San Francisco Bay Ferry Reviews

Decided to take the ferry when I was staying at the waterfront hotel just to go back-and-forth didn't really go into the city just wanted to be on the water it was a beautiful day the people were great I highly recommend it very reasonable

A great way to get out on the water- as a bonus you end up in San Francisco. It's beautiful to be so far away from all the buildings. The best part is going under the Bay Bridge.

Catch the ferry to San Francisco. It's economical (about $7 each way) and fun. You have the choice of 2 locations at the San Fran wharves and the trip is long enough to be enjoyable, but not too long (30 min). Enjoy.

While in San Leandro we took advantage of the San Francisco Bay Ferry instead of driving into San Francisco. A convenient way to get into fisherman's wharf. A couple of stops on the way and what a view from the ferry of the Oakland Bay Bridge and San Francisco. For seniors it was a very reasonable way of getting into San Francisco area.

For our family vacation we stayed in Alameda but all of our activities were in San Francisco. So I found this ferry while doing research as there was no way I wanted the hassle of driving and then trying to find parking. The station has two official parking lots and it’s free so that was a very pleasant surprise. The lots filled up quickly but there is plenty of other open space to park.

You can purchase your tickets on the train and the ride was only around 20 minutes from Alameda to the Ferry Building. The tickets are reasonable and are actually cheaper than BART. Make sure you check your schedules, as they have a stop at Pier 41 (which would have been ideal) but they only stop there at limited times. It worked out, as you can take the F line streetcar to the various Fishermen’s Wharf stops.

The ferry is in good shape and we didn’t have a problem getting a seat either way and they have free wireless. We tried the ferry one day and BART the next and we were very sorry we didn’t take the ferry both days! If we are back in the area we will take the ferry!

The crew were great. They were knowledgeable about the sites. Would recommend this ride. We couldn't go to alcatraz because it was booked, but this was second best.

I have always hopped on at jack London Square. Its relaxing and a really smooth ride. By the way there is no traffic and parking fees! You can order drinks and snacks as well. I have visited Fisherman's Wharf, the Ferry Building and I have been to a Giants game via the Ferry. If you don't need your car in SF, and who does these days with ride-share, take the Ferry.

We love to take the ferry. You can get some free parking at the big garage near the port. The ride is fast and comfy and they have cocktails!

Took the SF Bay Ferry from Jack London Square to the Ferry Building one Saturday morning -- sure, you don't get the voiceover from a guide, but you're essentially getting a cruise of the SF Bay at a bargain price. We had gorgeous weather and sat in the sun on the back deck, but it looked like the seats inside were super comfortable. Heck, there's even a cocktail bar on board.

The ferry stopped at Fisherman's Wharf and the Ferry Building -- both perfect spots to explore SF.

We had purchased and loaded "Clipper Cards" so that we could just tap in and out to pay our fare, but you can also buy tickets on board.

Really enjoyed taking the ferry to the Giants game. It drops you off right behind centerfield and when the game is over, you board the boat and head back to the Oakland terminal at Jack London Square. Great way to beat the traffic, a nice relaxing ride with some interesting sights along the way. Met a lot of nice folks as well. Pretty sure it cost a lot less to park in Jack London Square than near AT&T Park, just guessing. When I went, however, there was no ticket booth at the square where people could purchase a boat ticket. Good thing I bought mine online!

When I visit Oakland to see a dear old friend we always take the ferry from the Port of Oakland to San Francisco. I prefer this to Bart as I enjoy being on the water and seeing the sights. The ferry is efficient and runs smoothly and it is interesting to see the morning bicycle commuters and others on their way to work this way. We saw both the sun rise and then the sun set on our trips to and fro. It was awesome!

Jack London square is the place to hang out or chill Ltd like another world you can find anything your heart desires clean safe the day time is nice but jack London square comes alive at night the beautiful light the water everything is beautiful night time is the best time to visit people are friendly food is great shopping experience great go at night if you want to really and truly enjoy jack London square downtown Oakland ca

We stayed in Oakland and instead of fighting the traffic, we took the ferry. They were on time and not crowded and was a fun way to travel

Love the SF Bay Ferry from Alameda to San Francisco. The view is magnificent, the indoor seating is good too. They also have a food and drink bar, which is great. Go for a ride, you will love it.

This was a great deal! It took only 20 minutes to go from Alameda to San Francisco's Fisherman's Wharf! The cost was nominal, $6.50 per person each way. The times and frequency were very convenient, parking was free, and the staff was pleasant and helpful. The view was spectacular and the seats plentiful and comfortable. You could also stand out on the deck, if you chose to.

Great way to see the cities. Ride right under the Bay Bridge. Also catch this straight to Jack London from the Giants stadium before and after games.

First trip using SF Ferry and it was a delightful and fun way to go from Sausaulto to San Francisco...no sitting in traffic and lovely views you can only see from being on the bay!

What a great idea this was, to take the ferry. It could not be more perfect! Nice view, great weather. Some days you look around and say, yes, " life is great".

Great way to get to & from San Francisco from Oakland. You get fabulous views of the Bay Bridge, shipping, etc.

Nice ferry ride as smooth as can be. There’s a bar that serves little snacks and drinks. Upper and lower levels.

I was invited to tour the Mansion on Sutter, a luxury boutique hotel in San Francisco on August 11th. I decided to take the San Francisco Bay Ferry from Jack London Square in Oakland. I'm so glad I took the ferry because I didn't realize Outside Lands was happening in Golden Gate Park and traffic on the Bay Bridge and BART were super crowded.

I took the first ferry at 8:55 a.m. I purchased my round trip ticket on board. It was a beautiful day and the views were extraordinary! When planning your trip be sure to use the website sanfranciscobayferry.com. The website is very user friendly and has all of the information you need. Parking is free when you validate your ticket at the machine located just to the right as you walk off the ferry when you return.

Highly recommend!

My son and his wife live in Alameda. He normally commutes by rail or bus, but when we visit, he'll return home by ferry so we can have a great view of SF lights and skyline. If you leave near sunset, it is quite spectacular. A cheap way to get a harbor cruise!

We flew to the Bay Area to Oakland Airport and were staying in Oakland near the USCG Base. We decided to have dinner in San Francisco. We drove our rental car to the Oakland Ferry Terminal at Jack London Square (free parking with a validation stamp on our ferry receipt). We took an afternoon ferry to the San Francisco Ferry Building. There are many fine places to eat within walking distance of the ferry building. We then took the last evening ferry back to Oakland. The ferrys were clean, comfortable, and affordable. Beats driving across the Bay Bridge (toll) and trying to find parking in San Francisco

In 2013 during the BART strike, I took the Ferry into San Francisco everyday for three weeks for a certificate course. The ride over was pleasant, the atmosphere one of comraderie (we had not other choice and people were light-hearted about the change of scenery from BART. It just so happened that the weather was gorgeous for those three weeks. I pretended I was on a water taxi in Venice, enjoying the approaching views of an enchanting city. Having a bar for a nice beer or glass of wine on a Friday evening return home, was a also a great perk. I recommend the Ferry for work or play. It's a great way to travel and experience the San Francisco Bay.

This is a great way to avoid parking in downtown SF and get off the ferry in the heart of the city. We walked all over, could have taken a tour, a bus, etc and enjoyed the day without a car. The ferry is prompt with the schedule and the parking at Jack London Square in Oakland is easy. Discounts for seniors helps!

I have ridden the SF Bay Ferry numerous times, a fun and worthwhile trip! Especially from Oakland to SF the views are fantastic, the high rises downtown are breathtaking. Views towards Oakland are worthwhile as well. The Captain 'pours on the coal" once you leave the estuary, the ferryboat is actually quite fast. Indoor and outdoor seating (I'm partial to outdoor) so you have choice of wind in your face or comfort to of cabin. A nice alternative to BART or bus across the bay ;-)

The Mrs. and I were staying a few nights in Oakland, Ca and were seeking a way to visit San Francisco without all of the hassle involved with driving a vehicle into the city.

My research indicated that the ferry had a port at Jack London Square and there were departures all day long. We arrived on Satirday afternoon and parked in a seven story parking structure located one block from the ticket office and terminal. Parking was free for up to 12 hours with validation of ferry fare purchase.

Jack London Square is a vibrant waterfront/port section of Oakland that has several restaurants and shopping. We purchased two adult round trip tickets for a total of $28.00.

The ferry is a beautiful modern vessel that arrived at the dock, We boarded the ferry and took our seats on the lower deck. There was a snack bar that served beer and snacks. I'm not really sure why as the trip to San Francisco wasn't that long, maybe twenty minutes or so.

The ride was very smooth and didn't really feel like you were on a boat. The ferry handled like a car. We passed the port of Oakland and I got a kick from seeing the large freight shipping vessels being unloaded with all those Chinese goods. We went under the Bey Bridge and got a good look at Alcatraz island.

First stop was the ferry terminal at the port of San Francisco then onto pier 39 which was the end of the line. We exited the vessel and were smack dab in the middle of Fisherman's Wharf. Cool!

After a so-so seafood lunch on the wharf and a cable car ride to Market Street and a long walk back to the ferry terminal, we were all tuckered out and ready for the ferry back to Oakland. The return trip was just as enjoyable as the first.

I recommend this ferry as a good alternative to driving into San Francisco and you will not be disappointed.

This ferry trip is worthy not only for the transportation factor but also for the beautiful view of the San Francisco Skyline. Have your cameras ready.

Fast and clean ferry! Always on time and serves alcohol! :) Leaving San Francisco at night is an amazing sight!

Take a leisurely crossing on a warm day (ok on a cold day if you dress warmly) to avoid the horrendous traffic on the bridges.

This trip was one of the highlights of our holiday. Starting near our hotel 'The Waterfront' it was like a mini cruise. Sailing under the bay bridge and with a great view from the bay. Tickets very cheap for the service.

We love taking the ferry to SF from Jack London Square. On a nice day the commute cannot be beat. Fantastic scenery, especially if you climb up to the third deck. Enjoy the view of the bay and sunshine and you will think you are on vacation.

Very relaxing, clean, efficient way to travel around San Francisco bay area. Reasonable price. Highly recommend.

