My new favorite tour of the bay: a sailboat cruise on San Francisco Bay!
There are so many ways to get out on San Francisco Bay; it really is one of the best things to do in San Francisco. Ferries, fishing boats, speed boats, RIB boats and more. But gliding past the bridge and around Alcatraz in a sailboat may be the most fun of all!
I went out for a 90-minute sail on the Privateer, one of the sailboats used by the San Francisco Sailing Company for their bay cruises. The views are spectacular! The weather was gorgeous and the winds were just right: strong enough to use the sails, but not to the point of keeling the sailboat way over. The two crew members were friendly and mellow, and the whole experience was very relaxing.
The sailboat Privateer leaves from Dock F at Pier 39 on the waterfront, on the right side of Pier 39. This is a 2-masted, 41-foot sailboat, with a small cabin (and bathroom) below deck. They hold up to 28 people, but if you avoid the busiest times, it can be far fewer, with more of the feel of sailing on a private yacht.
The boat leaves promptly at the scheduled time, motoring out of the marina and heading towards the Golden Gate Bridge. Then up go the sails and the Privateer sails towards Sausalito, goes past Angel Island and then sails for Alcatraz.
We sailed around Alcatraz Island, quite close, and got a good look at the buildings. Then we headed back towards the city with amazing views of the skyline.
We were out on a sunny day and the winds were pretty calm (for San Francisco Bay). Plenty of wind to drive the boat, but no knuckle-biting steep dips towards the water! Perfect! No one got wet, either.
What to Wear. I had read the Yelp comments before going, so I wore my ski jacket with a hood as recommended. Good thing, too. Even though the weather was quite warm at Pier 39 (t-shirt weather), it was much cooler out on the boat; the ski jacket was just right. I think on a cool day, gloves and a warm hat would be a good idea, too.
Drinks. Guests have the option of two free drinks during the voyage: beer, white wine, sodas, or water. The crew joked about needing both hands for the trip...one to hold on to the boat and the other to hold your drink. It was definitely necessary to hold on when the boat was leaning to the side (but the railings would stop you from sliding into the sea, no worries, ha ha).
Tour of the Bay. This isn't actually a "tour" in the sense of having a narrated commentary on the sights out on the bay. It's more like having a couple of nice guys taking you out on their sailboat for a leisurely cruise around San Francisco Bay, with great views of the Golden Gate Bridge, Alcatraz, Angel Island, and San Francisco skyline. Very relaxing, highly recommended. So pretty out on the water!
You can see the Golden Gate during the cruise, but they don't actually go under it, or very close to it (they go under it on their weekend "Champagne and Mimosas" cruise, see below). They do get very close to Alcatraz, though. We hung out just off Alcatraz island for about ten minutes, very cool.
For the same reason, I wouldn't recommend this for anyone with significant mobility problems. You do have to be able to climb around on the boat while hanging on to the railing, and the boat can be tipped at a 45 degree angle at times. But if they need to swing the boom (is that what that beam is called?) of the sail around, you don't have to move as long as you're sitting down. Heads up, so to speak! But the captain and crew (two guys) are very helpful and look like they know what they're doing, so I felt very comfortable, though it was my first time on a sailboat.
The Privateer sails the bay daily, 2 to 3 trips a day.
The trip costs $49 per person (children $24.50), but you can often get discounted tickets.
Note: I may earn a small commission if you make a purchase through some of the links on this page, at no extra cost to you. This helps me provide all the free information I post on this website.
I got tickets for $27 plus fees through Goldstar.com (now $30); an amazing bargain for 90 minutes on a sailboat, including drinks! If you want to sail with them, first check to see if Goldstar has discounted tickets available, for this cruise (or their other two cruises described below). It's free to sign up, then see what they have. See Goldstar.com.
If Goldstar doesn't have tickets for the dates you want, you can also book it here.
The Privateer also goes on a 2-hour Sunset Cruise, seven days a week at 5:30 p.m. (4:00 pm in winter) for $65 (see booking and more info).
Champagne and Mimosas Cruise. The same company has a sailing trip that takes you underneath the Golden Gate Bridge, one of those beyond-cool experiences. This cruise also sails all around the bay, with views of the Bay Bridge and Sausalito, and around Angel Island and Alcatraz. It includes two drinks: your choice of champagne, mimosas, beer, wine or soft drinks. Their 2-hour cruise happens every Saturday and Sunday at 10:00 a.m., also for $65. Unless visibility is bad, they always go under the bridge; according to the company, about 99% of the time you get to sail right under the Golden Gate! (see Goldstar for discounted tickets, or 2-hour cruise for booking and more info).
