This Thanksgiving Weekend, Why Not Hop on a Ferry?

Belly full of turkey? Keen to get out of the house and find a relaxed adventure for you or your guests this Thanksgiving weekend?

Consider hopping on what might be the Bay Area’s most underrated mode of transit: the ferry.

After their Thanksgiving Day closures on Thursday itself, both the Golden Gate Ferry and San Francisco Bay Ferry services open up again on Friday, Nov. 28. And not only is this a scenic way of exploring somewhere new — with truly unparalleled views of the Bay waters along the way — the ferry allows bikes onboard and offers food and beverages.

Keep reading for three great ferry-based itineraries from San Francisco to try after Thursday’s feast — leftover turkey sandwiches optional. You can also jump straight to more tips for riding the ferry in the Bay Area, including how to find discounts on fares.

Bear in mind that all Golden Gate Ferry and San Francisco Bay Ferry lines are running on slightly reduced weekend schedules on Friday, Saturday and Sunday of Thanksgiving weekend. And always remember to check the timetables before you head out, so you won’t miss the last boat back if you get caught up eating, shopping or exploring.

Find biking, history and shopping on the Richmond waterfront

Bring your bike aboard and head to Richmond Ferry Terminal on the San Francisco Bay Ferry service to explore the Bay Trail, a flat and well-maintained trail with views of both Oakland and San Francisco.

While there, you can stop by Rosie the Riveter WWII Home Front National Historic Park, where you can learn about how East Bay locals contributed to the war effort abroad while fighting their own battles at home.

And if you’ve still got items to check off your shopping list for the December holidays, stop by the Columbia Sportswear employee store, which is accepting donations of new, unwrapped toys in exchange for access to discounted shopping from now until Dec. 15. Jump straight to more tips on traveling by ferry to the East Bay.

Departs: Downtown San Francisco Ferry Terminal by the Ferry Building (Gate E2 on weekdays, Gate F2 on weekends)

Arrives: Richmond Ferry Terminal

Cost: $4.90 each way.

Transit time: 35 minutes each direction.

Timings: First ferry departs San Francisco at 9:35 a.m., last ferry departs Richmond at 9:30 p.m.

Take the no-rush scenic route to Vallejo for views and brews

Stretching across the entire Bay, the San Francisco Bay Ferry route from the city to Vallejo has it all: views of Angel Island, Alcatraz Island, the Golden Gate Bridge and the Carquinez Strait. On this ride, “you get to see parts of the Bay that most people don’t,” said Lexi Matsui, spokesperson for the San Francisco Bay Ferry.

“It’s an hour, which sounds like a long time,” Matsui said. “But it’s so beautiful.”

Once you get to the Vallejo Ferry Terminal, you can enjoy lunch and a beverage from Mare Island Brewing Co.’s ferry taproom, or even pick up another boat ride from the ferry landing to Mare Island itself for the brewery’s Coal Shed location.

From there, both sides of the Napa River have ample shoreline to explore. If you make the trip on Saturday, you can stop by the Vallejo Farmers Market (9 a.m.—2 p.m.) for photos with Santa. Jump straight to more tips on traveling by ferry to the East Bay.

Departs: Downtown San Francisco Ferry Terminal by the Ferry Building (Gate E1)

Arrives: Vallejo Ferry Terminal

Cost: $9.90 each way.

Transit time: 60 minutes each direction.

Timings: First ferry departs San Francisco at 10:25 a.m., last ferry departs Vallejo at 7:35 p.m.

Skim the Golden Gate Bridge to see Sausalito by boat

The ferry ride from San Francisco to Sausalito and back is movie-worthy in terms of views of the Golden Gate Bridge — especially knowing you can enjoy the ride without the stress of having to cross the bridge yourself on car, foot or bike.

In Sausalito, you can rent or bring your own bike to explore the city’s waterfront. Or consider renting kayaks and stand-up paddle boards and bob among the famous houseboats.

There’s also no shortage of Sausalito restaurants and shops to explore, many with the bridge and city skyline in clear view.

Paolo Cosulich-Schwartz, spokesperson for Golden Gate Ferry, said this route was his personal favorite on the service, particularly in the direction back to the city.

“You just can’t beat the postcard views of San Francisco Bay and the Golden Gate Bridge from that trip,” he said. Jump straight to more tips on traveling by ferry to the North Bay.

Departs: Downtown San Francisco Ferry Terminal by the Ferry Building (Gates B or C)

Arrives: Sausalito Ferry Landing

Cost: $14 each way without Clipper, $8.25 with Clipper.

Transit time: 30 minutes each direction.

Timings: First ferry departs San Francisco at 10:15 a.m., last ferry departs Sausalito at 6:55 p.m.

Ferry tips for designing your own day out via boat

Traveling by ferry to East Bay

To find fares, schedules and routes around San Francisco, South City and the East Bay, visit the San Francisco Bay Ferry website.

The easiest way to pay for the ferry is via a Clipper card. Those without one can download the agency’s app and purchase tickets there.

While it’s not yet active, the ferry will begin accepting credit card payments on board on Dec. 10 as part of an effort to help make purchasing tickets easier for visitors to the Bay.

Tickets can be purchased on the SF Bay Ferry app and are valid for 90 days, so you can stay flexible with your plans.

The San Francisco Bay Ferry currently offers two fare promotions: $1 tickets for riders aged under 17 and a $20 day pass to ride for a flat rate for 24 hours.

While spokesperson Matsui said they don’t expect to sell out of spots on boats over Thanksgiving weekend, “it can happen, so just make sure you get there early enough,” — around five or 10 minutes early is a safe bet, as boats are first-come, first-served.

“They’re high-capacity boats, but we don’t want people trying to run on last-minute,” Matsui said.

All the East Bay ferry terminals, but Vallejo also has free parking at the terminal, and you can get paid parking validated on board the ferry.

And if you miss out on a Thanksgiving ride? Matsui said that during December, in celebration of the holidays, the “Merry Ferry” featuring Santa will be running on three separate dates and routes, with live music for Friday nights coming to select routes in January.

Traveling by ferry to North Bay

The ferry that serves most of the North Bay is the Golden Gate Ferry, part of the transit system that also crosses the Golden Gate Bridge and serves Marin. Fares, schedules and more route information are available online.

While using your Clipper card will offer the biggest discount on fares, people without Clipper cards can purchase tickets from vending machines or attendants at the ferry terminals. Ticket prices range from $15.50 without a Clipper card to $8.25 with one.

Before you head out, be sure to check the agency’s comprehensive page on attractions at each ferry destination, so you can design the perfect post-Thanksgiving outing.

“You really can’t go wrong with any of the routes,” spokesperson Cosulich-Schwartz said. ”They all end up in beautiful destinations with great access to restaurants and activities — especially for families — and just make for great excursions during the holiday season.”

Throughout the next month, winter events like the Tiburon Holiday Festival and Sausalito Gingerbread House Competition are accessible via the ferry, Cosulich-Schwartz said.

Want to visit wine country via boat? You can connect to the SMART train, an around 15-minute walk from the Larkspur ferry terminal, and ride through Novato, Petaluma, Santa Rosa, and as far north as Windsor for just $10 total through a promotional “Sail and Rail” fare.

“It’s a really great way to combine travel modes and connect to all sorts of activities and outdoor recreation in the North Bay,” Cosulich-Schwartz said.