Took the bay ferry from Jack London Square to San Francisco. It was a beautiful ride. Easy to board and purchase tickets on the ship and drop off was easy. If you are in the area I think this is a great way to get to San Francisco and back.

We were in SF for a few days and wanted to see the USS Hornet. We decided to take the ferry. It worked out great. We purchased our tickets off the HOPTHRU app and caught the ferry at Gate 9 off Embarcardeo. Once we got to Alameda, we took Lyft to the ship. The ferry was clean and there were plenty of seats. I highly suggest using the ferry to cross the bay to other locations.

The crossing takes as long as getting the ticket - I missed all the fun :( while my husband was taking pictures on his own ...

Next time you are in the East Bay and want to spend the day in San Francisco, consider taking the Ferry! You can catch the Ferry at Larkspur and Sausilito and enter SF at the Ferry building. From there it is easy access to the Muni, buses, Uber, and the rest of San Francisco! No hassle with the Golden Gate Bridge or city traffic! Fares are reasonable and you get savings with the Clipper card! Easy, convenient and what great views of the Bay! BTW, a round trip from the Ferry building and back is a great side trip in SF also! 😉

Great way to head into San Francisco from Oakland. Easy and free parking within the block.beautiful short trip, no hassle, views amazing, inside and outside seating. Ferry arrives at the ferry bldg in S.F.

Stayed in Oakland and took the ferry across to the SF Embarcadero area. Parking was a real pain last time we went to SF and this was a very nice solution.
The hotels are cheaper on the Oakland side, The round-trip Ferry for 2 and the cable-car fares in SF were all combined to be cheaper than parking for the day in SF. The ferry ride was nice at about 45-min or so each way (I like boat rides). The seats were not the most comfortable (I an a large person at 6-4, 270lbs +/-), but this still a much better alternative to the parking frustration in SF.
I would stay in Oakland and ferry to SF whenever possible.

One of our favorite things about the Bay Area is riding this wonderful ferry, with a civilized glass of wine on the deck as we pass under the Bay Bridge. It's not a long trip. But it's memorable, especially for the price.

Living in the Bay, you only have so many options to get to work. Driving leaves you stuck in traffic for hours and constantly fighting for inches of pavement, not to mention the bridge tolls and outrageous parking fees. The bus is great, if you get a seat next to a reasonable person and the seat isn’t covered in trash or b.o. BART works fine if you don’t mind getting a ride there, or paying more parking fees, and squeezing into a small area with oh so many people; it makes every bump and turn a terrifying adventure.
Now if you’re a big person, like me, these rides get even more hectic. With glaring eyes and even less room, why put yourself through that? The view? Nope, the only method with a view is... the ferry!
The ferry is spacious because they limit the rider count! Always a seat, inside to warm up or outside to feel the blissful ocean breeze. Even the standing room is so enjoyable, it’s not a commute!
Whether here for business or pleasure, use the ferry. The prices are reasonable, you get personal space, and the view can not be beaten.

The ferry is cheap & a fun + convenient way to ride into the city. Drops you off at an ideal spot to snoof around and spend time in SF. Bring a jacket or sweatshirt year round thought as it does get cold!

Albeit a much smaller scale, the San Francisco ferry and station remind me of Hong Kong, especially with all its regular commuters. We were fortunate to have a leisure schedule where we could sample the shops, taste ice cream, grab a pastry, or marvel at the interesting prints on the kitchen linens that were for sale.

The ferry is clean and comfortable. If you want to table get in line early and make a mad dash to secure your spot.

Happy sailing

No frills ferry, but plenty of seats and spectacular views of Oakland docks and downtown SF. Staff are not so helpful, so lines form while people ask questions or try to buy tickets.

Best kept secret ever! Stay in Oakland, CA and take the San Francisco Bay Ferry to San Francisco! Such a fun little excursion and also eliminate driving and parking challenges in San Francisco. Definitely something you'll want to do more than once and also something kids/grandkids would enjoy as well!

I love to take the ferry back and forth from SF. So beautiful, easy, and on time. The view of the bay bridge from the water and the SF skyline is dramatic!

One of the boats broke down which caused an hour delay to the schedule. We were running a tight schedule, so we couldn't afford the delay. Ultimately, we were not able to get off at our destination. We were not able to get a refund as one of the staff said the box office was closed. One wonders why this was not communicated to us when we were buying the tickets. The ticket booth must have known about the schedules running behind. Clearly a company that puts profits above customer service.

Not recommended on tight schedules.

The ferry brings a home town, or childhood feeling. It is nice to sit back and relax and travel across the bay rather than driving around it. It takes about a quarter of the time without the stress to get to San Francisco. My wife and I take it and then walk to wherever we like. The Cable car is right there and it is an easy walk to China town.

the only negative, their way of selling tickets for the ferry, you must line up once on the ferry, (Oakland side), I would prefer a kiosk, to buy tickets prior to travelin.

We've used the ferry a few times. The schedule is limited, but there is free parking in the Oakland garage. It's pretty quick. Views of the bay and bridges are terrific. But if you are in a hurry, and cannot conform to the limited schedule this is not the way to go.

We have used the ferry to go to and from Oakland and San Francisco and have enjoyed each trip. We do not commute via ferry but love to go on them. It eliminates parking problems and costs and if you use public transportation to get to the ferry terminals, you win all the way around. The crews are generally very helpful and courteous.

San Francisco Bay is one of the most beautiful bodies of water in California, and maybe the world. Taking the ferry from Oakland (free or reduced price parking in a nearby lot) is like having your own yatch as you cross the Bay, motor under the Bay Bridge, and view the beautiful San Francisco waterfront and skyline. Stop at the ferry terminal for lunch at one of the restaurants and cruise the market shops. Then sail back to Oakland and enjoy one of our excellent Jack London Square restaurants. The best time to take the ferry is on a weekday, but avoid the rush hour commute.

If you want to go to a Giants game the Ferry has a private dock at AT&T park. Shopping is a direct ferry ride to the SF Ferry Building, Embarcadero, BART, and the Exploratorium.

I have used the ferry to get from Vallejo to SF many times, but not regularly. it runs on time and gets me there in just about 1 hour. I have also used it to go to and return to SF Giants games. That's just a great way to beat the traffic home. The snack bar is average but still a great convenience if you want a refreshment or snack.

This is a great way to see the Bay. You can go from Jack London Square where there are good restaurants and attractions to the Ferry Building in SF which is a huge spot for tourist attractions and local spots as well. You can get off at the Ferry Building and hop on the N Judah Muni train and get to the beach without worrying about parking and see some great water views. We love it for day trips.

Skip the traffic and head on down to a port to enjoy lesser-known spectacular bay views from aboard one of the many ferries shuttling passengers across the SF Bay. Fun for everyone and a great way to visit City attractions without the hassle of Bart or car traffic.

A great way to travel from Oakland to SF. On a clear day, you can see forever -- Mt. Tamalpais, SF skyline, Oakland Port, Alameda Island.

We took a trip to San Francisco. It was perfect weather. The ferry boat is not cheap but worth every penny. The view was amazing. Very smooth ride.

This a good way to get to San Francisco. The staff are friendly & go out of there way to be helpful. Purchase a clipper card from the ferry building & the trips move from $6.80 to $5.10 a go.

a short ferry ride will take you to Ferry Building and the City of SF with is very walkable and where parking prices are high and not many. You will see the City from a different angle and the Bay Bridge as well. Highly recommend it

From Oakland, Alameda, Vallejo, Larkspur and my favorites: Tiburon and Sausalito, you can't get a better value than the San Francisco Bay Ferry. If you are staying in the city, you can "ferry" (our new verb!) over to Tiburon for lunch or Sausalito for an early dinner. Just make sure to check the schedule for the last ferry back to the city or you will have to wait until morning. If you aren't staying in the city but want to go for the day, take it to either the Ferry Bldg (full of palate pleasing surprises!), or to Pier 41 to see Fisherman's Wharf, etc. But no matter, its just a quick 1.5 mile walk between the two and pedicabs abound if you don't want to walk. However, walking the Embarcadero is a not-to-be-missed event, in and of itself! Fares are cheap, you can take on your bike, you can have a snack and a beer, and enjoy fabulous views all at the same time. If its too cold on the top deck, the huge windows will give you the feeling you are riding the waves. Idea: Take the Sausalito ferry from SF to the Trident restaurant for lunch. Make reservations.

Excellent to visit with family . Lot of restaurants and play area for kids . Sea lions pier is worth to see

There is something special about approaching SF from the water. This ride is pleasent and especially ejoyable for me because I was married on the trip from Oakland to SF with several close friends. We had a special meal in SF. On the return trip my then 3 year old son from a prior marriage fell asleep on my shoulders with his head on my head. Periodically we take the ferry to have warm rememberances and a good day in SF without parking or traffic issues.

I know it takes longer on ferry from oakland but is a very special way to arrive in san franisco especially if you take the boat to pier 41

I never thought a boat so large could move so fast. They get you across the bay in a very quick time indeed. They are clean and comfortable and even have a bar where you can get a drink or a soda. And the fares are not bad at all to ride.

Take The Ferries !! I rode in to work from Oakland to SF most of summer 2018...BEST SF VIEWS ! Magnificent panorama of the City and Bay. For Photo / film folks....World Class !!! You must Take it !

I take the ferry occasionally when I go to SF. I do not ride it during commute hours so I could not evaluate that. The rest of the time is a great ride, not too lo g, that offers beautiful views of both SF and Oakland. Its relaxing and, in good weather, a real treat. Less expensive than the tourist rides and at both ends lots of places to eat, walk and enjoy the day. The ride is about 45 min from Jack London Square to Pier 1.

We have been riding the ferries to San Francisco for over a year. As far as I am concerned it is the only way to visit San Francisco. The ferries are almost always on time. Using a Clipper Card eliminates the need to buy a ticket; that makes getting on a off the ferry easier. The San Francisco Bay Ferry website is easy to use and has all the information you need to ride the ferries.

At first we drove to Jack London Square and boarded the ferry there. This worked well because there is ample parking and freeway access is not too difficult. Next we started using Capitol Corridor and San Joaquin trains. This greatly reduced the need to drive. Lately, we have driven to Vallejo and taken the ferry from there to San Francisco.

