cruise ship under golden gate bridge

Cruise giant Carnival launches its first-ever sailings from San Francisco

Add San Francisco to the list of home ports at Carnival Cruise Line .

The world's second largest cruise brand on Thursday launched its first sailing from the California city since it founding in 1972 — a four-night trip to Baja, Mexico.

The round-trip voyage, which includes just a single call in Ensenada, Mexico, is taking place on the 2,124-passenger Carnival Miracle, which will be based in San Francisco through late summer.

The vessel will spend the coming months operating a series of 10-day Alaska cruises out of the city with a few four- to five-day Baja trips added into the mix. It'll finish the season in San Francisco with a 15-day cruise out of the city to Hawaii in September.

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The new itineraries out of San Francisco were announced in 2018 and initially scheduled to start in 2020 but later delayed due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

"After years of anticipation, Carnival Cruise Line is thrilled to be sailing out of the Port of San Francisco for the first time," Carnival President Christine Duffy said Thursday in a statement.

The new itineraries are beginning as Carnival prepares to operate with its entire fleet for the first time in more than two years. Like all major cruise lines around the world, Carnival shut down operations in March 2020 as the pandemic began and didn't begin returning ships to service for many months.

All 23 of the line's ships will be back in operation as of Monday.

Carnival Cruise Line's new San Francisco home

Catering heavily to a drive-in crowd, Carnival already is known for the most diverse array of U.S. home ports of any major cruise line. The line's biggest operations are out of PortMiami and Port Canaveral in Florida; Galveston, Texas; Long Beach, California; and New Orleans — all major cruise hubs. But you'll also find Carnival ships in such secondary cruise ship ports as Baltimore; Charleston, South Carolina; Mobile, Alabama; and Jacksonville, Florida.

Carnival's new deployment is a major development for cruising out of San Francisco, which never has been a big home port for cruise ships.

"The Port of San Francisco is proud to welcome the Miracle to its newest homeport," Port of San Francisco Executive Director Elaine Forbes said. She added that having the ship based there will draw "thousands of passengers and crew to our city, helping to drive the economic recovery of the waterfront," including "the network of mostly small and family owned businesses in Fisherman's Wharf and the Embarcadero."

San Francisco also soon will become the home port for Princess Cruises ' 3,560-passenger Royal Princess. It'll arrive in San Francisco in September after finishing its Alaska cruise season. Royal Princess will be sailing on cruises from San Francisco south to Mexico and north along the California coast up to the Pacific Northwest.

The San Francisco port authority has scheduled a record 129 cruise ship port calls in the city for 2022, a boon for the local economy. The San Francisco mayor's office estimates that pre-pandemic, in 2019, San Francisco welcomed 280,000 cruise visitors, contributing $27 million to the city.

"The return of cruises to and from San Francisco is an important step forward in our recovery and yet another positive sign for the city's tourism and hospitality industry," said Joe D'Alessandro, president and CEO of the San Francisco Travel Association.

Related: The 5 best destinations you can visit on a Carnival cruise

Cruises to Alaska, Mexico and Hawaii

Carnival Miracle's primary San Francisco-based cruise itinerary will be a 10-day cruise along Alaska's Inside Passage, with stops in Juneau, Ketchikan, Sitka, Skagway, Icy Strait Point, and a sail through through the stunning scenery of Tracy Arm Fjord. The ship will also dock at Victoria, British Columbia, on Vancouver Island.

Related: Everything you want to know about cabins and suites on Carnival Cruise Line ships

These cruise trips begin on May 2, with the final departure of the year starting on Sept. 5. Carnival is also offering four- to five-day cruises between San Francisco and Ensenada, Mexico, with the five-day trips including a stop at Catalina Island, near Los Angeles.

Carnival Miracle's final departure from San Francisco for the year will be a 15-day Carnival Journeys cruise to Hawaii on Sept. 15.

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More From Forbes

New cruise company explora journeys is a potent luxury contender.

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The Explora I cruise ship, built in 2023 for just 922 passengers, sails past downtown Manhattan.

The arrival of enormous ships, like the 7,000 passenger/3000 crew member Icon of the Seas, is an effective way to promote the cruise industry. But cruise companies are also launching smaller vessels designed to give passengers more individual attention, like the new EXPLORA I from Explora Journeys.

The EXPLORA I, launched in 2023, is a sleek 63,000-ton ship designed for just 922 passengers, each housed in an oceanfront suite. Another important number is 1.32 to 1. This represents the crew to passenger ratio, showing the line’s commitment to passenger service.

Ship staterooms start with the Ocean Terrace suites, at 377 square feet. They feature amenities such as a king bed, a chaise lounge day bed, and big glass doors that make it true ocean front view. Bathrooms include European walk-in showers, heated marble floors, and Dyson hair dryers. The ship also has some 67 penthouses from 462 to 763 square feet, and the Ocean Residences, from 750 square feet up to 1600 square feet.

The EXPLORA I has 12 bars and lounges, and 64 cabanas on deck for guests, with multiple indoor and outdoor whirlpools. The spa has a dry sauna, a steam room, Himalayan salt treatments and more, for “the gift of ocean wellness,” which also includes workouts with free weights, 30-minute yoga classes, Pilates, and rowing machines.

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Explora Journeys, said to be the only major cruise line that’s privately owned, is part of the MSC Group. The Italian owners made their private yacht a model for the type of service they planned to deliver. EXPLORA Iis the first of a planned six ships, with EXPLORA II set to arrive in August 2024.

Along with many travel agents, a key market for Explora Journeys, I was invited on an introductory cruise from Los Angeles to Vancouver, Canada. Destinations enroute included San Francisco, Astoria, Oregon, and Victoria, British Columbia.

Michelin-star awarded Chef Claude Le Tohic, and staff at Anthology Restaurant on Explorer I.

Focusing on luxury, Explora’s rates are all-inclusive, including gratuities, alcohol and its powerful Wi-Fi service. A handful of amenities, such as Anthology Restaurant, which features a rotating cast of Michelin-star chefs , have an additional price.

