- Restaurants |
- Nightlife |
- Shopping |
- Movies |
- All
Adventure Cat Sailing Charter
Categories: Active Life Boating Event Planning & Services Boat Charters Boating, Boat Charters [Edit]
Pier 39Dock J
San Francisco, CA 94133
Neighborhood: Fisherman's Wharf
(415) 777-1630
- Accepts Credit Cards:
- Yes
- Good for Kids:
- Yes
About This Business:
OCSC Sailing, is a San Francisco Bay sailing school and sailing club. We offer sailing lessons, sailboat instruction, US Sailing Certification, sailboat… read more »
95 reviews for Adventure Cat Sailing Charter
95 reviews in English
-
Review from Monica R.
Austin, TX
4/27/2012
The best way to view San Francisco. We did the sunset cruise so children were not allowed. Every ticket comes with two drinks, beer, wine, or soft drinks. Good appetizer snack food that they constantly refill including brie wheel, fruit, veggies, chips and salsa, nuts. Awesome! No better to sail the bay than a silent, huge sailboat with jazz music and great food on a beautiful boat.
-
Review from Reyes H.
San Francisco, CA
4/24/2012
I bought tickets for the sunset cruise for my boyfriend's50th birthday. He loved it. The staff was so friendly and helpful. They don't have a pre-recorded tour guide message playing all along the cruise. Instead at the beginning of the cruise they offer information about whatever you encounter if you request it. I loved that. I get so tired of pre-recorded announcements ruining the mood of something really cool. Along with the tickets, you get two drink tickets, and they offer snacks too. They do have some jackets aboard if you get chilly. Trust me, you will get chilly. We went on a very warm evening, about 70 degrees. And we spent the entire time at the front of the catamaran. We both opted to leave our coats in the car. It was cold. It's hard to tell just how cold you are until you begin to warm up again. We should have brought our coats. Did it ruin our time? No way! We even saw a whale! This was an awesome cruise. The people running it are knowledgeable, helpful, friendly, responsible. Also for those wondering about seasickness, you don't get that way aboard a catamaran. I can't recommend this enough.
-
Review from Kathleen N.
Fremont, CA
6/29/2011
The sunset cruise was a blast! My friend and I loved the experience as it shows you a different perspective of San Francisco. Sailing on the waters, grubbing, and enjoying the view.. It's perfect to go with friends/family or have a semi-romantic evening with a close one.
It sure is windy out there so be sure to pack on the clothes. Don't look like a doofus like me and come out wearing a dress and sandals.. Had to suck it up anyways to go on the deck!
Overall, my date and I had a fun time. We chatted it up with some people around us and made some new friends that day. It's something to do just to say you've done it :) -
Review from Thanh N.
8/23/2011
I bought tickets for my boyfriend and I to take a ride on their sunset cruise last summer and we had so much fun. They offer you two drink vouchers and they have snacks/fruits/crackers for you to enjoy while you're sailing. We ended up sitting out in the front for the whole cruise. Make sure you bring a jacket! It gets pretty chilly even during the summer! NO JOKE, bring a jacket! It was really nice and warm on the Pier and once we started sailing I was freeeeezzzzing!
I'd definitely come back again (= -
Review from Kevin M.
Alameda, CA
10/6/2011
A wonderful experience for all ages. The Bay Cruise & Sunset Cruise are perfect adventures for experiencing sailing and the beauty of SF Bay. The owners & crew take great pride in their vessels and their work.
With America's Cup coming to SF Bay, this adventure is only going to get better! -
Review from Jennie M.
Mountain View, CA
5/1/2011
I celebrated my 40th birthday party with about 60 of my friends yesterday, and we had a blast! I was originally hoping to charter their boat, but my group was too big for the small boat, and I'm not quite rich enough to charter the big boat for the group. So instead, I bought tickets on their regularly scheduled 3pm bay cruise. If you buy 10 or more tickets simultaneously on the same credit card, you save $5 per ticket.
Everyone had a blast! It also helped that we had *gorgeous* weather yesterday. (That was the first time I've been on a boat on the SF Bay and only needed a t-shirt, hahaha.) My friends' kids had a lot of fun playing on the netting between the hulls of the catamaran. The parents even managed to relax about that after the first few minutes. =) It's really safe and induces lots of laughter and joy.
