San Francisco Bay Highlights

49 Mile Bay Crossing

Are you a San Francisco 49ers fan? Trade your hot dog and football jersey for sun glasses and a life jacket. The  “49 Mile Bay Crossing” cruise spans 49 miles during the four hour tour and focuses on the highlights of the Bay, voyaging past the San Francisco downtown area, the Marina and North Beach from a waterfront excursion of California’s most historic city.  Additionally, passengers explore sites across the Bay, including the Alameda-Oakland estuary,  four of the bay’s major bridges and two lighthouses.

Prices for this excursion are $115 per person for a four person minimum or a group rate of $840 for eight or more people, which equates to $105 per person.

Take a cruise by Alcatraz on San Francisco’s Bay Voyager RIB

The Boat- 28′ Northwind Custom RIB

Built in Seattle, Washington by Northwind Marine, this custom-built rigid inflatable boat (RIB) was designed for comfort. US Coast Guard-approved and licensed, this vessel was patterned after the same versatile and nearly indestructible RIBs used by Navy Seals. Powered by a four-stroke, 300-hp Yamaha engine, the boat can run safely, day or night on the bay.

With seating for 12 passengers and two crew, the Bay Voyager is a versatile vessel. Kids and adventurous adults will want to sit up front and enjoy a light spray from the bay. Captain Jennings supplies all guests with Helly Hansen waterproof pants and jackets to go over your clothes. Don’t forget  sunblock and wear a hat with a strap, as it gets windy on the bay.

See the highlights of the Bay, the San Francisco downtown area, the Marina, and North Beach from the water,  cruising along the front of the most historic city in California.

America’s Cup fans, take a cruise that follows the same route planned for San Francisco’s America’s Cup race in 2013.

One of the Bay Voyager highlights is sailing alongside other boats by the Golden Gate Bridge

Highlights

• - Hyde St. Pier National Historic Maritime Park
• - USS Pompanito (WWII Submarine)
• - SS Jeremiah O’Brien (WWII Liberty Ship)
• - Fort Mason
• - Marina District
• - The Palace of Fine Arts
• - The Presidio (current home to Lucasfilm)
• - Golden Gate bridge
• - Fort Point (Civil War fortress)
• - Alcatraz (one full circle around)
• - Treasure Island

• - Yerba Buena Island
• - Bay Bridge
• - San Francisco Dry Dock/Hunters Point Ship Yard
• - AT&T park (Home to the San Francisco Giants)
• - Ferry Building (Built in 1896)
• - Transamerica Building
• - Coit Tower
• - Future Home to the America’s Cup
• - Forbes Island
• - Pier 39 & Sea Lions

SS Jeremiah O’Brien Liberty Ship – one of the highlights on the Bay Voyager tour

Have you been on a RIB before? I had my first boat ride on a RIB in Bodo, Norway near the Arctic Circle. What are your favorite things to do in San Francisco?

The Bay Voyager offers unique tours of the San Francisco Bay. While the Bay Voyager docks in the Pier 39 Marina,  custom tours and pick ups are available near ATT Park or other accessible locations. Call direct for additional details. Follow Bay Voyager on Twitter and Like Bay Voyager on Facebook

Travel Writer Nancy D. Brown on the Bay Voyager with San Francisco’s Golden Gate Bridge in the background.

If You Go:

Bay Voyager (510) 542-4200

Captain Charles Jennings

Bay Voyager

P.O. Box 7629

Berkeley, California 94707

Article, photos and YouTube video by Travel Writer Nancy D. Brown. I was a guest of Bay Voyager.

Related Post:

Things to Do in San Francisco

Samantha, Zanna and Cassie Zulch Visit Italy's Amalfi Coast

Posted by Nancy D. Brown

My recent article for the Contra Costa Times began on the streets of Italy's Amalfi coast, ventured to Quito, Equador and the Galapagos Islands, where a high school biology teacher introduced her student's to a living classroom and ended with the author jet boating up Oregon's wild Rogue River. 

The Tourist's Have Landed

With roller bags bumping along the cobblestone streets of Amalfi in the Campania region of Italy, Orinda’s Zulch family of five had American tourist stamped across their foreheads.

“The first couple of days we didn’t know what to do with ourselves,” reflects Zanna. “Eventually, we found the one woman in town who baked the bread and discovered where the locals shopped. We loved the farmer’s market with its beautiful fruit, fat plums and lemons for making Limoncello.”

The family traveled by water ferry to picturesque Positano and hired a boat to explore the caves and grottos. Known for its Italian pottery, the quiet town of Ravello was a highlight for dinner and drinks away from the crowds. The Zulches took a ferry to the Isle of Capri to ogle at the designer stores and high-end jewelry. “We had a nice lunch at Gemma’s with a great view of the island and water,” remembers Zanna. Her advice tip: “give yourself way more time at the airport. Everything is overbooked so you could loose your seat home!”

High School Students Learn  Environmental Science in Quito, Ecuador and The Galapagos Islands

Campolindo High School Students Visit Ecuador

Students and parents from Campolindo High School found their way home from Quito, Ecuador and the Galapagos Islands with teachers Amanda and Tom Renno and Holly Thompson.

Biology Teacher Amanda Renno noted that her favorite place was Isla Floreana. “There were only about 60 people who lived on the island, yet they had a school,” remarked Renno. “The main road was dirt, yet they had streetlights.”

The group was also able to visit a pirate cove, see penguins and tortoises, and snorkel with sea lions.

“We were able to observe different ecosystems in a very small land area,” noted Renno.

The 45 minute drive from the airport to the town covered at least seven ecosystems. They even saw a cactus growing in the middle of a rain forest! Renno added that it was amazing to see students who wouldn't normally interact, do so willingly.

The group selected EF Tours, which came recommended by teachers from Acalanes who have traveled with the company for a decade.

“I think travel for students is invaluable," affirms Renno. “The practical skills they gained, as well as the science content, were something they would never get in the classroom. I hope that I sparked a traveling bug in each and every student!”

Travel Bug Takes Me To Coastal Oregon

Oregon's Tu Tu Tun Lodge on the scenic Rogue River

The travel bug brought me to Tu Tu Tun Lodge, located on Oregon’s scenic Rogue River outside of Gold Beach. Its name is taken from the area's first inhabitants, the Tu Tu’ Tunne Rogue Indians.

“This place has a soul of its own,” shares Owner Laurie Van Zante. “We get that it’s all about relationships.” Indeed, during dinner prepared by Chef Justin Wills, Van Zante showed each guest to their chair, thoughtfully matching dining companions.

There is a certain elegance, yet laid-back comfort at this family-owned lodge. Priced on the high-end, each of 16 rooms offers a river view, some with fireplace and outdoor soaking tubs. Family reunions, corporate retreats or girl/guy getaways are welcome in two suites or two guest houses. Full dining is offered May through October, while discerning travelers might consider a winter visit. Off-season, the lodge room rates are a good deal and feature winemaker dinners and cooking classes.

If you bring the kids along, a ride on Jerry’s Rogue Jets, is in order. A nature-based adventure trip, the boats run from May until mid-October and are suitable for multiple generations.

Lafayette’s Bonnie and Marty Sivesind took their grandkids to Grant’s Pass, Oregon where they boarded the Hellgate Jet boat  for a two hour scenic trip on the Rogue. They also visited Wildlife Images Rehabilitation & Education Center, an animal refuge park.

Yes, dear reader, summer has ended and the kid's are back in school.  What better time to pack your bags and travel?  I'm off to Carmel for the Labor Day weekend.  Are you headed anywhere interesting or are you one of those cutting edge Staycation trendsetters?