San Francisco Bay Area Ferry Guide: Tips, Routes, Schedules
Restaurants, bars, things to do near ferries: Larkspur, Tiburon, Angel Island Sausalito, Alameda, Oakland, Alacatraz. Daytrips San Francisco ferry, Giants schedules, tips
San Francisco Bay Area Ferry Schedules, Routes & More
One of the best (and cheaper) ways to explore the Bay Area and its scenic views is from our local ferry services. There are many options, varying routes, lots of considerations to take, and things to be aware of, otherwise you can get stranded or pay expensive alternatives to get back to where you need to go.
Given the various operators, each has it’s own website, routes, fees, schedules and more (see below).
How To Ride San Francisco Bay Area Ferries
The main commuter ferries in the San Francisco Bay Area allow you to pay with cash or card at ticket booths but lines can get long and you may miss your ride. Best to pay with Clipper Card (it’s also much cheaper too). By doing so, you can also take advantage of discounts from bus and public transportation transfers too via the Clipper Card.
Other tourist ferries require you to buy tickets online and sometimes at booths for specific departure times.
The Ferry Building and other ferry locations have their own docks so be sure you know where to line up ahead of time as you may have to go to the other side of the ferry building to catch your ferry.
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San Francisco Bay Area Ferry Maps, Locations
Several agencies and companies operate San Francisco ferries. Most of the ferry systems transport to/from the Ferry Building in San Francisco to places across the Bay Area in other counties like Alameda, Marin, and Solano counties.
The ferry systems below are commuter or direct routes, where others circle around more, take in the sights more closely. That said, views are great from the commuter routes and typically these are cheaper than the touristy ones. In addition to each specific provider, there can be different types of ferries serving each route (slower and faster boats).
San Francisco Bay Area Commuter Ferries
Golden Gate Ferry (To/From Ferry Building)
From San Francisco to Tiburon, Angel Island, Larkspur & Sausalito
San Francisco Bay Ferry (To/From Ferry Building, Oakland/Alameda)
From San Francisco to Oakland, Mare Island/Vallejo, Richmond, Alameda & Harbor Bay
From Oakland/Alameda to South San Francisco
https://sanfranciscobayferry.com/routes-schedules/
Free water taxi between Jack London Square Oakland & Alameda
From San Francisco To Angel Island/Tiburon Ferry
San Franisco To Treasure Island Ferry
San Francisco Bay Area Ferry Tips, FAQ’s
Prices for ferry rides vary for kids, adults, seniors etc and some offer discounts for using clipper card (physical or digital one on your phone).
There are different schedules for weekend and weekday routes
Further custom schedules for major U.S. holidays
Some routes have seasonal/monthly schedules i.e. Angel Island/Tiburon
Commuter ferries can get busy during commute hours, in some instances, commuters will be allowed to get on first before tourists. This is more likely to happen on Mondays around 4th of July etc.
Check the weather and fog conditions as it can limit visibility. Fog is usually thickest May-August.
Bring layers, especially if you want to stand outside to take photo (cold winds can be 20-30+ degrees cooler than on land)
While you can take ferries round-trip, you will have to get off commuter boats and line up again to get back on. Usually not a problem unless you get on around commuter times (7-10am, 4-7pm).
There are bars on the some of the ferry boats.
There are multiple boats servicing some lines (some are slower, some are faster) so be sure to note them.
If using contactless card or Clipper Card, you can only pay for one person on each card. Plan ahead.
Most ferries operate early mornings to late evenings only, they don’t run late at night unless it’s a special event for Oracle Park or Chase Center games, concerts.
Submit Your San Francisco Bay Area Ferry Tips!
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San Francisco Bay Area Ferry Cruises, Tours, Schedules
Other agencies offer more touristy rides (these are usually more expensive).
Blue & Gold Fleet (Pier 39)
Escape the Rock: Goes underneath the bridge, along Angel Island and toward Alcatraz (doesn’t land there).
Sunset Cruise: Underneath GG Bridge, Pier 39, Angel Island, Tiburon, Sausalito
This is a seasonal route/service.
San Francisco Bay Cruise
Sausalito
Red & White Fleet (Pier 43 1/2)
Golden Gate Bay Cruise
Bridge To Bridge Cruise
Sunset Cruise
Alcatraz Cruise & Tour
Event Cruises: July 4th Fireworks (usually foggy, may not see any fireworks)
Chase Center Event, Ferry Services: Warriors, Concerts, Valkyries
These ferry rides to Chase Center only service during specific dates and times (limited) and can fill up quickly.
San Francisco Bay Ferry To Valkyrie Games (From Oakland/Alameda)
Oracle Park Ferry Rides: San Francisco Giants Games, Concerts
These ferry rides to Oracle Park only service during specific dates and times (limited) and can fill up quickly. Ferry to Giants games are popular as you don’t have to worry about parking and traffic but they do leave a little after the game is over (see details about late innings, rain delays etc).
Golden Gate Ferry From Larkspur To Oracle Park (Giants Games)
Book seats in advance as they typically sell out!
San Francisco Bay Ferry (From Oakland, Alameda & Vallejo)
Angel Ferry Rides, Routes
The Golden Gate Ferry system covers rides to/from San Francisco and Marin County (Sausalito, Larkspur & Tiburon), see above. On a clear day, the views of Marin, Sausalito, Angel Island, Tiburon and Golden Gate Bridge in the distance, can’t be beat.
Angel Island Ferry From Tiburon To Angel Island
Coming Soon: Things To Do Near The Ferry Building San Francisco
San Francisco Bay Area Ferry Hacks
There are occasional free ferry rides via Off The Grid to Treasure Island
Larkspur Landing Ferry offers free parking on weekends and after 1pm
Get additional discounts on transfers from ferry when using Clipper Card or contactless card over physical paper tickets.
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