San Francisco Bay by Ferry: the 8 Best Sailings

1.Alcatraz Ticket, Ferry, & Self-Guided App

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 2,460 reviews · 3 hours · from $79Our pick

Meet at Pier 33 for a ferry to Alcatraz Island, then explore the cell blocks, prison corridors, outside grounds, and San Francisco views with a self-guided app. The official ticket and ferry are included, but there is no live guide. You can stay on the island as long as you wish and return on a later ferry.

“We were a party of 6 celebrating a milestone birthday… Alcatraz was at the top of the birthday girls bucket list, so it had to be done!! What a fabulous experience from start to finish, everyone of the staff members we encountered were friendly, energetic and amazing!! They even sung “happy birthday “ it was everything we hoped for and more! We had a fabulous time and would definitely recommend a visit.”

Check sailings →Read our full review

2.San Francisco Golden Gate To Sausalito Bike Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 751 reviews · 1 to 3 hours (approx.) · from $75Best value

Ride from Fisherman’s Wharf across the Golden Gate Bridge to Sausalito with guides such as Ryan, Mia, Adam, or Ginger. You’ll follow a mostly flat waterfront route, stop at the Palace of Fine Arts and Crissy Field, then explore Sausalito on your own. Classic bikes and e-bikes are available, with a ferry return at your expense.

“From start to finish this experience was spectacular. Efficient, clean, friendly, and knowledgeable. We had a guided tour that was safe and enjoyable. Mia was our guide, who provided us many places to stop for beautiful pictures, along with wonderful historical facts about the locations. We would do this again in a heartbeat. Our family consists of two adults and two teens. We rented the E bikes, highly recommend them to make the tour more enjoyable.”

Check sailings →Read our full review

3.Alcatraz, Ferry & Audio Tour w/ Night Option

★★★★★★★★★★4.4 · 617 reviews · 3 hours · from $78

Take the official ferry from Pier 33 to Alcatraz, then explore the cellhouse and island at your own pace. Your ticket includes the official Cellhouse audio tour plus a separate companion guide covering Indigenous history, gardens, protests, families, and island life. Choose the night option for evening ferry service and ranger introductions.

“This was s brilliant tour and experience. Very well organized, I loved the self tour guide- such a good stories told by prople who were actually the prisoners there. I highly recommend it is definitely worth the money!!!”

Check sailings →Read our full review

4.Muir Woods & Sausalito Tour with Ferry Option

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 515 reviews · 5 - 8 hours · from $91

Cross the Golden Gate Bridge by air-conditioned bus, walk among giant redwoods in Muir Woods, then spend time in Sausalito. Your English-speaking guide, such as Doug, Don, or Heather, provides local stories and photo stops. Choose the ferry option for a scenic return to San Francisco, or add a guided bike tour.

“Tony the tour guide was amazing nd informative. I would highly reccomend.”

Check sailings →Read our full review

5.Hop-On Hop-Off Bus with Ferry & Alcatraz Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 324 reviews · 2 days · from $159

See San Francisco by open-top bus, cross the Golden Gate Bridge, stop at Chinatown, Haight-Ashbury, Golden Gate Park, Fisherman’s Wharf, and more. Your package also includes a timed ferry to Alcatraz and its excellent self-guided audio tour. Live guides may add local stories, with commentary offered in several languages.

“Amazing day in board. Plenty of stops. Loads of information.”

Check sailings →Read our full review

6.San Francisco Combo: Ferry Building Food Tour and Alcatraz

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 152 reviews · 1 to 4 hours (approx.) · from $181

Start at 10 a.m. with a 90-minute Ferry Building food tour led by a local guide such as Rebecca, Tori, Carol, or Travis. Taste bread, cheese, chocolate, Vietnamese food, and more, then walk to Pier 33 for the ferry to Alcatraz. Your island visit is self-guided, with an audio tour in 10 languages.

“Our guide, Rebecca, was so welcoming and was very informative. I loved getting to try foods that I've never had before. Even my picky husband liked all the food we tried, even the fruit! Thank you for broadening our horizons! We will remember this experience forever!”

Check sailings →Read our full review

7.Alcatraz Inside Access Ferry and Audio Tour with Night Option

★★★★★★★★★★4.0 · 138 reviews · 2 to 4 hours (approx.) · from $90

Take the ferry from Pier 33 to Alcatraz Island, then explore the former prison, gardens, ruins, and Bay views at your own pace. Your visit includes official admission, the Cellhouse audio tour, and a companion audio guide from the ferry ride through your return. Choose a daytime or night departure, but allow three hours and dress warmly.

“I was a amazing experience that I don't think I'll ever get the chance to do again. I 100% recommend this on anyone's bucket list! Definitely make sure you have good shoes. There's a lot to explore.”

Check sailings →Read our full review

8.Morning Muir Woods & Sausalito Tour w/ Ferry

★★★★★★★★★★4.0 · 105 reviews · 5 hours · from $104

Cross the Golden Gate Bridge by coach, spend up to 1.5 hours among the redwoods at Muir Woods, then explore Sausalito before taking a ferry to Pier 41. English-speaking guides such as Constantine, Kimberly, Phil, and Pam have led this route, with audio support in five additional languages.

“We had a great time at muir Woods. The bus ride up was great and the return ferry ride back was an excellent way to see the bay!”

Check sailings →Read our full review