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    SF Bay Adventures

    4.7 (98 reviews)
    Open 9:00 am - 9:00 pm

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    Schooner Freda B
    Brad C.

    We had a perfect time on a recent 'Jazz and Blues by the Bay' cruise aboard the tall ship Freda B, and it was everything you'd hope for on a summer evening: a stiff breeze tilting the gaff rigged schooner into the spray, just enough chill to make you grateful for your windbreaker, and a dramatic sunset behind the Marin Headlands, beckoning us back to the quiet harbor. With Sydney and Travis as the extremely capable crew, Captain Reno first paused near Gabrielson Park to let us enjoy the music echoing from shore, before raising the sails and venturing into the bay. Captain and crew are warm and attentive - happy to chat throughout the journey, or to let you soak up the experience in silence. Snacks and drinks are provided, leaving you at your perch to enjoy the show, or venture below deck to peek at the bunks, the tiny library, and the wall of brass plaques won throughout the ship's many regattas. We look forward to returning for another trip soon. It's impossible to imagine visiting the Bay Area without spending at least some of your time on the water... and SF Bay Adventures has provided a truly special way to experience it.

    My parents and I rode the Freda B boat for a 2 hour sunset tour. It was my first time on this type of boat and it was absolutely wonderful! The crew was friendly, the views were spectacular, and there were refreshments and snacks available for purchase. You could volunteer to help raise the sails at the beginning of the trip, which I did, and it was great fun! (would recommend, and it was the perfect photo op). There were moments where it got super windy, so I would recommend bringing a jacket or blanket. Towards the end, they offered hot water bottles to keep us warm which was very much appreciated. If you have been wanting to do something like this, I would 100% recommend!! Everything about the experience was outstanding and exceeded all my expectations.

    Anna B.

    I needed a private charter for a small group so I could honor my mother's wishes to have her ashes scattered on the Bay. After calling a few places, I set up a charter of the CIMBA with Marina. It was super easy, just a few emails to nail down a date, completed the form, and paid for the charter. The captain was paid separately when I boarded. Captain Reno was super respectful and kind while also sharing the safety details and bringing some lighthearted fun to what could be a somber event. I think it was probably pretty clear we were a relaxed bunch, so it fit just right. We were brought to a calmer cove within view of San Francisco. Reno positioned the craft so wind would not blow back and then he gave me a little pillow to kneel on as I scattered the ashes and we all tossed flowers into the Bay. We even had a soundtrack my mom would have chosen played through the onboard stereo. Despite the purpose of the cruise, we truly enjoyed the time onboard. The boat was compact and comfortable for our party of 8 and we had our run of it so we could take good photos and just hang out. Highly recommended!

    Freda B - beautiful summer day on the bay!
    Anna S.

    Beautiful day out on the bay Sunday with Freda B and her wonderful crew! Freda B. is an 80' beauty! The bay was stunning, as were all of the marine life and birds that we saw. We were in great, confident hands with native SF born, Captain Reno, First Mate Shannon, second mate Sydney and maritime alumni Josh. Super attentive, well orchestrated crew that kept the food and libations flowing. We were well informed by Robyn, on the history of the area, the nature before us and even some great tips on helping out the environment. Who knew the deer from Angel Island would swim over to Tiburon? There are some tasty brunches over there. Thanks again for a great summer day on the bay.

    Jana C.

    What an incredible sail... MSG surprised me with booking a nice weekend sail recently, which departed from Sausalito and went around in a counter-clockwise circle, going under the GG Br, and skirtin close to the shores of Fort Point and Crissy Field. Magic is the only thing that comes to mind. Clearest weather ever (captain commented on our luck) and warm all around. Wonderful coffee and pastry goodie treats in the morningtime. Great time. would definitely come again and participate. Can charter for private events; besides the weekend sails, there are romantic sunset sails as well.

    Tracy T.