For the cruises themselves, the prices we found range from a ten-night journey from Barcelona to Barcelona for $3,835 (via Gibraltar, Seville, Madera, etc.) to a 44-night extravaganza “connecting continents” from Vancouver to Barcelona via the US West Coast, Mexico, the Panama Canal, and the Mediterranean for $18,450.

The Explora experience began at the Port of Los Angeles, a warehouse-sized building reminiscent of a bus terminal. However, Explora Journeys made check-in fast and almost fun, with friendly representatives using data tablets to check us in at small tableclothed tables, rather than at the clerk’s counter.

The commitment to meeting passenger needs shows up everywhere, such as in the availability of 24-hour room service. The restaurants were uniformly excellent, and the fast elevators quickly whisked you from deck to deck. Yet after a couple of days, I really enjoyed taking breakfast in my cabin, eggs, waffles, pancakes, and vats of coffee.

EXPLORA I was full of such experiences. I watched a chanteuse descending the staircase into the grand Lounge Bar singing jazz standards. Later, I smoked a Winston Churchill Petit in the fragrant cigar lounge at midnight.

The grand Lobby Bar on Explora Journeys new cruise ship Explora I.

Explora Journeys is based in Geneva, so when I laid a couple of hundred-dollar bills on the blackjack table I was politely told to use my room card or change money at the cashier’s booth—euros only.

The friendly casino kept drawing me back. Of course, I ended up losing all my cash, but made $200 last the entire six -day cruise. The dealers seemed much more concerned if I was having a good time than those in Las Vegas.

The service was excellent, with barmen opening “closed” bars to pour drinks. Even when the crew didn’t fully understand a request, they gave it their all. In one lounge, I asked for a martini with blue cheese olives, aka ‘Maytag olives.” The server apparently rustled about the ship and returned with a small plate containing 4 ounces of blue cheese. I did not have the heart to tell him and instead, ate the evidence.

The ship has a well-equipped gym, but I also ran the marked jogging track on Deck 12 in my gray sweats in the wind, feeling like I was in CHARIOTS OF FIRE. I practiced hitting a pickleball over the net on the sports court and shot some 3-pointers.

Later, I sat in one of the EXPLORA I’s warm whirlpools directly overlooking the sea. The ship is said to have more water on board than any other.

The ship was so relaxing, in fact, that many passengers chose to stay on board during port days, taking advantage of massages and other services. Understood, as with cruising, the journey is really the destination.

A view of San Francisco's Golden Gate Bridge as seen from Marin Headlands in Sausalito, California, ... [+] United States on January 27, 2023. (Photo by Tayfun Coskun/Anadolu Agency via Getty Images)

But they missed out on Explora Journeys well-organized excursions. In San Francisco, I took a coach tour into Marin County over the Golden Gate Bridge. The intrepid bus driver drove us safely over a zig-zagging road full of bicyclists to Muir Woods.

The guide told us about the history of the redwoods, how 95% of the old giants were cut down, and how they were saved at national parks like Muir Woods. Once we got there, he left us alone with our thoughts, to walk the easy trail and admire the trees.

The intrepid bus driver found a parking spot at the Marin Headlands overlooking San Francisco Bay for selfies of the Golden Gate Bridge. Memorably, we had sailed under the bridge on EXPLORA I’s journey into the city.

I particularly enjoyed the day we spent in Astoria, Oregon, a port city on the Columbia River where it flows into the Pacific. Founded in 1811, Astoria is a destination I might never have encountered if it were not for the cruise. Astoria got its name from wealthy New York entrepreneur John Jacob Astor, who monopolized the booming fur trade.

Our excursion brought us majestic views of the river dividing Oregon and Washington. We investigated the less-than-luxurious dwellings at the Lewis and Clark Fort where that expedition lived. At the Maritime Museum, we learned about the treacherous currents of the Columbia and the salmon cannery industry that once dominated the town.

Lunch at the Mediterranean Yacht Club with its fish, humus and other Mediterranean food was a treat. I enjoyed a great ribeye in Marble, the amazing steak restaurant on board. The fresh pizza on board was also great. Late at night, I thanked the servers who stayed open just for me, pouring a shot of Macallan before bed.

An Ocean Terrace Suite on the cruise ship Explora I. The entry-level suite is 374 square feet and ... [+] includes a terrace with a chaise lounge and a bathroom with heated floors.

The EXPLORA I makes a strong effort to keep the passengers entertained, with Broadway hits in the Journey Lounge, and individual performers in others. (I loved “Better Shape Up” from GREASE performed with just a guitar accompaniment). There are three Steinway pianos in different lounges. Explora also has alternate entertainment like silent discos, a tough trivia game, a cooking experience and “luminaries” on board to talk about various topics.

Cruise expert Chris Gray Faust, Executive Editor at Cruise Critic , says, “Explora Journeys is an entry into the luxury cruise world. Backed by the private shipping company MSC, the line has the money and ambition to fine tune its product to attract those guests who might normally choose a high-end resort or hotel, as opposed to a cruise.”

Before launching Explora Journeys, the founders interviewed 20,000 luxury travelers and 250 travel advisors. Chris Austin, Chief Sales Officer, said the idea was to “build a ship that’s like a private yacht. An intimate ship, with many, many spaces.”

What resulted, said Austin, is something “that doesn’t feel like a cruise ship, it feels like a luxury boutique hotel.” In terms of onboard shopping, “We have Piaget, Cartier, Panerai and the only Rolex watch store at sea.”

According to Austin, just 4% of luxury travelers cruise. But “after 8 months of operating, we are seeing cruisers on second and third cruise.” He added, “There is no more stunning view than when you sail into a port, as opposed to catching a taxi from the airport. Ultimately, having 6 ships will allow us to discover the world together. We call it the Ocean State of Mind.”

The new cruise ship EXPLORA in the Mediterranean.

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Do Cruise Ships Go Under the Golden Gate Bridge?

