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DESTINATION
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Travel West guide to unique destinations, sight-seeing, history and
culture, budget travel vacation ideas for the U.S., Canada and Caribbean.
Travel Bargain destination
in California
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
Find
best hotel and vacation deals in San
Francisco on TripAdvisor
Web Info
Red & White
Fleet
These articles are copyrighted and the sole property of Bargain Travel West and WLEV, LLC. and may not be copied or reprinted without permission.
See these other articles on Bargain Travel West:
SAN FRANCISCO ATTRACTION DISCOUNTS - GO CARD
USS PAMPANITO SUBMARINE ON FISHERMAN'S WHARF
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