I'm so taking this boat ride again when I have out of town visitors coming here for the first time. -
Review from Lynsey C.
San Francisco, CA
10/13/2010
The Adventure Cat Sunset Cruise made me believe in romance again. Yeah, it's that good.
I had been dating a certain gentleman friend for a couple of months when he told me he had a surprise for me on an upcoming Wednesday night. I was instructed to wear jeans, flat shoes and bring a warm jacket. I was then given cross streets and told to be no later than 5:30pm. I tried searching online and quizzing friends on what they thought it might be. Dinner outside? Alcatraz (really...??)? Renting those awful little yellow go carts and causing traffic jams in North Beach? I really did not know what to expect.
But, I'm game for adventure and knew my man had something amazing up his sleeve even though he is pretty new to the bay area. So I dressed accordingly, arrived at the cross streets and found myself smack in the middle of tourist riddled Pier 39. Wtf was gonna happen tonight?
Then I saw him, looking so handsome and dressed to impress, walking towards me. He grabbed my hand and led me down to where all the boats are parked and we checked out the sea lions for a moment. Then we walked down the deck and onto the Adventure Cat Sailboat. There were two people working the boat (a captain and a first mate) and only 4 other people on the entire trip with us. We were briefed on what to expect and pulled out slowly into the bay for the most amazing sunset I have ever seen in California.
The views were breath taking and they allow you to run all around the boat to get the best pictures and shots of the Golden Gate Bridge, Marin and Alcatraz. They have a small bar on board with wine and beer as well as light appetizers. The captain offered us jackets to wear if we were cold and even allowed me to drive the ship for a few minutes to see what it felt like to manuever such a large sailboat on the choppy waters of the bay.
At the end of the tour, I felt refreshed, more in love with San Francisco than ever and a little bit more smitten with the man that keeps showing me romance is far from dead. -
Review from Jennie K.
9/27/2010
Nothing fancy, you hop on their boat and they sail you around the bay. They say it's a smooth ride for a sailboat, but be prepared to hold on all the time if you're standing outside. The people are nice and they know what they're doing, so I think the trip is as good as you make it. BRING A JACKET!
They don't talk much during the trip, and the snacks/beer/wine were way overpriced. Make sure your pockets are zipped, we watched a guy lose his iPod into the bay. -
Review from Lindsay Z.
Burlingame, CA
8/20/2010
My mom wanted to go sailing for her birthday this year. First she made a reservation with the Hornblower for their afternoon trip, but they cancelled it due to lack of interest. She then found Adventure Cat, and booked us for the 1:00pm sail on a Friday, for $30 per person I believe. I'm so glad she found this boat, it was a much better experience than Hornblower (which I've been on many times before).
Despite the chilly and slightly foggy weather, we had a great time. The boat (being a catamaran) is super stable through the bay's choppy waters. They let you crawl around on the nets in front if you want, though you will almost certainly get wet so watch your camera and cell phone! There is also a covered and somewhat wind-protected "indoor" seating area with cushioned seats and plenty of headroom. There is a head (aka a bathroom), and while I didn't use it I imagine it looks like a typical boat bathroom. They have a small bar with chips, soda, and beer...but the two staff were never there so I don't think anyone on our trip bought anything.
The boat was about half full, which allowed for plenty of room to move around. We saw seal lions, dolphins, and lots of sea birds. As an extra bonus, the multi-million dollar yacht "A" was moored off Sausalito and we got a great view of the exterior. We even got to see a helicopter land to drop off some people, then take off. I wonder who was on it....?
I will definitely keep Adventure Cat in mind next time I have an out-of-town visitor who wants to go on the water. Sometimes it's fun to be a tourist in your own city. Now if there was only a way to get there that avoided the craziness of Fisherman's Wharf that would be perfect...Comment from Hans K. of Adventure Cat Sailing Charter 8/20/2010
Hi Lindsay! Thank you so much for taking the time to do such… More » -
Review from Kristy M.
"I'm on a boat
I'm on a boat
Everybody look at me cause I'm sailin on a boat
I'm on a boat
I'm on a boat
Take a good hard look at the motherf*&$@n boat
Take a picture, trick (trick) I'm on a boat, b*tch
We drinking Santana champ, cause it's so crisp
I got my swim trunks, and my flippie-floppies
I'm flippin burgers, you at Kinko's straight flippin copies"
So maybe we weren't flippin burgers or drinking Santana champ, but we did have a beer in our hand the entire time, we did sail under the GG Bridge while the sun was setting and we did have a mountainous bowl of artichoke dip at our disposal!