Once in San Francisco there are a number of options to get around the city. We use the BMW+ means of transportation: Bus, Muni, Walking, plus Uber.

One improvement that I would like to see is a Clipper Card tag-in tag-out for the parking lots.

I don't travel by ferry often but it's a nice treat to ride into SF from the North Bay. The staff is always nice and the ride is beautiful.

This boat is fast... and with the Hopthru app only $2 round trip per person! We caught a beautiful day in November and had a wonderful boat ride! What fun, and inexpensive fun for SFO

We took a group of children on a field trip to SF. They loved riding on the ferry almost as much as the field trip.

So we wanted to visit Fisherman’s Wharf from Oakland before we took our trip to Alcatraz Island. (That Ferry also leaves from the Wharf area) After doing some researching it became obvious that the best, and by that I mean the least stressful way to get all of us the Fisherman’s Wharf was to take the Bay Ferry. From Alameda to San Fran for our group of 5 it cost $56 round trip. No fighting traffic, no paying for parking. What a civilized way to travel to San Fran!

I take the ferry frequently because it is much nicer than taking Bart or the bus to cross from Oakland to San Francisco. The staff are friendly and the price is reasonable. Good opportunities to take photos of the San Francisco skyline.

Catch the ferry to San Francisco, it's relaxing with beautiful views of the bay. You can catch it from Jack London square on Saturday and visit the amazing farmers market. Get your veges, have a glass of wine in the Ferry building. Great day out. Love it.

We took our family, with 3 children under 8 years old, for a Bay Cruise. The girls loved the freedom to “roam” yet being able to sit inside out of the cold air! The snacks were great, as were the drinks 😜, again being a hit with both kids and adults. A true San Francisco experience. A blast!

When my spouse was alive, one of our favorite outings was to take the ferry from Jack London Square in Oakland to the SF Ferry Building, get clam chowder and browse the stores before coming back. Usually there are quiet a few passengers, but it's never packed mid-morning or mid-afternoon and you can't beat the views, even if you don't climb upstairs to the open deck. Every time I've taken it, it was always close to on-time – but we weren't on a deadline.

Bay Area is fabulous. I always love bike riding and boating around the bay. So much to see and do here in this ecclectic atmosphere.

One of my favorite things to do in the Bay area! Anytime someone said "let's go to the city" I would say let's take the Ferry!!

The Giants and A's should go back to the old name - Bay Series. Maybe MLB will schedule games as day/night cross-bay double headers. Who needs to take the bridge?

We used the ferry to travel from Pier 41 at Fisherman's Wharf to Oakland. It was a very pleasant experience and it is a nice way to travel from San Francisco to Oakland. We would use the ferry service again should our travel needs call for it. It was an enjoyable way to enjoy the bay in San Francisco and it gave us beautiful views of the city.

I took BART train to Oakland and the Ferry back to San Francisco. A wonderful and quick service with clean ferry and a bar on deck. I traveled again traffic hours so there is no line. Use the sam Clipper card and there you go. Wonderful view of both cities while sipping wine on board.

Arrive in San Francisco without the bother of the traffic , its our favorite thing to do with guests who are visiting

the giants ferry is the most fun. Usually meet up with someone you know and they have a full bar on board to get game day started right. Best for day games, can be tough having to leave the stadium early on a night game.

I took the ferry to San Francisco as I was commuting there for work.
I used my clipper card to pay the fare. On the ferry you can buy snacks and soda, water or wine and beer.
If you want to be outdoors, go up to the top level and sit outside to feel the wind and sun.
There’s a lot of seating inside and you can use the table trays to work on your laptop or read. The ride from Alameda or Oakland to the main ferry building was under 20 minutes.
If you’re catching the ferry in the morning between 7 and 8 am give yourself time to park and get in line for the ferry. There will be a line! If you’re not on time, the ferry will leave you. It leaves promptly. I saw people running across the parking lot waving down the ferry staff only to be left on the dock waiting for the next boat.

Great value for transportation to and back from a Giants game. The cost to take this service versus driving across the bridge, parking near the ballpark, and gas,is a huge savings.

I have been riding this ferry for months and I never realized how vulnerable the passengers are until today. The ferry broke down on the way to Vallejo. The passengers all believed this ferry service has a back up plan but the don't. When they brake down you are stuck. For 2 hours they tried to fix the engines and after that time expired did they finally decide to call for help. They advised us at that time the tug boat was an hour away. This is my last trip on this ferry. Had I known this organization has no rescue or back up plans in place, I would have never stepped foot on it.

This is a comfortable and fairly fast way to get to the City. Park in the Jack London parking garage, short walk to the ferry slip. Plan according to their schedule. And they drop you off next to the Ferry Building, so you can proceed into downtown and onward. Come home with a cocktail!

Coming from Sacramento, one can drive, grit one's teeth and hope the traffic isn't insufferable and parking outrageous. OR -- one can take the CalTrain to Jack London Square and then the ferry over to the Ferry building in SF.
Unless you absolutely need a car in the city, you should give this alternative a try. A relaxing ride along the Suisun marsh and edge of the bay, a short walk across Jack London Square (with a stop for a coffee!) and then a 30 minute ride across the Bay to the ferry building.

The views of the city from the water and the underside of the bridge are a great, fun alternative. Arriving by boat is a novel throwback to another time. No parking headaches and you land right at the Ferry Building, the new gastro center of San Francisco life (okay, maybe not the center, but certainly a pretty good whitman's sampler).

Kids will love this, dates you want to charm, even long-time spouses will find it charming. It's also a great way to get to a Giants game in the summer. Joe-bob sez: check it out!

Still the best alternative to driving and parking in the city. Very relaxing. Don’t be tempted by the doughnuts in the case on the AM trip to the city though...seems no one on board can sell them to you 🙃

Ferries aren't fancy but you get great views for cheap! I take all my out of town guests for a ride on the ferry from alameda or jack London in Oaktown to do touristy things in SF. Always a huge hit (just skip dumb fake fishermans wharf). For tourists in SF- come to Oaktown, stroll around Jack London for a while, grab a drink at the last chance saloon, cruise the farmers market on Sunday, or other weekend event (check sffuncheap) and hop back on the boat. Oh and check out the beer selection at Beer Revolution while you're at it. Oh and a show at Yoshis.

Easy walk to the terminal. Frequent trips all day into the evening. Boats go to both the SF Ferry Terminal and Pier 41 in Fisherman's Wharf.

We used the ferry to get into San Francisco and absolutely loved it. It was a great way to see the Bay Area without spending an insane amount of money. Completely beautiful.

We used the ferry to travel over to downtown San Francisco for a day trip and back. Staff is friendly & helpful and the view is the best way to see it all.

Perfect way to spend midweek afternoon , beautiful bay and skyline, and bridges.

Great way to get a special lunch at the ferry building.

I take the SF Bay ferry from Oakland to SF and back on days I have time for a leisurely commute. I also take it whenever I have visitors, as it is an absolutely fantastic way to see the bay. It offers beautiful views of both SF and Oakland. It's cheaper if you've got a Clipper card.

Have a drink- wine, beer, coffee, whatever, and watch the water as others struggle in traffic. Quick and easy way to cross the bay. Great for visitors to see the bay area.

Great way to commute but also have a scenic view of the bay. Efficient! You pay on board unless you purchase a ticket online. If it is during busing times I recommend buying your ticket online.

The ferry rides themselves were just fine in both directions, the Ferry Building in San Francisco - Oakland (Jack London Square) - San Francisco (Ferry Building). But buying tickets and locating the ferry itself at the very crowded Ferry Building was a big mystery. I could not find ticket purchase information or the exact location of the ferry, which is a permanent site, on the website, so it was an exercise in question asking. Fortunately, everyone was in the same situation and very friendly, but the information could have been easily provided on the web site. For people needing to know, tickets may be purchased onboard. The ferry schedules are conveniently published online, and are available on the dock, and onboard. The ferry staff is very courteous, and prices could not be more reasonable.

What a great way to get around the Bay Area. Convienent and fun to ride. No hassle with parking or traffic. Wish I would have known about this years ago!

The ferry to San Francisco is $7.20 for an adult without a pass, and $3.60 for seniors. The ferry was clean, fast, and staff was friendly. You pass right under the Bay Bridge. It is a fun way to get across the Bay, and it runs in time.

Our hotel was in downtown Oakland, so we used a BART train to go to SF, but on the way back, since our city tour brought us to Fisherman's Wharf, we decided to cross the bay using the ferry. There was one ready to leave, so we just hopped on and purchased our tickets on board (no surcharge). It was a lovely experience, beautiful views, faster than what we had expected, and so in our mind it was the best way to cross. We ended up in Jack London Square, which was just a short walk back to the hotel (there is also a free shuttle to city center). If you came to visit by car, leave it at the hotel and use public transportation. The ferry is fun, fast, and scenic!

Whenever friends are here and don't know the Bay, I take them to SF Pier49 this way. The views start industrial and show a wide range of what is going one near and under the Bay Bridge and the Port of Oakland. Then one gets spectacular views of SF and the Bay.

On-board the service is excellent and prices are reasonable. Sit snug inside or brave the weather.

Once in SF we take in the sea lions, the Muse Mecanique and whatever you like from there. Walk back via Coit Tower or take a cable car to Powell BART.

This is a killer way to start to discover SF and the area in general.

Taking the ferry to work is soooo much more enjoyable than BART. Relaxing, always a seat, great staff, coffee, serene views and peace on the way to work.... priceless!

Cost effective & you get to see the San Francisco skyline! Just need to watch the time for the return trip to Oakland.

We used the bay ferry to cross to Alameda to visit the USS hornet and it was a heart was to cross the bay and there are really dog views of the city and the bay bridge, you can buy tickets onboard so dont worry if like me you can't find and info on the pierhead

All staff were really friendly

Had a wonderful time taking my parents, daughter, and grandkids out on the Bay. A little pricey, but ok to splurge once in a while.

I don't take the ferry to SF often, but when I do I am reminded of how gorgeous the city is! I love taking my bike over to SF on the weekends or taking out of town friends on this scenic tour of the Bay! Much more enjoyable than riding BART! Have a drink, make friends, and enjoy the view! Free parking in Jack London Square parking garage if you get your parking stub stamped on the boat! Just plan your return trip with the boat schedule so you don't miss the last boat back!

