We purchased tickets from Groupon and they were the cheapest bay cruises from anything I could find. It was just like the other ones we've taken too. This took about an hour or a little longer. You go under the Golden Gate Bridge and then pass by Alcatraz on your way back. There's even a recording playing telling you what landmarks are across and near you aid gives you a little back story of things. Overall; a must do! read more

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We came to start off our group bachelorette party with the sunset cruise. Some of us were running late so it was a bit chaotic getting there and we had a bit of a challenge finding the right spot right off the bat. But, once we boarded everything was smooth sailing - mostly haha. The take off and docking were a bit choppy, but other than that it was a smooth ride. The route and duration were great! We are all from the area but have skipped the touristy things. Well we sufficiently got a taste of everything on this cruise. It was properly 2 hours - passed Golden Gate Bridge, bay bridge, Alcatraz, and Oracle Park which was cool to see from the water side. While there was no sunset, we did get good weather and clear enough skies. The one and only thing we would change is the narration - it was awful, awkward, not super informative, and could use major improvements. The staff was fantastic and made for a smooth onboarding. Overall, great cruise around the bay and for a super reasonable price for a 2 hour cruise! read more

You can't visit San Francisco without seeing the Golden Gate Bridge. One of the best ways to experience it is by hopping on a cruise that takes you right under the bridge and around the bay. I purchased our tickets through the GetYourGuide website which offered a small discount. I paid $78 for two tickets, which felt reasonable. I was staying in Berkeley during my trip, so getting around to different viewpoints by Uber or bus would have cost more money and taken more time. When we arrived at the pier it was easy to find the box office since it's large and clearly marked, especially if you're using a map app. After checking in with the attendant we were directed to a nearby gate where passengers board the boat. Seating works on a first come basis, so boarding earlier helps if you want better seats. We arrived about 15 minutes before boarding, which started right around 11:00 AM. There were quite a few tour groups arriving at the same time, so by the time boarding started the line had grown significantly longer than when we first arrived. The boat has a small bar that offers both alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks along with some snacks. I didn't feel like it was necessary for the one hour cruise, but it was nice that the option was there. We managed to grab seats on the top deck and the cruise began around 11:05 AM. At certain points there was narration playing through speakers, but it was difficult to hear clearly. Overall it felt more like a sightseeing cruise rather than a guided tour. The scenery was beautiful and the boat sailed very smoothly, which was great because I get motion sickness pretty easily. There were plenty of opportunities to take photos, especially as the boat passed directly under the Golden Gate Bridge. The route lasted exactly one hour and we returned to the pier around 12:05 PM. The staff were quick and friendly. Overall a fun experience! read more

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We bought two tickets on GroupOn for the 60 minute ride. Boarding was on pier 43 1/2, very easy they have the name and count. As we entered there was a snack station with hot/cold drinks, snacks and alcohol is sold as well. We bought two teas as it was raining and cold. The snack station staff was great, very pleasant to talk to. We sat on the bottom floor, it was a little hard to hear. Once we got on the middle floor could hear the narrator clear. Open seating, booth seating on first and middle floor. There's chair seating in middle and roof floors. The ride took us through the bay close to the Golden Gate Bridge and Alcatraz. It's a u-turn ride. We enjoyed it aside the weather being chilly. Recommend layers. Can also view from afar a few other Bay Area's like the bay bridge, Sausalito, SF... read more

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10/10 tour! I love the fun one-hour option and we lucked out on a sunny pretty day - perfect hour excursion to take amazing photos of the Bay Bridge and Alcatraz. The tour is narrated, but it's more of a background information if you are interested. There was more than enough space inside and outside, and never felt crowded. I enjoyed a local large can of cider for $10 and have amazing memories from this tour! The staff was helpful and present and was a very smooth process - thanks! read more

Red and White Fleet - Boating Near Me - San Francisco, California

Great ride with experienced company. I booked through a third party and on a weekday in September, they had plenty of spots. I do recommend reserving as soon as possible. It was sunny until you reach the bridge and then it's rather cloudy and very windy. Keep your hats in your bag as it'll easily fly away. Great view of the water, bridge, and island. A must-do for any traveler! read more

