Top Things to do in California
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Things to do in California, United States: The Best Ferries
California is a fertile, peaceful place where you’ll find a near-equal balance of vineyards and deserts, beaches and mountains, hippies and traditionalists. Catch an epic wave in Big Sur or swirl a glass in Napa Valley. Be dazzled by the Joshua Tree night sky or just star-gaze in Hollywood. Swish down the slopes of a Tahoe ski resort, or cruise across the Golden Gate Bridge with the top down and the music blasting. Above all, don’t forget to soak up some Golden State sunshine.
Restaurants in California
1. San Francisco Water Taxi
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 12 reviews
Reviewed By katorinda - Lafayette, United States
My husband used to work in a building on Pier 7 and saw the water taxi come in and out of the area all day. Ever since, I've wanted to take it. We walked to Hyde Street pier and took the water taxi back. What a blast!! Kind of wish we had taken it both ways since the fare is good for the entire day. For $10 a person, this is a great deal in SF where everything is usually so overpriced! Highly recommend it as a way to see a different SF. Plus the captain was a hoot and great company!
2. Catalina Express
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 428 reviews
With 8 boats and up to 30 daily departures year-round from Long Beach, San Pedro and Dana Point, Catalina Express is the best way to get to Catalina Island. In about an hour, you could be hiking, biking, shopping, diving, snorkeling, fishing, dining, stand up paddling, kayaking, relaxing at a spa or kicking back at the beach club. Just 22 miles from LA, but a world of difference. (Don't forget to upgrade to the Commodore Lounge and skip the lines with priority check-in, express boarding, plus a complimentary cocktail or soft drink, and more. Just $15 each way.)
Reviewed By MattFore - Los Angeles, United States
A smooth, easy, and fast trip to Catalina and we even were able to sail just past a pod of 50+ dolphins jumping along in the channel between Catalina and Long Beach! An amazing and beautiful sight!
3. Balboa Island Ferry
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 1,918 reviews
Reviewed By 53Prince53 - Lake Elsinore, United States
A great little adventure plus a short cut to get from Balboa Island to the Newport Peninsula. Include a ride for weekend dates. It is operated in a safe manner. Prices are inexpensive. On the Newport Peninsula side it ends at the ferris wheel and other attractions, including other boat cruises. Evening ferry rides bring out the colorful harbor lights.
4. Catalina Express
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 1,122 reviews
Catalina Island is just an hour away aboard our fast and sleek boats out of Long Beach, San Pedro and Dana Point. We are committed to offering the most advanced, state-of-the-art watercraft available while maintaining a high level of dedication to safety, customer satisfaction, and quality of service. Today, the fleet consists of 8 high-speed vessels. More than one million passengers set sail to Catalina Island each year on board Catalina Express, and with year round service and up to 30 departures daily, you can easily join them.
Reviewed By gkakkar17 - Cancun, Mexico
The staff was very courteous and helpful. The ferry ride to and back from Catalina Island was also smooth and comfortable with nice views.
5. Catalina Express
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 296 reviews
Catalina Island is just an hour away aboard our fast and sleek boats out of Long Beach, San Pedro and Dana Point. We are committed to offering the most advanced, state-of-the-art watercraft available while maintaining a high level of dedication to safety, customer satisfaction, and quality of service. Today, the fleet consists of 8 high-speed vessels. More than one million passengers set sail to Catalina Island each year on board Catalina Express, and with year round service and up to 30 departures daily, you can easily join them.
Reviewed By tLynn18 - Boise, United States
We took this ride out to Catalina Island and back. My husband and I sat in the top of the boat where there are fewer seats and a nice view. Inside the bottom deck there are many more seats and a bar that serves drinks and snacks. The ride was maybe an hour and 10 minutes there and the same back. Our trip was a rainy one but we still took a look out on the deck for a moment. The seating reminds me of airplane seats and they were fine for this trip.