By Alice Nichols

Cruise ships are some of the most massive vessels on the planet, and it’s always fascinating to see them navigate through narrow waterways and under bridges. One of the most iconic bridges in the world is the Golden Gate Bridge in San Francisco, California.

But do cruise ships go under this famous bridge? Let’s find out.

Golden Gate Bridge – A Brief Introduction

The Golden Gate Bridge is a suspension bridge that spans the Golden Gate strait, which connects San Francisco Bay to the Pacific Ocean. It was completed in 1937 and has since become an iconic symbol of San Francisco. The bridge is over 8,000 feet long and stands at over 750 feet tall.

Can Cruise Ships Go Under the Golden Gate Bridge?

The short answer is yes; cruise ships can go under the Golden Gate Bridge. However, there are a few things to consider.

Firstly, not all cruise ships can pass under the bridge due to their size. While modern cruise ships are designed to be as big as possible while still being able to maneuver through ports and waterways worldwide, some ships may not fit under certain bridges due to their height or width.

Secondly, even if a cruise ship can fit under the bridge, it must still navigate through the narrow strait with precision. The currents can be strong and unpredictable, making it challenging for large vessels to navigate safely.

The Largest Cruise Ship To Pass Through The Golden Gate Bridge

In 2011, one of the largest passenger vessels in the world at that time passed under the Golden Gate Bridge – The Ruby Princess. She is part of Princess Cruises’ fleet and measures over 950 feet long with a height of almost 200 feet above water level. Despite her size, she managed to pass through without incident thanks to her skilled crew and advanced navigation systems.

In conclusion, cruise ships can pass under the Golden Gate Bridge, but it requires careful navigation and consideration of the vessel’s size. It’s always a thrilling sight to see these massive ships pass under the iconic bridge, and it’s a testament to human engineering and innovation.

• Tip: If you’re planning on watching a cruise ship pass under the Golden Gate Bridge, be sure to check the schedule in advance. Cruise ship schedules are usually available online on their respective websites or through port authorities.
• Fun Fact: The Golden Gate Bridge has been featured in several movies, including “Vertigo” and “X-Men: The Last Stand.”

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• West Coast Departures

Do all cruises that sail into San Francisco sail under the Golden Gate bridge?

By kayden , August 23, 2008 in West Coast Departures

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I am taking a repositioning cruise next month that stops in San Fran for part of the day. Since I am fascinated with bridges and ships I am looking forward to passing under the bridge there (as they do here in Vancouver), so do all ships pass under it or no? If yes, then I will make sure to try to time it for some great photo taking opportunities. :D

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cruisingrightalong

The best I recollect is their is no docking except after you pass under the Golden Gate. Which ship are you taking in and where is your room?

Many many years before I sailed under it I had been in a tour boat under it. Then when we passed thru under it on the Radiance we had an aft balcony. I knew we were passing under it early in the morning (we get up early) and was standing on the 10th balcony and it "felt" like it was touchable!!!! of course not...on the way out....lots were on the top deck watching and we will tell you that we passed under with only 18 inches of clearance...if it was more than that we will deny it! it was high tide.....of course it was probably feet but that antennae seemed to want to touch the bridge.

Again, which ship and room area and .... if you are on the side...starboard is better for coming in....and of course port going out for seeing San Fran.

Yes - all must go under the Golden Gates and it really is quite a treat. there will be loads of people on the bridge waving at you and taking your photo. It is a spectacular view and experience.

http://jaimemontoya.googlepages.com/Golden_Gate_Bridge_from_underneath.jpg

But dont be surprised if you cant even see the bridge even when you are directly under it if there is thick fog.

Anytime that I have entered or departed San Francisco Bay I have gone under the Golden Gate bridge.

Yes you will go beneath the bridge...the Port of S.F.is in the bay.

We did it on a bright clear day, and a few days later the Bridge of the Americas in Panama. Most enjoyable.

Unless the ship flies, there is no way in or out of San Francisco bay except to go through the Golden Gate and under the Golden Gate bridge.

I recommend that you consult a map or globe before you plan your cruise. It is highly educational and might save you some embarrassment.

kayden,   I recommend that you consult a map or globe before you plan your cruise. It is highly educational and might save you some embarrassment.

I think this a most unfortunate remark.

There are many cities in the world that operate more than one port in differents areas of the city. Vancouver for instance operates at least 3, 2 of which you do not pass under the Lions Gate Bridge.

Sailorgirlseattle

The only stupid question is the one unasked. But it's wise to remember that there are many other ways of embarrassing oneself online.

Thanks to all that responded with positive comments ;) I am really looking forward to it. I have an inside cabin guarantee so I will be outside on the ship that morning and will be eagerly awaiting the passing under it, whether there be fog or not. :) I'll be on the Statendam (for the 2nd time this year heh).

Have a wonderful cruise.:)

Sounds like a fun trip! Enjoy! :)

And I am always up early to enjoy the cruise through the Vancouver Channel and under Lions Gate! Enjoy!

Wow. Who named you the resident Geography professor? :confused: :rolleyes:

Sounds like this question fits right up there with other notorious (probably apocryphyl) questions that some ask about their cruises:

"Does the crew sleep aboard the ship?" (no, they fly them in and out every day from 1000 miles away).

"Does the ship make its own electricity?" (no, there is a 1000 mile extension cord dragging along behind the ship).

"What elevation is the ship at now?" (deeper than the deepest sea, higher than the mountain peak....)

"Do these stairs go up or down" (neither...they are just there for decoration)

"If the ship's photographer doesn't record our name, how will we know which ones are ours?" (that plastic surgery you had in Grand Cayman can make you so confused!!)

and my favorite

"What time is the Midnight Buffet?"

