San Francisco United States
San Francisco is Northern Californias cultural hub. Exuding a laid-back vibe, the city is home to the world-famous Golden Gate Bridge, the freshest seafood at Fishermans Wharf and the best art galleries and cafes in the famed Union Square neighbourhood. Alcatraz Island, the former prison, is a must-visit, as is the biggest Chinatown outside Asia. Hitch a ride on one of the iconic red cable cars, catch the San Francisco Giants playing baseball, feel movie magic at the Walt Disney Family Museum and take in spectacular views of the Bay Area from Twin Peaks.
Things to do in San Francisco
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Alcatraz Island
Alcatraz Island is located in San Francisco Bay, 1.25 mi offshore from San Francisco, California, United States. The small island was developed with facilities for a lighthouse, a military fortification, a military prison , and a federal prison from 1934 until 1963. Beginning in November 1969, the island was occupied for more than 19 months by a group of Native Americans from San Francisco, who were part of a wave of Native activism across the nation, with public protests through the 1970s. In 1972, Alcatraz became part of a national recreation area and received designation as a National Historic Landmark in 1986.
Places to stay in San Francisco
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San Francisco Cruise Service
Now in our seventeenth year of providing direct service between Sonoma County and the Port of San Francisco, taking a luxury cruise has never been more convenient. Various cruise ships providing over 80 cruises arrive and depart San Francisco every year with destinations including Alaska, Mexico, Hawaii, and the Panama Canal.
Parking Near James R Herman Cruise Terminal
With the help of SpotHero, enjoy the convenience of booking a parking spot ahead of time, ensuring you have a space waiting for you when you get to James R. Herman Cruise Terminal.
To get started, select the timeframe you wish to book parking for, find your ideal spot on the map, and head to checkout to complete your reservation!
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San Francisco Tours Shore Excursions Hotels
City Tours and Shore Excursions
Port San Francisco cruise ship schedule shows timetable calendars of all arrival and departure dates by month. The port’s schedule lists all ships with cruises going to or leaving from San Francisco, California. To see the full itineraries and their lowest rates just follow the corresponding ship-link.
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Carnival Cruises From San Francisco
Carnival Cruise Line offers cruises from San Francisco to Alaska, Hawaii and Mexico. See the full schedule of departures below.
Carnival Cruise Line is well known as an affordable and fun vacation for couples and families with kids. The atmosphere is very casual and relaxed. They feature multiple dining options to fit all tastes, WaterWorks water park, supervised youth programs for kids, a spa for adults, and live entertainment.
The Carnival cruise terminal in San Francico is Pier 27. Photos are courtesy of Carnival Cruises.
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Do I Have To Enter And Exit At Exactly The Time Listed On My Reservation
Similar to how a hotel reservation works, you can enter at any time after the start time listed on your SpotHero reservation, and you can depart at any time prior to the end time listed on your reservation.
For example, if your reservation goes from 8 am to 8 pm, you can enter any time after 8 am, and must leave anytime before 8 pm. Please be aware that any time spent parked outside of your reservation is subject to a ticket, tow, or an additional charge from the parking facility.
Getting There By Public Transportation
Streetcar: The San Francisco Municipal Railway operates the F Line streetcar, which stops in front of Pier 27. If you are coming from the north, get off at the Embarcadero and Sansome Street. Coming from the south, get off at the Embarcadero and Greenwich Street.
Rapid Transit: If you are coming by BART , get off at the Embarcadero station, then walk to the intersection of Market Street and Main Street, where you can catch the F Line streetcar toward Fishermans Wharf. Get off at the Embarcadero and Greenwich Street, where youll see Pier 27 nearby.
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Visit Chinatown And Little Italy
You can easily combine a visit to Chinatown and North Beach by foot during your time in San Francisco. Both are within a short walk of each other. We opted to take our own route and stop when we came across interesting shops and sights but you can take organised food tours.
Seek out the Golden Gate Fortune Cookie Factory in Ross Alley, where they make up to 10,000 fortune cookies a day!
Where Are The Closest Airports
Some cruise passengers will be flying home after ending their vacations in San Francisco. Fortunately, Pier 27 is close to the citys two nearest airports. San Francisco International Airport is about 14 miles from Pier 27, and Oakland International Airport is located approximately 20 miles across the bay. From ride share to taxis to public transportation, visitors have many options for getting to the two airports. Lets break them down.
- Taxis: Those taking taxis to SFO from Pier 27 can expect to pay upward to $65 for the 20-minute ride . Cab fares to OAK can run as high as $85. A tip of 15% is customary, and most taxis will accept credit cards.
- Ride Share: Rideshares are a much cheaper option. UberX charges around $33 for the ride from Pier 27 to SFO, while Lyft charges $32 for the same trip. To Oakland, UberX charges $40-50 while Lyft can run around $48.
- Public Transportation: The cheapest and most convenient way to get to both airports from the city is by BART commuter subway cars. The fare from the city to SFO is only $9.65, while the fare to Oakland runs $10.20. A one-way ride to both airports is about twenty minutes.