    This review is for the sunset sail on the Freda B. I received a Groupon from a friend to take this sail across the Bay, and definitely had no idea what to expect. But this far exceeded what I could have ever thought. The sunset sail is offered September through November, and again at select times in the spring. In the fall, they sail is across the bay and to the Golden Gate Bridge. In the spring, they sail to the Tiburon area and closer to the Richmond Bridge. Both seasons offer a variety of views, which are absolutely breathtaking. Our tour went to the Golden Gate Bridge, and it was truly a once-in-a-lifetime type of sail. The vessel was as smooth as butter as it glided through the water. The crew paid light jazz and interacted regularly with the guests. We sailed to the Golden Gate, and then floated most of the way back so that we could catch every moment of the sunset. As the temperature dropped, I felt the need to grab a warm drink. They serve hot chocolate, hot cider, and hot tea. I got hot cider the first time, which was good (not too sweet), and went for the hot chocolate with whipped cream the second go round (which was AMAZING!!! That chocolate/whipped cream combo gave me LIFE!!) The crew of the Freda B did an AMAZING job of really giving us an A+ sailing experience. Customer service is definitely their forte. They were attentive to our needs at all time. Whether it was providing us with beverages or light snacks, taking pictures, or handing out blankets when it got too cold, they went above and beyond each time. If you're in San Francisco to visit, or even if you are a local and searching for a unique outing with a group of friends or family, the sunset sail is highly recommended. Book your tickets early or look for a discount coupon, which they may offer at the start of the season. The boat only takes cash, so make sure to bring enough to grab some of their beverages/light snacks. You can also bring some snacks of your own. And don't forget to tip! Not mandatory, but trust me, you will want to after you experience their stellar service.

    Paul the Skipper
    Robert S.

    We recently chartered the Yacht Cimba (32' Grand Banks) from SF Bay Adventures and it was a first class experience. Our small party of 2 met Paul, our host and skipper, who took us from Sausalito to the Golden Gate Bridge and back. Paul was very knowledgeable about the ocean current conditions, weather considerations (wind, fog) and also knew the shoreline intimately and was able to take us to a quite cove where we could scatter our parents ashes. The Cimba is well-maintained and very clean. Paul provided an ice bucket for us to cool down a bottle of wine and we went up to the flying bridge to enjoy the beautiful day and reminisce. Paul has a good amount of experience doing this kind of work and was an excellent host. When we wanted to talk, he was personable and added greatly to the conversation. He did not pry, and he gave us helpful suggestions to scatter the ashes effectively. I strongly recommend SF Bay Adventures. They have watercraft ranging from rigid hull inflatable (Zodiac) to yachts to sailboats.

    Yeah!!
    Kate M.

    I can't say enough good things about this fabulous company! They went out of our way to make our experience amazing and unforgettable. I kept saying that you have not lived until you have been on this boat and sailed through the SF bay. The employees were wonderful and very engaging, especially Shannon. This is the type of thing that is suitable for both tourists and locals. SO worth the money an would potentially a fabulous gift. We would absolutely love to do this again.

    Kirsten L.

    I just got back from taking my family on a Sunday afternoon sail on the Freda B. It was an absolutely beautiful day on the bay. I've taken a few boat trips like this before and I was a little disappointed in this trip. First, I thought that snacks and non-alcoholic beverages were included. The snacks consisted if a couple cheese plates for the whole group. Waters and sodas were $3 each. I had wanted a glass of wine but that was $10 which would have been fine but for the whole family to get a drink it was just annoying to add another $30 to the trip - for one drink. I still have no idea if tap water was available either. None was offered and we all came home dehydrated, and a little irritated with headaches from basically nothing to drink. The boat ride itself was really short. I'd say 1:45, pretty much exactly. There was also a plea for tips and after I gave $10 to my husband to give it really felt like the girl have me an evil eye for not giving anything (my husband was a few people away getting off). Saw another crew girl in a store afterwards and she also was not friendly there. Ultimately it felt like they didn't want to be there. I felt like I was being nickel and dimed. The ticket cost for a family is an investment. Should have been respected like it was the big event that it was for us. Nice boat. Beautiful day. Beautiful views.

    Kami S.

    My husband and I and two friends went on the SF Giants Cruise Friday 4-27-18 aboard the Freda B Schooner. We had a blast!!!! The boat is gorgeous, the staff were very friendly and accommodating and getting to see the SF skyline and AT&T Park from the water was amazing!!! The Bay was unbelievably calm, but cool. Not to worry though, they had plenty of blankets to keep us warm as well as a very comfy room down below that was heated for those who needed to thaw out and they were serving coffee with Baileys which is what kept me warm lol. All in all, in addition to the amazing sights, yummy adult drinks and fun galore...the Giants beat the Dodgers!!!! If you get a chance to go on this cruise, do it, you won't regret it!!!

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    Page 1 of 3

    Ask the Community - SF Bay Adventures

    Review Highlights - SF Bay Adventures

    Previously, we took the Freda B on the Wildlife Morning Sail in 2024, which was also fantastic.

