles are involved in near misses.  Current reporting requirements are limited to details only involving actual collisions. 

“Those kinds of incidents where people’s lives are put at risk – but it’s not reportable – we need to be looking at those,” Mullin said.

Federal transportation officials with NHTSA told NBC Bay Area it is still in the process of drafting a response to Mullin’s letter and had no comment on the request. The agency, however, did note that it is actively working on six different safety investigations into driverless car companies, including Waymo and Cruise.  Both companies have said they are cooperating with the investigations.

“The national data that’s being captured is really limited,” Mullin said. “The data is crucial in crafting regulations that compel these companies to focus on these areas of safety concern.”

While lawmakers, regulators, and driverless car companies continue to weigh in on what future requirements and restrictions should look like for autonomous vehicles, Dorn said she will keep her attention focused on her busy San Francisco intersection and the children she is trying to protect.

“My main concern is just making sure that they get to school safely and that they go back home safely,” Dorn said.  “We have to be a little bit more cautious.”

Watch our entire investigative series

• Part 1: Driverless cars seek San Francisco expansion despite worries tech is unsafe
• Part 2: CPUC votes to expand driverless car operations in San Francisco
• Part 3: San Francisco city attorney files motion to pump the brakes on driverless cars
• Part 4: Google's Waymo says insurance data shows its driverless cars are safer than humans
• Part 5: Hit-and-run driver strikes pedestrian, tossing her into path of Cruise car in San Francisco
• Part 6: Driverless trucks and robot deliveries promise fewer traffic jams than robotaxis
• Part 7: Cruise says its robotaxis can now better detect emergency vehicles
• Part 8: California DMV orders Cruise's driverless cars off the road
• Part 9: Driverless cars immune from traffic tickets in California under current laws
• Part 10: GM's Cruise lays off nearly 25% of its workforce
• Part 11: Waymo's driverless cars surpass 7 million miles, but are they safer than human drivers?
• Part 12: Cruise probe blames poor internet, bad leadership, and "flawed" decisions for company's woes
• Part 13: Driverless Cruise car accused of almost hitting 7 yr old after similar close call involving kids
• Part 14: Cruise offers to pay $112,500 in fines to settle claims driverless car company misled regulators
• Part 15: Uber Eats now uses Waymo Self-Driving cars to offer driverless deliveries
• Part 16: Bills aimed at closing traffic ticket loophole for driverless cars get initial green light
• Part 17: School crossing guards say they've had to dodge driverless cars to avoid being hit

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Defunct 1950s-era cruise ship takes on water and leaks pollutants in California river delta

This photo provided by the U.S. Coast Guard District 11 shows The Aurora, a non-operational 294-foot cruise ship moored northwest of Stockton, Wednesday, May 22, 2024, that began to sink and discharge product. A containment boom has been placed around the defunct 1950s-era cruise ship that began sinking and leaking pollution in California’s Sacramento-San Joaquin River Delta, authorities said. (California Department of Fish and Wildlife via AP)

This photo provided by the U.S. Coast Guard shows official representatives from the U.S. Coast Guard, the California Department of Fish and Wildlife and the City of Stockton respond to the sinking vessel Aurora, a non-operational 294-foot cruise ship permanently moored northwest of Stockton on Wednesday, May 22, 2024. A containment boom has been placed around a defunct 1950s-era cruise ship that began sinking and leaking pollution in California’s Sacramento-San Joaquin River Delta, authorities said. (Petty Officer 2nd Class Edward Wargo/U.S. Coast Guard via AP)

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STOCKTON, Calif. (AP) — A containment boom has been placed around a defunct 1950s-era cruise ship that began sinking and leaking pollution in California’s Sacramento-San Joaquin River Delta, authorities said.

The 294-foot (90-meter) ship permanently moored in Little Potato Slough northwest of the city of Stockton began to sink in 13 feet (4 meters) of water on Wednesday, the U.S. Coast Guard said in a statement.

A sheen was observed on the water, and containment booms were deployed around the vessel and the city’s water intake pump station, the Coast Guard said. Photographs show the stern low in the water next to the slough’s grassy embankment.

It was not immediately clear what was leaking. The Coast Guard said the vessel recently changed ownership, so details about what pollutants were on board were unknown. The San Joaquin County Sheriff’s Office said the ship was leaking diesel fuel and oil.

A wildlife care organization was notified, but no oiled wildlife had been observed, the Coast Guard said.

The ship, currently known as the MV Aurora, was built in Germany in 1955 and formerly named Wappen von Hamburg. The ship moved around the world and ended up in the delta when a California man bought it in 2008 with dreams of restoring it as a shoreline attraction.

Departure Schedule

Red and white fleet offers san francisco cruises all year long, giving visitors and locals alike the best views of the biggest attractions in san francisco, including alcatraz island and the golden gate bridge, as well as our unique and varied marine wildlife. learn here about the seasonal departure schedules of our san francisco boat tours., *we will be running a weekend schedule on memorial day - monday, may 27th*, march 10, 2024 - june 20, 2024.

June 21, 2024 - September 2, 2024

September 3, 2024 - October 13, 2024

October 14, 2024 - December 31, 2024

Alcatraz ferry workers strike amid start of summer tourism season in San Francisco

M emorial Day weekend marks the unofficial start to the summer tourism season. But there could be a threat to one of San Francisco’s biggest attractions: the boat tours to Alcatraz Island.

Alcatraz boat tours attract more than 1.5 million visitors to the island yearly. On Saturday morning, the striking cruise workers put the boat tours on a four-hour hold by picketing at Pier 33 in San Francisco.

The union’s strike forced Alcatraz City Cruises to clear their boats until it was over.

San Francisco Board of Supervisors President Aaron Peskin was there to show his support for union workers, who said that management has not negotiated fairly and dragging out talks for a year and a half.

“This is a working people’s waterfront. It has been for a hundred years and it is time for Alcatraz Cruises to stop stalling,” he said.

But union president Robert Estrada said management didn’t deliver anything tangible and continually drags out discussions without movement on key issues.

“We’ve been waiting for a response to our economic package for months, months and months, and we were told we would have a response to our economic proposal at the last meeting,” he said.

The boats were back up and running towards Alcatraz just after noon, but Estrada said a full strike is not out of the question. The two sides return to the negotiating table on June 4 but the union’s hopeful management will come to them with an agreement before then.

“There are stakeholders who are directly Alcatraz City Cruises, and we would hope that there are conversations happening right now between those stakeholders and those who hold the power to get this done,” he said.

Alcatraz Cruises passengers said they hope management does come back with better pay and benefits because they know it’s hard to get by in the Bay Area.

A spokesperson with Alcatraz City Cruises released the following statement on Saturday:

“We are disappointed the union would threaten our passengers, partners and the community with a potential disruption of those services. Please take comfort that this will have no impact on our operations.

We are committed to continuing to bargain in good faith and are working diligently with our crew to reach a mutually beneficial agreement.”