Alameda / Oakland Ferry Service
Airport Transportation, Sightseeing & Wine Tours, Special Occasions, Corporate Transportation, Town Car Service, Sedan Service, Limo Service, Limousine Service.
18 reviews for Alameda / Oakland Ferry Service
18 reviews in English
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Review from Ron Rico R.
Oakland, CA
9/23/2010
If I lived around Jack London Square and worked in Embarcadero Center III, or if I lived in Embarcadero Center III and worked on Pier 39 (which, btw, I'm seriously trying to hook up), or if I lived in the decrepit ruins of the Alameda Naval Station and worked at Jack London Square, or if I lived AND worked on Angel Island (which is, like, my dream), then I'd never move at all but on the ferry.
People with love in their hearts commute by ferry. People who feel the Earth crying commute by ferry. The Miwoks had a name for "ferry riders": Tee-Oh-Ah-Mawa, a title maybe more revered than any other in local native tradition. So you gotta ask yourself - what's WRONG with me?! What, I'm too good for the ferry?
They're gonna build a ferry stop on Treasure Island, for real, I heard that. When that happens, forget about it, the ferry'll be UNSTOPPABLE - think about it! I mean, what if you could just take the ferry to Treasure Island! Think of what that opens up for you and your weekend activity planning options!
Does Yelp constitute a legal will? Then bury me at sea. Drop my remains from the ferry, on her last run of the evening, on some overcast, ashen Flag Day...then enjoy the cioppino at Fisherman's Grotto on the Wharf!
I LOVE who I am when I'm on the ferry! -
Review from mnypny b.
San Francisco, CA
5/26/2008
A couple of months ago, I started a new job in Oakland. And I've learned a couple of things about the commute. Mainly that BART is gonna have issues from time to time (OK, way too often) and that a backup plan for returning to the city is required. Otherwise I'll eventually find myself stuck in the Transbay Tube. Nobody wants to see that. Ever.
A couple of weeks ago, it seemed like I was getting service alert email from BART multiple times a day--while it was also a bloody oven down there. It was time to check out the Alameda/Oakland Ferry.
I have no idea why I waited so long before getting over to Jack London Square. After all, I ride the Golden Gate Ferry to/from Sausalito/SF often enough and it's great when I'm able to do it, commuter clique attitude issues aside. The key there is to crank your iPod. Always.
But get this: no loud-mouthed investment bankers, no botoxed barbies overstating their existence, nor entitlement issues with regard to the seating. In fact no 'tude whatsoever. Just a boat, some nice peeps, and an approach to San Francisco that makes me smile.* A lot.
*iPod optional. : ) -
Review from Suzanne B.
San Francisco, CA
7/5/2006
Okay, story time again:
Before I gave in to the lure of living in the city I lived in the East Bay and took BART in every day. BART's okay - it's convenient (when it's not breaking down), fast (when it's not breaking down) and efficient (when...etc.). Then, one day in early spring I entered a BART train and reached down to move a newspaper that was on the seat...
....
...what IS that? No. Oh no no no no. Why oh why do I do this to myself and where the f*ck is my Purell? God**mn $^*@(& BART officials who keep jacking up my fares and cutting services to the point they don't even pretend to run a f*&king cleaning crew through the trains!
When I got home, after pressure washing my hands in 120 degree Pine Sol, I got online to check out the Ferry.
Hmmm -
free parking,
cheaper than BART (!),
what do you mean I can drink wine on the way home at night? (!!)
Oh, I rode the ferry every day after that.
PLUS - the Ferry is a fabulous way to entertain small guests (of the 3 - 11 year variety).Listed in: Showing Dad Around, Borrowing the Children
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Review from CHERiE Y.
Berkeley, CA
9/24/2006
I had the pleasure of commuting via the Alameda/Oakland ferry for over a year when I worked in the city. The pros definitely outweigh the cons on this one.
+ Plenty of free, safe parking
+ Relaxing morning commute and sunset cruise
+ Sometimes there is live music on the deck!
+ You're allowed to eat and *gasp* DRINK on board!
+ You can almost always get a comfortable seat (indoor or outdoor), and maybe even a table all to yourself
+ Bicycle friendly
+ Friendly ferry crew
+ Ferry docks at Ferry Building in SF, convenient to Embarcadero
+ Free MUNI pass/validation when you buy discount ticket books
+ Traffic? What's that?!
- Spare The Air days on the ferry are hellish
- Monthly passes ($150) can only be used within that month (5 day grace period)
- Ferry schedule is not as flexible as BART, last weeknight ferry from SF leaves at 8:25pm -
Review from Benjamin O.
San Francisco, CA
12/8/2008
Why drive when you can take BART?