Often go to the city for pier 39 for dinner and this is a fun way to enjoy the view and beat parking.

Going to Giants games from the east bay is a real pain. Bart is OK, but its a long walk or a crammed Muni ride to and from the park. Driving is awful, and parking will set you back a small fortune.

But the San Francisco Bay Ferry from Alameda or Oakland’s Jack London Square is an excellent alternative. You can buy your ticket on line, and there is free parking at the lot across from the theatres with validation.

The ferry drops you off right behind the park at the back gate for quick entry. And you get your ride back from the same spot,

Buy ROUND TRIP tickets in advance so you assured a ride back.

The only gotcha here is they leave fairly quickly after the last out, so you need to be moving toward the exit during the last inning.

The boats are comfortable, there is food on board, and if space, tickets can be purchased on the boat as well.

Beats the heck out of every other way of getting to the ball park, and it’s a nice ride too.

Took the ferry to the giants game and wow still waiting to leave the parking lot at jack london square more than 2 hours after the game was over. The vallejo and marin ferries loaded and left first. The wait to get on the ferry was nearly an hour. The parking validation machine was broken and now im waiting to get out of the parking lot. Never taking the ferry again.

I take this once a month doing Oakland-SF-Oakland. It is on time, very comfortable and affordable. Add the fact that you can get free parking with a validated ticket from the ferry makes it even better. Lovely views and even when you think it is crowded there is always space available. 3

A delightful way to travel (when the weather is nice) from the financial district in San Francisco to Jack London Square or Alameda. Clipper cards accepted. Amazing water views

We are seniors and it only cost us $3.30 for a one way to SF.
You can not get there any cheaper. The bridge to cross the bay is on the low end $4.00. We had a perfect tee shirt weather and you can't beat the view.

If you stay in Oakland, this is the best way to visit San Francisco, you park your car (free) near the ferry port and take a ferry directly to the best tourist attractions in San Francisco. Cost only $7 one way

We caught the Ferry in Oakland and went to the Embarcadero and Ferry Building in San Francisco. Being seniors, it was quite a deal! The weather and water was beautiful, it was a great trip every time, and we highly recommend it. Plus there's so much to see in the Ferry Building you can almost spend your hours there.

Best way to enter the city from Oakland. Ferry runs quite often and inexpensive. Snacks on board are paid by cash only.. There are restrooms inside. We enjoyed it very much.

If you are staying in the East Bay of San Francisco (many do because of pricey SF accomodations), use the Oakland/Alameda ferry, at least once to visit the City. On a typical clear crisp day, it is the best. Panoramic views and the trip lasts just long enough to finish your beer. The ferry stops the Ferry Building at the foot of Market Street and then proceeds on to Pier 39 where all sorts of options are available to the inteprid tourist: buy a crab at Fisherman's warf, oggle the malodorous sea lions, and rent a bike for a trip across the Golden Gate bridge. The cable car turn around is just a few block away. Don't miss the world class San Francisco Maritime National Park with a panopoly of floating gems including a three masted sailing ship. For those on a budget, this is just as much fun and considerably cheaper than booking a bay cruise.

The San Francisco Bay ferry is the best way to cross the bay. It is fast and relaxing, but it can be a bit inconvenient. Departures aren't nearly as frequent as other means of transportation. And it is conceivable that you will get to San Francisco, spend the day, then not have room on the ferry to return. Always have a backup plan like a BART.

Great ferry service between Oakland/Alameda and two points in SF, one in South San Fransisco or commute days, plus a specific run for Giants baseball games.
Connections at the Ferry Building in SF to Sausalito and Larkspur Landing in San Rafael, and trips to Alcatraz and Angel islands.
Clipper cards accepted, tickets bought onboard.

We like take the ferry to SF and it’s always a fast and painless ride. It would be a wonderful experience if it weren’t for the rude ticket employees. Every time we’ve come, the employees at the ticket check have been completely rude. Five minutes ago we walked past one yelling at someone for not having their ticket ready the second they stepped up. This morning they looked at us and said “what’s up” abruptly when they meant to ask for our ticket. They always seem to be in a rush and don’t make any effort to be polite or courteous, which is a shame since this is such a cool experience.

When in San Francisco you must take The S.F. Bay Ferry both by day and by night....what a magnificent view at night with the city lights. We went from San Francisco to Oakland and back...do enjoy this relaxing trip.

This ferry has been in service for a century. It was particularly useful after the San Francisco earthquake/fire and after the Bay Bridge collapse/earthquake. Some people take it back and forth every day to feel the frigid mist and wind to wake up in the morning and to feel the frigid wind and miss to wake up after a hectic day in an SF office. So take this on a clear, hot day either both ways or take BART over and the ferry back. (Don’t forget your sunscreen.) The view of the new Bay Bridge is spectacular!

The cost is reasonable, the ride was smooth, the views were great and it was quick, without all the traffic encountered crossing the bridges to San Francisco. We really enjoyed the ride and will do it again next time we are here. The ferry building near the dock in SF also has a wonderful assortment of shops.

this ferry is a great way to travel between San Francisco Alameda and Oakland and avoid the really horrible freeway traffic This 20 min trip is a lovely relaxed trip sipping a drink and eating a treat

The San Francisco Bay Ferry is a super way to get around and avoid the traffic. Go to Sausalito or other spots and enjoy the views.

LOVE the ferry! While visiting the Bay Area, my husband and I utilized the ferry multiple times. The ferry was fast, efficient, and relaxing. We will utilize this service every time we visit.

Every time I've taken a ferry it's solely because it's so much fun, while as a local resident I have taken San Francisco's cable cars to get from one place to another. In good weather, a ferry ride is just delightful with its panorama of the City and the East Bay. From the Ferry Building to Sausalito you get close to Alcatraz and other bay islands, and then you arrive in a town with lots of attractions. It's a special day trip I enjoy with visitors or an old friend.

Took this ferry from Jack London to San Francisco while visiting and I’m glad I did. It was a smooth and very beautiful scenic journey. My ferry ride was towards the end of April. It was a bit chilly. I rode on the inside. Whatever you decide, wear a jacket!

I love the ferry! I take the ferry from Vallejo to SF once in a while and each time have enjoyed it. It takes about an hour and when the weather is nice it is a beautiful way to see the SF Bay. Views of Angel Island, Carquinez Bridge, Golden Gate Bridge, Bay Bridge, Alcatraz and the City...

Staff is always friendly. Food is Ok, Ships are in good shape. Purchase your tickets on Goldstar.com and save yourself some money. Good way to enjoy the Bay without the hassle of driving.

The ferry worked perfect! We were staying in Jack London Square, and our daughter wanted to visit a friend in SF. You know how hard parking is in SF and traffic over the bridge. She was able to visit and take the ferry back. Worked Great. Fun ride too!
While waiting to walk her back to the hotel met people going to the Giants game. they had a deal where you ride to the game on the ferry and catch the ferry right after the game and save on parking in Oakland. Great idea

A wonderful way to cross the Bay, very relaxing and inexpensive. Always enjoy the ride and the beautiful views.

The ferry is clean, efficient, reasonably priced for children and seniors (Clipper Card). The vistas on the ferry of the Bay Bridge and SF skyline are gorgeous particularly during the late summer to early fall months. From Jack London Square in Oakland, the ferry will take you to S.F's bustling Ferry Building housing a delightful array of Bay Area artisans plying their crafts or offering olive oil, locally grown of course. You will be sure to find Asian and Western style food stalls, cafes and Blue Bottle coffee!. Located across the street along the Justin Hermann Plaza are more excellent restaurants. Take some time to walk along the waterfront. Riding the ferry is an East Bay travel secret, and one that will ensure you an alternative, yet relaxing approach to a day in SF.

If you want a relaxing ride on the waters of the bay area. The ferry is the way to go. If you're with that special someone in ypur life and you want to cuddle...... The waves of the bay is the best way to say "Hello Romance! Here we are!!!"

You will love it but dont just take it from me.... Go experience it for yourself and you will see the BEAUTY!!!!!

My family enjoyed our ferry ride it was a little windy once it got going. It was an experience for children who never been on a ferry.

Look online to be sure of the stops and schedules. It can be funky at times. Extra boats running on the weekends and during holidays.

Love the view of the city at night! take it around the city from the East Bayunder the Bay Bridge...Can't be beat!

My wife and I had a weekend in SF in November 2016 and used the ferry to get to and from The City from Oakland Jack London Square. The views from the bay are utterly spectacular and well worth the trip.

The crews are polite and helpful.

This was not our first trip on the ferry and we plan to ride it again on future trips to SF.

What's 20-25 minutes from the Ferry Building? Alameda and Oakland. Forget BART; get your transportation with views included.)

Line up for the ferry at Gate E to the far side of the rear of the building (look for the Sausalito ferry and keep walking a bit).

It's a nice trip on the water, quick and easy. Use a clipper card and get a discount. Take some super skyline photos both coming and going, whatever the weather.

Restrooms, snack bar on board and bicycles are permitted.

Great way to get from Alameda to a SF Giants game. Boarding is fast, bar is open, crossing is quick & safe

I enjoy taking the round trip Alameda/Oakland Ferry to and from San Francisco Pier 39 to have a tour

love this ferry, used it to get to SF from Oakland on a business trip. very reliable and time efficient. Seems to be great for family rides as well.

Loved this alternate transportation option. Operated smoothly and ride was quick. Nice little place for drinks on your ride. Big and lots of seating. Ports are very conveniently located.

The San Francisco Bay Ferry leaves from Pier 2 (the Ferry terminal) at fairly regular intervals throughout the day. Despite some gaps, the ferry is also used by commuters to take their bikes across to Alameda or Oakland, although you need to be a little perverse for the latter as the BART is quicker and cheaper. The ferry cost $6.40 for an adult (bikes travel free) and you simply turn up and queue, paying on the boat if you don’t have a prepaid card, which most travellers do.

It’s a great journey for the cost – much less than Bay cruises but covering some of the same the same territory – passing underneath the Bay bridge then across to Alameda before terminating at Oakland. When I used it, the ferry was quite full, with over 40 cyclists as well as regular passengers; I chose not to use the bar but it was there if you want it. There was a fine view into the sun back to San Francisco, with the inevitable bank of cloud behind it over the Pacific.