The $45/ticket covered our 90 minute (6:30 - 8pm) sunset cruise from the docks at Pier 39 to the GG Bridge and back, plus 2 drink tickets (beer and wine only) plus an ample supply of tasty finger foods.
Since you board at Pier 39 you actually get to walk right past the Seals that are sunbathing on the docks. Have your camera ready to snap some up close shots, but be aware that the crew will yell at you if you get too close or stop for too long (they're very protective of their residents), so make it quick!
Though it was a "scorching" 75 degrees out that day we still needed the parka's they provided on the boat as the winds were pretty fierce once we set out on the bay.
I've been on quite a few cruises on the bay in my 7 years in SF and this is by far my favorite. Make sure you bring your camera, a really warm jacket and wear flat shoes!! -
Review from Sparkely K.
Silicon Valley, CA
10/2/2009
I had completely forgotten about Adventure Cat Sailing Charter until I was browsing through the reviews of another on Yelp. What a great organization this is!
Many years ago I was asked to put together a fun outing for my team, and never wanting to be outdone, found Adventure Cat. Needless to say even the most cynical of the group were ecstatic when they found out what we were doing for the work play day. We ate and drank while breezing around the Bay during a picture perfect SF afternoon. It was the beginning of Fleet Week and during the last portion of our sail, one by one, the Fleet moved in to the Bay!! Imagine seeing ships and submarines surrounding you!!! It was off the charts!
Excellent service by Adventure Cat.
Needless to say I was the employee of the week!! :)Listed in: Make Me Smile
-
Review from Tracy H.
Dublin, CA
7/7/2010
I've lived in the Bay Area for 16 years (can't believe it's been that long already!) and have never seen the San Francisco 4th of July fireworks. This year was going to be the year!
I loathe crowds, so watching the show from the waterfront had zero appeal... what to do, what to do? Well shizznit ... how about watching the fireworks from a boat! But where? And from whom? Go, go, gadget Yelp!
So glad I was able to find Adventure Cat! (And no, I didn't pick them just because of the name... heh!) I called them a week before the 4th and spoke to Sharon. Lucky me, was still able to get tickets for their fireworks cruise! Because it was a special event, I couldn't get the Yelp discount, but whatevs! Sharon was very friendly and answered all my questions. She even wrote me up an email explaining in detail where they were docked to avoid confusion - When facing Pier 39, walk down the left walkway, towards the sea lions. The catamarans are docked at Gate J.
Upon arrival, because it was July 4th, there was some confusion on my part on what to do because it was very busy and there was quite a line going. So here's what you do - go up to the gate and talk to the guy waiting there, he's got your tickets to board if you didn't get them already in the mail. Hold on to those tickets because they are also your drink tickets.
Now, these are catamarans, not yachts, so I knew enough that it would be freezing cold out on the bay, but not everybody got the memo. One poor girl showed up wearing a dress and heels! Yikes, poor thing. It's cold! My second piece of advice: bring a blanket, and/or dress like you are going to Tahoe in winter for the night cruises, the wind is bitingly cold! And if you want to go out on the trampolines, you DEFINITELY need to bundle up!
I was oooohing and aaaahing the whole time out on the trampolines - not only did we get to see the SF fireworks, but also Marin's and Alameda's (or was it Treasure Island's? not sure about that, but anyway....) It was fab! Basically no matter where you were seated, you had a view of fireworks.
Hans and the rest of the crew made sure everybody was comfortable and taken care of - made sure we all got our "beer jackets" on. :) There was some food - crackers, grapes, cheeses, etc. available to grub on too.
The only thing I had an issue with was the seating arrangements. The boat was full, so there was no seating in the cabin to accommodate everybody. I'm sure that would be fine for a day cruise, as some people would venture out onto the trampolines, but when it's a night cruise and everybody wants to hang out in the cabin to stay out of the cold wind... yeah, it kinda sucks being forced to stand. Luckily, everybody was friendly and willing to share seats.
Also, be wary when booking for the 4th, I guess this was the first time in 5 years or so that the fireworks were able to seen as the fog layer was high enough in the air. I guess it's a bit of a crapshoot, but we got lucky. I had fab time! -
Review from Stanley K.
