Top San Francisco On the Water

There’s very little that can beat the sensation of being out on the water, the wind filling the sails, harnessing the power of nature, and relying on your skills and expertise. It lets you find some peace and quiet It slows downtime and helps us understand ourselves It lets you get away from it all It teaches you lots of technical skills and expertise It increases the sense of freedom and speed It helps us feel connected to nature It rewards focus, effort, and competition It teaches us about being part of a team

This stand-up paddleboard lesson in San Francisco makes for the perfect day out on the water. Admire views of the San Francisco skyline as you paddle from Mission Creek into Mission Bay, ending up in front of McCovey Cove outside of the San Francisco Giants ballpark. Each tour is catered to your experience level—ideal for first-timers and hobbyists alike.

Take a relaxing afternoon sailing cruise aboard a traditional sailboat on the San Francisco Bay. Cruise past landmarks such as Alcatraz Island, Angel Island, the Sausalito waterfront, and Golden Gate Bridge, and see the San Francisco skyline on your way back to Pier 39. Includes two drinks, and personalized attention from the crew and captain.

Learn to surf in Pacifica, a picturesque town on the California coast just south of San Francisco. Your expert instructor covers all basics so that you can begin to catch some waves. Learn how to read the ocean, paddle out, pop up, balance and ride the waves, along with the etiquette of the surf world. Start practicing on the beach and in shallow waters before heading further out, with the assistance of your instructor available throughout your 3-hour lesson. Choose a morning or mid-day lesson that suits your schedule, with all necessary equipment provided.

Have you ever wanted to go sailing in the San Francisco Bay area but didn’t know anyone with a boat? Come sail with me, Captain John. Let me share my passion for sailing with you. I’m a U.S. certified sailing instructor and licensed by the U.S Coast Guard and fully insured. The boat, Temptation, was purchased in 2007 brand new. She is a modern, luxury 37-foot sailing yacht. I have lived here for almost 45 years and can be your tour guide on the water. Just sit back, relax and enjoy a great day of sailing the SF bay with your friends and family. Sailing aboard my boat, Temptation, is a great economical way to spend a memorable day on the beautiful San Francisco Bay. It’s so much fun!

Come aboard the Privateer for a beautiful sailing journey along the San Francisco Bay where you can enjoy sightseeing at the most beautiful time of day—sunset. Coast along as you spot out Alcatraz, the Sausalito shoreline, and the Golden Gate bridge, all with a drink of choice in your hand.  

On this San Francisco bridge cruise, get an up-close look at the city’s two engineering marvels—the Golden Gate Bridge and the Bay Bridge—as you travel across San Francisco Bay. See major city sights like Alcatraz, Coit Tower, and the Ferry Building, and listen to recorded commentary about the city's legendary architecture while you glide under both bridges.

Explore one of California's most iconic settings from the beauty of San Francisco Bay. This narrated Golden Gate Bay cruise journeys alongside Alcatraz and Angel Island State Park, past the shores of Sausalito and beneath the Golden Gate Bridge. You can choose to view the sights from inside your boat or out on deck.

Visit charming Sausalito, cruise across San Francisco Bay and stare up in wonder at the redwood trees of Muir Woods on this combo tour from San Francisco—the perfect day out in the Bay Area. Experience the Golden Gate Bridge from both above and below as you drive across it and glide under it, and learn about some of California’s oldest and tallest natural wonders, the coastal redwoods. In Sausalito, you can stroll along the waterfront or shop in the galleries and boutiques.

What we propose is an atypical and unique experience. A summary of California surf trip during your visit to San Francisco. With your guide, aboard your van for the day, you will discover the most beautiful beaches of the region, enjoy the joys of the Pacific Ocean and enjoy the flavors of local cuisine. You can admire this beautiful wild coast, with its spectacular views, breathtaking, and sometimes dolphins and whales. The surfboards on the roof, the combis in the trunk, The adventure while music, colors and thrills promises to be unforgettable. An activity rich in emotions open to all. Several surf trips are available to you. Make your choice and let yourself embark on the exciting surf culture.

Enjoy a relaxing outing on San Francisco Bay with a cruise. Take in panoramic views of the city skyline, marvel at Alcatraz Island, and journey beneath the Golden Gate Bridge. Choose to sit indoors or savor cool bay breezes from an outdoor deck and experience San Francisco in a whole new way from the water. You can even learn about the sights that you're seeing from a free audio tour—available on any personal wifi-enabled device. This ticket allows you to skip the box office line and go straight to the gate.

