The 15 Best San Francisco Ferry Trips

1.Muir Woods and Sausalito (Return by Bus or Ferry)

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 5,098 reviews · 5 to 8 hours (approx.) · from $91Our pick

Travel by air-conditioned coach from San Francisco to Muir Woods and Sausalito, with a Golden Gate Bridge photo stop. You get 90 minutes among coastal redwoods and an hour in Sausalito, plus a ferry return option. Guides such as Don, Jerry, George, and Judith have led informative trips.

“Don was great, our driver. He knew the history of the places we passed along the way as well. Go and explore!”

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2.Alcatraz Ticket, Ferry, & Self-Guided App

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 2,460 reviews · 3 hours · from $79

Travel from Pier 33 to Alcatraz Island by ferry, then explore the former prison with a self-guided app tour. See the cell blocks linked to Al Capone and Machine Gun Kelly, learn why escape was so difficult, and enjoy San Francisco views. Allow about three hours, or stay longer.

“The whole experience was great. Awesome how it’s been kept as it was.”

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3.San Francisco Golden Gate To Sausalito Bike Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 751 reviews · 1 to 3 hours (approx.) · from $75

Ride from Fisherman’s Wharf across the Golden Gate Bridge to Sausalito on a classic or electric bike. Guides such as Ryan, Mia, Adam, and Ginger lead a mostly waterfront route with photo stops, local stories, and free time in Sausalito. Return by bike or ferry.

“Would probably recommend the electric bike just because there is 3 hills that can be slight difficult to go up on, if you do want a challenge then the regular bike will do. I had a very great experience Adam was out tour guide and he did a amazing job on guiding us and helping with our helmets and offered us sunscreen. Adam also made sure that everyone was in a group and didn’t left us behind.”

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4.Alcatraz, Ferry & Audio Tour w/ Night Option

★★★★★★★★★★4.4 · 617 reviews · 3 hours · from $78

Take the official ferry from Pier 33 to Alcatraz, then explore the prison, gardens, ruins, and protest sites with two audio experiences. The companion guide covers the full journey, while the included Cellhouse recording brings inmate stories and escape history to life. A night option adds ranger introductions and limited evening access.

“The audio station would be better placed at the bottom of the island, nearer to where the ferry lands as we went a different way around the prison at the beginning and missed getting our audio pieces.”

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5.Muir Woods & Sausalito Tour with Ferry Option

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 515 reviews · 5 - 8 hours · from $91

Cross the Golden Gate Bridge by air-conditioned bus, spend 90 minutes among Muir Woods’ giant redwoods, then explore Sausalito for an hour. Guides such as Doug, Don, Heather, and Joe have led informative trips, and the ferry option gives you a scenic return to San Francisco.

“Doug was great as our tour guide. He was kind, polite and very accommodating - also made us laugh a lot!”

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6.Electric Bike Rental w/ Map & Optional Ferry

★★★★★★★★★★4.3 · 425 reviews · 2 - 8 hours · from $37

Pick up an e-bike, helmet, lock, bag, and route map at Unlimited Biking near Ghirardelli Square. Ride to the Golden Gate Bridge, Sausalito, Fisherman’s Wharf, North Beach, or other city districts at your own pace. Add a one-way Blue and Gold ferry ticket from Sausalito to Fisherman’s Wharf.

“Good activity would be nice to have a map on bike like an interactive to show where to go”

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7.Hop-On Hop-Off Bus with Ferry & Alcatraz Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 324 reviews · 2 days · from $159

See San Francisco by open-top bus over two days, crossing the Golden Gate Bridge and stopping at Fisherman’s Wharf, Chinatown, Haight-Ashbury, and more. A set-time ferry takes you to Alcatraz, where an award-winning audio tour guides you through the prison. Bus commentary is available in six languages.

“The hop-on hop-off bus is a convenient way to see the entire city without paying a lot of money. I have done this in a number of cities, and I am rarely disappointed. The night tour was really cool, and I highly recommend it. The city is gorgeous at night. I was a little disappointed with the time between buses at each stop. It was about 20 to 30 minutes, and I wish it was only 10 to 15.”

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8.Self-Guided Bike Rental

★★★★★★★★★★4.7 · 161 reviews · 1 day · from $16

Rent a fitted bike for one day and follow a mostly flat, car-free route from Fisherman’s Wharf through Fort Mason, the Presidio, and across the Golden Gate Bridge. Staff provide maps, route advice, safety guidance, a phone holder, and storage. Sausalito and Tiburon are optional extensions.