What time to go? If you want a calm trip, morning or noon gives the best odds of that. The wildest one? Mid afternoon, when the winds are likely to pick up. The evening cruise should be calmer than the afternoon one because the stiff afternoon breezes usually calm down by then. But there are no guarantees, weather being what it is!
For more details about what you are likely to run into weather-wise in San Francisco in different seasons and times of day, see San Francisco weather.
Do you get seasick? I was a bit concerned about cruising on a sailboat on SF Bay, being very susceptible to seasickness myself. The bay can be rough when the winds are blowing, which is most of the time; it's not like sailing on a lake. When I went on a whale watching cruise off Monterey years ago, I thought I was going to die!
I'm happy to report that I didn't feel anything on the Privateer, in spite of the up and down motion of the boat. The winds weren't that strong the day I went out, so it might be different under more intense weather conditions. My son has the same motion sickness problems I do, and he was fine, too.
Odds and ends. They do have extra jackets for passengers who aren't prepared for the cold. Also, you can put your purses, backpacks and other stuff in the cabin, so you can keep your hands free to hold on to the railing and hold your drinks;-). A drink plus a camera will require a little juggling!
For more info on the boats and the company, see San Francisco Sailing Company. They also do private charters and give sailing lessons.
COVID-19 Status: at midnight on Monday, March 16, San Francisco was placed under a "shelter-in-place order.
All residents were ordered to stay home, except for necessary trips to grocery stores and essential medical visits, and solo outdoor activities like hiking.
The city had been gradually reopening of many businesses and activities, but in December, came under a strict, stay-at-home directive, due to a sudden increase in infection and hospitalization rates.
Since then, Covid numbers have dropped significantly.
Big changes coming June 15 (assuming the Covid numbers stay down). California is scheduled to fully reopen, meaning all business sectors will reopen to full or almost full capacity, including concerts, stadium sports and festivals.
Most recently, March 23, 2021, SF has moved to a somewhat less restrictive status.
Public transportation options have been cut back. See SF transit for more info.
See COVID rules for current SF status.
Mask rules: everyone in SF is required to wear a mask when they are outside and within 30 feet of other people.
Masks must be worn in stores and places of business and people not within the same household must stay 6 feet apart.
SF Curfew has been ended.
What is open? Muir Woods, the Botanic Gardens, Golden Gate Park, Japanese Tea Garden, Pier 39, SF beaches, Golden Gate Bridge, and Twin Peaks (car access on Portola, main parking lot open) are all open.
Parking lots for SF beaches, Twin Peaks, and the Golden Gate Bridge are open. But the Welcome Center lot and Merchant Road lot at the bridge are closed.
Restaurants can now be open to 50% capacity for indoor and outdoor dining, and many restaurants are open for take-out or delivery.
Bars that serve food can serve customers indoors.
Businesses can allow customers inside, on a limited basis (grocery stores 50%).
The SF Zoo is open again.Alcatraz is open. Day Tour tickets only. See Alcatraz.
Hair salons, and open air tour buses and boat cruises can now operate.
Indoor museums are open, including the CA Academy of Sciences.
Travel to SF: non-essential travel to SF is discouraged but the quarantine requirements are no longer in effect.
Hotels are accepting reservations, up to 25% capacity, but travelers are urged to limit contact with others in the hotel.
Exploratorium: still closed.
Playgrounds: open.
Indoor swimming pools are open to 25% capacity.
Schools: many private schools are open. SF public schools will start in person learning for elementary students April 12. Older grades: negotiations are ongoing. Hopefully will open for fall classes.
Limited opening: indoor gyms to 25% capacity and indoor movie theaters to 50%.
Indoor concerts, live theater, and sporting events, are scheduled to open April 12 at 35% capacity. Proof of vaccination or negative Covid test will be required. See more info on indoor events.
Some venues are waiting until June 15 because capacity limits don't work for those businesses.
Napa and Sonoma county wineries are open.
For a handy list of what's open or closed in SF, plus info on what's open in other cities and counties of California, see California reopening schedules.
See coronavirus news in the SF Chronicle for details and updates.
See SF closures timeline.
Most recent Bay Area stay home order.
Also see site and parking lot closures for the National Park Service (Alcatraz, Muir Woods, etc.)
Plus helpful info on which parks and hiking trails are open in the Bay Area.
And to check the air quality (fires) in SF and the Bay Area, see airnow.gov and the SF Chronicle map showing current tests.
Get the latest tips on visiting San Francisco.