Visitors will find a BART station at the Embarcadero Station at 298 Market Street in the citys Financial District, a short, 10-minute walk from Pier 27. Ticket vending machines are available at all BART stations. for detailed BART information, including fares, schedules, and convenient maps and guides.
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The Crookedest Street In The World
Lombard Street is in fact not the crookedest street in the world or San Francisco but is still a great landmark to visit to watch the cars snake from side to side. It has 8 hairpin turns that attracts hundred of drivers each hour.
You can easily incorporate the view of Lombard Street on your visit to North Beach. In all honesty, we accidentally came across it during our walk around Chinatown and Little Italy. If youre around that area, its worth seeing from the lower section, looking upwards.
Things To Know Before You Go
- Booking a shore excursion can help you make the most of your limited time in the city and are especially helpful for first-time visitors to San Francisco.
- Theres long-term parking available for cruise passengers at the Reef Parking lot across from Piers 27 and 35.
- Pier 27 is the new terminal, while the older Pier 35 handles overflow.
- Pier 35 is located close to popular San Francisco destinations Pier 39, the Exploratorium, and Fishermans Wharf.
- San Francisco is a hilly city, so wear appropriate shoes if youre planning to explore on foot.
- The San Francisco Cruise Port is located roughly 14 miles from San Francisco International Airport and 20 miles from Oakland International Airport.
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Train Service To The Port Of San Francisco
Amtrak doesn’t serve San Francisco, although it does serve Oakland in the East Bay. If you arrive by train and want to take public transportation to the Port of San Francisco, youll have to walk about 10 minutes to the Lake Merritt BART stop.
There, take the Blue-S Line to Montgomery St. in San Francisco and either transfer to the F streetcar to The Embarcadero & Sansome St. or take a taxi right outside the BART station.
Port Of San Francisco Waiting Area And Seating
You’ll find 2.5 acres of public open space located outside of the Embarcadero end of the terminal at Cruise Terminal Plaza. It offers a lawn with 50 benches along with views of the Bay, Treasure Island, the Bay Bridge, Financial District, Telegraph Hill and Coit Tower.
Attached to the benches there, you’ll find images and historical information about some of the most famous cruise ships that have called at San Francisco over the past 150 years.
Inside the main San Francisco cruise terminal, theres a seating area on the second level.
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Places To Eat Near San Francisco Cruise Port
The first place you will come across near Pier 27 is the Pier 23 Café but be aware that it doesnt open for breakfast. Fog City is conveniently located across the Embarcadero from Pier 27 and offers some great lunch options including salads, fried chicken and wood-fire pizzas. If youre in search of a sophisticated setting for a pre-cruise lunch, Hillstone restaurant is located near Pier 33.
If you head to the San Francisco Ferry Building, , you will have a good choice of places to eat and get coffee. We enjoyed brunch at the Boulettes Larder but there are so many great options here including bagels, doughnuts, Vietnamese and hot sandwiches.
Bike To San Francisco Cruise Terminal
Bike rentals are available via Bay Area Bikeshare, which charges a daily, weekly or annual subscription fee after that, you can ride for 30-minute increments at no additional charge. You can change bikes as often as you like and take as many trips as you want, but additional fees apply if you keep a single bike out longer than 30 minutes. There is a Bikeshare station across the street from Pier 27, on the southwest corner of the Embarcadero and Samsone Street other stations are located around downtown and the Fishermans Wharf areas.
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San Francisco International Airport Taxi Service To The Port Of San Francisco
There are taxi stands on the Arrivals/Baggage Claim Level of all airport terminals at San Francisco International Airport. Taxi coordinators can help arrange for wheelchair-accessible taxis on request. The drive from San Francisco International Airport to either San Francisco cruise terminal takes between 30 and 50 minutes, depending on traffic.
Port Of San Francisco Parking
Don’t believe what Google Maps tells you — there is unfortunately no parking directly at the San Francisco cruise terminal. There are other options available but keep in mind that, because the port is in a popular location for locals and visitors alike, parking lots can be expensive.
There are several parking garages and lots in the area immediately west of the Port of San Francisco, and some of them offer special rates to cruise passengers. A couple of options include Impark, the 80 Francisco Street Garage and Anchorage Square Garage. We suggest checking with the garages in advance for availability or reserve online.
If you’re parking nearby, you can drop off your luggage and your party at the applicable San Francisco cruise terminal before parking your vehicle. Private cars, taxis and car-share vehicles are allowed to enter the ground transportation area for dropping off passengers.
Note that drivers might balk if there’s a line of cars waiting to unload. Be firm and tell them you want to go all the way to the door if you want to avoid a walk.
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See The Sea Lions At Pier 39
To see the California Sea Lions, head to Pier 39 in the Fishermans Wharf area. They can be found sunbathing in big groups on the docks and draw quite a crowd of onlookers.