Sounds like this question fits right up there with other notorious (probably apocryphyl) questions that some ask about their cruises:   "Does the crew sleep aboard the ship?" (no, they fly them in and out every day from 1000 miles away).   "Does the ship make its own electricity?" (no, there is a 1000 mile extension cord dragging along behind the ship).   "What elevation is the ship at now?" (deeper than the deepest sea, higher than the mountain peak....)   "Do these stairs go up or down" (neither...they are just there for decoration)   "If the ship's photographer doesn't record our name, how will we know which ones are ours?" (that plastic surgery you had in Grand Cayman can make you so confused!!)   and my favorite   "What time is the Midnight Buffet?"

Another unfortunate reply to a very genuine question.:mad:

Lighten up. Who made you the forum police?

I am not the police but why would you need to ridicule someone who asked a genuine question, many cities in the world operate more than one port, as it happens SF only operates the one. It was not a stupid question at all and the poster did not, nor does any poster deserve to be embarrassed for asking a question.

The OP asked a legitimate question. If for every port included in my cruise I knew the port layouts, I would be a genius. Very few of us look at the maps for the ports we are visiting. For example, we recently embarked from Sydney. The smaller ships Dawn Princess and Sun Princess go under the Sydney harbor bridge and dock at Darling Harbor. The Sapphire Princess docks at the International Dock before the Sydney bridge because it is too large to go under the Harbor Bridge.

A simple consulting of any map would show there is only one way into the port of SF.....under the Golden Gate Bridge. You would have to anchor at sea to not sail under it. Sydney is not a comparable........Harbor Bridge is in the middle of the harbor........not at the inlet / mouth of the bay as in SF.

Although the post by BruceMuzz was somewhat sarcastic.......I am amazed at how geographically inept some people are.

Please elaborate on what is "any" map? Just an example or two.

A simple consulting of any map would show there is only one way into the port of SF..... ...

To all of you that responded negatively, honestly shame on you. For the record, I am a Geography major (honestly) that views maps day in and day out and I work in such a profession that I deal with countries worldwide.

I came to CC to get an honest answer to a simple question. Is there a problem with that? I try to help people out on here when I can and I never judge ANY question as a bad question, no matter how many times it has been posted before (considering the search function on here doesn't work that often).....

Some people really just need to chill and it really does give some people a bad taste in their mouth when they just ask a honest question. Sure, I could have consulted google maps or something like that, but the fact is I didn't - I came here and got lambasted for it.

To all the others, thanks! :D

Most likely coming in it will be early morning and dark. It maybe an opportunity for a 'lights on the GG bridge" picture. Your best bet will be on the sail out in the afternoon. After going under the bridge the sun will be a your back and you should get some good shots of the bridge looking back into the bay....... we did. :D

Me too...except on my first cruise I missed it by about 5 mins when we returned. I was sleeping! I won't be making that mistake again. ;)

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San Francisco Bridge to Bridge Cruise

For a limited time, all San Francisco Bridge to Bridge Cruises have a Buy One, Get One (BOGO) offer for the bar! Double the delight as you sip and savor the beauty of the San Francisco Bay while toasting to memorable moments.

Our 90 minute san francisco bridge to bridge cruise gives you unbeatable views of the san francisco skyline and world famous san francisco – oakland bay bridge, as well as all the most famous sights on san francisco bay and a trip under the iconic golden gate bridge. .

Sail under both the Golden Gate Bridge and the Bay Bridge in one spectacular 90 minute cruise along San Francisco's dramatic waterfront, accompanied by our award winning audio narration, available in 16 languages.

Experience San Francisco's stunning landmarks including the Golden Gate Bridge, Alcatraz Island, Coit Tower, the San Francisco Ferry Building, Transamerica Pyramid, Salesforce Tower, Palace of Fine Arts and more. Our multilingual audio tour includes details about the building of both bridges, the geology of San Francisco Bay and the earthquakes that occasionally shake San Francisco. Our  Bridge to Bridge Cruise also gives you the opportunity to learn about our city's unique natural history, architecture and Native American culture.  And the views aren't bad, either!

A Long History of San Francisco Bridge to Bridge Cruises:

Red and White Fleet originally launched its sightseeing bay cruises of San Francisco in 1939, when it was awarded the contract for offering tours of the newly-built Golden Gate and Bay Bridges for the Golden Gate International Exposition.  Ever since, our Red and White cruises have sailed the waters of San Francisco Bay. For the 80th anniversary of the Golden Gate Bridge, we reintroduced our original "Bridge to Bridge Cruise" concept to visitors from around the world, and we hope you sincerely enjoy your time aboard.

Details about the Bridge to Bridge Cruise:

Duration: 90-minutes

Availability: Year-round

Several daily departures 365 days a year

Departures from Pier 43 1/2, in the heart of Fisherman's Wharf

Full Cocktail bar and snack bar available onboard. Cash and credit card accepted.

Please arrive 30 minutes prio r to departure. Boarding on first-come, first-serve basis.

Adult (18+): $48.00

Youth (5-17): $36.00

Children ages 4 and under receive complimentary admission to Red and White Fleet cruises but need to be ticketed for capacity control.

Bridge to Bridge Route Map - 90 Minutes 

Blue & Gold Fleet

Blue & Gold Fleet is the premier ferry service provider on San Francisco Bay. Visitors to the Bay Area always love an opportunity to see the City’s breathtaking views and surrounding marine beauty and Blue & Gold Fleet has been providing these services for over 40 years.

Sightseeing Cruises

San Francisco Bay Cruise: This fully-narrated, one-hour cruise sails past the world-famous sea lions at PIER 39, underneath the majestic Golden Gate Bridge, around mysterious Alcatraz Island, past Angel Island State Park and along San Francisco’s historic waterfront. Enjoy fantastic photo opportunities and breathtaking views.  Click here  for more information.

Escape From the Rock : A 90-minute journey that sails under the Golden Gate Bridge and then circles Alcatraz. This special San Francisco Bay tour is “fully-loaded” with harrowing stories and undisclosed secrets of life on “The Rock.”  Click here  for more information.

Multi-Language Audio Tour

Blue & Gold Fleet offers a multi-language audio tour on the San Francisco Bay Cruise and Escape from the Rock cruises.  The tour is available in nine languages and accessed using your smartphone, tablet or other Wi-Fi enabled device.