6. Golden Gate Ferry
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 568 reviews
Golden Gate Ferry has been providing reliable, affordable service on the San Francisco Bay for over 40 years. The scenic ride between San Francisco and Marin County allows passengers to take in the spectacular views of the Golden Gate Bridge, Alcatraz, the San Francisco skyline, Angel Island, Marin hill towns, and magnificent Mount Tamalpais. All Golden Gate Ferry vessels are clean and luxurious featuring multiple decks, indoor and outdoor seating, full-service refreshment stands offering snacks and beverages including a full-bar, and ample space for bicycles. All vessels are wheelchair accessible. In San Francisco, Golden Gate Ferry boats depart to Sausalito or Larkspur from the Golden Gate San Francisco Ferry Terminal located behind the historic San Francisco Ferry Building along the Embarcadero at the foot of Market Street. Golden Gate Ferry offers daily service.
Reviewed By RichardR550 - Westminster, United States
If you want to get downtown San Francisco and not have to fight traffic and try to find parking then from the north side your best bet is the Golden Gate Ferry from Larkspur. As a senior, our ticket only costs six dollars. You can buy the round trip tickets at the automatic kiosk. If you are going to park at the ferry terminal do yourself a favor and get the Parkmobile mobile phone app that makes it easy to pay the two dollar parking charge. If you are not prepared getting the parking charge paid can be a real nightmare. If you have your bicycle in tow you get to board the ferry first so you can get it racked up. Boarding is pretty much first come first served. No reserved seating. Tables are communal so if there is space, you will be sharing. There is a snack bar with refreshments. So settle into your window seat, if you got one and enjoy the trip from Larkspur to San Francisco and back. They run catamarans and they are very fast, so it is a fun ride. You will get to see many of the famous sights along the way. The San Francisco terminal is at the Embarcadero on the far south end of the San Francisco's Historic Ferry Building. Print or get a copy of the schedule for departure times because they vary during the day. It is not every half hour. There is a variety of public transportation right outside the San Francisco ferry building. We always buy a full day Muni pass because it is convenient. It will pay for itself after a couple of trolley, street car and cable car rides. Take the Golden Gate Ferry from Larkspur. You will have a great time. Safe travels. Cheers.
7. San Francisco Bay Ferry Vallejo Service
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 341 reviews
Reviewed By Popovtown - Vallejo, United States
Very popular way to commute or take a day trip to the city. Ferry is clean, crew is professional and friendly. Very dependable and always on time! What more can you ask for! Passengers are respectful and crew does not allow for children running on boat. Love taking my nap and in 60 minutes I am getting off at the ferry building.
8. Angel Island - Tiburon Ferry
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 197 reviews
We are a family owned and operated ferry service for 5 generations. We provide ferry service from Tiburon to Angel Island State Park, Sunset Cruises, Whale Watching Cruises, Special Event Cruises and Private Charters.
Reviewed By Global81066
A trip on the family-owned Angel Island Ferry is a terrific family experience. I've been many times, starting 35 years ago when I took my son bicycling there with his fifth grade buddies. Now I'm repeating the experience with his children, and it's their favorite activity with their grandparents. The ferry ride is a short 10-minute hop from Tiburon to Ayala Cove, and the ferry staff is super-careful regarding safety, especially in this time of Covid social distancing. They now maintain a low passenger capacity, requiring advance reservations; once you're in line, they're careful to keep people apart, and always masked. They manage to do this with a lot of humor. Once on the island, kids can bike, play on the beach, hike, picnic, or whatever...all in the most scenic spot imaginable. The views westward to San Francisco, the Golden Gate Bridge, and Marin County are unparalleled. There is a small cafe, a tourist tram with island history, and bike rentals (although the ferry also allows bikes). There is also limited camping (with advance reservations).
9. Santa Barbara Water Taxi
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 24 reviews
Santa Barbara's beloved water taxi providing taxi rides and private events on the Santa Barbara Waterfront. Check our website for more info and a calendar showing the daily schedule.
10. San Francisco Bay Ferry
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 302 reviews
Reviewed By Kittygal - Los Angeles, United States
My first trip back post Covid had me wanting to cross the water. I combined a ride on the Oakland Alameda ferry with a journey up to Berkeley and it was great. The ride was smooth, the weather was good. There were ample Covid prevention measures in place. Glad to see things getting back to normal.