Its thought that the sea lions were initially attracted to the docks because of its plentiful herring and protective environment. Theyve now become sea-lebrities of San Francisco.
Pier 39 is a hub of activity with shops, bars and restaurants so whilst your there, Id recommend eating at one of the restaurants at the end of the pier.
We enjoyed some of the best chicken wings ever at Hana Zen Sushi and Yakitori Restaurant. It also has some unobstructed views of the Bay so ask if there is a table by the window available when you arrive.
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Eat Clam Chowder From A Sourdough Bread Bowl
San Francisco is well-known for serving clam chowder in sourdough bread bowls. My advice would be to avoid the shiny Boudin Bakery Cafes and head to the clam chowder and crab stalls on Jefferson Street, at the foot of Taylor Street, in Fishermans Wharf. This is a no frills option but its the real deal.
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Where To Eat Or Shop Near San Francisco Cruise Terminal
There are no food or beverage services at the terminal, but its central location means youre not far from plenty of dining and shopping. When youre getting oriented, keep in mind that piers are not consecutively numbered. Odd-numbered piers are north of the Ferry Building , while even-numbered piers are south of the Ferry Building.
Across the Embarcadero from the terminal, Fog City offers California cuisine, including oysters, seafood and burgers. Walk north along the Embarcadero for Cal-Asian fusion at Butterfly . True foodies should head south 1 mile along the Embarcadero to the Ferry Building, which hosts farmers markets, prepared food stands and restaurants theres also shopping here, and most businesses are local. If youre headed north of the terminal to tourist areas Pier 39 and Fishermans Wharf, youll find plenty of eats, from Boudins chowder served in a sourdough bread bowl to fast food outlets. Venture toward downtown for upscale Italian cuisine at Perbacco or hearty Cal-American dining at Tyler Florences Wayfare Tavern .
Major department stores and the Westfield Shopping Center are grouped near Union Square, about 2 miles away. Youll find plenty of souvenir shops around Pier 39 and Fishermans Wharf but if youve got young kids or grandkids, dont overlook the museum shop at the Exploratorium , a half-mile walk south of the terminal. Its got oodles of fun, surprising, educational toys and books.
Welcome To San Franciscos Finest Cruise Ship Parking Facility The Anchorage Garage
Ace Parking Management, Inc. and Airport Parking Connection is proud to bring you a brand new cruise parking booking system!
Cruise rates are:
- $20 per calendar day for compact vehicles
- $25 per calendar day for full-sized, vans, trucks and SUVs . Not sure..check Edmunds.
- $2.00 convenience fee per reservation.
We accept Visa, Mastercard, and American Express.
Save time and guarantee your parking space today!
Here at the Anchorage Garage, we offer you:
- Top Shelf Customer Service
Stay straight to go onto Jefferson St. Turn left onto Taylor St. Take the 1st right onto Beach St. Garage will be on your right
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Carnivals Busy Year On The West Coast
Its not just San Francisco getting all the attention this year on the U.S. West Coast. Its the biggest season ever for the cruise line in Alaska, with a total of three ships sailing the region. There will be a total of 49 departures from San Francisco and Seattle.
Carnival Splendor will become the final ship in the fleet to restart operations when it begins Alaska sailings from Seattle on May 2.
There are also two Carnival cruise ships sailing year-round from Long Beach, California. The recently transformed Carnival Radiance and Carnival Panorama are both offering cruises to the Mexican Riviera.
Carnival Cruise Line is often seen across the Caribbean with many sailings from Florida, but the Miami-based cruise line has been sailing from the U.S. West Coast for nearly 40 years. The first voyage was from Los Angeles in 1979 and has been operating from Long Beach for 20 years.
Port San Francisco Ca
Port San Francisco is managed by San Francisco Harbor Commission . The seaport itself manages the waterfront area from Golden Gate Bridge anchorage, along Marina district, all the way around the city’s northern and eastern shores and southward beyond Candlestick Point.
Port of San Francisco is a state-owned revenue-generating agency. It manages the seaport’s wide range of commercial and maritime facilities, plus approx 7,5 ml long waterfront. The port is located on San Francisco Bay’s western edge, near the Golden Gate Bridge. It is ranked as one of the world’s 3 largest natural harbors.
The port area, besides the waterfront lands, also includes commercial real estate and docking piers – between Hyde Str and India Basin . Among the landmarks under the Port Authority control is Fisherman’s Wharf, Pier 39, Ferry Building, AT& T Park , Pier 70 . Huge piers jut out into the bay along much of the city’s waterfront, which is bordered by the roadway Embarcadero .
San Francisco Ferry Building used to serve steamship ferries to Los Angeles CA, Portland OR, Seattle WA, Alaska and Canada’s British Columbia. In 2003, this historic building was restored and reopened. Today it houses a premium gourmet marketplace and office spaces . The building also serves San Francisco Bay Ferry to ports in Oakland, Alameda, Bay Farm Island, Vallejo. The other ferry operator using this terminal is Golden Gate Ferry .
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