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9.San Francisco Combo: Ferry Building Food Tour and Alcatraz

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 152 reviews · 1 to 4 hours (approx.) · from $181

Start at 10 a.m. with a 90-minute Ferry Building food tour led by an Edible Excursions guide such as Rebecca, Tori, Travis, or Karen. Sample cheese, bread, chocolate, spring rolls, and more, then walk to Pier 33 for the Alcatraz ferry and self-guided audio tour.

“lots of food to sample and nice tour of the building. Super informative.”

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10.Alcatraz Inside Access Ferry and Audio Tour with Night Option

★★★★★★★★★★4.0 · 138 reviews · 2 to 4 hours (approx.) · from $90

From Pier 33, you take a ferry to Alcatraz Island, explore the prison, gardens, and ruins, and follow the official Cellhouse audio tour in English. An extra companion guide begins on the ferry and continues to your return. Night departures offer a darker mood and some special programs.

“Fascinating facts on the audio tour. Great views of the Golden Gate, Bay Bridge, and San Francisco skyline. Steeps hills if walking but there is a tram. So glad we went!”

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11.Morning Muir Woods & Sausalito Tour w/ Ferry

★★★★★★★★★★4.0 · 105 reviews · 5 hours · from $104

Cross the Golden Gate Bridge by coach, spend up to 90 minutes among the giant redwoods of Muir Woods, then browse Sausalito before taking a 25-minute ferry to Pier 41. English guides lead the trip, with audio available in five other languages.

“Only during the trip I realized that I may not have been able to visit Muir's wood if I rented a car because of the parking restrictions on the site. So this organized tour turned out to be a good choice. Besides our driver / guide Constantine was so knowledgeable and fun to listen to that I learnt a lot about SF it's surroundings. Overall very nice experience.”

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12.San Francisco Food Tour: Ferry Building and Ferry Plaza Farmers Market

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 92 reviews · 1 hour 30 minutes (approx.) · from $95

Meet at 10 a.m. for a small-group tasting tour of San Francisco’s Ferry Building and Ferry Plaza Farmers Market. A food-industry guide leads you to makers such as Acme Bread, Cowgirl Creamery, Recchiuti, and Miette, with history, local tips, and enough food to replace breakfast.

“We enjoyed this food tour – especially meeting the strawberry grower and tasting the different varieties. Overall, we felt there were too many sweet tastes and not enough savory items. We did a bit of shopping in the Ferry Building after the tour.”

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13.Self-Guided Electric Bike Rental

★★★★★★★★★★4.9 · 82 reviews · 1 day · from $38

Pick up a modern electric bike near Fisherman’s Wharf, get a safety briefing, maps, route ideas, a helmet, lock, phone holder, and storage, then ride at your own pace. Cross the Golden Gate Bridge to Sausalito, return by bike or buy a ferry ticket, and use the free late drop-off option.

“Great activity especially for solo traveller - loved it!!! Highly recommend. Super helpful staff!!”

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14.City Highlights Tour with Alcatraz Ferry

★★★★★★★★★★4.8 · 80 reviews · 7 hours · from $195

Join guide Eric in a wood-paneled, open-sided van for seven hours of San Francisco sights, local stories, photo stops, and Alcatraz. You’ll see the Golden Gate Bridge, Painted Ladies, Haight-Ashbury, Presidio, and more, with a ferry ticket included and time for lunch.

“The tour was incredible. Our guide, Eric, asked the group if there was anything they wanted to see and visit and made sure those were included on the trip round the city in addition to the planned itinerary. He was very knowledgeable about San Francisco and made some excellent suggestions for lunch. The blankets in the vehicle were especially welcome as it was a windy and foggy day.”

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15.City Tour with Food Stop at Ferry Building + Optional Alcatraz

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 79 reviews · from $119Top rated

Start in Little Italy and ride with a local guide through Chinatown, Pacific Heights, the Mission, Castro, Haight-Ashbury, Fisherman’s Wharf, and the Golden Gate area. You’ll have 90 minutes at the Ferry Building for lunch. Guides may include Aaron, Patrick, or Adam.

“My flight was changed and I wasn't able to cancel because I had made the reservation the same day that I was taking it. I'm sure it would gave been a great trip but after traveling for 2 days, I wanted desperately to get home.”

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