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Bargain Travel West guide to unique destinations, sight-seeing, history and culture, budget travel vacation ideas for the U.S., Canada and Caribbean.

 San Francisco Tour and Attraction Discount Tickets

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RED AND WHITE FLEET CRUISES 2011
San Francisco’s Most Popular Bay Cruise offers New Trip

Whether one visits the city by the bay for the first time or the fifth time, the waters of the San Francisco Bay beckon. Alcatraz to the Golden Gate and the Bay Bridge, harbor seals and seagulls, there is something magical about this particular body of water that makes one want to get on a boat with about 40 to 60 other people to explore. Anchored at Fisherman’s Wharf are two major cruise companies, identified for their distinctive color schemes - the Blue and Gold fleet and the Red and White Fleet. They both offer similar adventures, though if you want to go to Alcatraz you have to take the blue and gold boat. The Red and White fleet which launches from just in front of the Franciscan Restaurant (see Franciscan Crab Restaurant) is the older of the two and carries the most passengers on the bay with the most cruises.

The Red and White Fleet began its first Golden Gate Bay Cruise first, during the Golden Gate International Exposition of 1939. Since then, millions of locals and visitors alike have enjoyed the tour of the San Francisco Bay’s landmarks, under the steel work of the Golden Gate Bridge and around Alcatraz Island, then still a military prison. The one hour cruise includes headphone audio guides in 12 languages and a cash bar for drinks, snacks and merchandise. Tours last an hour and a half to two hours, with photo opportunities and close encounters with the wildlife of the bay - seagulls, pelicans, sea lions and maybe even dolphins. The Golden Gate Cruise tour is offered with 8 to 14 departures a day from Pier 43 ½, the first starting at 10AM. Prices Adults (over 18) $24; Youth (5-17) $16; and Children under five are free.

New Bridge 2 Bridge Cruise for 2011

For 2011 the Red and White Fleet is adding a new featured cruise to its list of excursions the Bridge 2 Bridge Cruise, the only harbor tour to cruise under both the Golden Gate Bridge and Bay Bridge, with a 1½ hour loop passing entire bay waterfront of San Francisco. This seasonal cruise is available beginning May 25 until Sept 5 departing at 3:30pm daily.

Red and White Fleet Theme Cruises

California Sunset Cruise
A casual two-hour cruise with views of the stunning sunset (when weather cooperates) over the Pacific Ocean, with live guitar entertainment, hearty appetizers from the buffet and a hot or cold beverage from the bar. From the cozy warm interior of Red and White Fleet’s historic ferry boats (on deck will be a bit chilly), the cruise passes dramatically lit skyline of San Francisco, circling under San Francisco Bay Bridge and the Golden Gate. The cruise season for this is Mar 31 to May 24 Thurs to Sat departing at 6:00pm - May 25 to Sept 5 at 7:00 pm, and Sept 6 to Nov 6: Weds to Sun at 6:00 pm. Prices are Adults $54; Youth $36; and Children under five, free.

There is a new “Bollywood” inspired version of the sunset harbor cruise the Indian Dinner and Dance Cruise with a more limited schedule. The California Twilight Cruise is pretty much the same as the sunset cruise, but departing a bit later. The Red and White Fleet offers special occasion holiday theme cruises for Valentines Day, Mothers Day, PRIDE gay weekend and for Fleet Week in October when the Navy shows off its colors and the Blue Angels buzz the bay. For the theme cruise it’s a good idea to reserve a spot ahead of time. For the regular cruises just show up at the ticket window. Oh, and one tip, dress in layers. © Bargain Travel West

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Red & White Fleet

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