Ferry Service

Regular ferry service to Sausalito and through its contract with the Water Emergency Transportation Authority (WETA) service to: Vallejo, Oakland, Main Street Alameda, Seaplane Lagoon, Harbor Bay, Richmond, South San Francisco, Oracle Park (for San Francisco Giants games and special events) and Chase Center (for Golden State Warriors games and special events). Blue & Gold Fleet operates a fleet of 21 vessels.

Special Event Cruises

Blue & Gold Fleet offers a variety of seasonal and special events cruises.  Click here  for more information.  

BLUEANDGOLDFLEET.COM 415.705.8200

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Sail Under the Golden Gate Bridge With Blue & Gold Fleet Ships

In the nearly 26 summers I’ve visited San Francisco , I’ve never seen a day quite as sunny as the recent one in September when my grandma and I drove to the city to do some sightseeing. It’s even more distinguishable to add that my grandma, a resident of the Bay Area for more than 50 years, remarked she also had never seen a San Francisco day quite as sunny as this one either, as we explore the bay.

Sail Under the Golden Gate Bridge

We ascend the sturdy iron stairs of the Blue & Gold Fleet ship and take a seat on the roofless top deck. A horn blares and the ship begins motion, pulling away from Pier 39. As we move towards the sparkling depths of the bay, we have an up close view of the friendly and famous California sea lions of Pier 39. At one time as many as 1,700 sea lions have been spotted sunbathing on the docks here.

Behind the buildings of Pier 39, Telegraph Hill looms in the clear distance, topped by Coit Tower. Built in 1933 in memory of city resident Lillie Hitchcock Coit, the tower’s shape resembles a fire hose nozzle in honor of her admiration for the city’s firefighters.

From the Bay we follow the shores of the city, passing the city’s famous landmarks – Russian Hill, Ghiradelli Square and the Palace of Fine Arts.

But the city’s most famous landmark lies ahead, rarely unblemished by fog or a scant cloud in the sky.

Opened in 1937, the Golden Gate Bridge is the most photographed bridge in the world and one of the Wonders of the Modern World as voted by the American Society of Civil Engineers. You can drive across it, walk below it, hike above it, but to get the best understanding of the bridge’s complexity you’ll need to sail beneath it.

This picture explains why.

After sailing beneath the bridge we circled around and sailed under one last time before heading back to Pier 39.

During our journey we got a closer look at Alcatraz Island, home to a chilling former federal prison, and the Bay Bridge beckoned in the distance. After an hour on the sea it was time to get our land legs back and we our ship pulled in to dock.

The San Francisco Bay Cruise Adventure leaves from Pier 39. Departure days and time vary by season.

The Blue & Gold Fleet Bay Cruise is just one of the many attractions you can experience with the Go card San Francisco ®. For a full list of offers and admissions available to cardholders, visit smartdestinations.com .

For more ideas on things to do in San Francisco, visit www.SanFrancisco.travel .

Note: San Francisco Travel provided me with two complimentary Go Cards ® to experience this attraction. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

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• San Francisco Dinner Cruise

By  Karen

Updated September 16, 2023.

The San Francisco Dinner Cruise

Tips for a magical evening on the bay.

A San Francisco dinner cruise is a super way to enjoy the beautiful sights of San Francisco Bay at night.

As the sun sets, the City glows, and the lights begin to sparkle on the bridges.

What could be better than enjoying a gourmet meal, sipping your drinks, and being treated to San Francisco's best light show? 

I may earn a small commission if you make a purchase through some of the affiliate links on this page. See  disclosure policy . This helps me provide all the free information on the site. Thank you!

Jump to my tips on booking the tour .

The SF Dinner Cruise

The dinner cruise, actually a dinner/dance cruise, leaves from San Francisco every night.

Guests are served a multi-course dinner while the large yacht sails around San Francisco Bay, past Alcatraz and Sausalito, out under the Golden Gate Bridge (usually), and then under the Bay Bridge as well.

They recommend business attire or above (no jeans) for the cruise; the guests were generally nicely-dressed on our trip.

Getting on the boat...

All the San Francisco dinner cruises leave from Pier 3 on the Embarcadero.

Pier 3 , also known as Hornblower Landing , is right near the Ferry Building and has its own parking lot ($10 parking fee for dinner cruise passengers). 

The dinner cruise leaves at 7:30 pm, but you can start boarding at 7:00. (Winter-time cruises board at 6:30 and sail at 7:00 pm.)

Tables are assigned by City Experiences, so there's no advantage in getting on early. 

Before you embark, there's the photo op outside (an optional $20, which you can purchase on board later, two prints, plus digital versions).

When you enter the boat, the staff checks your tickets and tells you your assigned table number.

For summer cruises, it's still daylight when you board, so the first hour or so you have a clear view of the sights you're sailing past: Alcatraz, Sausalito, and the Golden Gate Bridge.

You'll get to admire both the daylight SF skyline and the twinkling night version during the cruise...nice!

The City Experiences Yachts

All the San Francisco dinner cruises are provided by the City Experiences company. 

City Experiences is a respected company that has been doing bay cruises for decades, in San Francisco and other cities.

They are a first-class operation, and most people really enjoy their dinner cruise.

City Experiences is also the company that runs the ferries out to Alcatraz.

The dinner cruises, and their other bay excursions, depart from Pier 3, and their Alcatraz boats leave from Pier 33. 

First off, we were greeted by our server and given flutes of champagne (unexpected). Our salads were already on our table and we settled in with the sourdough bread and butter to study the menu choices.

The menu changes frequently, but there are four choices of entrees, plus two soup and two dessert choices. You can also add on a couple of appetizers (for an extra fee). The food was delicious and the atmosphere was elegant.

