Transportation Guide

How to Take Trips from San Francisco's Ferry Building

Golden Gate Ferry: Day trips to Marin 

Board at Gates B and C for Golden Gate Ferry service north to Larkspur, Sausalito, and Tiburon. All of these stops are great jumping-off points to explore Marin County. Make sure to show up 20-30 minutes in advance. 

• Ride time: About 30 minutes. 
• Frequency: Multiple times daily, every day of the week. 
• Good to know: Bikes are welcome on board, and service runs on a modified schedule on major holidays. 

What you'll find on the other side: 

• Sausalito: A beautiful town just across the bridge. Enjoy waterfront restaurants, boutique shopping, and easy bay views. 
• Tiburon: Quieter than Sausalito, but still lots to enjoy. Check out Main Street or walk on the scenic waterfront. 
• Larkspur: A good base for exploring further into Marin, including redwood hiking trails.

Golden Gate Ferry: Angel Island 

Golden Gate Ferry also runs a direct route from Gate B straight to Angel Island State Park, no stop in Tiburon required.

• Ride time: About 30 minutes.
• Frequency: Service runs daily in summer, with a reduced schedule November through March. It's important to double-check the day-of schedule before you go, especially in the off-season.
• Good to know: Buy round-trip tickets before you board. Tickets aren't sold on the island itself, and they are valid for any trip within 90 days of purchase.

• What you'll find there: There is a plethora of activities available on Angel Island. Hiking and biking trails with unique bay views, valuable historic sites including the old immigration station, picnic areas, and a small café. Bikes are welcome to be brought on the ferry, and you can rent them on the island as well. 

San Francisco Bay Ferry: Day trips to the East Bay

San Francisco Bay Ferry runs to Oakland, Alameda, Richmond, and Vallejo, giving you an easy way to skip Bay Bridge traffic and explore the East Bay.

• Where to board: Gates vary by destination (for example, Oakland and Alameda depart from a different gate than Vallejo), so check the electronic board at the terminal or the route page before you head down. 
• Ride time: Roughly 15 to 25 minutes to Oakland and Alameda; about an hour to Vallejo. 
• Frequency: Oakland, Alameda, Richmond, and Vallejo run daily; Alameda Seaplane and Harbor Bay routes are weekdays only. 

What you'll find on the other side:

• Oakland: Wander Jack London Square, dive into Oakland's arts and culture scene, and try some of the East Bay's best food.
• Alameda: Bike the Alameda Bay Trail, or kayak in the bay at one of the free launch sites. If you're a craft beer lover, check out Faction Brewery.

How to Pay for Ferry Tickets

Both the Golden Gate and San Francisco Bay Ferry accept contactless bank cards, Clipper cards (plastic or mobile), and paper tickets. Every passenger needs their own ticket, contactless bank card, or Clipper account. 

You can buy paper tickets for the Golden Gate Ferry 24 hours a day from terminal machines in Larkspur, Sausalito, and San Francisco. If you wish to buy paper tickets for the San Francisco Bay Ferry, you can do so in the Ferry Building, or onboard.

Learn More About Clipper cards

Other Ways to Get Around

• BART and Muni: Walk along Market Street between Drumm and Beale to reach the underground Embarcadero station. From here, BART connects to the East and South Bay, while Muni Metro can get you to Powell Street Station (two stops away) to transfer to the Central Subway.
• F Line streetcar: This historic streetcar picks up right in front of the Ferry Building and runs about six miles between Fisherman's Wharf and the Castro District. Cars come roughly every 10–15 minutes (sometimes more often at peak times), and regular Muni fares apply. It's a scenic way to see several neighborhoods in one ride.

Travel Tips

• Avoid the crowds: Weekday mid-mornings and early afternoons are your quietest windows. Rush hour commuter boats to Larkspur, Oakland, and Vallejo fill up quickly.
• Maximize your day: The F Line and the ferries share the same waterfront corridor, so it's easy to ride one direction and stroll back along the Embarcadero.
• Don't guess on fares or gates: Both change more often than you'd expect. Check the operator's site the morning of your trip.
• Have a bite before you go: Grab a coffee, pastry, or snack inside the Ferry Building marketplace before boarding. There are plenty of delicious options to choose from.