Escape from the Rock Cruise in San Francisco, CA

My husband and I bought tickets on a Saturday at Pier 39 for a round-trip to the town of Tiburon. We were visiting San Francisco without a vehicle and considered the ferry to be a logical and fun way to reach our destination. Though there were long lines for tickets because of the December holidays, the one for Tiburon was short and we had our tickets within 5 minutes. Staff here proved to be helpful and polite. We joined another line at Pier 41 to board the ferry about 20 minutes before departure, which occurred exactly on time. Both boarding and disembarking went smoothly. This ferry stopped first at Sausalito and Angel Island, but the return trip was nonstop to San Francisco. The crew was extremely upbeat and professional and they ensured punctual sailings. The ferry was clean and appeared to be well maintained with plenty of seating on two levels and outside decks for the myriad passengers.The cool, sunny day kept us outside, where we sat on a bench and enjoyed the view. That included the San Francisco skyline, Bay Bridge, Golden Gate Bridge and Alcatraz. Photo ops seemed endless. Though we didn't use it, a snack bar was available on the first level. Many passengers brought bicycles with them and these were stored in a designated section. I found the Blue & Gold Fleet to be a well-run operation with topnotch staff and reasonable prices. We paid $15 each for a round-trip senior fare.

I went to the pier 39 office looking for the Director of operations to inquire about sea service for my coast guard license. Upon entering the office I asked a bearded person if Chris still worked there, he stated no. I then asked if he had any cards left for business, then he stated Chris was on vacation. He did not provide any contact information and as I left chided me out the door with “ go back where you came from”. This behavior exhibited by their staff is more proof their crews are inhospitable and inexperienced to a tee. Being a professional Mariner with over 27 years of experience internationally, I expected a more professional office experience. Personally appalled at the lack of experience, nepotism and sheer politics keeping professional mariners from plying their trade. It is unfortunate that true experience is chided there. Shows the waste of true Mariner experience in the face of politics and internal hiring ideals. Not free market or intelligent. So the next time you watch a crew member mess something up on those ferry’s , understand the hiring they do is from a pool of people that over 87 percent of which take a one week course and are earning the same wages as people with decades of sea service. Blue and Gold fails the smell test. Good riddance.

Very nice tour of the San Francisco Bay. Went to the Golden Gate Bridge, cruised around Alcatraz Island. The whole trip was narrated by very knowledgeable guide.

It was really a great informative fun cruise. The weather was cool in the mid of October ( there is a lot of space indoor if you prefer so). The audio recording was great to learn about the landmarks that we passed by that aimed the passengers to the left or to the right as needed to follow the sights with the audio. Staff are very friendly, helpful and patient.

Bought ticket for the sunset cruise for Saturday - Really gorgeous and we got to see Golden Gate Bridge in the sunset ("Golden" indeed!). The overall ride was very beautiful and comfortable, and ticket price includes 1 alcoholic drink or 2 non-alcoholic drinks. Ride was smooth and we sailed past Alcatraz Island and Oakland Bay bridge too. Highly recommended!