San Francisco, CA
8/19/2007
. { ~~~~~~~~~~~~~ }
{ ~~~~~~~~~~ }
{ ~~~~~~ }
@};-
{ ~~~~~~ }
{ ~~~~~~~~~~~ }
{ ~~~~~~~~~~~~~ }
A love for the Sea
( For those who need a melody behind this review)
-KayJay ( Thank you for organizing!, I'm copying your youtube's groove)
Enya- Watermark
http://www.youtube.com...
OR:
Enya- Only time
http://www.youtube.com...
The Open Sea
This is where I want to be, at peace and at ease.
Feeling upon the ocean's breeze, the wind's drift, and the sun's heat.
I am incarnate.
No cars, no pedestrians, no traffic noise, just a boat and the sea.
This is the life. This is......... the open sea.
For You Again
I'm inviting you to know perfection
We smoothly go down...then from east to west...going up smoothly again...
We float in the perfect infinite...to then be perfectly aligned as always we are, we were and we will be...
-This is probably one of my best weekends I have thus far. And it gets better and better. It started on Friday. I had an incredible glass of Cabernet at the District bar. I meet an awesome girl. I went salsa dancing at Roccoaccupo. Then I went home. No hangover, YAY! On Saturday, I went golfing with some friends. Shot in the high 90's. Weather was fairly good. Did not drink while playing helped alot. Celebrated Gabriel's birthday that evening. Had some great conversations with Omar about my birthday. I know, I don't like getting old or even thinking about it. On Sunday, I was inspired by the sea. I made life long friends. I lived another day. I could not ask for a better weekend.
ps- I wanna learn to sail, who's down?
pss- Pictures coming soon!!! Look for updates! I've been having problems with my flickr account. Sorrwie.
psss- This is not a funny review....well...wait
-What is the difference between a sin and shame?
It's a sin to stick it in and a shame to take it out. -
Review from David D.
8/19/2007 1 photo
How do you know when you have an online community?
When it becomes a real community! Suppose a Yelper, just any random Yelper, decides she wants to take a cruise on the Bay? OK, I confess, she's not "just any random Yelper," she's KAYJAY! Our HERO!
Look at what this lady did: She researched the boat. She started a talk thread to drum up interest. She made the reservations and handled the payments. She set up an event board so we wouldn't lose touch in the the flaggity-flag talk thread country. She negotiated and mediated and made sure we all got the message that WE, the community, had voted for beer and wine, and a potluck. And, she ACTUALLY MADE IT TO THE BOAT!
It was like renting a private bar.
New Yelper friends, long-time Yelper friends, an excellent, good-natured boat crew, fair weather and flat water conspired to make this one of the best cruises I have ever had in my LIFE! Say, did I ever tell you that Yelpers are a witty, smart, bunch of people? Like, they can prove how tight it is when you squeeze two in the head? Or something like that?
Raw pix here (no, none of the tiny head):
http://www.flickr.com/...
Sorry I didn't get a picture of the potluck banquet table. You can have the charter company do full catering and an open bar, if that's how you roll. -
Review from Shelly A.
7/19/2010 1 Check-in Here
One of the best experiences in my life!
Adventure Cat is awesome! First of all its not one of those crappy ferrys or large tourist boats. It's a very small and intimate boat with an extremely friendly crew. My boyfriend and I took the sunset 90 minute bay tour and it was jaw dropping. The price was just $40/pp and it was for the tour and 2 alcoholic drinks per person and a surprisingly good spread of appetizers. They take you around Alcatraz, under the Golden Gate and back around for a great view of the San Fran skyline! If you are visiting the area or you live in San Fran and haven't done this before, it would make a very nice night out with a loved one or the family. -
Review from Elaine S.
10/17/2010
Four year anniversary, sunset cruise, mid-October, with temps outside about 65 degrees.
They suggest that you bring a jacket. For last night's cruise I would have also suggested a warm hat, gloves, and a scarf.
The views are gorgeous overall, but it's particularly cool to look at the Golden Gate Bridge from below.
One of my favorite things about the ride is how much our ship captain seemed to be enjoying himself sailing. :)
Bring a camera with a wrist strap. -
Review from Cassie J.
