YOUR GUIDE TO SAN FRANCISCO BAY
Make a day of the bay.
Be the captain of your day. Find your ferry, know your dock, and explore the other shore.
ON THE WATER
See what’s around you.
Landmarks, things to look for, and conditions around your crossing.
Your view of the bayLandmarks, wildlife & conditions
Numbered pins reveal the waterfront. Choose Wildlife for a field guide, or Conditions for the latest station readings.
Opening your view of the bay…
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Get to know the bay
Match the numbered map pins to the view. These landmarks are selected for your crossing area; visibility depends on weather and the ferry’s actual path.
The mouth of the bay1Golden Gate BridgeTwo orange towers on the western horizon.
The towers rise 746 feet above the water. The bridge marks the narrow opening between San Francisco Bay and the Pacific.
An island with many histories2AlcatrazA low rocky island with a pale cellhouse and lighthouse.
A military fortress, federal prison and site of the American Indian occupation: the island holds several chapters of Bay Area history. Regular commuter ferries do not land here.
A state park in the bay3Angel IslandThe broad, green island beside Tiburon.
The island’s hills hold trails, former military sites and the historic immigration station. Mount Livermore reaches 788 feet, giving the island its distinctive silhouette.
Two different crossings4Bay BridgeLook for the two bridge styles meeting at Yerba Buena Island.
The San Francisco side uses suspension spans. To the east, a skyway and a self-anchored suspension bridge reach Oakland.
Built for a world’s fair5Treasure IslandThe flat island just north of hilly Yerba Buena Island.
Built on shoals in 1936–37, Treasure Island hosted the 1939–40 Golden Gate International Exposition. Its flatter shape distinguishes it from its natural neighbor.
The working waterfront6Port of Oakland cranesTall container cranes along Oakland’s waterfront.
These ship-to-shore cranes transfer containers between ships and the dock. From the water, their long booms make the port easy to recognize.
Bay shipbuilding history7Mare Island shipyardHistoric shipyard buildings across the strait from Vallejo.
Mare Island became the first U.S. naval base on the West Coast in 1854. Its waterfront tells the story of generations of shipbuilding and repair.
A small island, a big job8East Brother Light StationA Victorian light station on a tiny island off Point San Pablo.
Built in 1873 to help mariners in San Pablo and San Francisco Bays, this light station is preserved by a volunteer nonprofit.
Pins show approximate landmark locations, not ferry stops or a sailing track. Sources checked October 2, 2026.
Who shares the bay?
Identification tips for this part of the bay. These are species to look for, not live sightings.
Scan low over the waterBrown pelicanLarge bill, throat pouch, broad wings.
Watch for small groups gliding close to the surface. The long bill and expandable throat pouch separate pelicans from the smaller birds around them.
A seabird island neighborCormorantsDark waterbirds around rocky islands.
Alcatraz supports Brandt’s, pelagic and double-crested cormorants. In breeding plumage, Brandt’s have a blue throat patch; double-crested have an orange one.
A quiet head at the surfaceHarbor sealRounded head, short muzzle, spotted coat.
Harbor seals feed in marine and estuary waters and rest on rocks or beaches. In the water, you may see only a small head before it slips below the surface.
Listen as well as lookCalifornia sea lionExternal ear flaps, long muzzle, barking calls.
Sea lions use docks, buoys and jetties as resting places. Their visible ear flaps and large front flippers distinguish them from harbor seals.
A brief glimpse near the Golden GateHarbor porpoiseA small triangular dorsal fin and a quiet rolling motion.
Harbor porpoises use the waters near the Golden Gate. They tend to surface briefly and do not usually approach boats to ride the bow wave.
An occasional visitorHumpback whaleA broad back, a blow, or a lifted tail.
Whales sometimes enter the bay, but a ferry trip is not a whale-watching guarantee. Humpbacks have especially long pectoral flippers and distinctively patterned tail flukes.
Enjoy wildlife from the ferry; never feed or approach animals. No wildlife positions are plotted. Sources checked October 2, 2026.
Weather near San FranciscoTemperature, wind, visibility & local forecast
Open for the latest nearby readings.
Official local weather ↗No sailing is selected. The sailing track and live vessel positions are not shown. Marine detail is for exploring, not navigation.
THE WATERFRONT EDIT
The other shore,
at walking pace.
A waterfront lunch. A little exploring. A new view of home.
Times are scheduled departures, not live boat predictions. Official feeds refresh here automatically. Delays, weather, and cancellations can still change a sailing.
Sources & schedule coverage