Definitely worth taking the ferry just for the scenery. When we arrived in San Francisco, we walked around the pier area.

We had ordered a "senior" Clippercard well in advance of our trip to Oakland, and were please at the quick delivery (came in the mail in 11 days), and the ease of use on the BART and the San Francisco Bay Ferry. We took the ferry three times during a recent visit and found it to be clean and comfortable and an efficient way to avoid the crazy street traffic. They even have a bar and snacks for purchase on your expedition! We loved having the choice of both The Ferry Building and Pier 41 as stops that were very walkable to all the fun things to see and do on the bay in San Francisco.

Fabulous views. Great ride over the bay, refreshments on board and great photo ops. What else is needed. Truly a breath taking experience and better not in the fog. Try to go on clear days and you will love the trip. Easy on and off snd everything be looks happy a truly greatvtrip

For $6.40, if you went to take a break from BART or taxis, hop on the ferry to get around the Bay Area. I took the Alameda/ Oakland Ferry from San Francisco to meet up with business colleagues in Jack London Square in Oakland. Great view of downtown San Francisco and the enormous shipyards in the bay. It's a beautiful and relaxing hassle free ride.

We stayed at Alameda when we visited San Francisco as we thought it would be quieter and more relaxed than staying in the city area. Part of the reason was the ferry and the way it makes staying across the bay a non issue due to its convenience. We weren't disappointed. The staff on board were excellent and the ride was lovely. SF is such a pretty city so the ferry is also a great photography point. Loved it.

The ferry is the nicest and easiest way to travel from Alameda to San Francisco. It is a scenic and relaxing ride vs overcrowding on BART or driving in traffic and then finding a place to park. I have not taken the other ferries, such as Vallejo to SF but I would assume they offer a similar trip.

The San Francisco Bay Area can easily be covered by ferry. Great way to see under the Bay Bridge on the way to Oakland. Recommended.

Took the ferry all the way to Pier 41. The ride was great, and much better (and cheaper) than all those ferries you can get on at SF to just have a look across the bay, since it's not as crowded with tourists. It does not have any narration or anything like that, so come prepared with a map.

We stayed in Oakland and used the ferry to get back and forth to San Francisco. It was inexpensive way to travel across the bay. Parking in San Fran is very expensive, so this worked great for us. Remember it gets crowded at rush hour. Our hotel offered free shuttle service to and from the ferry.

By all means take the ferry. 30 minutes across you can't beat it. Plus the view is pretty tremendous.

If you want a different experience and great views of our beautiful SF, take the SF Bay Ferry! No traffic jams on the freeway, no transferring buses. A truly lovely first experience for tourists.

Loved the trip by water from Oakland over to San Francisco very impressed that you get to see Alcatraz so close up and all the skyline of San Francisco would recommend everyone to go on this fery at least once.

It’s always the best choice to bring family from out of town to Fisherman’s wharf by ferry, everybody had time to relax and you bypass paying the exhorbitant parking fees. And it’s a different scenery by the water. Love it.

The San Francisco Bay Ferries are a great way to get around. Inexpensive, efficient and fun. Some great views as well of San Francisco!

We live 15 minutes from the Vallejo ferry. Its our preferred way into SF. Its clean, comfortable and scenic. Way more fun then BART which has become crowded, messy, unreliable and certainly not scenic. Down sides to the ferry is there are only a handful each way and the drop off at the Ferry Building puts you away from many places. We often walk. Alternatively you can go with Uber/Lyft, get the street car ir bus, or walk a block and hop on BART.

Picturesque and refreshing views as we travelled across the bay. The staff are pleasant and professional, toilet ,snacks and drinks available for sale,clean and comfortable indoor/outdoor seating.

A must do in san Francisco is the ferry to Sausalito. Go in the morning and have stunning views on the harbour and the interesting little town of Sausalito. We had a quick and delicious meal at the bakery highly recommended. On the way back on the ferry the fog rolled in sensational.

Great way to:
1, beat the traffic on the bridges
2, See the bay from an entirely new perspective
3, Have fun and maybe a glass of wine
4, Take to Giants game from east bay, and stroll the Embarcadero
TRY IT

We used the ferry multiple times while staying in Oakland--super clean & comfortable and easy to use.

We took the ferry from Jack London Square over time SF ferry building. I would highly recommend you take it over to pier 41 instead of the ferry building. There’s not much to do at the ferry building. There’s a Market Square you can walk through but other than that , not much. You will then end up walking over a mile to get to Pier 39 where all the action is. The ferry ride was beautiful and well worth the price.

Spend one day in Sausalito while you are in the Bay area. On the Warf, you'll find the Ferry ticket office and purchase your tickets for an outing to Sausalito. I would recommend you buy return tickets, too. If you don't, you have to buy them from one of those confusing machines on the dock...
Fun shopping in Sausalito!

I love this trip. When People come to OAKLAND to visit we take the ferry and do Pier 39 or Chinatown, The Best is to take it too Pier 39 then catch the Cable car or walk down to Chinatown and catch a return Ferry at the ferry building just blocks down the hill from Chinatown, If you walk from Pier 39 to Chinatown you can stop every few blocks for a beer or a drink at one of the many neighborhood pubs. If you get tired or too drunk, Ubers and Lyfts and cabs (remember them) are always available, The ferry ride is always fun but especially on a nice sunny deay, The kids love it because it is a BOAT RIDE. Just make sure you check the schedule of arrivals and departures before you leave. Great for GIANTS GAMES TOO and they usually have extended service for right after the game departures

The ferry is never over crowded. You can take the ferry and quietly enjoy the views or make a new friend. Just the best!

This is the way lots of folks commute to the city - no rush hour traffic!
We picked it up in Alameda and rode it to the S.F. Ferry Building. It was a beautiful day and the ride was really fun. When we returned that evening the city and bridge lights were dazzling.
It is a nice ride.

Great value to take Ferry. It is fun and family friendly. The prices on the Ferry are a little expensive but all and all it is a nice ride.

If your spraying upside of SF but want to get there without a lot of stress try the Ferry! It's affordable, easy to find, goes right to the Ferry Building or near Peir 39. Those are fun to visit and also good jumping off points for other fun city activities
Ike riding street cars or going to a Giants game. But best of all you get to see thenBay area for another vantage point and get the sense of the geography and life of thenSF Bay itself. The feel of the cool air,the cries of gulls,the thrill of seeing giant container ships make an experience quite the opposite of sitting in traffic or on a BART train. Unless you are super sensitive to sea sickness you will have a great time on the ferry.

It's a great way to see the bay and both of the bridges. You don't go under either one (unless you're going to the Giants baseball park) but you see them from a distance.

Amazing view of the cities and bridges. Took the ferry back to Oakland at sunset and it was breathtaking.

Tickets are about 7. Of the 5 times using it it was never on time, once almost!
Takes about 30 to 40 minutes depending on where youre going.
Snacks and drinks available on board.
Wifi can be slow but free.
Discounts available when commuting.
Offers some good views of the city.

Heading to Jack London square, we asked our uber driver what she recommended... she told us about the ferry. The square was kinda dead (rainy January Wednesday midday...) so we took the ferry to San Francisco. It was amazing! Great views, not too much motion for my easily seasick husband. Even in the rain we had a great time. The ferry dock in San Francisco had fun shops and restaurants, and we took public transit to fishermans wharf. It was fun, cheap ($7 each way) and unexpected.

We went to have brunch and we ended up in the ferry.. I was very surprised how affordable it is sinse I never been on a ferry it was only 13.00 round and the best part is we got to see the bay bridge up close and under it too..

Excellent way to visit San Francisco's many attractions, without the fret of traffic!
Lots there to experience.......SF Ferry Bldg has lots of great places to eat, and the waterfront is very picturesque.
Take the ferry to Pier 41 and visit the USS Pampanito and the SS Jeremiah O'Brian, both are WW II attractions.
Pier 39 has tons of attractions, also.

This is a pleasant ride with expansive bay views. As a matter of fact my wife and I did our low key marriage on the ferry with close friends going to dinner in SF. All on the ferry wished us well which is now 25 years ago. We periodically retrace the journey and enjoy it each time. I noted the duration is more than 3 hours because, although the ride is less than 30 min as I recall, after a ride to SF, spending time walking around SF and having a meal or drink is a good idea. The reverse also works when going from SF to Oakland and the area around Oakland's Embarcadero.

Twice the price of the BART, but worth it (12.00 r/t Oakland/San Fran - adults) - but the views are worth it. It can get crowded at peaks but not often. Bkles allowed at no extra cost and a few choice of where to land. Food on board, and both inside and outside seating, so you're covered if weather moves in. The view coming into S.F. is dazzling.

The best way to get from Oakland to San Francisco is the Ferry. Parking at Ferry is validated. Ticket prices for Ferry are Adult $6.60 and Senior $3.30. And it's a great way to view the city from the water.

For will out time, great drinks, good finger foods and eclectic finds, I recommend Jack London Square. I enjoyed the views on the benches, leisurely walking and stopping at the cafes! Lots to see and enjoy.

My friend gave a 90th birthday party on the boat for her husband. It was fun and the food was tasty.

We stayed at Jack London Square just a short walk to the Ferry!
We quickly learned this was a wonderful way to get from Oakland to San Francisco - and avoid the crowded highways! Highly recommended.

This Ferry is amazing. Super fast to SF from Oakland and back and really easy to take. You can take it to downtown SF, where you can easily walk to Chinatown, shopping etc. or you can stay on for another stop and get off at Fisherman's wharf. It's clear, safe and the staff is wonderful.

