Cruises, Sailing & Water Tours in California

Go on a whale-watching expedition in San Diego on this 4-hour cruise guided by Birch Aquarium experts. Get the scoop from a guide who studies the migratory patterns of grey whales as you keep a lookout for whales in the water. Board a 2-story yacht that gives you 360-degree views of the ocean. Plus, you're guaranteed to see whales or you get to ride again for free.

Sail around the San Francisco Bay and view the city's iconic sights while enjoying a buffet lunch on this 2-hour yacht cruise from downtown. Only from the water can you see the city's skyline and pass right under the Golden Gate Bridge.

Come aboard the Privateer for a breathtaking 2-hour sailing journey along the San Francisco Bay where you can enjoy sightseeing at the most beautiful time of day"”sunset. Coast along as you spot out Alcatraz, the Sausalito shoreline, and the Golden Gate bridge, all with a drink of choice in your hand.

Enjoy Sunday in beautiful San Diego with a 2-hour brunch cruise on a luxury yacht. Help yourself to the seafood, steak, waffles and chocolate fountain at the buffet while sipping on unlimited mimosas. While you drink and feast, soak up the views of the water and the city skyline around you. When you're ready to stretch your sea legs, head to the dance floor where live entertainment and music awaits.

On this San Francisco bridge cruise, get an up-close look at the city's two engineering marvels "” the Golden Gate Bridge and the Bay Bridge "” as you travel across San Francisco Bay. You'll see major city sights like AT&T Park, Alcatraz, Coit Tower, and the Ferry Building, and listen to recorded commentary about the city's legendary architecture while you glide under both bridges. Snacks and drinks are available for purchase.

Glide across San Francisco Bay with unlimited mimosas and sparkling wine on this 2-hour, weekend brunch cruise. Sail under the Golden Gate Bridge, pass Alcatraz, and see the city skyline from the deck. A hearty buffet and onboard music keep the mood festive while you enjoy brunch and sightsee.

Explore one of California's most iconic settings from the beauty of San Francisco Bay. This hour-long, narrated Golden Gate Bay cruise journeys alongside Alcatraz and Angel Island State Park, past the shores of Sausalito and beneath the Golden Gate Bridge. You can choose to view the sights from inside your boat or out on deck.

Watch the sun set over San Diego during an all-inclusive small-group cruise aboard a classic sailboat. Pass landmarks such as the Maritime Museum, Coronado Bridge, and USS Midway, and look for sea lions, dolphins, and other wildlife around San Diego Harbor on the 2.5-hour cruise.

Go sailing on the San Francisco Bay on a spectacular 2-hour sailboat cruise from Pier 39 at Fisherman's Wharf. Head to the Golden Gate Bridge for sweeping views of the Marin Headlands, Tiburon and Sausalito, then glide across the bay, passing Angel Island, Alcatraz Island, The Presidio, Crissy Field, Ghirardelli Square and the Bay Bridge. You can enjoy two complimentary glasses of sparkling wine, beer or soda, and ask your captain and crew any questions you may have along the way.

This 2-hour sunset cruise takes you across San Francisco Bay with outstanding views of the city skyline, Golden Gate Bridge, Alcatraz Island and Sausalito. Enjoy a light appetizer buffet while you sip a complimentary glass of wine, beer or soda from the full bar. Relax as you listen to the captain's live commentary while background music sets the tone. Watch the sunset or select a twilight cruise during winter months.

Cruise the bay and find yourself beneath the Golden Gate Bridge on a 2.5-hour Sunday morning eco sailing tour from Sausalito. Take in fantastic views of San Francisco and Alcatraz while gliding through the bay, and look for native marine life like porpoises and seals with the help of an onboard naturalist.

Spend an evening on the San Francisco Bay with this 2.5- or 3-hour dinner cruise, including a 4-course gourmet meal of fresh, local ingredients prepared on board. After dinner, dance to the live band or enjoy the nighttime views of Alcatraz, the Golden Gate Bridge and the city skyline from the exterior deck. Viator Exclusive: Upgrade to include window seating and a bottle of sparkling wine, an option available nowhere else.

Enjoy a relaxing outing on San Francisco Bay with a 60-minute cruise. Take in panoramic views of the city skyline, marvel at Alcatraz Island and journey beneath the Golden Gate Bridge. Choose to sit indoors or savor cool bay breezes from an outdoor deck and experience San Francisco in a whole new way from the water. You can even learn about the sights that you're seeing from a free audio tour"”available on any personal wifi-enabled device. This ticket allows you to skip the box office line and go straight to the gate.

Cruise off the coast of Orange County in search of whales on this 2.5-hour excursion from Newport Beach. Watch the rugged, beautiful scenery of the Pacific Coast glide by as you listen to interesting commentary from your crew about the native California marine life. Watch for blows and tail slaps; these signal that humpback, minke, grey, finback or giant blue whales are near. Dolphins and other marine life are also in abundance during this family-friendly, year-round whale watching tour.

Go whale watching in San Francisco on this 2.5-hour cruise that departs from Pier 39. On an eco-friendly catamaran, glide through San Francisco Bay and under the Golden Gate Bridge to reach the open Pacific, where you'll keep your eyes peeled for humpback and gray whales, as well as marine life like dolphins and seals. Learn about the history and geology of the area from an onboard naturalist, and admire the rugged California coast.

Feast on a sumptuous 3-course meal with a glass of bubbly during a dinner cruise on Lake Mead. Hop aboard the "˜Desert Princess,' a Mississippi River"“style paddle-wheel steamboat, and spend an enchanting evening viewing the sights of Hoover Dam. Sit inside or stroll the deck of the spacious three-level vessel, and be charmed by an exquisite sunset over the lake. Round-trip hotel transport from Las Vegas is included.

Learn stories behind the SF Bay Area's most notorious former federal penitentiary on a fascinating Escape from the Rock cruise. Board a boat for 90-minute journey through the bay while listening to audio recordings (available in several languages) from ex-prisoners and guards about daily life on 'The Rock.' Learn about the Birdman of Alcatraz and the infamous 1962 'Alcatraz Escape,' and come to know why Alcatraz instilled fear into the hearts of even the worst-of-the-worst criminals. Tours are accessible on any of your own wifi-enabled iPads, smartphones or other devices. This ticket allows you to skip the box office line and go straight to the gate.

Watch the evening lights come on around the San Francisco Bay on Sundays during a 2-hour sunset sail from downtown Sausalito. Cruise aboard a handsome schooner that passes landmarks such as the Alcatraz Island, Crissy Field, Fort Mason, Fisherman's Wharf, Coit Tower, Angel Island, the Golden Gate Bridge, and the Bay Bridge.

Sail into the setting sun aboard a Catalina style sailboat during this intimate 3-hour cruise with a small group. Feel like you have the ship all to yourself on this trip that's limited to just 15 total guests, watching as the last rays of the sun drop into the glistening waves. Enjoy complimentary beer, wine, soft drinks and snacks during the ride, as well as jackets and wind gear in case you get cold. You can even plug in your own music to add to the fun. Departure times vary throughout the year. Guest must contact Sail San Diego after purchase for the exact departure time.

Take a thrilling whale-watching excursion off the Palos Verdes Peninsula. Travel along the coast of Los Angeles and experience marine wildlife up close. Enjoy a glass or wine or beer, a light snack, or other beverage from the boat's galley. Sit either inside or out on our 45-passenger vessel as you search the Pacific for Gray, Humpback, and Sperm whales, sharks, seabirds, dolphins and sea lions on this memorable outing.