The waves were kind of rough the night we went, and the boat was rocking a bit in port, to the extent we started to worry about seasickness! Fortunately, once we were underway, the rocking died down and we could enjoy eating;-)

The Dancing

During dinner, a pianist was playing soft jazz, but after dinner a DJ set up on the dance floor and was playing a collection of good dance music, with selections from the 60's, 70's, and 80's music, and later.

But we were a quiet bunch that night and he couldn't get anyone out on the dance floor! From what I've read on Yelp and other reviews, it's usually a livelier crowd. I think the DJ was a little frustrated with us.

Friday and Saturday nights there's a live band (and probably livelier dance action!).

The views are the best part, in my opinion. San Francisco Bay is so beautiful, it never disappoints.

Seeing the sun setting beyond the Golden Gate, getting a look at Alcatraz, and sailing under the bridges is amazing.

We sailed under the eastern span of the Bay Bridge as the sun was going down, which gave the bridge a gorgeous golden glow.

It was still light enough to get a good look at Yerba Buena Island as we went by.

The Coast Guard maintains a post there with housing for it's members;  there are red-roofed buildings scattered here and there on the steep hillsides:  a cool place to live!

The small number of private citizens living on the island were evicted in 2015 to make way for hotel and condo developments, but nothing appears to be happening in that department.

This was a joint development plan with nearby Treasure Island; the flat island next door has had serious problems cleaning up the radioactive waste left by the Navy base that used to be there.

Tip: after dinner is a good time to get out on deck and admire some of the best city and bridge views after dark.

You can walk along the sides of the yacht and to the front where the views are super.

It is usually pretty chilly and windy after dark, even in summer, so wrap up!

The cruise route varies somewhat based on the weather and water conditions.

The typical route: about 75% of the time (they told me), the ship sails around the bay, passing Alcatraz and Angel Island, then goes out under the Golden Gate Bridge. 

Next, it sails past the city skyline, and goes under the western span of the Bay Bridge, past Yerba Buena Island, down to AT&T park, then circles back and returns to Pier 3.

Something cool: if there's a baseball game at AT&T Park, the boat will stop in McCovey Cove near the stadium for a bit, so you can watch them play.

McCovey Cove is the turn-around point for the cruise.

Each night, the captain checks with the harbor master before the cruise about the currents and wave conditions.

If the sea is too rough, they follow Plan B.

The night we went, they did Plan B: no trip out under the Golden Gate.

But we got the treat of sailing under the eastern span of the Bay Bridge (the one closest to Oakland). 

On our trip, we sailed around the bay, past Alcatraz and Angel Island, then went under the eastern span of the Bay Bridge (beautiful), past Yerba Buena Island, then down the bay to the turn-around point near AT&T Park.

We returned sailing past the city all lit up and under the western span of the Bay Bridge (the lit-up portion).

Bay Bridge Light Show

The Bay Bridge has its own light show, created in 2013 by artist Leo Vilareal to celebrate the 75th anniversary of the Bay Bridge.

You get a good look at it during the dinner cruise, especially when you go underneath it on the way back to the pier.

The work is called the Bay Lights.   It just got upgraded in September 2023 with double the number of lights.

Now, around 50,000 LED lights are attached to both sides of the western span of the bridge, and they blink in random patterns generated by a computer (they say the pattern never repeats).

It's a beautiful addition to an already beautiful bridge.

See Bay Bridge Light show for more info.

Booking a Dinner Cruise

The dinner cruise in San Francisco sails Wednesday through Sunday; the main difference is the Friday and Saturday night cruises are 3 hours, and the other days are 2.5 hours.

The window tables are better, no question, although the large windows in the dining area give you good visibility from all the tables.

We went on a Thursday night in summer and were assigned a window table because there weren't that many people on the boat that night.

Tip: you can reserve a window table when you book the cruise .

Now that I've been on the cruise, I would reserve a window table just in case; cozier, more romantic and the view is better.

They also have some fun add-ons at checkout: a "romance package" with champagne, flowers, chocolate and more, plus a couple of other upgrades. 

Prices: Tickets start at $140 per person; more on Friday and Saturday nights. Sometimes discounted to $112.

To check availability and book the cruise , see Dinner Cruise . 

Getting to Pier 3

Public transportation.

BART: Pier 3 is only a short walk from the Ferry Building, so coming in on BART (get off at Embarcadero Station) puts you very close to Hornblower Landing.

Head towards the Ferry Building, then turn left.

From  Fisherman's Wharf: the  F-Line street car  that runs through Fisherman's Wharf stops near Pier 3 at Washington Street. See map of F-Line .

From Union Square: walk down Powell Street to Market Street. You can catch the F-line trolley on Market Street. Get off at Washington Street and walk back a little to Pier 3.

City Experiences has a convenient parking lot on Pier 3 . For guests on the dinner cruises, there is a flat fee of $10.

It's a safe place to park, since the lot has attendants present during the cruises. They don't do reservations, though.

It's unlikely to be full in the evening, but if that occurs, there are many other garages and lots in the area.

See my page on Embarcadero parking for a list, and descriptions of the best choices.

The Champagne Brunch Cruise

City Experiences also does a popular, weekend brunch cruise, with a lavish buffet and unlimited champagne and mimosas ;-)

They sail around the bay for two hours, past Alcatraz, Angel Island and Sausalito, and out under the Golden Gate Bridge.

This is a highly-rated cruise; looks like fun.  For more information, and booking , see Champagne Brunch Cruise .

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There Were Incredible Discoveries Found Underneath The Golden Gate Bridge

Posted: May 3, 2024 | Last updated: May 4, 2024

Since 1937, the Golden Gate Bridge has spanned the Golden Gate strait, connecting San Francisco Bay to the Pacific Ocean. And while the structure is something to behold, there is more than one mystery lurking in its waters.

With the help of some underwater robots, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) made it their goal to uncover the ghostly secrets hidden underneath the Golden Gate Bridge. What they found is eerie and there is still yet more to be discovered and confirmed.

Bear with us as we first dive into the history of the Bridge and its surrounding events in order to understand why recent discoveries and exploration are so important. Read on to learn more!