San Francisco, CA
10/17/2009 15 photos
Dad's Birthday--Part 2
San Francisco is a tough City to survive in. Real Estate is insane, our taxes are always too high, gas is a pain, and parking is such a headache. But all of those negative qualities quickly go down the drain once you step foot onto the Adventure Cat Catamaran sail boats.
I made a reservation to take Dad for a the Sunset Sail around the Bay for the conclusion of his birthday Day. The day that we attended happened to be the most beautiful afternoon, so there was a huge turnout for the Sunset Sail that Adventure Cat had to take out both of their Catamarans-- 1 and 2. We were on Adventure Cat 1, which was great--it's a small sail, and I loved this because #2, while a bit larger holds up to 99 people. Ours held about 48 people.
The Sunset Sail is normally $45.00 per person, but Thank You Sharon of Adventure Cat for giving me a lovely Comp tour! The Sunset Sail is a 1 and a Half hour cruise that sails around Alcatraz Island, toward Sausalito, down toward the Golden Gate Bridge, and finally under the Bridge for the most beautiful views during sunset. Cruise also includes complimentary hors d'oeuvres and 2 free drinks.
Call me lame, but throughout several breath-taking moments of the Sunset Cruise, I couldn't help but think to myself "Just how lucky I am!" to have been born, bread and fed here in San Francisco. And I began to have a light tear run down my face thinking of all of the reasons why my grandparents emigrated Southern China and choose to settle here in S.F. to better their lives and to have born and raised children here in the U.S. There truly isn't a more beautiful view of the City than from the Bay.
Adventure Cat Sailing is a MUST for both Locals and Visitors alike. And especially for those locals who seem to have forgotten San Francisco's beauty...after having been lost in the chaotic-ness of everyday life.
My Heart Will Always Be in San Francisco! -
Review from tiffinie t.
San Francisco, CA
8/20/2007 8 photos
Late summer in San Francisco always throws me off just a little bit. Maybe it's because just as I think the sun's here for a spell, the fog arrives and smothers the dog days into submission. Once it's lifted, the obvious is revealed: summer's almost over. This is when my sad reality sets in: I missed summer. Having grown up in a city that almost always feels like summer, this time of year leaves me feeling unsettled. Anxious. A little blue, even.
Until yesterday.
Thanks to KayJay's brilliant idea to take Yelpers to the high seas those feeling were beaten down and forgotten.
It was one of those breathtaking days. The wind was perfect. Just enough to muss up our hair and to fill our sails. The bright sunshine wasn't too hot, but just warm enough to lie and sun on the bow of the Adventure Cat's trampolined bow! The company. Well it was wonderful... funny and friendly and incredibly entertaining. Fortunately, no one got hurt or sick or fell over board. (OK, so *what* if Grace lost her shoe to the Bay just minutes outside of the break water? Nice karate kick, though.)
Lucky for us, the crew was good humored and tolerant of the aforementioned Yelper high jinx! They were great! Friendly and professional to the end. Thanks to their mad sailing and people skills, the Adventure Cat provided a smooth ride as we glided across the Bay. We coasted past Alcatraz and Angel Island, by Tiburon and Sausalito, then under the Golden Gate to the open seas!
I have to admit that it was a little sad as we approached Pier 39 with all the waving tourists and barking sea lions. But as with many things, our day at sea had to come to an end. I mean, how much beauty and nature and fun can you take in?
All-in-all, it was a perfect day. One to chase the blues away. A day to remind us how lucky we are to live where we live, and to know all of the cool people the Bay (and Yelp) has brought together. Thanks for a great day!Listed in: Round, round get around, I get…
-
Review from Nancy R.
San Francisco, CA
8/20/2007
KayJay, you're the best. All that hassle of trying to collect money from us deadbeat Yelpers. Hope you're feeling good -- as Borat would say, it was "great success."
I felt like I was on "Lifestyles of the Rich and Famous." Clear blue skies, perfect day, glacial water. Meeting new Yelpers, bonding with old Yelpers, drinking in wine and the eye candy showcased by our beautiful bay, golden bridge, and hotties to the left and right of me. Definitely one of the best afternoons I can remember for awhile.
A toast to you KayJay. Can we start planning for next year??? -
Review from JeFF T.
Fremont, CA
8/23/2007
30+ yrs in the Bay Area and I've only been on the Bay 2 other times...visits to Alcatraz and Angel Island. It can almost be compared to my ride on a cable car for the 1st time 3 yrs ago...sad! Sailing on the Bay on a nice summer Sunday was just what I needed.
