San Francisco's ferries leave from two main places: the Ferry Building terminals on the Embarcadero, where Golden Gate Ferry and San Francisco Bay Ferry dock, and Pier 33, where the Alcatraz ferry sails. Each card gives the figures as the operator pages state them and says when we last checked.
San Francisco (Ferry Building) → Sausalito
Operators: Golden Gate Ferry
Journey time: Golden Gate Ferry's history and routes page, which carries no date, says "The 30-minute trip (one way)".
When it runs: Golden Gate Ferry says it "operates daily service on three separate routes", with no service on New Year's, Thanksgiving and Christmas days, and describes the Sausalito route as one that "makes daily crossings" (read 2026-10-30). Its timetable page, effective April 13, 2026, loads by script.
Schedule checked 30 October 2026. Sources: Golden Gate Ferry: history and routes · Golden Gate Ferry: schedules and maps
See the Golden Gate Ferry schedules →
San Francisco (Ferry Building) → Larkspur
Operators: Golden Gate Ferry
Journey time: Golden Gate Ferry's history and routes page, which carries no date, says "The one-way trip takes 30 to 50 minutes depending on the vessel."
When it runs: Golden Gate Ferry says the Larkspur route runs "on weekdays, by three high-speed catamarans, and on weekends by a high-speed catamaran or 715-passenger Spaulding class vessel" (read 2026-10-30). The timetable page loads by script.
Golden Gate Ferry says the Larkspur ferry terminal is a "15-minute walk" from SMART's Larkspur Station.
Schedule checked 30 October 2026. Sources: Golden Gate Ferry: history and routes · Golden Gate Ferry: riding the ferry
See the Golden Gate Ferry schedules →
San Francisco (Pier 33, Alcatraz Landing) → Alcatraz Island
Operators: Alcatraz City Cruises
Journey time: Alcatraz City Cruises' FAQ gives two figures: "12-15 minutes each way" and, in its tour list, "15 minutes each way".
When it runs: The FAQ says return ferries "leave Alcatraz Island roughly every half hour from the time of arrival" and points to its departure schedule page for the season's departures (read 2026-10-30). The National Park Service hours page, last updated 27 April 2021, lists the island as "Open: All Year" with closures on Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year's Day.
The National Park Service says "all access to the island is through a private ferry company under contract with the National Park Service, Alcatraz City Cruises LLC".
Schedule checked 30 October 2026. Sources: National Park Service: Alcatraz plan your visit · National Park Service: Alcatraz hours and seasons · Alcatraz City Cruises: FAQs
Go to Alcatraz City Cruises →
San Francisco (Downtown S.F. Terminal, Gate E1) → Vallejo (and Mare Island)
Operators: San Francisco Bay Ferry
Journey time: San Francisco Bay Ferry says "Transit time approx. 60 minutes between Downtown S.F. and Vallejo and 15 minutes between Vallejo and Mare Island."
When it runs: The page says "Daily service between Mare Island, Vallejo, and Downtown San Francisco" and that "On holidays this route may operate on an alternate schedule". Its weekday table (schedule effective March 9, 2026) lists Downtown S.F. departures from 6:35 AM to 8:10 PM; read 2026-10-30.
Schedule checked 30 October 2026. Sources: San Francisco Bay Ferry: Vallejo route and schedule
See the San Francisco Bay Ferry Vallejo schedule →
San Francisco (Downtown S.F. Terminal, Gate E2 weekdays, F2 weekends) → Richmond
Operators: San Francisco Bay Ferry
Journey time: San Francisco Bay Ferry says "Transit time approx. 35 minutes."
When it runs: The page says "Daily service between Downtown San Francisco and Richmond" and that holiday service may differ; its tables are marked "Schedule effective March 9, 2026" (read 2026-10-30).
Schedule checked 30 October 2026. Sources: San Francisco Bay Ferry: Richmond route and schedule
See the San Francisco Bay Ferry Richmond schedule →
Timetables and journey times change by season and operator, and a ticket is not a guaranteed seat. Every card says when we last checked and links the page we read; confirm on the operator's own page before you plan around a departure. We list operators' own pages and do not earn commission on these links.
