Sailing under the Golden Gate Bridge is one of the great cruise moments. Ships dock at Pier 27 on the Embarcadero, walking distance from Fisherman's Wharf, North Beach and the Alcatraz ferries.
Ships dock at the James R. Herman Cruise Terminal at Pier 27, with overflow at Pier 35 — both on the Embarcadero.
The F-line streetcar runs right past the terminal.
Pier 39 and the sea lions are 10–15 minutes west.
Pier 33 is a 5-minute walk.
Main terminal plus an overflow pier, both on the Embarcadero.
| Cruise line / ship | Typical berth / arrival | Dock or tender |
|---|---|---|
| Most lines | James R. Herman Cruise Terminal, Pier 27 | 📍 Docked |
| Second ship | Pier 35 | 📍 Docked |
Typical arrangements only — your ship's berth is confirmed in the daily planner.
These typical arrangements are retained from the supplied port guide and have not all been independently reverified. Map links are location searches, not live ship assignments. Confirm the berth, tender landing and boarding arrangements for your sailing. Read this port’s researched access notes →
✈️ Airport: San Francisco International (SFO) — 25–40 min; Oakland (OAK) is an alternative
🚐 Getting to the ship: Taxi, rideshare or BART to Embarcadero then the F-line streetcar.
🏨 Where to stay: Fisherman's Wharf, North Beach or Union Square.
Starting your cruise here? Princess Cruises and Regent Seven Seas sail from San Francisco; the other lines below visit on their itineraries. Tap one to see current sailings.
Typical lines only — which ships visit changes every season. Live sailings and prices come from Cruise Travellers' booking engine.
Compare access requirements for this port before booking an excursion →
The shore excursions most worth your time in San Francisco.
Tours booked through Viator, Cruise Travellers' excursion partner. Check the operator’s written return-to-ship policy; a guarantee is not assumed.
These are sightseeing suggestions. Distances and walking difficulty labels do not establish a step-free route. Read the port-specific access notes before choosing a route.
Waterfront to the Filbert Street steps, Coit Tower and Italian cafés in North Beach.
Best time: September–October is warmest and clearest; summer is often foggy and cool, 57–70°F / 14–21°C.
| Month | Avg high | Avg low | Rainy days |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 57°F / 14°C | 46°F / 8°C | 10 |
| Feb | 60°F / 16°C | 48°F / 9°C | 10 |
| Mar | 62°F / 17°C | 49°F / 9°C | 9 |
| Apr | 63°F / 17°C | 50°F / 10°C | 5 |
| May ⭐ | 64°F / 18°C | 52°F / 11°C | 2 |
| Jun | 66°F / 19°C | 54°F / 12°C | 1 |
| Jul | 66°F / 19°C | 55°F / 13°C | 0 |
| Aug | 67°F / 19°C | 56°F / 13°C | 0 |
| Sep ⭐ | 70°F / 21°C | 56°F / 13°C | 1 |
| Oct ⭐ | 69°F / 21°C | 54°F / 12°C | 3 |
| Nov | 63°F / 17°C | 50°F / 10°C | 7 |
| Dec | 57°F / 14°C | 46°F / 8°C | 10 |
⭐ = best months to visit. Approximate long-term averages — check the forecast before you sail.
Along the Embarcadero to the Wharf and Ferry Building.
Powell or California lines.
Wharf, North Beach and Ferry Building.
Prices are typical ranges and change — confirm before you ride.
Other port guides close to San Francisco.
Tours, prices, transport fares and pier assignments change. Always confirm with the operator, your cruise line and your ship's all-aboard time before relying on anything here.
Pier 27 on the Embarcadero — Golden Gate views, cable cars and Alcatraz at your doorstep.
Alcatraz’s steep dock-to-cellhouse climb has a documented mobility tram; ferry boarding and tram space still need planning.
Published sources reviewed October 17, 2026. This is desk research, not an on-site access audit. Access can change with the ship, berth, equipment and operating conditions.
Use S.E.A.T. rather than the steep hill
NPS describes a quarter-mile approach gaining 130 feet and provides the S.E.A.T. accessible tram for visitors with mobility impairments. A cellhouse elevator and accessible restroom facilities are listed.
ASL, described and written options
NPS lists an ASL cellhouse tour on a handheld device, written transcripts and an audio-described version. Request assistive listening equipment at Pier 33 rather than waiting until after the ferry.
Planning suggestion: Reserve the authorized ferry and plan use of S.E.A.T. with enough time for boarding and return-tram queues.
Detailed access-planning questions · Save these arrangements in your day plan
Discuss my access needsTurn the interests in this guide into a private shore-day brief. These are ideas to discuss with Melody, not confirmed bookable products.
Before booking, request the named operator, inclusions, vehicle specification, entry tickets, cancellation terms and a written return plan. Private access, special entry and availability must be confirmed.
Request a Curated Ashore proposal Book a consultationSave a personal checklist on this device, then print it or share your brief with Melody. Times are your inputs in ship time; this tool does not calculate travel times or guarantee return.
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Confirm piers, fares, transfers, admission, tour duration and assistance with your cruise line and the relevant operator. Weather tables are inherited indicative averages, not a forecast. Report a correction.
