SUNDAY/HOLIDAY TRIP
Why now: When people flock out of town, that can be the best time to stay. That is the case this weekend when you can do an adventure by water — that is, by ferry to San Francisco, then a bay boat tour. On the Fourth of July, you can crown the trip by watching the fireworks from a party boat on the bay.
How to make it work: Take a ferry from Sausalito, Larkspur or Oakland/Alameda to the San Francisco Ferry Building. Exit the boat to the Embarcadero, turn right and walk along the San Francisco waterfront to Pier 33 and beyond to Fisherman’s Wharf. At the foot of Jones and Jefferson streets, between Castagnola’s and Tarantino’s restaurants, you’ll see a line of party boats in their moorings. The captains charge $15 for bay boat tours. No reservations, first come, first served.
What you see: The boat will depart the harbor and reach open water, where miles of water extends across the bay to all the major landmarks. Most boats then turn right; I’ve done the trip turning both left and right and both routes are great. Most often, you then cruise at low speed for a water view of the San Francisco waterfront — the route you just walked — and above to Coit Tower. Skippers then power up and cruise out to Alcatraz for a drive-by, then across to the Golden Gate Bridge. The trip is crowned when the boat ventures under and past the bridge, before circling back along Fort Point, Crissy Field and Marina Green to the Wharf. Fireworks show: One possibility is the Lovely Martha for $65. Reserve at (415) 509-5552. Boards at 7 p.m. on the Fourth of July at Fisherman’s Wharf, departs at 7:30, fireworks at 9.
Party boat tours/ fishing: Chucky’s Pride, (415) 564-5515; Wacky Jacky, (415) 586-9800; Bass-Tub, (415) 456-9055; Silver Fox (415) 367-5600; Amigo (510) 816-3474; Happy Days, (415) 752-5886; Lovely Martha, (415) 509-5552.
Weather: On Sunday in San Francisco on the bay, the forecast calls for morning fog to sun, high of 74 and about a 10 mph wind, with some higher gusts in the afternoon. Bring a windbreaker for the boat.
Getting there: Sausalito/Larkspur Ferry, www.goldengate ferry.com; Oakland/Alameda/ Harbor Bay or Vallejo/Mare Island Ferry, http://sanfranciscobayferry.com.
Avoid driving: Take a ferry to avoid driving to San Francisco. Out of the East Bay, you can expect jams at Berkeley, the Bay Bridge and downtown San Francisco; coming from the Peninsula, expect slow traffic at the maze of required lane changes from Hospital Curve to the Bay Bridge; and out of Marin, slow traffic is likely over the Golden Gate Bridge.
Other options: From the Peninsula, take Caltrans to San Francisco, walk 1.4 miles to the cable car turntable at Powell and Market streets, then go by cable car to Fisherman’s Wharf; from the East Bay, take BART to San Francisco and Powell Street Station, then go by cable car to the wharf.
Deluxe bay tours: Blue and Gold Fleet, www.blueandgoldfleet.com; Red and White Fleet, https://redand white.com.
Contacts: San Francisco waterfront and headlands, Golden Gate National Recreation Area, (415) 561-4700, nps.gov/goga; San Francisco Visitor Information Center, (415) 391-2000, www.onlyinsanfrancisco.com.