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My son and.i decided to be a tourist for an afternoon in our own city. The one hour Bay Cruise went beyond our expectations. It was a clear day temperature in the 80s. Picture perfect. We grabbed snacks and went to the upper deck. Few people brought the audio. We just marvel at the views. Going under the GG Bridge was a blast and we have never been that close to Alcatraz. It was quite a view to be able to see the city skyline and also Marin. Double check the weather before you get the tickets. Not cheap but worth it. read more

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Enjoyed a lovely sunset sail across my hometown and the view never gets old. We traversed from the ferry building, under the golden gate/ bay bridge, Alcatraz and back. Drinks were strong and staff friendly. Tip: depending on the currents it can get choppy (which it did for us) but nothing Dramamine can't fix if this affects you read more

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Located at Pier 43 1/2, Red & White Fleet offers different boat rides to suit your boating whims. We did the Golden Gate Bay Cruise for $39/person. It's about an hour boat ride; going under the Golden Gate Bridge, swinging around, and passing by Alcatraz Island before heading back to the dock. Most people decided to sit at the top of the boat for the best, unobstructed views. We started at the top as well, then went down to the lower deck where it was less crowded. Pro tip: bring a jacket, it be windy as hell. They sell snacks and various beverages, including alcohol, on the boat. But if you're the queasy on the water type, probably skip this. THE PARKING. There's a parking lot across from where the boat is docked, Taylor St. & the Embarcadero. THE RETURN? It was a fun experience and the views were spectacular. I'd do it again! Another pro tip: check out Groupon for discounted tickets. read more

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The Sunset Cruise had some amazing views of the buildings all decked out in lights ! Definitely a beautiful experience. I was at the top deck for most of the cruise and it was great - just a bit cold! On the first and second decks, you really feel the motion of the boat. I really like that they have a little snack bar. They have alcoholic drinks , water , candy, and chips. They may have some other munchies and beverages but I did not ponder too long. Bathrooms are very clean. I would recommend going at a different time of year when it is not as dark to see the sunset and the lights as you cruise. It was dark when we went almost the whole time. They shared some information about the buildings over a radio. I did not care for all the music they selected. It was mostly rock. Some went with the ambiance but sometimes it didn't really fit the vibe of SF. Hearing some more classics like Frank Sinatra or Dean Martin would be cool. Or even some songs related to SF (ahem Sitting on the Dock of the Bay - Otis Redding ). Overall , 4 stars! Would definitely recommend to go when it's a little warmer and the sun is out . If you go now , take a jacket and wear lots of layers. Also, another tip : if it says they are sold out on the website, they may not be. It said that for us and when we went in person , my partner and I were able to still ride read more

Red and White Fleet - Boating Near Me - San Francisco, California

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I went on the Red and White Fleet's 4th of July fireworks excursion, and it was pretty spectacular. The tickets came with two (alcohol) drink tickets. There were also non-alcoholic drinks offered. It also came with a ton of different snacks. We were on the 7:15 ferry and so we had about 2 hours before the fireworks started and so we got to go out under the Golden Gate Bridge, near Sausalito, by Alcatraz, and out by the Bay Bridge. We were able to see whales and a couple of dolphins. We will definitely be back next year! Since it's SF, don't forget to bring extra layers (especially more than you think). The boat had three decks, both indoor and outdoor, while indoor is comfortable, you miss a lot of the experience if you are inside. The crew was incredibly nice. read more

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The experience was smooth and definitely something you have to do atleast once when your in SF. Staffs were accommodating. The audio tour was very interesting. Definitely bring a jacket with you on this trip! read more

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The captain and crew of Red and White Fleet were fantastic and went above and beyond to accommodate our group in every way. They are family-owned, professional, and an absolute pleasure to work with. We couldn't have asked for a better experience. Highly recommended. read more

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Great way to tour the bay, especially if the weather is nice, which it definitely was for our 90 minute or so tour which took us from the Golden Gate Bridge, to Alcatraz, to the Bay Bridge and back. The ride was smooth, the views up on deck were perfect, and it was just a very serene way to enjoy the area. The boat slows down as you approach each of the 3 areas, so you have plenty of time to get a great close up pic of any of them. But at no point in time are you moving so fast, or the ride too rough, that you can't get a good shot. There is plenty of room on board, no need to fight for space at the railings or seats on our trip. When the engine is going, unless you are right up on the loudspeakers, you can't hear the information coming from them. That said, headphones with the tour are available. There are also snacks and a full bar for sale on board, though we did not make use of these services. The crew was friendly enough, but again, our interactions were brief. Limited to embarking and disembarking. Overall, a nice way to save your feet for other activities while taking in some nice views, especially if you like a boat ride! read more