One Of The United States' Most Famous Landmarks

Spanning almost two miles across the San Francisco Bay, the Golden Gate Bridge's rust-colored structure is arguably one of America's most famous landmarks. People from all over travel to the San Francisco area to marvel at its engineering.

But while people look up at the bridge, they forget that the water it towers over holds more than one secret of its own. With the help of underwater robots, NOAA made it their mission to uncover stories from the past.

The Bridge Has Thousands Of Visitors Per Day

Many people visit the Golden Gate Bridge every day to marvel at what the American Society of Civil Engineers calls one of the Wonders of the Modern World.

But what people don't think about it while they are looking up at a feat of engineering comparable to that of the Panama Canal, they often don't realize that a whole other story lurks in its watery shadow.

377-Feet Deep And Full Of Mystery

At around 377 feet at its deepest point, the waters underneath the Golden Gate Bridge are bound to hold more than one ghostly tale from the past. And the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration made it their mission to bring the eerie tales to the surface.

It was just a matter of using their remotely operated underwater robots to search the Golden Gate strait's floor to uncover whatever time and water currents have hidden.

It Is One Of The World's Natural Harbors

NOAA's excavation plans were seen as complex the moment they were announced. The Golden Gate strait is a tiny, mile-wide stretch of water connecting San Francisco Bay to the Pacific Ocean. And it is notorious for keeping treasures well hidden under its waves.

As one of the world's natural harbors, historians find it amazing that the Spanish conquistadors knew nothing of it, sailing right past when they first landed on California soil.

The Bay Was Hidden Until The 18th Century

Notorious for being covered in a layer of fog for a solid amount of the time and surrounded by rocky terrain, rough waters, and more than one sea predator, NOAA had their work cut out for them.

There is a reason the Bay stayed hidden until the Spanish finally stumbled upon it in the 18th century since getting through the strait was anything but smooth sailing. More than one ship found itself smashed upon the rocks. But NOAA wasn't going to let that stop their plan.

Many People Were At The Mercy Of The Water

With the wild currents of the Pacific Ocean, disaster often struck those who tried to make it through to the safety of the Bay. Lacking navigational charts and instruments, early northern California settlers had nothing to go on but their own sight.

Which, honestly, is the best when going through an area known for its fog storms. Even so, enough made it past the strait, into the Bay, and were able to settle on the shores surrounding the harbor.

Everything Changed With Captain John Montgomery

First settled by the Spanish on June 27, 1776, it took more than a few years for Yerba Buena to cede to the rest of the United States. Then, in 1846, Captain John Montgomery sailed to the bay, claiming the land for the United States, meeting no resistance, and planting the first American flag upon its shores.

A year later, Yerba Buena was renamed, San Francisco. And, in 1850, California became the 31st state of the United States, just in time for the Gold Rush.

The Population Kept Growing

Even after the hype of the California Gold Rush died down in 1855, San Francisco's bay was still one of the most important ports around. With so many people arriving on the shores of San Francisco via ship, it was time to figure out how to conquer the harsh strait.

But it was going to be a long time before the Golden Gate Bridge became a staple landmark of the Bay Area.

San Francisco Was Behind Other Cities

Before the rusty-colored Golden Gate Bridge spanned the waters of the Golden Gate strait, people would arrive at the shores of San Francisco via boat, the easiest way to make it across the strait.

The thing is, the hidden area was hindering the city's growth. Its isolation made it so goods were hard to get into the city. San Francisco wasn't growing at nearly the same pace as the rest of the American metropolises.

It Was Time To Find A Solution

So, the brainstorming began. And people began to think of a different way to get people across the Bay that didn't involve a ferry-type service. Ironically, the thought of building a bridge wasn't thought possible.

The uncertain foggy weather of the northern California coast, not to mention the harsh currents and tides of the Golden Gate strait, aren't the best conditions to do construction. But that doesn't mean people completely ignored the idea.

The 1915 World's Fair Was Just The Start

While many people didn't believe such a structure could ever be created, they knew if it were possible, it would be something incredible -- large enough to span the strait and tall enough to allow larger ships to still pass underneath it into the bay.

It wasn't until 1915, in the aftermath of The Panama–Pacific International Exposition world's fair held in San Francisco, that the idea of a grand bridge actually started to take shape.

The Proposal: A Combined Cantilever And Suspension Bridge

Engineer Joseph B. Strauss was the first to propose a combined cantilever and suspension bridge, spanning across the strait to connect San Fransisco to what people now know as Marin County.

Of course, it took a few years from Strauss' initial 1921 idea. But after a few years, many revisions, and a whole lot of construction, the Golden Gate Bridge was built. At the time, it was the longest and highest of its kind.

Opening Day Happened In 1937

The Golden Gate Bridge officially opened for business on May 27, 1937. Completed during a time of economic crisis in the United States, the bridge was a symbol of hope and progress in the Bay Area.

Today, it is arguably one of San Francisco's most sought after tourist attractions, catering to around ten million visitors per year and carrying over 100,000 vehicles every day from the shores of San Fransico to Marin County.

With So Much Daily Traffic, What Is Left To Discover?

With so much foot and car traffic, it seems unlikely that there is anything left to be discovered about the iconic San Francisco landmark. But that's just on the surface. Looking underneath the Golden Gate Bridge's watery shadows, there are still many mysteries to be solved and many relics to be found.

NOAA decided to bring what they could to the surface.

NOAA's Well-Equipped For Underwater Discoveries

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) is a scientific agency that focuses on the conditions of major waterways throughout the world. In this particular instance, they set their eyes on the Golden Gate strait and what lies underneath its watery depths.

Thankfully, the organization is full of top-tier marine archeologists and researchers, making them well-equipped to tackle their mission. But nothing prepared them for what they were about to uncover in the water.

Their Main Goal Is To Monitor The World's Waterways

Part of The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's mission is to monitor the oceans and major waterways found throughout the world, including the 330,000 square miles of the Greater Farallones National Marine Sanctuary.