I was a little leery at first. I wasn't sure how rough it might be on the Bay. Having once tried whale watching in Monterey, I did not fare well on that maiden voyage. It was no 3 hour tour, but it was long enough to cause me to be laid up below deck for the whole trip. I hoped not to repeat that experience.
Once on board, it became apparent that it might be smooth sailing after all. However, that blanket of fog that surrounded the Golden Gate, looked omnious. The boat didn't seem big enough for our group to all sit in the cabin, thus people were quick to make it out to the deck/trampolines. We talked. We laughed. We ate. We drank. We pee'd.
It was not your typical windy SF Bay weather...it was surprisingly calm with a small breeze. It was warm enough to brave the elements in just a t-shirt and jeans. The boat made it's way slowly past Alcatraz, Angel Island, Tiburon, Sausalito, and under the Golden Gate (which was an awesome sight to behold from below). As the clocked ticked down, I began to get sad. The 3.5 hour trip was long, but I didn't want it to end. The nice day, coupled with an awesome group of Yelpers, really made the trip fun. While you might not get to sail with a group like mine, it's totally worth taking any of the other expeditions for the tourists. I'm glad I made it out. -
Review from ella a.
Daly City, CA
4/10/2009
I was really upset when I missed the cruise by 5 minutes. My friends who were visiting from out of town were on the cruise telling Hans to wait for me and two others who had drove up. I had parked and we were literally running through Pier 39 to the dock. Hans apparently had one foot on the boat and one foot on the dock, saying i cant see her running, we are leaving. It was bs! We paid $90, and he cant wait 5 min, especially with phone confirmation that i was there!??
I get it, its your boat, your rules. But give me a break!
Well, we had to cancel our dinner plans so we didnt eat the cost of our tickets. We decided to take the sunset cruise.
It really was beautiful, and if i had showed up on time, i probably would have given 5 stars.
One redeeming point was that i got 8 drink tickets somehow. Maybe the call desk we spoke with after missing the boat felt bad.
Anyway, point is dont be late;) I do recommend the cruise, but was just really upset with the way they handled the situation. -
Review from Sherbi D.
San Jose, CA
7/5/2010
For our one year anniversary, my boyfriend had made plans to go on the Catamaran cruise, a 1.5 hour trip around the bay during the sunset hour. Finding the dock was very easy and the check-in process went very smoothly. As everyone loaded up on the boat, they had appetizers, beer and wine available. For $45 (mention yelp to receive $5 off), I thought it was a nice experience. It may be a little windy and cold, having a sweater/jacket is a good idea. It may not be as romantic as some people expect it to be, but having a good group around you makes the trip a lot better.
I would definitely recommend it, but the only negative thing I noticed was there were too many people on the boat. The service was good, the trip around the bay was beautiful and people working on the boat were very friendly. -
Review from Adrienne P.
San Francisco, CA
7/27/2007
Did the sunset sail last night and had a great time albeit we couldn't see the sun set b/c of the crazy fog but they did take us over to Sausalito where we found some sun and chilled out- it was fabulous. I'd recommend the weekday evening ride, the mood is mellow, the drinks are large and they have snacks for you.
The staff are very welcoming and like to have a good time with you. The captain looked like a REAL captain should, almost like the Gorton's Fisherman, rugged, scratchy voice, big unwiedly mustache and wisecracking attitude.
Check it out, the experience is all good. Also since its a catamaran it is double-hulled making the ride extremely smooth even on a rough night like last night! -
Review from Jane L.
San Francisco, CA
7/21/2009
FUN FUN FUN FOR EVERYONE!
- plus for half off price via groupon!
- great for group events!
- hour and a half ride
- get soaked or stay dry! your choice!
- complimentary jackets! how gentlemanly!
cost: $30 -
Review from Pukar R.
Dallas, TX
6/28/2010
So we decided to go sailing in the Bay and not on one of those boats loaded with tourists. We wanted a catamaran loaded with tourists lol. The overall experience was made quite painful due to the ridiculous wind and freezing cold temperature but I definitely don't regret this experience.