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Fun experience! We did the NYE crew and me and my 9 year old son definitely enjoyed ourselves. Great DJ, excellent and efficient bar service, nice sized bathrooms on the boat, & great views of the fireworks even from inside. Things I wish I would have known beforehand: - Don't read too much into "boarding time". That doesn't mean you are definitely boarding right when that window starts. Be there as early as it says "30 mins prior" because the line forms early and fast which impacts your ability to get a good seat/table on the boat. You may be waiting in line outside much longer than you expected before boarding but just be mentally prepared for that and dress in layers - Very cold line to stand in! - No guarantee on when you pull back into the dock afterwards so park your car with flexibility on the time range, if not using public transport. The info said we would be back at the dock at 1230 AM so I felt ok leaving my car in a parking garage 4 mins away that closed at 0100 AM. Rookie mistake, and when the boat still wasn't back by 1237, I started to really sweat it. Luckily we did make it to our car with 4 mins to spare but I advise you to not do what I did to alleviate stress. - There are NYE accessories laid out on the tables of the boat which was so nice because I was lacking in preparing for that department so that was a pleasant surprise, save your $ on those. - "Indoor" on the boat does NOT mean you'll stay warm and cozy. Most people kept their jackets on the whole time because its still very cold and my kids felt like their jackets weren't enough so I am double recommending bringing layers with you. Overall, staff of every capacity were so kind and moving swiftly during the whole ride to make the boat a nice experience for all. We had fun and I'd definitely recommend!! read more

The cruise is nice. As a native from the Bay Area with my parent a native of SF some of the things they said weren't true in my experience. And they didn't mention Carl. ‍‍ But it's still a nice way to see the city and the bay. read more

Red and White Fleet - Boating Near Me - San Francisco, California

Had a great experience on the Red and White Fleet boat ride! Not only did we see sea lions in their element, but also DOLPHINS! It was pretty cool to go under the Golden Gate Bridge and around Alcatraz if you don't want to spend the day there, but want to see it up close. Very interesting history via audio tour (available in 16 languages)! read more

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Great boat ride! I bought my ticket online, and when I arrived I was quickly pointed to the boarding area. I sometimes worry about online ticketing being clunky, but this experience was extremely smooth. The ride was smooth, the information interesting, and the views amazing. There were snacks and drinks available onboard (I wish the website would have more information about this available in advance). High recommendation! read more

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We used the R&W Fleet for the Blue Angles cruise. Right from getting on the ship the crew was awesome. They offered plentiful free snacks. There are bars on every floor with very cool fun staff working them. The ship is in incredible condition. I'm comparing to the Blue & Gold Fleet, which is very run down. I'm attaching pictures of the bathroom to show how nice the facilities are. I know that seems weird. But bathrooms on other ships and pretty terrible. This ship was downright nice. The tour ran for the whole length of the air show that you'd want to be on the water. Highly recommend this line of ships and especially the Blue Angels tour. I'll use them again for sure read more

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Went on the sunset cruise. The whole adventure was amazing. Toured the bay , watched the sun go down, saw the Golden gate and the city skyline lit up! Enjoyed every minute. The music was on point as well. I won't soon forget - what a quick 2 hrs. So happy we took the bridge to bridge cruise as well! read more

Red and White Fleet - Boating Near Me - San Francisco, California

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Opted for a morning tour and I'm glad I chose it over the night one. Morning tour is worth the cheap cost and the 1 hour is the perfect amount of time. The wind was nuts so bundle up. Check-in was quick and boarding was super prompt. The open space and tons of seating inside & outside was a fantastic touch. Got a breathtaking view of the bridge and Alcatraz. I would 10/10 recommend to check this out at least once. read more