Took the Oakland ferry to San Francisco as BART was under construction and I did not want to sit in Bay Bridge traffic. It has been years since I have done this and it was just awesome! Free parking in the 7 story garage 1 block away (make sure that you get your ticket validated in the machine before you exit upon your return). 10 hour maximum. ALSO, the validation machine does NOT print on the ticket SO MAKE SURE that you see the little green light blink so you know that it was validated! Other passengers had issues with this (I did not). I sat outside and while it was windy it was so awesome to see Oakland port and Jack London square disappear, see SF in the horizon and pass under the Bay Bridge. Great photo opportunity! They have a bar on board so several passengers were having cocktails / beer. Coming back there were a TON of bicycles and the staff worked to accommodate them all. The crew was very friendly too!

such a big city with such a quantity of heterogeneous people, with a crowd movement everywhere, needed a Bay Ferry to get in contact with nature and to help people to get to the other side without the problems of the big city. If you didn't take it, please do it, You deserve a glimpse of sun and ocean. carry a sweater because is often windy and chilly. enjoy the day with the family walking around. beautiful tour and not expensive

we were staying in cheaper Oakland, and took every day the ferry to San Francisco.
It was a very nice way to travel with the commuters on a boat to the city.
Aprx 20/30 min each way. costs aprx 6 usd one way and sails during rush hours every half hour … pick up a timetable to plan. buy a ticket inside with the skipper
you can choose to sit inside or at the open upper deck , which is good but might be a little cold. The views from the deck are brilliant in clear mornings, under the bay bridge towards SF..

Really, commute time can be a bit busier (or a lot), but taking the ferry to SF on a sunny day, playing a bit in the City, and then ferrying back is the most enjoyable way to do it! The ferries are usually on time, seating plentiful, and the views amazing. If you are visiting SF, this is one thing you should do for sure!

We were happy to make the trip and be so close to the ships and other interesting boats. It wasn't a harbor tour by any means, but it was a fun way to gain another perspective, as well as getting us across the water without having to drive. The ferry was clean and fairly comfortable, and the price was affordable.

Stay on the Oakland side and use this Ferry service to save lots of money on your hotel accommodation and have an enjoyable commute on the Ferry.

Trip was on time and was definitely worth the visit!
Not a lot to see apart for the “Rock” speciality shops and some interesting restaurants!
That said the ferry named Samona should be pensioned off, its old, tired and not a great advertisement for San Francisco!

I love taking the Ferry from Jack London Square to Pier 41 in San Francisco. Whenever I book a room near Fishermans Wharf, I always take the Ferry because it let's us off right around the corner from the hotel. It's especially lovely at night because you go under the bridge and it's always a pleasure seeing the bridge lit up!

Fun and pleasant ferry ride across the Bay. Fast and comfortable. Check the schedule so you don't have to wait a long time. Parking nearby.

Best way to travel back from San Francisco after work. Then, when stepping off in Oakland you can have dinner/drinks in Jack London Square. The ferry is clean and offers a wonderful bay ferry ride from San Francisco to Oakland. There is a concession area where you can purchase wine/beer.

Taking the ferry out of Oakland or Alameda is a treat, but combine it with a Giants game is really fun.
ATT Park has a dock just for attending the Giants game. Have a Bloody Mary on the way across the bay, get off at the park and you are only steps the the stadium entrance. When the game is over your ferry is waiting to take you back to the east bay! On a clear day you can see forever!

Really enjoyable way of taking the bay area in and really nice way to commute to and from the city...

This is the best bargain in town. It is a beautiful ride with views of San Francisco and the bay area. You do not have to drive or park in the city and you land right down town.

Inexpensive, fun way to see the city, the bridge, the life along the bay...nice ride...we took it from the Ferry Building in San Francisco, it stopped first in Alameda, then on to Oakland. Took it back as well. Can sit out on top in the sun with the wind whipping through your hair and enjoy the ride or inside or enjoying their bar service at one of many indoor tables.

Travel by car to the San Francisco Pier during Fleet Week is impossible. The ferry is the only way to get there in a stress free manner. However, there is one caveat: You must arrive at Jack London at least one hour prior to your appointed ferry schedule because the lines are incredibly long.

The San Francisco Ferries have been assigned to the Blue and Gold Fleet, which has been operating scenic bay cruises for decades. The San Francisco/Oakland/Alameda ferry operates approximately hourly on weekdays, a little fewer options on weekends. It takes around 40 minutes to cross the bay and there are multiple public transportation options on both ends: streetcars and buses will take you most places in either city. There terminus in SF is the famed Ferry Building and in Oakland, Jack London Square, home to many shops, restaurants, and the Waterfront Hotel.

This by far is the best way to get to San Francisco from the east bay. It takes about 20 minutes and the ride is smooth.It was easy and fast to board and easy and fast to get off. You need to bring a camera to get some great pictures of the Oakland Bay Bridge.

Beware!!!! The QR CODE you are supposed to scan to get your tickets didn't work to buy tickets aparently because as soon as we put in the card info they were busy selling our credit card info! About 3 hours later, our bank texted us saying they declined it on a small purchase which is one of their red flags that it has been used illegally. Now we can't use that card until they change all the info and send us a new one. Real pain in the a$$ because we are travelling. You would think the ferry system would take down the code A frame sitting by the gangplank to the ferry at Jack London Square!

Your commute can feel like a min-cruise when you take the ferry.

Donuts and coffee in the AM and cocktails in the PM make this 20-30 minute trip the prefect way to start and end you day. In the summer, the evening commute, with a beverage in hand, on the top, rear deck, is one of your best Bay-Area sunset opportunities.

At either end of the trip, you'll find good restaurant and bars, and at the Oakland landing, several nearby wine bars. connections to BART and buses are easy at each landing, too.

Give yourself a break. Take a ferry ride!

I often take the ferry from the San Francisco Ferry Building to Oakland's Jack London but have also used the service for travel between Oakland, Tiburon, San Francisco and Sausalito.

Avoid traffic, parking, and congestion while traveling by water to some of the most beautiful locations throughout San Francisco. The ferries are clean, safe, inexpensive, and offer open decks and inside seating with a small snack bar that includes beer and wine. Its always a treat to travel this way, take it from a local.

Caught ferry at Jack London going to San Francisco and totally enjoyed the ride. You can sit outside for a great experience or have coffee inside. The coffee and snacks are free but there is a container for donations. Fantastic travel experience!!

Going to work using the ferry is the best thing an Uber driver suggested especially when the BARTs reliability is called into question.

My family and I took the ferry for Father's Day to SF. It was easy, organized, and relaxing. I recommend getting in line about 15 minutes early if you have a preference for seating and if you have a clipper card, tap it on the way in and out for a discount I think...

We live in Oakland and have ridden the ferries frequently. I think this the best value to travel from East Bay to San Francisco. It also was a pleasant sightseeing trip. Many visitors took the trip and enjoyed very much. It was reliable, comfortable and beautiful sightseeing journey. There are easy parking spaces at various docks in East Bay. You do not have to worry about parking in crowded San Francisco attractions such market street or Pier 39.

You are from out of town or resident, go take this ride and enjoy the water, and scenery of the SF Bay.

My family used to travel to SF using the ferry all the time when I lived in the Bay Area from birth to 2015. Very good prices, great boat ride for the money. Try it, you'll like it!

Only $5 with a Clipper card and although that's more than BART or an AC Transit bus, on a beautiful day/evening this is the nicest way to get between San Francisco and Oakland. I recommend getting on at Pier 41 for great Marin/San Francisco views instead of at the Ferry Building. An indoor coffee/snack bar or outdoor deck benches, a great way to be on the water.

Good speedy service to SF. It was busy but there were plenty of seats inside and outside. Sails past Alcatraz so you get a good view of the island. It didn’t cost too much and was an entirely painless experience. Good alternative to the bus.

The ferry was smooth and fun. If you don't have a Clipper Card, purchase tickets on board. Went from Jack London Square to the Ferry building in SFO

A wonderful way to get into San Fran if staying in Oakland. If you're planning on catching the ferry to AT&T Park I'd recommend getting to the Jack London stop a good 20 mins ahead of time.

Really nice day. Enjoyed Father's Day on Ferry from Oakland to Embarcadero. Beautiful views. Colder than you would think.

The crew was very nice along the whole trip! They were very welcoming and the ride was great. Would definitely recommend!

Ferry is clean and comfortable
Scenery world class. We took a Saturday ferry for an outing with our granddaughter

We loved our Ferry ride to Sausalito! The views of the bridge and city were spectacular!
We didn't really care for Sausalito and thought it to be quite overhyped, but felt it wasn't a waste of time because of our great Ferry ride there and back!

I had an enjoyable afternoon trip from Jack London Square in Oakland to the Market Building in San Francisco for shopping. With more time I could have taken a short bus ride to Pier 39 to see the aquarium and visit a restaurant there. I thought the ferry price was reasonable, less than $10.

We took the ferry back from Sausalito to Fishermans Wharf in San Francisco. Accommodates a lot of people, there were over a hundred bicyclists coming back on our ferry. It was crazy. Sails past Alcatraz so you can get some good picts as well.

Decided to use the San Francisco ferries to get around and they were great. Quick, comfortable and reasonably affordable. Great was to see the sights!

I enjoy taking this ferry to Pier 39 and AT&T park with the kids or without. A nice ride around the bay for a day.

Ferry is clean, reliable, and much cheaper than parking in SF. Spectacular View of the city as you approach the SF Ferry Terminal, and then circle around the Bay waters to get to Pier 39 and Fisherman's Wharf. Ferry will validate your parking in Jack London Square garage, so it's a fun, cheap and easy way to visit the city!

We really enjoyed taking the ferry from Oakland to San Francisco. As seniors the fare was just $3.00 one way and parking was validated in Oakland. Great value. Convenient schedule and a short 25 minute trip with beautiful scenery of the SF skyline makes this a great trip. There is even a snack bar on the ferry for coffee and or a cold beer.

No fighting for parking spaces in the Fisherman's Wharf area as well as fighting the traffic across the Bay Bridge. If you are staying in Oakland this is the only way to go to SF.

Highly recommend.

We rode the ferry at least 6 times. It is scenic, comfortable and you can drink wine. I did not do that because I get sea sick.....but did not even feel queasy . It takes about 30 minutes depending on where you want to be dropped off.

Growing up this ferry service took Oakland commuters to their jobs in San Francisco and back. Today it's primarily used to
catch a SF Giants baseball game or drop people off at one of
the piers along the waterfront district.

I highly suggest trying an excursion if you are in the SF Bay
Area.

The views are extraordinary, the ferry is comfortable (snacks and drinks on board...beer and wine too. GO!

