Few cities pack an iconic punch like San Francisco. In a single shore day you can visit an island prison, ride a century-old cable car, and watch sea lions sunbathe 15 minutes from the ship.
Ships dock directly at the Embarcadero — no tendering required. The waterfront is flat and immediately walkable.
💡 Pro move: Alcatraz ferry departs from Pier 33, a 5-min walk from Pier 27. Book City Cruises tickets well before your cruise — tours regularly sell out 3–4 weeks ahead.
San Francisco is a docked port — ships tie up directly at the Embarcadero, making it one of the most convenient big-city cruise calls on the Pacific Coast.
| Cruise Line | Typical Berth / Arrival | Dock or Tender |
|---|---|---|
| Most cruise lines (Princess, Holland America, Royal Caribbean, NCL, Celebrity) | Pier 27 — James R. Herman Cruise Terminal📍 | Docked |
| Overflow / secondary calls | Pier 35 — historic secondary terminal, same Embarcadero waterfront📍 | Docked |
From island prisons to ancient redwoods, San Francisco offers as much depth as any port city in North America.
Board the ferry at Pier 33 for the infamous federal penitentiary island. The award-winning audio cellhouse tour brings the prison's history to life.
Find Alcatraz tours →Rent a bike near Fisherman's Wharf, ride across the Golden Gate Bridge, and descend into the charming waterfront town of Sausalito. Return by ferry.
Find bike tour operators →Head north across the Golden Gate to walk among ancient coastal redwoods in Muir Woods National Monument, then stop in Sausalito's waterfront village.
Find Muir Woods tours →Explore the oldest Chinatown in North America, then stroll into the Italian neighbourhood of North Beach for coffee and sourdough. City Lights Bookstore is nearby.
Find walking tours →Double-decker bus covering all major neighbourhoods — Fisherman's Wharf, Union Square, Haight-Ashbury, Castro, Golden Gate Park, and the Golden Gate Bridge.
Find hop-on hop-off tickets →San Francisco's celebrated food hall and Saturday farmers market sits right on the Embarcadero, a 15-min walk from Pier 27. Local oysters, artisan cheeses, and Blue Bottle Coffee.
Find food tours →The Embarcadero waterfront is flat, scenic, and connects most highlights without needing transit.
Walk north from Pier 27 along the scenic waterfront past the Ferry Building, the historic piers, and Pier 39 to reach the heart of Fisherman's Wharf.
From Pier 39 stroll west past Boudin Bakery, the San Francisco Maritime National Historical Park, and Hyde Street Pier to reach Ghirardelli Square — the former Ghirardelli chocolate factory turned shopping plaza.
🗺️ See full route in Maps →Climate normals for San Francisco, California, USA (2014–2023 averages). Pack for the month you sail — highs, lows, and how many rainy days to expect.
| Month | Avg High | Avg Low | Rainy Days | Sunrise | Sunset |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 57°F / 14°C | 46°F / 8°C | 9 | 7:23 AM | 5:14 PM |
| Feb | 59°F / 15°C | 46°F / 8°C | 7 | 6:59 AM | 5:49 PM |
| Mar | 59°F / 15°C | 48°F / 9°C | 9 | 7:20 AM | 7:17 PM |
| Apr | 61°F / 16°C | 50°F / 10°C | 5 | 6:34 AM | 7:45 PM |
| May | 63°F / 17°C | 52°F / 11°C | 2 | 5:59 AM | 8:12 PM |
| Jun | 67°F / 19°C | 55°F / 13°C | 0 | 5:47 AM | 8:33 PM |
| Jul | 67°F / 19°C | 56°F / 13°C | 0 | 6:00 AM | 8:30 PM |
| Aug | 68°F / 20°C | 58°F / 14°C | 0 | 6:25 AM | 8:01 PM |
| Sep | 71°F / 22°C | 58°F / 14°C | 1 | 6:52 AM | 7:16 PM |
| Oct | 69°F / 21°C | 55°F / 13°C | 3 | 7:18 AM | 6:31 PM |
| Nov | 62°F / 17°C | 50°F / 10°C | 6 | 6:50 AM | 4:57 PM |
| Dec | 56°F / 13°C | 46°F / 8°C | 10 | 7:18 AM | 4:51 PM |
Source: Open-Meteo ERA5 (10-yr daily averages)
Transport options from the pier — taxis, shuttles, transit passes, and whether ride-share apps work here.
Multiple hop-on hop-off operators serve San Francisco with stops near Fishermans Wharf, Union Square, Chinatown, and Golden Gate Bridge.
Licensed metered taxis are available at cruise terminals (Pier 27 and Pier 35). The regulated base fare is $4.15 plus $3.25/mile; most city-center rides run $15–$25 before tip.
Uber and Lyft operate citywide and can be requested directly at the pier. Often slightly cheaper than taxis for short to mid-range trips.
San Francisco Muni runs frequent service throughout the city for $2.85/ride (as of July 2025). The F-Market historic streetcar runs along the Embarcadero directly from near the cruise piers to Fishermans Wharf and downtown.
Pier 27 and Pier 35 sit on the Embarcadero, within easy walking distance of Fishermans Wharf (~10 min), the Ferry Building (~15 min), and the start of many city neighborhoods.
Upcoming cruises that call at San Francisco, California, USA. Dates, prices, and ports of call change — always confirm with the cruise line before booking.
Itineraries and prices change — always confirm with the cruise line before booking. Some links are affiliate links that may earn us a commission at no extra cost to you.
Other cruise ports within about 250 km.