Red and White Fleet

The Red and White Fleet’s Golden Gate Bay Cruise is an exhilarating way to see San Francisco, the Golden Gate Bridge and Alcatraz from the bay instead of the land. And gaining this special perspective—which includes forays underneath the Golden Gate and within a stone’s throw of Alcatraz—is quite affordable at $24 per adult.

In the heart of Fisherman’s Wharf, you’ll board one of the fleet’s biodiesel-powered boats, each big enough to smooth out the big waves beneath the Gate so that seasickness is a non-issue. The one-hour cruise traces the city’s shoreline—past Fisherman’s Wharf, the Marina district and the Presidio—to the Golden Gate. After a thrilling pass beneath it and into the ocean for a brief spell, you’ll head straight for Alcatraz in the middle of the bay. The boat drifts slowly past the island for a close look at the old cellblock and guard towers.

Along the way, you’ll likely see sea lions in the bay, windsurfers surfing on it and sea birds soaring above. The free audio narration, available in 12 languages on headsets, is excellent, with descriptions of what you’re seeing and local-history trivia that will be new even to many native San Franciscans.

The cruise is comfortable in any weather, with indoor tables and large windows on the lower two levels, and plenty of outdoor benches and railing space on the middle and upper levels. There’s even a snack bar with coffee, sodas and wine down below. If you go, you’ll be part of a long tradition. The Red and White was the first to offer tourist cruises in 1939 as part of the Golden Gate International Expo, and it’s still going strong.

There are two upgrade possibilities. Red and White’s Explorer Cruise (90 minutes, 3:30 p.m. daily, $36/adult, $24/youth) follows a southerly route under the Bay Bridge and around Treasure Island, with narration emphasizing natural history, architecture and Native American culture. The Sunset Cruise (two hours, 7 p.m. daily, summers only, $54/$36) is a sail out to Sausalito and Tiburon accompanied by hearty appetizers and live music.

HelloSanFrancisco Tip: Families especially should opt for the combo package that adds a tour of the adjacent Pier 45 attractions—the USS Jeremiah O’Brien liberty ship, USS Pampanito submarine, San Francisco Museum and Musee Mecanique’s antique games—all for just $4 to $6 more per person with the standard Bay Cruise.

- by Bob Cooper, San Francisco Reporter for HelloMetro  (Click to leave a message)

Bob Cooper

Bob Cooper is a full-time freelance writer (www.bob-cooper.com) who writes about travel, outdoor sports and health. He is a monthly contributor to Runner's World and has written recent articles for other national magazines such as Continental, Ladies' Home Journal and Inc.