Host to the 2013 America’s Cup, San Francisco is a city for sailors.
There’s a reason the region between San Jose and Marin County is called “the Bay Area.” The fish-shaped body of water that dominates the views of cities like San Francisco and Oakland is the center of life around here. The Bay defines the weather and the landscape; it’s the backdrop to countless picnics and romantic interludes; it’s the reason the area’s five iconic bridges were built; and it’s heaven for sailors and fishermen who enjoy boating around the San Francisco Bay.
Visitors can join the fun, too, on a sailing tour of the San Francisco Bay, which range from day-time sightseeing trips to sunset catamaran cruises that include hors d’oeuvres and two complimentary drinks. For those who don’t care for booms and masts, there are all kinds of options for boating around the San Francisco Bay. Foodies can book a cruise that serves champagne and brunch or an evening boat trip that features dinner and dancing. Other cruises are centered on whale watching or iconic sites like Alcatraz.
For something a little more adventurous, there’s the San Francisco Duck tour, a land and sea adventure aboard the amphibious WWII-era DUKW vehicle, and the high-speed Rocketboat Ride, which zips passengers alongside the Embarcadero, AT&T Park, Treasure Island and Alcatraz at speeds reaching up to 55 miles per hour. Active travelers can also find canoe, kayak and rafting tours within a short drive from the San Francisco Bay.
See the San Francisco Bay on a Sailing Cruise
-Contributed by Serena Renner
Boating Around the San Francisco Bay from San Francisco Things to Do