San Francisco’s Ferry Building, Photo Credit: Nat & Cody Gantz
Walk along San Francisco‘s Embarcadero Street and you’ll come across countless ferry companies boasting the best tours of the bay.
However, you can’t go wrong with Golden Gate Ferry. Operated by the Golden Gate Bridge Highway and Transportation District, the Golden Gate Ferry lines are what locals take to go back and forth between the north bay and San Francisco.
There are three ferry routes that cross the bay and each lands in a different location: Sausalito, Larkspur and Tiburon. During commute hours, the ferries run about every 30 minutes; during non-commute hours, the ferries go roughly every hour.
All three depart from San Francisco’s Ferry Building. Head to the market building early, so you can sample some of the delicious food from local artisans like Cowgirl Creamery, Boccalone Salumeria and Blue Bottle Coffee.
With its scenic coastal views, the ride is considered one of the most beautiful ferry rides in the world. You can even enjoy an adult beverage along with your view, as the boat serves wine and beer in the small snack bar. But do note that none of them accept credit cards.
All of the ferries have outdoor and indoor seating and offer spectacular views of the city, both bridges, and Alcatraz and Angel islands.
If you’re feeling ambitious, you can even bring your bike aboard, and then pedal back over the Golden Gate.
