Last Updated on September 24, 2026 by admin
So recently I had a chance to stay for around a month in San Francisco, California. San Francisco is supposed to be an amazingly beautiful city with an amazing vibe and I found that to be certainly true, the whole city seems to be like a museum on display. One of the first things we decided to do was book a bridge 2 bridge cruise by a company called The Red & White Fleet. They are quite highly rated on Tripadvisor and that’s why chose them. All their cruises depart from Pier 43 1/2 in the heart of Fisherman’s Wharf.
This 90 minute cruise starts from near the Bay Bridge, Goes Past the San Francisco Waterfront , past the famous Alcatraz Island also knows as the The Rock and goes under the Golden Gate Bridge. While the views were very nice, I was impressed by how well managed the cruise was, not crowded at all and there was both Enclosed Seating as well and open air seating/standing on the upper decks and there was a good selection of food and drinks on board and a very clean rest room too. There was also audio narrations available in 16 languages.
The Fog comes in very often in the bay and in the city and unfortunately it came in this day also and by the time we reached the Golden Gate Bridge it was totally engulfed by the fog as you can see in the pictures below. The fog in SF even has a name “Karl” .
Things to do near the Bridge-to-Bridge cruise departure
The Red and White Fleet boards at Pier 43½ in Fisherman’s Wharf. If you have time before or after sailing, these nearby stops make an easy waterfront outing:
- See the sea lions at PIER 39 — walk along the marina to K-Dock and watch the California sea lions when they are in residence. There is no charge to visit the public pier or viewing area.
- Explore Aquarium of the Bay — meet animals native to the Bay in the aquarium at the entrance to PIER 39. General admission is $28.25 per adult; online pricing can include a service fee and varies on peak days.
- Play the vintage machines at Musée Mécanique — this old-fashioned arcade museum at Pier 45 is open daily. Entry is free; bring small change because the games are coin-operated.
- Ride the Powell–Hyde cable car — board near Hyde and Beach Streets for a classic climb through the city toward Lombard Street and downtown. A single cable-car ride costs $9 per person.
- Visit the San Francisco Maritime Visitor Center — browse the waterfront exhibits and learn about the city’s port history at 499 Jefferson Street. Admission is free. Hyde Street Pier itself is closed during restoration, so check the park’s current visitor information before setting out.
Where to eat near Pier 43½
These seven choices range from quick seafood and sourdough to Indian and Himalayan cooking. Listed menu prices are per item; restaurant menus and availability can change, and some Wharf restaurants add a 5% local surcharge.
- Pier Market Seafood Restaurant — a relaxed PIER 39 option for seafood and bay views. Fish and chips are $21.95 per entrée.
- Crab House at PIER 39 — go for Dungeness crab and sizzling skillets. A half Dungeness crab is $36; a 5% local surcharge is added to the check.
- Eagle Cafe — a waterfront breakfast-and-lunch landmark on PIER 39. The sourdough-bowl clam chowder is $12; a 5% local surcharge is added to the check.
- Bistro Boudin — settle in upstairs for a full-service meal or order the signature sourdough bread bowl with clam chowder for $17.95; a 5% local surcharge applies.
- The Codmother Fish & Chips — a casual food-truck stop at 496 Beach Street. Fish and chips are $16.99 per order.
- Curry Leaf — in North Beach, a short walk inland from the waterfront, for Indian and Pakistani dishes. Chicken tikka masala is $14.99 per entrée.
- Kava Indian Cuisine — in the Marina District, a little farther from the pier, with Indian, Himalayan and Nepali dishes. Kale chaat is $12 per plate; allow extra time to walk or take a short ride.
Opening hours, menus and prices can change, so check the restaurant’s current details and booking terms before you go.
Here are some of the videos I took that day of the cruise.
Here are some of the pictures I took of the bridge to bridge cruise
All said and done, the cruise was one of the highlights of our stay San Francisco.
Palace of Fine Arts
The Palace of Fine arts in a monument located in the Marina district of San Francisco. While the name may give the impression that it houses many works of Art, actually it is just a few monuments which give an impression of the decay of Rome. It is more an open air park adjacent to a lagoon . It is located in one of the most posh areas of the city and it was really pleasant to walk around in. You can learn more about the place here . It is one of the major tourist attractions of the city.
Where to eat near the Palace of Fine Arts
For a meal after exploring the Palace, these restaurants in the Marina and Fort Mason area are a short drive or a longer walk away. Prices below are per menu item; menus can change, and some restaurants add a local surcharge.
- Tiya — a contemporary Indian restaurant in the Marina District, with regional Indian flavors and seasonal Californian ingredients. Cauliflower pakoda is $18 per plate.
- Greens Restaurant — a longtime vegetarian restaurant at Fort Mason, known for seasonal produce and views of the bay. The maitake mushroom Reuben is $25 per sandwich; a 6.5% living-wage surcharge applies to dine-in checks.
- Radhaus — an Alpine-style beer hall at Fort Mason for hearty German-inspired dishes. Käsespätzle dumpling noodles are $19 per entrée.
- Delarosa Marina — a lively Roman-style pizzeria on Chestnut Street, with pizza and small plates. A Margherita pizza is $18; a 5% local surcharge is added to orders.
- Indigo — a New American restaurant and cocktail bar in the Marina, suitable for a sit-down dinner. Cilantro-lime shrimp tacos are $15 per order.
Check current menus, opening hours and reservation terms before visiting.
Below are some of the pictures i to