Red and White Fleet - Boating Near Me - San Francisco, California

Took the sunset cruise (7-9pm) and to be honest, I have mixed feelings. The boat takes you under Golden Gate Bridge as the sunsets, which is fantastic as you get a great view of it. As it takes you past Alcatraz and then Sausalito, however, it is very dark and there really isn't much to see after about 45min. After that, it's just a boat ride without much else. It would have been a better experience if there was some narration of some of the POI to keep us engaged. Make sure to bring your winter coats if you get cold! You can get drinks and foods, but I would skip any of the cocktails as they weren't very good. Overall, for $50 for an adult, I would save you money and just get Alcatraz tickets, which includes a boat ride and a narrated tour of the island. read more

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For the Sail GP special event sail, my husband and I have enjoyed going out to see the race and had a good time in previous years. However this year we bought tickets for both days to the tune of $500. Pretty expensive for our budget, but we really were excited to see the race. On Saturday,What a disappointment! The "Royal Prince" took us all the way across the bay, far, far away from the race course! They weren't set up for the day. The TV was set to a different channel than they were broadcasting, which kept cutting out. So we had both blasting over each other all day. The food was disappointing; some cheese, fruit, cold meatballs and a cold pastry. Once the race started, we were so far away we couldn't make out the buoys for the race course. There were several professional photographers with their long lenses who were complaining they couldn't get any shots because we were so far away. Today is Sunday and we have tickets for the day. We were told this morning that the fleet and Sail GP had a partnership that was cancelled this year, which is why they were so far from the racecourse. Oh well, even a bad day on the water is better than a good day on land. Do not recommend if you want to see the Sail GP boats and racecourse. read more

Did the sunset cruise. Incredible!!!! The sights. The sounds. Everything was amazing! I grabbed me a bottle of wine from the little shop onboard. A bit pricy but worth it. Get there early so you can pick a good seat on top. Seats got filled super fast on the very top. read more

I went on the Blue Angels cruise today. It was a great experience. The captain did a good job positioning the boat for the best views. The staff were friendly and attentive. Two drink tickets were included in the price. And there was a long table of a wide variety of free snacks. The best way by far to see the Blue Angels and the accompanying air show is from a cruise boat. The Red and White fleet is reportedly the best one in the city. There are two boats going out 15 minutes apart. Note that there are two different lines, one for each cruise. Be sure to not wait in the wrong line, and miss your boat. read more

Did the royal prince ferry tour with a job interview today and got a ferry ride near the bridge marina alcaltraz from fisherman's wharf ..enjoyable experience read more

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Deliver of what was expected. If there is supposed to be an audio tour, people should be able to hear it!

While enjoying a day trip to San Francisco, the kids all wanted to have a boat ride around the bay. We looked up quite a few different services, and this one had the right time and one of the better prices. We drove up to the kiosk and they were two ladies inside the ticket counter. They had a couple options and we went for the one hour tour. It was pretty straightforward. You boarded the boat right next to the kiosk. A nice bonus was they had an adult price and a price for 12 to 17-year-olds. So teenagers could get on the boat a bit cheaper. Again when you have a Lotta kids, it's important to save as much as possible. We only had to wait about 20 minutes, and right next to this is chowder hut. Which is definitely a place we enjoy to go, so my son ran over and grab a couple of fried calamari plates so they could have a snack before getting on The boat. I did not get on the boat as my wife really wants to take a big cruise, and she was not with us. So I let the kids go alone. However they do claim to have a full bar on the boat in case you want a nice cocktail. It was a bit windy but the kids really enjoyed the trip. They got some really cool pictures. Look for the review of Chowder Hut as I sat and had margarita and shrimp cocktail by a nice fireplace while they went on their ride LOL read more

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This is a tour that I recommend anyone from first timers to people who have been to San Francisco multiple times! A very educational and breathtaking tour from the Fisherman's Wharf piers to Alcatraz then to the Golden Gate Bridge and then back around Alcatraz for a second view of the backside. My wife and I really enjoyed this but our baby wasnt as lucky to see the beautiful views as she was sleeping the whole tour The whole crew were courteous and very professional! Ps. Theres an awesome bar on the first deck! read more

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Did the 90 minute Two Bridges Tour. Not a bad way to start the afternoon. Plenty of food options nearby when the tour is over. read more