Scanning the sea floors in search of anything out of the ordinary is just one of their many goals. But it's that one particular talent that brought them to the Golden Gate Bridge and the water it spans.

Between Currents And People, NOAA Had A Lot Of Work To Do

Between the swimmers, kayakers, tourists taking pictures, and the numerous cars crossing the bridge on a daily basis, it's hard to imagine anything about the Golden Gate Bridge is still a mystery. Well, that's where people are wrong.

Over the years, the swells, currents, and tides have brought more than one ship down. NOAA made it their mission to uncover some of the stories those ships have left behind.

They Found Eight Potential Discoveries Via Sonar

A team of NOAA researchers began their scanning process west of the Golden Gate Bridge in September of 2014. After looking over their sonar scans of the ocean floor, they found eight possible locations worthy of a deeper look.

As it turned out, four of the eight locations were just what the team of researchers was looking for. Four of the locations they scanned were shipwrecks! Now, it was time to bring in the robots.

It Was Time To Bring In The ROV

Using a remotely operated vehicle (ROV), the team went to each individual site, combing through the ocean floor to see if anything of interest was there. For a bridge that was seen as having no new mysteries it sure happened to have a lot of untold tales littered underneath its depths.

Now it was a matter of finding out the names of the ships, where they came from, and how they wound up in the waters underneath the Golden Gate Bridge.

Their First Discovery: Noonday

After some digging, NOAA discovered that one of the sunken ships was Noonday , a clipper ship constructed for Boston merchant Henry Hastings. Unfortunately for Hastings, the ship went down on its fourth passage to San Fransico on January 1, 1863.

Thankfully, the harbor was in view when the ship hit a fateful rock and took on water. So, all of the men made it to safety. But that can't be said about the ship's cargo.

Noonday Could See The Shore But Hit A Rock

Seeing the harbor of San Francisco after a 139-day passage from Boston must have been a relief for the men on Noonday . But, as fate would have it, the ship would never make it to port.

Eight miles out, Noonday hit a rock and quickly began to take on water. In a desperate hurry to get off the sinking ship, Captain Hastings and his crew were able to grab a few of their personal effects, leaving the rest of the valuable cargo on board.

The Rock Was Named Noonday Rock

While all the men escaped with their lives, the ship sank about 40 fathoms. But the cargo still on board was valuable, and more than one person sought to retrieve it from its watery grave. Alas, everyone who went down into the water came back up empty-handed.

Ironically, the rock the ship hit is now known as Noonday Rock, part of San Francisco's Farallon Islands chain. And while that landmark is well-known, the exact location of its namesake has been lost to history.

It Was Time For Further Investigation

With the long-lost Noonday was rediscovered by a team of NOAA researchers in 2014 there was more work to be done. After looking at their sonar scans, one volunteer noticed a structure that looked to be around the same size as the sunken ship.

Not only that, but it wasn't far from the Noonday Rock in which the ship was named after. So, using an ROV, they went to further investigate the spot picked up by their sonar equipment.

The Ship Wasn't Visible

Unfortunately, while the sonar might have picked up a structure, the ROV wasn't picking up anything tangible. But one thing was clear: NOAA definitely found the 1863 sunken clipper ship's final resting place.

During an interview with AP, James Delgado from NOAA said, " Noonday is there. The signal is very clear. But there's just nothing sticking above the seabed." But they weren't giving up yet; there were still three more locations to search.

Next Up: The S.S. Selja

One of the other locations NOAA stubbled upon during their survey exposed the long-lost ghost ship of the S.S. Selja , a workhorse cargo steamer that sunk in 1910. Chartered by the Portland & Asiatic Steamship Company, this particular tanker was in charge of trade between Asia and the Pacific Northwest, namely flour and lumber.

January 22, 1910 would see the S.S. Selja making its last trade route off the coast of Portland, Oregon.

A Fateful Collision Sunk The Selja In 180 Feet Of Water

On that fateful day, the S.S. Selja collided with another cargo ship, the S.S Beaver . By the time the captain heard the ship's whistle, rounding Point Reyes, it was too late. About 700 miles off the coast of Portland, Oregon, just west of San Francisco, the S.S. Selja sunk into 180 feet of water.

In a formal statement, the captain of the S.S. Beaver , William Kidston, stated, "The SS Selja sank headfirst in ten minutes from the time she was struck. She sank in 30 fathoms of water..."

They Could Explore The S.S. Selja

While the collision caused more than one "it was his fault" type argument, it was ruled that both captains were at fault for the wreck. After the ruling, the S.S. Selja was ultimately forgotten. That is until the researchers of NOAA found something that looked like the ghost ship on their radar, just west of the Golden Gate Bridge.

Unlike the Noonday , which is buried under who knows how much sand, the S.S. Selja was out in the open and ready for exploration.

NOAA Wasn't Stopping At The Two Ships

Although the NOAA team was able to uncover the truth behind two of its sonar discoveries, there were still two more that they needed to explore. As it turned out, one was poorly preserved and littered with fishing nets that they couldn't get a definite name on it.

The other was actually intact, but it was nothing more than an unnamed tugboat that found itself on the ocean floor after some accident.

The Area Is Full Of Shipwrecks

Even though they weren't able to name the final two boats, it still begs one huge question -- why are the waters underneath the Golden Gate Bridge so full of shipwrecks? Well, one reason definitely has to do with the amount of boat traffic going to and from the port.

During an interview with Live Science, NOAA researcher James Delgado said, "We're looking at an area that was a funnel to the busiest and most important American port on the Pacific Coast."

There Are Around 300 Wrecks In the Area

According to Live Science, around 300 shipwrecks are scattered throughout the Greater Farallones National Marine Sanctuary and Golden Gate National Recreation Area. The oldest wreck on file is the Spanish galleon named San Agustin , which sank in the 16th century.

The most recent shipwreck was back in 1980, with the S.S. Puerto Rican explosion that happened just hours after the tanker left the San Francisco port, heading to New Orleans.

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