Last Updated on September 27, 2026 by Sleepless
Updated September 2026: Scroll to the end for 2026 cruise prices, getting around San Francisco, hotel costs, and Indian restaurants in the city.
San Francisco Bridge to Bridge cruise is a memorable way to take in the Bay, from the waterfront and Alcatraz to the Golden Gate Bridge. During my month in San Francisco, I took the Red and White Fleet’s 90-minute cruise from Pier 43½ at Fisherman’s Wharf. The uncrowded boat had enclosed and open-air decks, food and drinks, clean restrooms and audio narration 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” .
San Francisco Bridge to Bridge Cruise: Nearby Things to Do
The Red and White Fleet boards at Pier 43½ in Fisherman’s Wharf. This San Francisco Bridge to Bridge cruise pairs well with nearby sights, so these stops make an easy waterfront outing before or after sailing:
- 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
San Francisco Practical Info – September 2026
Here are approximate prices as of September 2026 to help you plan these two outings, including Indian food in the city.
- Bridge to Bridge Cruise (Red and White Fleet, Pier 43½, about 90 minutes under both the Golden Gate and Bay Bridges): Roughly US$45–60 per adult. The shorter Golden Gate Bay Cruise costs from about US$29. Book online for discounts, and sit on the right-hand side of the top deck going out.
- Palace of Fine Arts: Free to walk around the rotunda and lagoon, and lovely at golden hour. It’s about 15 minutes from Fisherman’s Wharf by Muni bus (30 or 28) or Uber.
- Getting around: Muni buses and streetcars cost about $3 (a day pass on the MuniMobile app is better value). The famous cable cars are about $9 a ride. Clipper Card and contactless work across Muni, BART and the ferries.
- Hotels: Budget hotels cost about $120–200 a night, and mid-range (Union Square, Fisherman’s Wharf) about $200–350. Luxury is $400+.
- Food: Fisherman’s Wharf clam chowder in a bread bowl costs about $12–18. Mid-range restaurants are about $30–60 per person. Indian food: ROOH (SoMa, progressive Indian, about $50–80 per person) and Copra (Fillmore, Kerala and Tamil flavours from a Michelin-starred chef, about $70–110). The Tenderloin and Mission have cheap, tasty curry houses (about $15–25).
- Tip: San Francisco is famously cold and foggy, even in summer, so bring a warm layer. September and October are often the sunniest months.