Red and White Fleet - Boating Near Me - San Francisco, California

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I loved the Twilight Cruise! The last of the Bay Bridge's light installation will be removed on Sunday, so I went to check out the view one last time. This tour is a cool thing to do for a date night, large group, or solo adventure! Ok, here's the details for pricing. - Tickets are $50/per person - Parking at Fisherman's Wharf for the duration of the tour was $24. - The cruise is open seating. - Drinks are cheap! Only spent $11 total for a ginger ale and glass of wine. They also have light snacks if you want something to eat. The tour started at 5:30pm and ended at approx 7pm I'm surprised that I wasn't as cold as I thought I'd be but I also dressed really warm. Hoodie, warm sweats, a puff coat, and a scarf, lol! The water wasn't too choppy either. It felt like a smooth ride around the bay. read more

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Great evening cruise. Beautiful views out on the water. Thomas, one of the crew members, was really friendly, funny and informative. He made the experience even better than it already was! read more

What a great little trip. Everyone was nice , the boat was clean. Plenty of room to walk around . You can sit inside or outside. Perfect for the family . They have a little bar inside that has beer , wine, and a few mixed drinks. I had the SF bay breeze YUM !! Bar also has snack pack of chip and a few snack bars for sale. read more

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We took a Benecia Tour! Bought tickets online for the Benecia Tour for $30, it was an hour long. The line was fast on and off the ferry. Something to do on a nice day. The staff was friendly and gave a nice tour. read more

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The tour of the bay was amazing. The audio tour of Golden Gate Bridge and Alcatraz prison was very interesting

Tickets were purchased ahead of time and although the instructions said to come at least 15 minutes early, you have more than enough time to line up and check in since we boarded right at 7pm. If you want a light snack or a drink, their bar is open. Everyone was practicing covid 19 safety protocols, the boat wasn't overly crowded to allow for social distancing and there was plenty of seats inside and outside. We enjoyed our sunset cruise to see both bridges. It was very informative, but I was more focused on the view so I didn't pay much attention to the history. I had a great time and I wouldn't mind doing this again. read more

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Better than blue and gold. plenty of space, and I feel like the ship was just in better condition.

My family and I went on the Red and White Fleet to see the Blue Angels. We had so much fun! Everyone around us was happy and friendly. The drinks were yummy and the snacks were appreciated! They also took us past the Golden Gate Bridge further than I had ever been and that was AMAZING! Shout out to Chanteel, Tomas, Don and Zo! The staff were so nice and funny too! read more

Chances are if you live in the bay area you will be hosting friends and family showing them tourist activities in San Francisco. I highly recommend the red and white fleet boat tour for convenience, inclusivity, and experience. The dock is located near fisherman's wharf and is a quick 10 min walk from Pier 39. There is a ticket booth onsite but you can also view departure times and buy tickets online. They start boarding on time so if you buy tickets ahead of time dont be late! SF weather is unpredictable so wear layers. The morning of I also checked online live cams of the bridge to see if the fog affected visibility of the bridge. Nothing worse than going on a cruise and not being able to see anything. Parking in the lot next to the dock is $60 for the day on weekends, I'd recommend booking an advance reservation at one of the pier 39 garages for $25/day or finding street parking at $7/hr if you don't plan to spend the whole day in the area. We arrived 15 min early and stood in line to board, they checked us in and asked if we need any audio sets so that they could preset the headset for us. This is helpful if you have folks who are no so tech savvy, they won't have to worry about finding the right language on the receiver. They are also the only tour to offer audio in 15 languages. Even if you are fluent in english I would recommend taking a headset as it is difficult to hear the indoor speakers standing on the deck area. I like the 60 min golden gate cruise, its long enough to see great views of the city, bridge, and Alcatraz but short enough if you have small children who get fussy or folks who may get sea sick. The windows are large and since the boat goes out and comes back to the dock, both sides of the boat get the same view. Most people rush to the front to get pictures of the bridge. read more

We had a wonderful time on the Twilight Cruise, which sails the bay from 5:30-7. Staff was friendly, and the process to purchase tickets online was very easy. The boat offered plenty of snacks and drinks, and restrooms were available. There was ample seating both indoors and outdoors. I was amazed at how close we were to the Golden Gate Bridge - we went right under it and were able to take plenty of photos. The narration for famous sites was also a nice touch. read more

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