I work in San Francisco and live in Oakland and this is the best part of my work day, taking the ferry. Just watching the waters and the view of the city is just gorgeous, any day of the year. They sell coffee and donuts/pastries in the morning and there are booth seats with tables where you can enjoy your breakfast, beats the crowded BART by all means. In the afternoon, they sell beer, liquor, wine, and you can sip your wine as you watch the San Francisco skyline get smaller as you get closer to Oakland. You can validate your ticket and you get pretty much free parking at the Jack London Square parking garage (above Yoshi's). I think the validation is probably good for at least 10 hours because I've never paid for parking. It takes a little bit longer than taking BART but in the mornings you ar epretty much guaranteed parking in the garage and its a much pleasant experience than being squeezed in the bart trains. Though if you are going anywhere far from the ferry building, then it means you'll have to transfer to another mode of transportation. Best if going near the ferry building.

Caught the ferry twice - first time from Oakland Jack London Square, second time from Alameda Main St Terminal (via Oakland) both times to the Ferry Building on two gloriously sunny days. You can pay the $6.60 once you have boarded the ferry.
Good photo ops as you pass under the Oakland Bay Bridge and approach the Ferry Building so make sure you have your camera ready.

While staying at a hotel at Jack London Square, I found it easy and uplifting traveling to San Francisco by ferry. The schedule is convenient and there is seating both indoors and outdoors with so much to see. For touring, it is particularly convenient as one can enjoy a hotel by the water in Oakland and go to SF without a car. On one trip, we saw a local newscaster doing a story on the promising future of travel by ferry. The ferry terminal in SF has great shops and eateries, and on the Oakland side there are also nice restaurants.

This is a great econcomical way to get across the bay when you don't want to drive and the scenery is spectacular. And it is very quick in both directions and lands you right downtown at the pier where you can walk, take Muni or Bart to other parts of the city. It's close to AT&T park if you are going to a game or any number of great food establishments or bars.

We took the ferry over to Pier 41 to visit Pier 39 and fisherman's wharf. This is a nice way to commute between the cities. I did have to stand in a long line on the ferry to buy the round trip tickets as there was no ticket booth on shore on the Oakland side. A short but nice ride.

Took the ferry from Oakland to the Ferry Building in San Francisco. Prices were reasonable for a round trip. If you are a senior citizen fair is reduced. Prices for a round trip are comparable to NYC round trip subway ride. Ferries run about every hour. Ferry was not crowded and was easy to board. If you want snacks or drinks they are available for purchase. Ferry ride is approximately 15 minutes and very picturesque. I did take several pictures. Ferry is great if you do not want to drive!

We took a ferry from Alameda and it took about 25mins. Great way to arrive and see the city from the water. We sat up top, it's was quite windy but fun. Drinks available on board.

Great way to see a close up of the Oakland Port with all of the loading and unloading of container ships. On a clear day, fantastic way to see the Bay Bridge, go under it as the ferry swings into San Francisco's Fisherman's Wharf.

Having walked across the bridge and to Sausalito we were very glad to sit and experience the 20 minute ferry ride back to Pier 41. It costs $12 or $12.50 depending which of the two ferry companies you buy. We bought the cheaper Golden Gate ferry ticket, but it was accepted by the more expensive Blue and Gold line. Bit confusing at the ticket machine but ended up alright.

We take the ferry whenever we are going to SF during the day for fun, shopping and exploring. It's terrific when guests are in town too!

This is an inexpensive way to go out on the San Francisco Bay. The ferry has seating inside and out and a bar.

Taking ferry in San Francisco Bay is a great experience when visiting San Francisco. We traveled​ on several occasions from Alameda to Okland, to Ferry Building in San Francisco and Fisherman's Wharf. On a nice sunny day commuting between San Francisco suburb is much more fun by ferry then by any other means of transportation. Problem is that it is not cheap!

A great way to enjoy the Bay up close and personal, especially if you are staying in Oakland and want to head to the SF Ferry Building for sight seeing and good food, or just want to get into the city.

We hadn't known about the ferry, but it is the best way to get to the city from Oakland. They've taken all of the hassle out of it: great trip.

I took the SF Bay Ferry again for the first time in many years and I remember why it's such a great way to get to the city if you're solo. I drove to Vallejo and had a pleasant boat ride to and from the Fisherman's wharf area. The cost is less or about the same as I would have paid for gas and tolls and was more relaxing and scenic. However the cost advantage slips farther and farther away as you put more people in your car seats. The $6 parking fee in Vallejo is quite a bit less than you'd probably pay for an all-day place in the city. The boat ride is quick and smooth (even on a day with winds and swells), especially in the catamaran versions of the ferry boats they use. Once they hit open water, they zip along at over 35 knots. The seating inside is what every airline passenger WISHES air travel could be! Roomy, comfortable seats with wide aisles. Mostly used by commuters mornings and evenings, middays and late nights are much more relaxed.

My first trip back post Covid had me wanting to cross the water. I combined a ride on the Oakland Alameda ferry with a journey up to Berkeley and it was great. The ride was smooth, the weather was good. There were ample Covid prevention measures in place. Glad to see things getting back to normal.

The ferry was on time, clean, and easy to use! Will use again and again!
We stayed in Oakland and traveled every day of our vacation to the city.

great service. Very helpful people on board. Drinks and snacks served at the little shop. Reliable service. But ticket on board.

I have taken the ferry many times from Jack London to the SF Ferry building....both with my family (who live in Oakland) and with only my partner. It is a wonderful experience with great views and something most children will love.

The SF Ferry is a hoot; a fun, cheap way to travel from Oakland across the bay to the Ferry Building. It takes about 30 minutes to travel across and on the way, we experienced the Bay in a whole new way. It sure beats the bumper-to-bumper craziness over the Bay Bridge.

The ferry is a fun and exciting way to cross the bay from Oakland to SF without the traffic and parking congestion of San Francisco.

Jack London Square to SF and back just about every work day. Very relaxing - I don't think that I would still be working at my job if it weren't for the ferry. I don't hate everyone when I get to work. Did I mention the bar? Good coffee and snacks in the am and adult beverages in the pm. Good selection too.

The ferry isn't the fastest or cheapest way to get from Oakland to SF or vise versa, but if you're tourist looking to have a relaxing ride with some great views of San Francisco, a round trip is a nice way to spend a couple hours. The route goes underneath the bay bridge and right past Alcatraz and AT&T Stadium, with stops at the Ferry Terminal and Fisherman's Wharf near the sealions.

Great views, friendly staff, way to many people to throughly enjoy, but it is a commuter ferry.

Great drop off locations

This really is the best bang for your buck in San Francisco area. Just hop on this ferry for a nominal charge-$5 or 7:50 cant remember which, but you get a nice tour (not guided or narrated) of the bay. You can get off at the Ferry Building or Fisherman's wharf and then catch a return trip. You can also get a cocktail or beer and light snacks.

Great fun

Traveling with friends that wanted to take a sea tour of San Francisco Bay. Boating tickets range from $40 to $70 per person. However, we took a $7 ferry ride from San Francisco to Oakland that showed the beauty of the Bay, and the water-side views, for a fraction of the price. Once in Oakland, enjoy Jack London Square, with it's food and shopping opportunities. Then, every 30 minutes, the ferry will take you back to San Francisco for $7 and drop you off at the Ferry Building OR at Fisherman's Wharf, a world-class destination. You can see the Oakland Bay Bridge and Alcatraz Island on these ferry rides for a fraction of the tour price. Highly recommended...

Yes, BART may be faster, the bus may be cheaper, and driving expands your mobility, but traveling across the Bay by ferry is the best way to appreciate the special area we live in. Taking the ferry to SF is slow, but relaxing, comfortable, and exciting as you watch the every-changing views of the cities, the hills, the islands, the bridges and the water. You have to pay attention to the schedule since the ferries don't run that often, but when you step off the boat in SF, you will know that they are worth the trip.

It's $6 each way, and I was highly impressed with the journey. The seats are nice and comfortable. There is a bar with snacks onboard and family restrooms. It was very pleasant.

By the way, you buy tickets onboard. The line is kind of long right at the start. But the trip is about 20 minutes. Just wait and line will be gone after a few minutes and you can walk right up there and pay for your ride.

What a lovely choice to take a ferry to SF. Everyone should do it!
Have the sun in your face, wind in your hair, sit back and enjoy the ride.

If you are in Oakland, this is a fun way to get to the tourist piers of San Francisco and you avoid the traffic and parking hassles.

During our family stay we all rode the ferry from Jack London Square to San Francisco. My daughter, sister and family had never rode on the ferry. Everyone was stating how smooth the ride was and how friendly the staff were. My mother wasn't feeling well, so she and I did a turn around trip. Usually we would have had to get off and get back in line but the staff accommodated my mom's need to stay seated. Thanks to them we made it safely back to Jack London without incident. Thanks to the staff on that day for working with me and my mom.

I tell visitors to Oakland that this is a well kept secret: a 25 minute jaunt that gets you out on the bay, watching the cargo ships and cranes in the port, seeing the skyline of SF, and the chance to walk along the boardwalks of Jack London Square and the SF Ferry terminal/market hall. And the guys who work the boat are really great. I recommend taking it at least one way if you are going to the City, and it leaves about once an hour.

This was a painless way to get from Jack London square to Oracle Park. Make sure you buy the round trip ticket or they might not have room for you on the way back. We noticed as we lined up going back, those who did not already have tickets had to stand in the waiting line.

Very well organised and with the exception of the bar lady very helpful and courteous staff. The recorded guide (in German) was very well done: good enunciation, well timed and with a sense of humour. It seemed to be brutally honest with the past (and in 2017 under Trump, present) immigration policy. Cannot recommend this highly enough.

The crew members were friendly and chill! They dealt and handled our requests, above another level than what we expected.

Don't let the name fool you; there isn't seaplane service running across the Bay as you might see in Vancouver. The Alameda Seaplane Ferry is a high-speed (10 min) direct ferry running from the SF ferry terminal to the the Alameda Seaplane Basin right next to the USS Hornet museum. The one-way fare is only about $4.50 and you get some great views of the SF skyline, the Bay Bridge, and Yerba Buena Island. Be forewarned, though, that there aren't yet any great connections to public transportation for the west end of Alameda, so Uber may be your best bet if you want to visit downtown Alameda from the ferry dock.