    Mentioned in 52 reviews

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    Sausalito Floating Homes Tour

    Sausalito Floating Homes Tour

    5.0
    (5 reviews)

    *** This is a review of the grounds and houseboats, not the tour. ***…read more Whenever I have a guest from out of town and I want to give them a real slice of North Bay life (something you don't usually find on a guided tour), I take them to the Sausalito houseboats. It's so full of funky architecture, spectacular Bay views, a few hidden beaches, and plenty of colorful residents. This place is a total trip! Where else in the world can you find such a unique, seaside community with so many photo opps. Although this makes for a fun tourist destination, you have to remember that people actually live here. Translation: be respectful of the communal decks and property. Otherwise, you may endure the wrath of some salty, seaside locals. Like I said, there are quite a few characters (old hippies, young yippies, artists, etc.) who live around here. Consider yourself warned. Even when I'm not playing tour guide to guests, I like strolling here with my dog (yes, it's dog-friendly... as long as they're on leash). It's just a really relaxing spot, and it reminds me of how lucky we are to live in such an amazing area. When visiting, I'd recommend parking near the Mike's Bikes shop and Davey Jone's Deli. But be sure to lock your doors. The area can sometimes attract car burglars.

    Such a unique experience just seeing these beautiful houseboats with beautiful views of the blue…read morewaters of the bay and the skyline of the city of San Francisco, and in the other direction - the lovely hillsides of Marin County. I can only imagine how much more unique it must be to live in one! A community of writers and artists who became commercially successful, live here. Shel Silverstein used to live in a houseboat here. Rumor has it that Michael Lewis, the guy who wrote Money Ball, The Blind Side, and The Big Short, all of which were made into movies, also owns a houseboat in Sausalito. His house on terra firma is just across the bridge in Berkeley. Just a million dollars for a tiny home on the water in Marin paradise. Location, location, location!

    Seaplane Adventures

    Seaplane Adventures

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    Amazing experience with amazing staff!…read more I originally booked a helicopter ride, but was notified 24hrs beforehand that their helicopter was down. I was offered their seaplane tour as a replacement, which I took since I had plans that lined up for that day. When you first walk in, the staff warmly greets you and you go through a quick 2 min debrief with some jokes before heading on the plane. They give you plenty of opportunities to take pics before, during and after the flight. Although the seaplane tour we went in says 60min, it was a little over an hour and I enjoyed every bit of it. The pilot was pretty knowledgeable on certain landmarks and locations. The views were amazing, and being in such an intimate plane was truly a different experience - I was finally in the plane instead of being a pedestrian looking up at one. Weather really matters - so plan accordingly. Our day was so clear the pilot claimed you were able to see Lake Tahoe and Truckee's snow capped mountains! My one complaint was that the headphone instructions weren't super clear, so I couldn't talk to my partner verbally. Clean facilities, friendly and welcoming staff, and a nice long ride in the air to gaze at the Bay Area and surrounding nature - this is the place to book.

    WHY WE WENT HERE: - helicopter ride…read more THE LOOK (FROM THE OUTSIDE): - located right off 101 and by the Richardson Bay - small warehouse look and can't miss the yellow helicopter on the helipad by the water THE LOOK (FROM THE INSIDE): - makes me think of the retail/office spaces where you go kayaking - restrooms and offices off the main lobby, which is like a living room HELICOPTER RIDE: - we booked the 40-minute ride but I think honestly you'd be able to see everything in the 20-minute ride - views are immaculate, especially on a nice sunny day like ours CUSTOMER SERVICE: - warm and welcoming - casual - your weight is verified prior to your excursion - safety video is shown - waivers signed - then-boyfriend, now-fiancée planned for this to be our engagement so he got the guys to help facilitate it prior to our helicopter ride - the ride itself was great but I do have vertigo and got very dizzy/nauseous 3/4 of the reservation in - after we landed we were given a mini bottle of champagne to celebrate our engagement but didn't enjoy it until days later

