San Francisco Bay Sunset Cruise

Sunset Champagne Sailing Cruise of San Francisco Bay

Every time I see sailboats on San Francisco Bay I'm reminded of the sunset cruise my wife and I recently enjoyed with some friends. (Scroll to the bottom to book an afternoon cruise or sunset cruise.

We met our friends at Pier 39 on Fisherman's wharf, spent an hour and a half sailing around Alcatraz Island and under the Golden Gate Bridge, then returned for dinner in The City. I really enjoy photography and this cruise enabled me to take some great pictures. Click on any of the images in this article to view a larger version.

The Captain and his crew welcomed us aboard, went over some safety tips and pointed out the food and drinks that are included with the sunset cruise. The crew cast off and we motored the short distance into the bay passing the floating docks that are a favorite hangout of Pier 39's famous sea lions much of the year.

The crew hosted the sails and we headed out to circle around Alcatraz Island. The Alcatraz Island tour boat was just pulling up to the dock as we went by. Visiting Alcatraz Island is fun and informative, but the Adventure Cat cruises give you views of the island prison that you won't get on the Alcatraz tour.

Looking back at Alcatraz Island with the San Francisco Bay Bridge behind it and the San Francisco skyline off to the side in the warm evening light made a beautiful picture. Alcatraz is a long narrow Island and this picture shows the west end — the end that faces the Golden Gate Bridge and Pacific Ocean.

There were other boats on the bay including two large tankers being escorted in and out of the Golden Gate by a couple of tug boats. Our catamaran — The Adventure Cat — 55 feet long and 30 feet wide was dwarfed by the big ships.

I've been out on San Francisco Bay on several sailboats —large and small — and the Adventure Cat is definitely the most stable feeling because of it's double hull design.

Last fall I took an afternoon cruise on the Adventure Cat with it's designer/builder.

The high point for me of the San Francisco Bay cruises on the Adventure Cat is passing under the Golden Gate Bridge.

I've seen and photographed San Francisco's Golden Gate Bridge from many locations, but the dramatic angles you get while sailing under the bridge make this my favorite.

The view from below is even more spectacular at sunset as you can see in this picture featuring the south tower.

Passengers are invited to take a turn steering the Adventure Cat on the way back to Pier 39 — fun for young and old.

The Adventure Cat is Coast Guard certified for 48 passengers and warm coats are provided, when necessary, for those who didn't come prepared. Enjoy surfing the outer net — the dual woven surfaces at the front of the sailboat — or have a more relaxed experience in the spacious cabin which has plenty of seating, no wind or surf and a crew member at the bar to offer you refreshments. Inside or out you can enjoy the view.

And what a view it is!

Alcatraz Island glows in the setting sun on the left and the San Francisco skyline with Aquatic Park and Fisherman's Wharf are on the right. This is one of the best views of San Francisco — a view that not everyone gets a chance to see.

As we made our way back to the dock we were welcomed by a single sea lion — the others were apparently off at the breeding grounds. I particularly like this view of Coit Tower at the top left and the Transamerica Pyramid and the Bank of America building showing behind Telegraph Hill.

Shortly after we returned to Pier 39 I captured a shot of a flock of pelicans heading toward the Golden Gate in the last light of the day.

If you'd like to spend a most enjoyable hour and a half on San Francisco Bay you can reserve your tickets on-line from the links at the bottom of this page. Choose either the day cruise or sunset cruise.

Availability notice - Tickets often sell out on this excursion weeks in advance. It is recommended you make your reservations early to guarantee your place on this popular activity.

Sunset Champagne Sailing Cruise on San Francisco Bay

Departing between 5:00 pm and 6:30 pm (seasonal, begins April 3)- 1 1/2 hour
Your sunset cruise ticket includes light hors d'oeuvres and 2 drinks.

San Francisco Bay Sail Boat Cruise

Departs Pier 39 at 1:00 pm and 3:00 pm daily - 1 1/2 hour cruise