We took the ferry on two separate occasions. They were easy to navigate and their small size made them tourist friendly.

My wife and I take the ferry from Jack London Square to the Ferry Building or pier 39 several times a year. Love the ride and not having to pay parking in the city.

Being from NYC, I'm used to ferries being gross and unwelcoming--basically just slogging you from the slums of Staten Island to the craziness of Manhattan.

Last weekend, however, we had a totally different ferry experience. We rode our bikes across the Golden Gate Bridge to Sausalito and then, not wanting to do the uphill biking back, we hopped on a ferry.

For just $11, we got an awesome tour of the Bay! We saw the sun setting over the beautiful marina in Sausalito, then checked out the somewhat mysterious Angel Island and finally got a good glimpse of Alcatraz. Maybe because it was the weekend, the ferry actually slowed down near points of interest, so we could snap some pictures and get a good look.

The ride was only about 25 minutes and it was certainly very windy so get ready for crazy hair, but it's totally worth it! A really fun, inexpensive thing to experience; besides just getting you from point A to point B this ferry gives you a bit of a tour.

If you have limited time for a water tour, do this one. Its only an hour and leaves out from Fisherman's Wharf. You will travel out into the bay and go under the Golden Gate Bridge. Plenty of time to do pictures. We did the last tour of the day about 430 and saw the beginning sunset behind the bridge. Gorgeous Views.!!., Then we went on the back side of Alcatraz, where most people fail to see. You see the front from the Wharf going out and while at Pier 39, but being able to see all the way around was very interesting. The Captain was very informative. Pack a jacket, because it was chilly on the water... Have FUN!! We Did.!!

Took the ferry from Oakland to SF (Ferry building) to visit my nephew. If you take the ferry, you get free parking in the Jack London Square parking garage. There is a dock where the passengers line up and board. The ferry came on time and left promptly. If you have a clipper card it makes it easy to get around the bay area using public transportation. I would recommend it to anyone.

The ferry is a great way to cross the bay. A bit slower and more expensive than BART, but it can be sunny and has a view.
You can have a cocktail or snack during the ride.
The one thing to know is that the stop in Alameda adds a fair amount of time on the trip to Oakland.

Best views of the city
RT for seniors 7:20
Friendly and knowledgable crew.
I was very surprised to learn you can’t take your

The ferry ride to San Francisco was a nice scenic way to get to San Francisco. It is not the fastest nor the cheapest way to travel, but it is worth the time and price if you want to do the "touristy" thing.

The Oakland Ferry is a great way to see the Bay Bridge, Alcatraz, the Golden Gate Bridge and the skyline of San Francisco. On a clear day, you can see wonderful views. The ferry is a great way (and affordable) way to travel into San Francisco without the stress of driving.

We decided to save a few hundred dollars, so stayed in Oakland, rather than San Francisco. In addition to getting a great room for hundreds less, we were able to use the ferry to get from Oakland to SF.
Boarding is a breeze, especially with a Clipper card. Once on board, it's about a 15-20 minute ride to the Ferry Building, and another 10 or so to Pier 39. As we passed under the Bay Bridge, I noticed traffic at a standstill. Not only did we save money and headaches, but I'm sure we got to SF much sooner than if we had taken our car. It's a great, dependable way to travel from SF to Oakland/Alameda!

This is a great way to travel across the Bay. It's fast and comfortable. You get some parking on the Oakland side and dropped off in a great area in San Francisco. And you can buy a drink on board!

Really loved the trip from oakland to SF. This is the first time I took this ferry . Great on time. Free parking in Oakland.
Wonderful trip.

I love taking the ferry into SF from Oakland, it's easy, and scenic, and you sail right under the Bay Bridge. The views of SF are gorgeous and the working port in Oakland is interesting, watching them load up the cargo ships. It takes you to the Ferry building which is such a beautiful area, and later in the morning it stops at the popular Pier 39 at Fishermans Wharf. Scenic and hassle free transport into SF. Highly recommend it!

Took our 7year old granddaughter on this ferry ride! Very enjoyable. Beautiful views of San Francisco from the bay. I enjoyed it more than my granddaughter. Not expensive either. If you have a few hours to kill, take the ferry ride!

a good way to go from Jack London Square in Oakland to the
Ferry Building in San Francisco and back with sight of the bay on the way

The Hilton Double Tree Hotel. A beautiful, comfortable, picturesque, secluded along the Bay with a View of Oakland Hills or San Francisco. Has all the intimate amenities, wireless access, balcony, walking path for leisure any time before or after (breakfast, lunch, or dinner) walks. Adults only fitness center along with family pools. The staff were friendly, courteous, and professional. Highly recommend this hotel for any events. This was a getaway. Special Thanks to front desk staff Kiara and Connie. One minor nick - paid parking also valet. The addictive chocolate cookie and complimentary flavored water - assisted in overlooking the paid parking .

Just took the 2 PM ferry to Alameda, Oakland, and back to Ferry Building --two seniors for under $7.00 total and it was a terrific hour-long trip that went under the Bay bridge, past sail boats freighters and tugs, by cranes loading freighters. Really splendid.

Best day ever in the City-- morning at SF-MOMA, lunch at Ferry Building (marvelous Boulette's Larder), then hour on the bay. Perfect.

This is a wonderful way to go to the City, if you have the time. The Bay can be cold, so wear layers. The trip from Oakland is pretty fast and GORGEOUS. It let's yu off at the Ferry Building area on SF's downtown waterfront.

Most enjoyable way to cross the bay to San Francisco. Relaxing ride with great views of Oakland, Alameda and San Francisco. I love sitting outside and enjoying the fresh air and beautiful surroundings. Ferry staff is always cordial and accommodating.

Did this in reverse from Harbor Bay Island ( Alameda ) to San Francisco's Wharf area. The duration of the ferry is 10 minutes or so and allows you the freedom of not having a vehicle in the City. Get resourceful and walk, taxi, cable car. Always close to restaurants, Grant street and Chinatown an easy close cable car ride and vistas above the Marina district to see the Golden Gate bridge and the diverse boat culture on the bay. No parking fees on the Alameda side so a modest fare to cross and return up until 9p or so- commuters probably even later.

At $7.20 each way, it sure beats using BART or driving to San Fran yourself, as parking is astronomical.

We were entertaining friends from Oregon and we decided to visit San Francisco. This time we decided to take the ferry. It was a great trip! Not only do they serve refreshments and drinks (including alcohol), but the views are stunning and you don’t have to park! What a fun and easy way to see The City. We parked at Jack London Square and even got our parking validated. It was an incredible journey!

The views on the way to the city are gorgeous and it is a really convenient and safe way to get there.

A very efficient way to travel into San Fransisco from the Amtrak station in Oakland. Very reasonably priced and much cheaper than a taxi, we purchased our tickets on the boat. We didn't have to wait long as they run quite frequently. It was only a short walk from the station to the ferry pier which we managed despite carrying heavy luggage Would definitely reccommend, you get fantastic views of the city from the bay.

We took this ferry from Oakland to San Francisco with family visiting. It was a clean, nice, easy way to get a "tour" for $7. Great activity to get to the Embarcadero.

I take the ferry every few months from Oakland to SF. It's an excellent way to take the stress out of the commute. They have a little snack bar where you can get a glass of wine or a beer while you soak in the sites of the Bay. Always bring a jacket though because it gets chilly, even on warm days.

why pay $50-$100 to some touristy boat to take you on the bay. Take this ferry from Oakland's Jacklondon Square or Alameda to SF for $7. its a same Bay. you can even take your bike with you and get around the city on your bike. there is a bar and small food kiosk inside of the boat too. you have an option to sit on the deck (open air) or inside.

The ferry is a great way to show visitors a different view of the Bay. The vessels are clean, the service is very well organized, and the short trip from Oakland to the Ferry Building or Fisherman's Wharf is way more fun than driving into the city.

Very fun on a sunny day to go from Oakland or Alameda to SF Ferry Building, and not that expensive either. We've gone for lunch at one of the places at the ferry building & went across the street to the Muni Museum, then to ride the vintage trollies down to a Fisherman's Wharf & back. Kids enjoyed it, so we went sever more times on other visits via the ferries in Larkspur & Vallejo. There is no better view of arrival in SF than by ferry.

As with any city on the water, one of the best ways to see San Francisco was to take a ferry ride. On the way to grabbing dinner in Sausalito, my boyfriend and I decided to take the ferry across the bay. First, you get the beautiful view of a receding San Francisco via the Ferry tower as you travel right next to the Bay Bridge. As we pull further away from the city, there are some gorgeous views of seeing the city almost float in the fog surrounding it. Also, you get amazing views of Alcatraz Island being swept over by fog, in addition to the Golden Gate Bridge anchored on both ends in fog. Pulling into Sausalito feels like pulling into a completely different California. It's the cheapest "cruise" to take on the bay for all the views. Be sure to eat over in Marin County as we did.

My husband and I love taking the SF Bay ferry from Oakland to SF! We use our Sr Clipper card which is easy and we are grateful for the discount.
The ferry is clean, timely and a great way to enjoy our beautiful surroundings!

This is the only way to go from Oakland to San Francisco...it's a great ride - we went to Pier 41 - then took the hop on-hop off Grey Line tour...but we like the Ferry just to ride the ferry - the views are great - and we had a spectacular day. You get your tickets on the Ferry itself...so get in line and wait to board. If you're lucky, they're loading or unloading a container ship so you can watch while you wait. I love this kind of stuff - it's what visiting a city is all about.

Wheather we are going to The Pier 39 area or to the SF Ferry building the trip has always been a pleasant trip. The ride is quick and relaxing.

We used the S.F. bay ferry a few times to travel from Vallejo to San Francisco and back. Ferry schedules are online, but leave plenty of time to find parking as commuters fill all the nearby car parks for the day. The journey itself is relaxed and scenery amazing. Free wifi on board, but the sights & sounds are preferred.

Excellent mode of transportation into the City. Incredible views of San Francisco skyline. Enjoy the ride with a cold adult beverage and even ride outside weather permitting.