    Painted Ladies Tour Company

    Painted Ladies Tour Company

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    This tour was the perfect introduction to San Francisco! It gives you a great overview of the city…read moreby driving past many of the iconic landmarks in just a few hours, making it easy to decide where you want to come back and explore later. My tour guide was fantastic: friendly, knowledgeable, and full of fun facts, local tips, and recommendations that made the experience even better. I also loved that the group was small (about 8 people in the van), which made it easy to ask questions and actually see everything without feeling crowded. The three photo stops are short, but they're at excellent viewpoints and perfect for getting some Instagram-worthy pictures. As a solo traveler, I honestly can't recommend this tour enough. You get an incredible amount of value for the price, and it's a great way to get your bearings before exploring the city on your own. I'd recommend keeping notes of the places and recommendations your guide mentions so you can revisit them later. One thing that really stood out was the customer service. My original booking didn't meet the minimum group size, so I was moved to a different tour. Unfortunately, that caused me to arrive late, but the guide was incredibly gracious and made me feel welcome without any hassle. Whether you're traveling solo, with a partner, or as a family, I'd absolutely recommend this tour. It's one of the best ways to kick off a trip to San Francisco.

    When we decided to visit San Francisco, I knew I wanted to do some kind of tour. I researched a…read morebunch of options and even considered one of the hop-on, hop-off buses, but then I came across the Painted Ladies Tour. I watched several videos, read reviews, and quickly realized this was a completely different kind of tour. The tour takes place in a vintage VW van that looks like something straight out of the Scooby-Doo Mystery Machine. Honestly, even the vehicle itself makes the experience fun! It's also a much more intimate experience than a large bus tour, which was exactly what I was looking for. It ended up being one of our absolute favorite things we did in San Francisco. Our guide, Clay, met us just a couple of blocks from our hotel, which was another huge bonus. We didn't have to take any additional public transportation to get to the tour. It was my daughter and me, another mother and daughter, and their aunt, so we had a really small group. Clay made sure we rotated seats throughout the tour so everyone got a different perspective and everyone had a chance to sit up front for the best views. One of the first things Clay did was explain what actually makes a "Painted Lady" a Painted Lady. We got to see so many examples throughout the city, and one of our favorites was the Four Seasons. It was really interesting learning the history behind the homes rather than just driving past them and taking pictures. We drove through the Haight-Ashbury area, where Clay explained how housing costs and the population have changed over the years. We even saw the iconic home with the legs sticking out of one of the windows, which is a pretty funny representation of just how packed some of the homes became. We also got to see the former homes of Jerry Garcia, Janis Joplin, and Jimi Hendrix. Being able to see those places in person and hear the history behind them was really cool. Our first stop where we actually got out of the van was Alamo Square Park, where the iconic Full House opening scene was filmed. This was probably the number one thing my daughter wanted to see, so she was thrilled! We got out, took pictures, and Clay was kind enough to take pictures of both of us together so neither of us had to be the person left out of the photos. Next, we drove by the house from Mrs. Doubtfire. Clay actually happened to see them filming part of the movie when he was younger, which made the stop even more interesting. Then came another major highlight for my daughter--we got to see the school from The Princess Diaries! From there, we headed to the Palace of Fine Arts, where we learned about its connection to the World's Fair. We stopped to take pictures, and I have to mention one of my favorite random moments of the entire tour: seeing a Golden Retriever riding in a convertible, absolutely living his best life. It was one of those completely unexpected San Francisco moments that made the day even better. Since we were already in the area, we also stopped to take pictures with the Golden Gate Bridge in the background. But the absolute highlight of the tour came next. Clay took us to Lombard Street, turned the music way up, blasted "Born to Be Wild," and let us cruise down the famous winding street with the windows down. We were all singing along, laughing, and taking in the experience. It was honestly one of the most iconic and memorable moments of our entire San Francisco trip. The tour was also perfectly timed. We spent the morning seeing so much of the city, but we were finished early enough to walk back to our hotel, have some downtime, and regroup before lunch. We never felt rushed, but we also didn't lose an entire day to the tour. I would absolutely recommend the Painted Ladies Tour to anyone visiting San Francisco. It's such a fun and personal way to see the city and learn about its history. Instead of sitting on a huge bus with dozens of other people, you're in a small group, getting to interact with your guide and really experience the city. And Clay was fantastic. He was knowledgeable, personable, and made the history fun for both the adults and the kids in our group. He took pictures for us, made sure everyone got a chance to experience the best seats, and really made the entire morning feel special. If you're looking for something more personal than a traditional sightseeing bus, I can't recommend this tour enough. Between the Mystery Machine-style van, the history, the movie locations, the Golden Gate Bridge, and singing "Born to Be Wild" down Lombard Street, this was easily one of our favorite memories from San Francisco.

    SF Bay Adventures - boatcharters - Updated August 2026

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