The crew was fantastic and very friendly. One of them warned me that I might get drenched if I stood in front of the hull and decided to move toward the middle of the boat. A few minutes later some dude totally get nailed by a swell, so funny! We sailed all the way under the Golden Gate bridge and back towards the Wharf making our way around Alcatraz. They slow down for picture opportunities around these landmarks so you have plenty of time to get great shots.
Even though we couldn't feel our extremities at the end of the trip, it was still a lot of fun. -
Review from Marla M.
Livermore, CA
8/19/2007
AKA Kay Jay's adventure for Yelper's!
What a beautiful day! Ton's of new friend's, and a couple I have met once before! Good times, great company and the beautiful San Francisco Bay to sail upon!
Thank you Kristine for a well orchastrated event! Kudo's to you! We have to do this again next year! For those of you who did not make it on boad, we missed you!Listed in: On the road again..
-
Review from Ali L.
10/4/2006
$25 gets you a 1.5 hour, picture perfect, exhilarating ride around the bay. We were at capacity and it didn't feel full on the boat at all.
You can stand at the front and get splashed, see seals riding along side you, watch the coast guard helicopter zoom underneath the GG Bridge and clap as kite boarders sail through the air.
Drinks are expensive and if you get stuck with some really annoying people, there's not much you can do. But it's well worth the money.
Tip: Dress Warmly!! -
Review from Jennifer O.
San Francisco, CA
4/13/2007
Get your smart sailing kit on, and get ready to escape on the bay for a bit. Be warned, sitting anywhere near the open trampolines on the front means you might be drenched by frigid waters...
Stay dry in the back and watch the kite surfers kick up into the air 15 ft, yards away from the boat. Be amazed by the underside of the Golden Gate. And see the city skyline from the water, the best possible view.Listed in: Time Well Spent
-
Review from m e.
Daly City, CA
5/6/2008
A friend of mine invited me to take this ride with her,i thought it was any other bay cruise tour,well it is not...
This one is an hour and a half of fun,relaxation and enjoying sf surrounded by water. One of the employees were telling us that at times,whales are seen during the trip. Lo and behold we saw one not long after sailing on the water.
I was glad to have taken this journey,and would definitely do it again. -
Review from John M.
San Francisco, CA
5/23/2009 3 photos
I was really surprised when my gf walked me over to see the seals on the pier by the Hard Rock because 15 of my friends were all there too and I learned quickly that my surprise b-day party was a sunset sail on the Bay. A sail on the water is a requirement for all San Franciscans so you can see your city from a different perspective.
The crew on the Adventure Cat was very cool and the bar plus the amazing scenery made for an amazing time. It can be a little chilly on the water to be sure you bring a jacket. In spite of the wind though, the boat has a dedicated indoor area where you can stay warm if necessary.
I spent the majority of the cruise on the bow so I could feel the wind in my hair and see the action without a filter. The most magnificent part for me was sailing underneath the Golden Gate Bridge. The underbelly of this massive structure is just as awesome as the view from the top.
I'd definitely recommend this to my friends! -
Review from Dylan ..
San Francisco, CA
5/11/2008
Went out on the AdventureCat 2 for Kaboom ("an outstanding fireworks display synchronized to a World Class Rock soundtrack" - KFOG website). It rocked; we departed from stinky sea lion pier, sailed around Alcatraz, and parked just on the south side of the Bay Bridge for the show.
Free drinks, great appetizers, really cool crew and captain. I'm totally jealous that these guys get to do this for a living. -
Review from Erin B.
Chicago, IL
9/13/2011
We had one full day to visit San Francisco, and we are both so happy that we spent a good chunk of it with the crew of the Adventure Cat. We took the 1pm cruise on a Thursday and were lucky enough to have only 5 other passengers - an accidental private charter. All of the crew were very friendly and eager to share stories of the boat and of San Francisco. There are a lot of charter boat services on the Bay, but I'm convinced that the unique experience of sailing on a catamaran combined with the extremely reasonable pricing makes this outfit a real winner. Dress warmly!
-
Review from Sara H.
Palo Alto, CA
1/15/2009 2 photos
Book a trip now... trust me.
Okay, if you want to hear more of what I think I will go further.
I have sailed with Adventure Cat 4-5 times and would not sail the bay any other way. Before I heard of Adventure Cat I wasted my money on the Blue & Gold ginormous ship tour which was ok until you do the same tour on a Catamaran. It is so much better.