Why take BART when you can take the ferry?
That was kinda my rationale and man, what a GREAT decision that was.
While the rest of you are banging your head against the steering wheel of your car, stuck in traffic on the Bay Bridge, the ferry commuters are enjoying a peaceful, gorgeous view of the city while enjoying a beer or cocktail (yes, there's a bar!).
Not only is there free WiFi, but there's plenty of room to stretch out your legs and flip open your laptop if you need to get some work done.
The ferry is punctual and reliable, and the people who work on it are fun and friendly, a few of which I now consider friends. It's a nice touch to your commute when greeted with a smile and they know your name.
I work in Jack London Square, but it's just as convenient if you work in Downtown Oakland unless you're too lazy to enjoy a 12 minute walk; I've timed it.
Price-wise I think the round trip commute costs $3.50 more than BART (if you buy a book of tickets) but it's well worth it.
The ferry is a fun, efficient and affordable way to commute and helps get more cars off the road which is always a great thing. Come join the club. -
Review from Suzanne F.
Portland, OR
4/1/2008
Since Stuart works in San Francisco & we live in Berkeley and (more importantly) driving a car with 3 boys who are loud drives me nuts, the ferry is the way to go when you want to eat lunch with Dear Old Dad! Today we decided to head over to the Ferry Building to meet for lunch at the farmers' market and partake of Prather Ranch's best burgers in the entire world! It's fun, easy, civilized, and drops you off exactly where you want to be (if the Ferry Building or thereabouts is where you want to be). I love the fact the ferry is on time, down to the minute. A round-trip for one adult and 3 kids (12 or under) is not cheap...An adult ticket, round trip, is $14.00, and the kids' are $9.50 each. It's not an inexpensive outing, but then neither is getting a parking ticket & sitting in hellish traffic...so, seems to me the outing is worth it once in awhile.
We had lots of fun, ran into friends, enjoyed the weather, and had a relaxing journey. While I do not want to knock BART in any way, this sure is the way to travel if budget allows and your schedule coincides. You get a great view of The City, have a different perspective, and feel good about this form of public transportation. I would not hesitate to plan another outing like this again. -
Review from Bernie L.
Seattle, WA
6/22/2006
I'm on a quest to ride my bike to work every friday this summer. because stupid BART doesn't let me bring my bike on board during commute hours, the only alternative is to take my bike on the Ferry.
I really like the ferry and it's a great alternative to BART or the bus. It's a bit slower, but it's a calm and less cramped ride to SF. On the evening trip back, they serve booze which is a nice way to end the work day especially when you're sitting in the sun on a boat and enjoying the view of the bay. It's a pretty cool commute.
The downside, of course, is the price. it's $5.50 PER one-way trip!! that's my round trip cost per day on BART which is already pretty ridiculous. You can buy discount books, but it's still not exactly cheap. I feel for those who live in Alameda and don't really have many alternatives to the ferry.
Nevertheless, it's a great service that more people should try out, if only on a friday to kick off the weekend. -
Review from Aspasia s.
San Francisco, CA
9/4/2006
A plus plus five for the convenient port to port hop from the downtown ferry building right into the port of Jack London Square.
I explored the ferry ride to JLS as I am eyeing on a move from a SOMA loft into a hip condo at JLS. From a pragmatic standpoint, the ferry service is not practical for a weekday commute to and from work.
However, an uber_five star for its very convenient leisurely ride on a weekend or holiday. The views are breathtaking. With iPOD tunes of Frank Sinatra, Louis Armstrong and Nat King Cole, a sunny afternoon ... juxtaposed the SF city skyline view, the industrial Port of Oakland view and the very raw and serene JLS ambience ... my son and I had a romantic parental bonding afternoon. It was melancholy, it was sweet... it definitely marked a clear junction in my life ...
I realized that San Francisco and Oakland are one of the most romantic cities in the world ...
I could almost envision Meg Ryan and Billy Crystal in their Harry Met Sally classic ... reuniting aboard the Oakland Ferry Service, walking happily ever after by the ferry port of Jack London Square.Listed in: oakland
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Review from Renee T.
Orinda, CA
9/7/2010 2 photos
This is such a great service. We took the ferry from Jack London Square to San Francisco (Pier 41) on Labor Day weekend.
We took the first boat westbound in the morning, and it was pretty full. However, the trip ran on time with no hitches or complications of any kind.
We came home on the next-to-last trip eastbound. The boat was only about 1/2 full, which I found surprising. Maybe the last trip, at 9:40 p.m. would be packed, I don't know. In any case, it was an event-free trip.
The ferry offers 12 hours free parking with validation. The fares are quite reasonable, $6.25 per person each way.
