Touring San Francisco Bay

During the early part of this century, San Francisco Bay harbored the world's largest ferry fleet. In their heyday, 50 great white arks - side-wheelers, stern wheelers and propeller-driven - crisscrossed the bay carrying 50 million passengers a year and a heavy complement of horses, drays, baggage carts and automobiles. The opening of the San Francisco-Oakland Bay Bridge in 1936 and the Golden Gate Bridge in 1937 marked the beginning of the end of this romantic era.

Today, San Francisco and the North Bay are served by 18 ferries sailing under the ensigns of the Golden Gate Bridge District, the Red & White Fleet and the Blue & Gold Fleet. All are snug scenicruisers with food and drink bars, glassed-in observation areas and open promenade decks. This working fleet is augmented by all manner of pleasure craft operating on scheduled and charter runs. The return of reliable water transit has induced thousands of Marin County commuters to kick the car habit. One man’s commute is another man’s excursion, however, as the ferries and sightseeing boats offer a veritable raft of ship and shore options for the pleasure traveler. Besides the popular bay cruise, there’s sea kayaking and a variety of land and sea packages to Muir Woods, the wine country, and Marine World Africa USA

For the latest information, schedules, ticket prices and reservations, call these numbers:

Red & White Fleet: 
(415) 447-0597

Blue & Gold Fleet: 
(415) 705-5444 info line; 
(415) 705-5555 for reservations

Golden Gate Ferries: 
(415) 332-6600

Alameda-Oakland Ferry: 
(510) 522-3300

You may also see San Francisco Bay and other waterways with these sightseeing companies and organized tours. 

FDR's Presidential Yacht Potomac, 540 Water Street in Oakland, is a National Historic Landmark that serves as a floating museum in honor of President Franklin D. Roosevelt. The museum offers guided tours to the public and is also available for two-hour history cruises and private events. For more information, call (510) 839-7533 or visit www.ussspotomac.org on-line.

Gondola Servizio offers 55-minute romantic gondola cruises across Lake Merritt in authentic Venetian gondolas. Experience a taste of Venice across the Bay in Oakland. For more information call (510) 663-6603.