This cruise costs about the same as the big ship tour yet there are about 100 less people on board. When you ride with Adventure Cat it feels just like you and a few friends are out sailing on your own boat.
The staff is very friendly and knowledgeable. One time the captain even gave me a sailing lesson.
Please do not even think about doing anything else in the city. When family comes to visit it is one of three things I take them to do. It is by far the best view of the Golden Gate Bridge. I agree - not just for tourists.
Check it out, and if you get a frequent sailor card you can score a free trip! -
Review from Bernadette C.
South San Francisco, CA
8/25/2007
Definitely worth our $45 (the day cruises are cheaper at $25) for the sunset cruise. The 1.5 hour boat ride is great! We sailed past Alcatraz, Sausalito/Tiburon, and best of all, underneath the Golden Gate Bridge. The ride itself was very smooth - only the expected up and down rocking motion of any boat. The views were great no matter where on the boat you chose to be. Plus, they have this specialized net seating/standing area for you so you can be "closer" to the water, which is scary at first, but pretty cool once you get used to it.
The sunset cruise includes 2 complimentary drinks - though be careful for your clothes when drinking the red wine on the boat =) - and buffet-style appetizers. Our boat had very nice people; I believe simply because everyone was relaxed and enjoying the great views. The crew and staff are also very nice. I called them up multiple times in a day for various changes (which I do apologize for), and they were always understanding!!
Overall great experience and something I would suggest to tourists and locals alike. One suggestions is to bring thick jackets. It'll get windy out there so layer it up! =) -
Review from Elizabeth M.
Napa, CA
3/29/2010
Awesome day on the bay!
We went Thanksgiving weekend and although it is often chilly in SF, especially out on the water. You couldn't have asked for a better day that time of year. It was clear skies, not windy other than the speed of the catamaran. They did have to use the motor on occassion because of the lack of wind though it was such a thrill to sit on the netting with the water just feet under you, come around Alcatraz, under the Golden Gate and back. Beautiful day, nice people and awesome time for all.
I would definitely recommend this place for more people.
BONUS: You can purchase fares half off at: http://baho.mediawebco...
Happy sailing! :D -
Review from Scott P.
6/30/2009 3 photos
As a local I have been on the bay many times. I absolutely love the experience of seeing the city from the water. Each time it is completely different. This time Adventure Cat didn't disappoint.
The crew was amazing, price was right, boat was spacious but what really made me happy was going under the Golden Gate Bridge. It was so cool and something I have never experienced. A bunch of other locals were also on this ride and they too were just as impressed.
My only complaint is the day was so beautiful and my 1 1/2 hours went by really fast! -
Review from Kevin M.
San Ramon, CA
6/26/2011
My wife wanted to go sailing for her birthday, so I was put in charge of searching for a fun company. We had a blast on the Adventure Cat II! The boat is very stable and plenty fast. They took us around Alcatraz, over to the West side of the GG and back, all the while taking in amazing views and a lot of fun. Basic drinks and snacks are inside the boat, so if you get cold and want to get out of the wind, inside is a great place to be. They have many windows, so you can still see great views if you hang out inside. The staff was very friendly and professional.
-
Review from Jenn Y.
Los Angeles, CA
1/25/2009
I love doing cheesy touristy stuff so that's one reason I decided to jump onto the Adventure Cat when I was in S.F.
It was so fun! We got drink tickets for 2 glasses of wine per person. You can purchase additional drinks on your own. They also offered chips and artichoke dip (I think it was from Costco.)
The view of the bay was amazing. My friends and I took so many photos! It was a little colder out in the water, but the tour offered fleece coats that would could borrow for free. So nice of them.
I can't wait to go back to S.F. and ride the Adventure Cat again! -
Review from Eric C.
6/20/2011
A long overdue review for this awesome local business. Adventure Cat Sailing Charter is a welcome alternative to the tourist-ridden Blue & Gold cruises. What's nice about Adventure Cat is that they use a smaller boat (a catamaran) that feels a lot more cozy and a lot more fun, especially since you're closer to the water. For a good time, hang out on the nets!
-
Review from Terra C.
Redwood City, CA
4/1/2009
This is the best way to boat in the bay by far! Don't bother with the ferry, its so boring.
I've gone twice now and I can't wait to go again. It's affordable. The sunset cruise is $15 bucks more but you get two drinks and appetizers!
It is really a nice ride. You are close to the water but totally stable.
