• Various companies offer tours of the San Francisco Bay.bridge image by Przemyslaw Moranski from Fotolia.com
  
  Playing host to Alcatraz and the Golden Gate Bridge, the San Francisco Bay resides north of the city center. Tourists and visitors alike can better explore the bay by traveling upon one of the many cruises offered alongside the waterfront region. Some cruises may not run during inclement weather, while others just operate seasonally, such as from May through October. Passengers should dress warmly due to the foggy and windy conditions out on the water.
  
  

Red & White Fleet

• The Red & White Fleet dates back to 1892 and operates out of the city's famed Fisherman's Wharf. The company offers three different cruises of the San Francisco Bay. The shortest excursion, the one-hour Golden Gate Bay cruise, provides up-close glimpses of Alcatraz and the iconic Golden Gate Bridge. The California Sunset Cruz runs for two hours and offers passengers sunset vistas with access to a full bar and snack food items. Finally, the San Francisco Explore cruise sails for 90 minutes, highlighting the Bay Bridge, the city's skyline, AT&T Park and Treasure Island.
  
  Red & White Fleet
  
  Pier 43½
  
  San Francisco, CA 94133
  
  415-673-2900
  
  redandwhite.com
  
  

Blue & Gold Fleet

• Launching from Pier 39, the Blue & Gold Fleet offers various cruises and boat rides across the bay. The one-hour Bay Cruise Adventure tour features indoor and outdoor seating as it travels under the Golden Gate Bridge and past Alcatraz and Angel Island. The Escape from the Rock cruise offers a fully-narrated 90-minute tour, detailing the history behind the famed Alcatraz prison. The RocketBoat features a 30-minute high-speed journey around the bay, accompanied by rock music. The Blue & Gold Fleet also provides ferry service to the towns of Tiburon, Sausalito and Angel Island.
  
  Blue & Gold Fleet
  
  Pier 39, The Embarcadero at Beach St.
  
  San Francisco, CA 94133
  
  415-705-8200
  
  blueandgoldfleet.com
  
  

Adventure Cat Sailing Charters

• Adventure Cat Sailing Charters offers cruises of the bay upon large luxury catamarans. Depending on the vessel, the cruises can accommodate anywhere from 48 to 99 passengers. The tours last for 1 ½ hours, sailing under the Golden Gate Bridge, past the famed sea lions of Pier 39 and alongside San Francisco's sprawling skyline. The catamaran features drinks and snacks available for sale.
  
  Adventure Cat Sailing Charters
  
  Pier 39, Dock J
  
  San Francisco, CA 94133
  
  800-498-4228
  
  adventurecat.com