My only complaint is that the only way to buy tickets is on the boat during the trip - so you spend half the trip standing in line buying your ticket. They really should have a way to buy tickets in advance on their website. -
Review from Alfonso E.
Oakland, CA
9/8/2006
A cool, cool way to get to and fro the city. And a far more friendly transport supplement to bike people than BART is with their fascist "cyclists shouldn't do this" and "cyclists shouldn't do that" bullshit. Sure BART's a slightly quicker way to go, but when you finally understand the pleasure of being on the ferry, you'll forget that fresh air and our goddamn beautiful city/shore line are things you can never take for granted. Never. So what's the hurry?
Extra plusses -- special ferry service straight to Giants home games, and on Labor Day weekend (when Caltrans really fucked up the driving community by closing down roadways of/on the Bay Bridge) they ran extra service -- every half hour most of the day, every hour otherwise. Fantastic!!! -
Review from Josh C.
Long Beach, CA
4/2/2009
I just took the ferry from SF to Jack London Square for the first time and was very pleased with the ride. If this was a viable option for getting me to work every day, I would be a much happier trans-bay commuter. Despite what you may expect from a water vessel, the seats are more comfortable and the mold and mildew less noticeable than BART. You can also inspect the progress being made on the new Bay Bridge in a way that is obviously not possible from the shore or from the current bridge.
I wish the ferry ran more often, but it is fairly obvious from the number of passengers on board why it doesn't. The $6.25 (each way) fare would add up if you used the ferry service regularly, but for an occasional trip I think it's a steal. -
Review from Jackson Q.
San Francisco, CA
1/26/2011
This thing is janky. I can't imagine any real reason to take this over BART, really- honestly. It's $6.50 (that's more than a round trip ticket to Lake Merritt from Powell) or something for 1 way, AND twice as long if you want to get off at Embarcadero. You have to wait 20 minutes at Fisherman's Wharf! Cray Cray. I did get to say "I'm on a boat" so maybe it was worth it all along.
Listed in: East Bay Express
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Review from Tres F.
Oakland, CA
10/18/2010 1 Check-in Here
Best way to Zen yourself to & fro SF. I ride my bike (no restricted hours like £#@% Bart ) and no extra cost. Buy a book of non-expiring tickets for a humongous savings. I never get tired of watching the sunset over the city! Oh and you can have a cocktail, wine or beer on your way home, and the coffee in the morning is decent.
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Review from Michael L.
Pleasanton, CA
6/4/2007 5 photos
I like riding the Ferry. I would ride BART to Lake Merrit and then walk to Jack London Square and get on the Ferry and ride to the Ferry Building and then take BART home after going exploring in the City. Some times I'd do the reverse and take the Ferry back. It is a nice change to riding BART or driving. You see a lot of sights from the water.
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Review from Andrea D.
San Francisco, CA
3/30/2007
There's simply nothing nicer than taking the ferry, especially if you have a crush on someone and every evening you get to hold hands on the upper deck outside while the sun sets over the city. Ferries are better than cars, because it's hard to hold hands when one of you is driving. And the view is better, and then when you're riding bikes home it's easy to take side trips to look at gardens or go grocery shopping.
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Review from Rene D.
3/27/2007
Don't just take my word for it; hop on the 6:30 ride on a summer afternoon, and watch the sun's beautiful caress against the SF skyline. Oh, and you can enjoy this whilst having Scotch.
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Review from Carl Z.
San Francisco, CA
12/13/2009
Just isn't me *at all.*
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Review from Brian M.
Oakland, CA
8/5/2006
If God were building a ballpark, he'd set it on water, and build a ferry terminal at the centerfield gate. There is no more civilized way to attend a Giants' game than to take the ferry from Jack London Square. Roll in at 5:30 (the ferry leaves at 6:15), pick one of 100 free parking spots, stroll over to Bevmo and buy a six pack of your favorite adult beverage, have one while you wait for the ferry to arrive, and another 1-5 (depending on number of friends) as you cruuuuuise across the bay, laid back. Sitting on the right side, second deck gives you an amazing view first, of huge multinational container ships (the scale of these things is mindblowing), and second, of the Bay Bridge, Treasure Island, and South Beach. The breeze and sun are a glorious first course, and you'll arrive in time for the national anthem, rosters, and first pitch. The only drawback is the ride back, which leaves 1/2 hour after the final out and can seem to take forever, especially after a Giants' loss. Still, having tried all three methods of East Bay travel to games: BART, driving, ferry, the Oakland/Alameda wins in a landslide. One tip: let the nervous nellies wait in line to buy their tickets as the boat is leaving. Finish a cold one while you wait for the line to disappear and buy your ticket halfway across the bay.