Catch some waves in the Pacific Ocean at Stinson Beach with this private surfing lesson. You'll get one-on-one attention from your professional instructor, which ensures the best possible chances of surfing success. Learn about surfing theory and do some practice on land before taking to the waves to paddle, stand up, and catch a wave.

Admire San Francisco and its surrounding sights from the water on a San Francisco Bay sailing cruise. Onboard a catamaran, sail past the iconic Golden Gate Bridge, legendary Alcatraz Island, and the hamlet of Sausalito. Take advantage of great photo ops while you soak up the sea breeze during this scenic tour.

Learn the basics of surfing during a 2-hour beginner lesson at Stinson Beach, a popular destination in Marin County located just north of San Francisco. Your instructor covers fundamentals such as paddling out, reading the water patterns, catching waves, and getting up on the board. Start with a primer on ocean safety and surfing etiquette, and practice on the sand before entering the water to test your new skills.

Sail across San Francisco Bay at twilight to admire the city skyline as it begins to light up for the night. With an experienced captain at the helm, you’ll glide past Alcatraz Island and cruise underneath the Golden Gate Bridge.

The 5 pack of surf lessons is perfect for people who are committed to learning to surf and want to have consistent lessons. Lessons in the 5 pack are a combo of group, semi-private and private sessions. Lessons are taught at both Stinson and Bolinas, depending upon the conditions and the level of the student.

Learn the basics of surfing with a beginner lesson that takes place at picturesque Stinson Beach. Your instructor provides a 2-hour lesson that covers fundamentals such as water safety, wave dynamics, paddling skills, surfboard positioning, stand-up and riding techniques, and surfing etiquette. Stinson Beach is located within a 1-hour drive of San Francisco and other Bay Area cities, making it convenient for both locals and visitors.

Go sailing on the San Francisco Bay on a spectacular sailboat cruise from Pier 39 at Fisherman's Wharf. Head to the Golden Gate Bridge for sweeping views of the Marin Headlands, Tiburon and Sausalito, then glide across the bay, passing Angel Island, Alcatraz Island, The Presidio, Crissy Field, Ghirardelli Square, and the Bay Bridge. You can enjoy two complimentary glasses of sparkling wine, beer or soda, and ask your captain and crew any questions you may have along the way.

Learn stories behind the Bay Area's most notorious former federal penitentiary on a fascinating 'Escape from the Rock' cruise. Board a boat for a journey through the bay while listening to audio recordings (available in several languages) from ex-prisoners and guards about daily life on 'The Rock.' Learn about the Birdman of Alcatraz and the infamous 1962 'Alcatraz Escape,' and come to know why Alcatraz instilled fear into the hearts of even the worst-of-the-worst criminals. Tours are accessible on any of your own wifi-enabled iPads, smartphones or other devices. This ticket allows you to skip the box office line and go straight to the gate.

Explore San Francisco and Alcatraz on this 2-in-1 tour. Hop aboard a ferry for a scenic ride to Alcatraz and enjoy the award-winning audio walking tour. Plus, enjoy a coach tour with a knowledgeable local guide. Learn about the City by the Bay through visits to top attractions such as Fisherman's Wharf, Chinatown, the Presidio, and the Palace of Fine Arts.

Combine some of the San Francisco area's top sights—Alcatraz, Muir Woods, and Sausalito—in a single day tour. Traveling in a luxury bus, you'll be able to focus on the sights while someone else drives and provides insightful commentary. Explore Muir Woods and Sausalito independently, then hop a boat for a cruise around Alcatraz Island in the San Francisco Bay.

Imagine sailing underneath the Golden Gate Bridge and seeing wildlife. Celebrate your special event under the romance of sailing. Private sailboat cruises are a great way to celebrate your special event. All the events can be customized for you! There will be just you and your group on the boat.

Discover top sights along San Francisco's iconic waterfront during this time-saver guided tour. Learn about the evolution of the picturesque waterfront city, from the gold rush frenzy to the advent of the cable-car. Highlights include the sea lions on Pier 39, stunning views overlooking the Golden Gate Bridge, and a stop at the historic Old Del Monte Fruit Cannery. Upgrade to include a sightseeing cruise along the water.

Spend an evening on the San Francisco Bay during this dinner cruise, including a 4-course gourmet meal of fresh, local ingredients prepared on board. After dinner, dance to the live band or enjoy the nighttime views of Alcatraz, the Golden Gate Bridge, and the city skyline from the exterior deck. Viator Exclusive: Upgrade to include window seating and a bottle of sparkling wine, an option available nowhere else.