Port of San Fransisco Cruise Information

Terminal location, parking information, transportation options, things to do, weather, special events

 

San Francisco Weather

Getting around

Ferry

Ferries run to San Francisco from Larkspur, Sausalito and Tiburon in Marin County, from Vallejo in Solano County and from Alameda and Oakland in the East Bay. In San Francisco, the ferries dock at one or both of the city's two piers at Fisherman's Wharf and the Ferry Building.

Water Taxi

Pier 1 ½ offers a water taxi landing that carries guest to the Giants ballpark and other stops along the waterfront and Bay.

san francisco districts map

San Francisco Map

Historic Streetcar F Line

Historic streetcars, in original colors from several cities in the US and Milan, Italy. The line runs from Fisherman's Wharf south along the waterfront Embarcadero to the ferry building at the foot of Market Street, then up Market Street on the surface to the Castro district. Board through the front door and buy tickets from the operator if you do not already have a transfer or pass.

Cable Cars

The world-famous Cable Cars run on three lines in the steep streets between Market Street and Fisherman's Wharf: the north-south Powell-Mason and Powell-Hyde lines and the east-west California Street line. Do not buy tickets from anyone off the car except for clearly marked ticket booths — scam artists are common.

Taxis

Except for taxi stations at or near downtown business hotels, or cruising just a few major arteries, taxis can be hard to find and hail -- and calling for a cab can mean a 30-45 minute wait, if the cab shows up at all. Now, if you're anywhere near Union Square and are holding shopping bags, just by standing on the curb and hailing passing cabs will usually get you one quite quickly. It is significantly easier to catch a taxi on weekdays, not including Friday night.

ports > embark > San Fransisco
 

Port of San Francisco, CA

Fisherman's Wharf

fisherman's wharf san franciscoSan Francisco is the centerpiece of the Bay Area, well-known for its liberal community, hilly terrain, Victorian architecture, scenic beauty, summer fog, and great ethnic and cultural diversity. These are only a few of the aspects of the city that make San Francisco one of the most visited cities in the world.

Port News

New Terminal Will Accommodate Big-Ships

Posted May 26, 2012

san francisco port proposed pier 27 rendering

The Port of San Francisco has a plan to develop Pier 27 as their primary terminal that can berth mega-ships and handle the increase passenger capacity. The James R. Herman Cruise Terminal at Pier 27 will replace the existing facility at Pier 35. Pier 27 is currently used as a back-up berth, but does not have any amenities within the maritime shed. Pier 35 would be used as a secondary terminal in the event that two cruise ships require berthing on the same date. The terminal is scheduled to open in 2014.

Good to Know

Natural Hazards

San Francisco is in an area prone to earthquakes.  Earthquakes that are large enough to cause extensive damage are rare, but remain a matter of reality for the area. The incidence of Earthquakes in California raises the concern for potential threats of Tsunamis. Though very rare to occur, it should be noted that a great deal of California's coastline is in a Tsunami zone. For more information on the state's hazard assessment, visit the NOAA Center for Tsunami Research.

The biggest dangers in an earthquake are falling objects and windows which shatter explosively. In the event of an earthquake, face away from windows and hide under any sturdy table or desk that may be available. If you are indoors, do not run outside! Falling building facades are more likely to cause severe injuries than anything inside. If outdoors, stay away from buildings and stay out from under power lines.

Terminal Information

Port of San Francisco

The Embarcadero, San Francisco, CA 94111
415-274-0400  www.st-port.org

The James R. Herman Cruise Terminal at Pier 27 (currently under construction)

Cruise Lines sailing from San Francisco:

Celebrity
Crystal
Cunard
Disney
HAL
NCL

Oceania
P&O
Princess
Regent
RCCL
Silversea

 

The Port of San Francisco lies on the western edge of the San Francisco Bay near the Golden Gate. It has been called one of the three great natural harbors in the world, but it took two long centuries for navigators from Spain and England to find the anchorage originally called Yerba Buena.

The Piers offer visitors breathtaking views of San Francisco, the Bay Bridge, Yerba Buena and Treasure Islands. The Port Walk running from Pier 1 ½ through to Pier 5 is a place for strolling and taking time to sit, relax and enjoy the views of the Bay. 

Three distinct restaurants, La Mar Cebicheria Peruana, The Plant Café Organic and Lafitte all offer year-round outdoor seating with a variety of menus and ambiances. 

Parking

City Parks Parking

80 Francisco Street Garage Parking. Located one block away from the Cruise Terminal.  $12/Day.  415-398-4162

Ace Parking

55 Francisco Street Garage Parking. 415-398-0208 *$12/day. Across from the Cruise Terminal.

Anchorage Garage - 2800 Leavenworth Street.  *$10/day.  415-673-7762

*Prices subject to change

Things to do in the area

Chinatown

Located on Grant from Bush to Broadway takes you through the heart of the famous district.

Ocean Beach

Ocean Beach is entirely open to pedestrians in both the Richmond and Sunset districts from the Cliff House restaurant and Sutro Baths in the north to the zoo in the south. For a shorter walk, the windmills near Lincoln at the end of Golden Gate Park offer a good base for a stroll north.

North Beach

The North Beach runs from North Point in Fisherman's Wharf, through the grand church and famous cafés at the heart of North Beach to the landmark Transamerica pyramid.

Haight Ashbury

Haight from Divisadero to Stanyan covers the shopping district famous for hippie culture; at Stanyan the street becomes a path through Golden Gate Park.

Pacific-Heights

Fillmore between Pine and Broadway is lined with a good mix of shopping, views, steep slopes, and some of the city's largest and most expensive homes.

Castro and Noe Valley

Market from Church to Castro St. and a left down Castro St to 19th takes you through the center of the city's famous gay mecca. Continuing up Castro St over the hill from there takes you to 24th St, the main drag of bohemian Noe Valley.

Cow Hollow

Union Street between Gough and Fillmore is one of the finest shopping streets outside of the city center.

Telegraph Hill

Greenwich and Filbert Steps on the east side of Telegraph Hill, both strenuous and unforgettably beautiful, offer cottages and a flock of wild parrots to enjoy on the way up to the Coit Tower.

Golden Gate Park

Home to the copper-clad M.H. de Young Memorial Museum, which houses an impressive collection of contemporary and indigenous art.

Asian Art Museum of San Francisco

Located in the Civic Center. Across from the de Young Museum stands the California Academy of Sciences, which holds a huge array of science exhibits, including an aquarium and a natural history museum.

The California Palace of the Legion of Honor

Located in Lincoln Park in the northwest corner of the Richmond district.

Cable Car Museum

 Located in Nob Hill, this museum offers exhibits on the famous moving landmarks of San Francisco.

SoMa

The San Francisco Museum of Modern Art, the Moscone Center, the Yerba Buena Center for the Arts, the Zeum, the Cartoon Art Museum, the Museum of the African Diaspora, and the Museum of Craft and Folk Art - all located in SoMa, south of Union Square.

Hyde Street Pier in Fisherman's Wharf

Go on board several historical ships, including the 1886 Balclutha clipper ship, a walking-beam ferry, a steam tug, and a coastal schooner.

Pier 45

World War II submarine USS Pampanito and the World War II Liberty Ship SS Jeremiah O'Brien can be visited.

Aquarium of the Bay

Located on Pier 39

 

Back to the top