San Francisco Cruises 2023/2024

San Francisco Travel Guide

San Francisco Cruises Things To Do

• 
  Get great city views from PIER 39

  PIER 39 is one of the most-visited tourist attractions in all of San Francisco. Though some may say that it's overrated, it's the best spot to go shopping in the whole city. PIER 39 first opened in 1978 and is located right against the marina, so it also offers some of the best coastal views. This shopping area is filled with great restaurants, shops, arcades, rides, and more. It's also home to the Aquarium of the Bay, which is San Francisco's aquarium. Be on the lookout for the sea lions, which can often be seen along PIER 39's docks!

  Best Time To Visit

  PIER 39 is very busy later in the day, so try to visit when it opens to avoid crowds.
• 
  Explore Golden Gate Park

  Golden Gate Park is a gorgeous green space located right near the Golden Gate Bridge. It covers just over 1,000 acres of land, so it's truly a place to explore in the middle of San Francisco. It's a bit of an oasis away from city life! One of the most popular things to do in this park is to go on a picnic. Many spots are open for people to come and just relax, so why not take advantage of it? There are also a few walking paths that you could easily spend an hour or two exploring.

  Best Time To Visit

  You should visit Golden Gate Park during the spring because all of the flowers are just starting to bloom during this time.
• 
  Walk around Lombard Street

  Lombard Street is known for being home to some of the sharpest turns on a road in the United States. It's right on Russian Hill and has eight different turns in total, which you genuinely have to go relatively slow on to be safe. In addition to having some of the sharpest turns, it's the world's most crooked street! You have to see it at least once during your visit. Keep in mind that the best way to visit the street is by car, but you could even walk part of it just to witness how crooked it is with your own eyes.

  Best Time To Visit

  This street can get quite busy later in the day with traffic. Try to visit earlier in the morning or later at night for less traffic.
• 
  Take a photo at the Golden Gate Bridge

  The Golden Gate Bridge is one of the most-visited bridges in all of the United States. It offers stunning views of the ocean and is genuinely just architecturally gorgeous to look at. This suspension bridge goes right over San Francisco Bay and is approximately one mile long. The bridge was built back in the early 20th century but has attracted visitors since it was made. When it was first built, it was known as the longest suspension bridge worldwide, until 1964. The Verazzano Bridge in New York City later took that title from the Golden Gate Bridge.

  You Should Know

  Though the Golden Gate Bridge offers beautiful views, some of the best spots to take a photo are actually near the bridge with it in the backdrop.
• 
  Visit the Japanese Tea Garden

  The Japanese Tea Garden is a must-see spot inside the Golden Gate Bridge. It was built back in 1894 for part of the World's Fair held in San Francisco. It sits on 5 acres of land and is a stark contrast against the green gardens surrounding it. Though the Tea Garden may seem like more of a summery place to visit, it's open year-round. However, hours are one year shorter in the winter months. The Tea House serves up lots of great treats, so make sure you come on an empty stomach.

  You Should Know

  You have to pay the fee to get into the Golden Gate Bridge to visit the Japanese Tea Garden.
• 
  Grab a bite in Union Square

  Union Square is the most famous plaza in San Francisco. It covers 2.6 acres and is right in the lower area of San Francisco. It's home to popular shopping areas, theaters, restaurants, hotels, and cafes. No matter where you look in Union Square, you're bound to see some great views of the city skyline. Visit at night for an even better view! Keep in mind that some of the restaurants in this area may require you to make reservations ahead of time. 

  You Should Know

  Union Square is said to be the best place for tourists to stay when visiting San Francisco. This area is one of the safest parts of the city.
• 
  Relax at Sutro Baths

  Sutro Baths is one of the must-visit historical landmarks in San Francisco. It was initially one of the largest bathhouses in this part of the country. It was constructed in 1896 and offers stunning views of the Seal Rocks and Sutro Heights Park. It's also right next to Cliff House! Though it may not be completely safe to swim at what's left of Sutro Baths today, it's still completely worth it to go and see what once stood here. Be sure to look online for a digital guidebook to learn more about the bathhouse and what it once looked like.

  You Should Know

  Sutro Baths is right near the USS San Francisco Memorial, so be sure to visit both!
• 
  Visit Alcatraz Island

  Alcatraz Island is notoriously known for being a military prison island covering 22 acres that dates back to 1934. It also has its military fortress and lighthouse. Today, it's considered to be the single best place to visit when traveling to San Francisco. This prison has a lot of history, which is best explained by booking a tour of the island. These tours should be booked at least two weeks in advance. You'll have to hop on a ferry with a tour guide to get there!

  You Should Know

  You'll want to make sure to wear comfortable walking shoes when visiting because you'll be spending a lot of time on your feet!
• 
  See the famed Painted Ladies

  The Painted Ladies are a gorgeous set of Victorian and Edwardian residences located in San Francisco. They date back to 100 years ago and are beautiful, brightly-colored houses that stick out against the tall skyscrapers throughout the city. The Painted Ladies in San Francisco are most well-known for being the filming location for Full House, a hit American television sitcom. Though you can't necessarily go inside the Painted Ladies, it's still worth it to stop and see them from the outside.

  You Should Know

  Historically, these homes were built during the Gold Rush to show the real wealth of California.

San Francisco Cruise Packages

• Spring and Fall - September to November and March to May - Shoulder Season

  Not a lot of people visit during the spring and fall, despite the weather being quite beautiful. During the spring, the temperature averages a high of 62°F, while the fall temperature is closer to 67°F.

• Summer - June to August - High Season

  Believe it or not, but the fall is actually warmer than the summer in San Francisco, yet most people still visit during the summer! The average high temperature during this season is 65°F. Prices will be at their highest for accommodations during this time because of the influx of visitors.

• Winter - December to February - Low Season

  Not many people visit during San Francisco's winters, so the prices for accommodations are relatively lower. The average winter temperature is approximately 58°F, so it is the year's coldest time. Make sure you pack layers, especially if you're visiting in the winter!

San Francisco Cruises Frequently Asked Questions

• What are San Francisco cruises?

  San Francisco cruises are the best way to explore parts of the world while not worrying about how to get from place to place. All you have to do is sit back and relax on your cruise and then hop off when you're at a port city! This is a great way to travel, mostly if you prefer relaxing over spending hours trying to plan out where to visit.

• What’s included on a San Francisco cruise?

  San Francisco cruises include accommodation and dining. Of course, the dining and lodging options will vary from cruise to cruise, depending on the cruise line and the type of room you reserve. You'll also have access to the many onboard entertainment options, including casinos, libraries, fitness centers, beauty salons, swimming pools, and sometimes even golf.

• What’s the best San Francisco cruise?

  Every San Francisco cruise is vastly different, so there's not necessarily a best San Francisco cruise. It depends on your ideal vacation length, budget, and places you'd like to visit along your journey. These are all things to consider when researching and ultimately booking your trip.

• How much do San Francisco cruises cost?

  San Francisco cruises vary in prices! Some cost as little as $90 a day, while others cost upwards of $150 per day. It truly depends on the cruise line and the length, so you'll want to pay close attention while researching.