San Francisco Bay Ferry - Harbor Bay Terminal

We were staying at a B&B in Alameda & used the Harbor Bay Ferry to get into San Francisco. It was a most pleasant experience. There was plenty of parking at the Harbor Ferry parking lot. There was always plenty of room on the ferry. The only down side being that this ferry is mostly for the residents of the Harbor Ferry area & there are only 3 departures in the morning..and the returns don't start until 4pm. All in all, it was a great experience that I wouldn't mind repeating.

It's been awhile since I last took the Ferry and reminded how convenient, relaxing and wonderful the trip is. Sadly, I'm that person who easily gets motion sickness (inner ear issues since i was kid) and down for the count. *sigh* Deep-sea fishing....[feeding the fish that trip].....Cabo San Lucas Booze Cruise...[sick before my first drink!]....and even being a passenger in someone's car in stop-and-go traffic....its just not fun!

I'm glad my friend suggested we take a trip to the City via ferry...sure, i was a bit hesitant but got over any anticipation anxiety and enjoyed the trip immensely. It wasn't bad at all! Fortunately, the water was calm, staff super friendly and helpful, ferry clean and just a fun and scenic leisure day! For a Monday (10am) outing, parking lot wasn't too busy with plenty of opened spots.

I would highly recommend being a tourist for the day as sometimes, we take for granted the fun things you can do in our own City. The ride back about 20 mins) around 4:40 pm wasn't busy with plenty of seating available.

Paper tickets can be purchases on the Ferry or get that Clipper card which is an all-in-one transportation, form of contactless payment. Makes it super convenient. Round trip fare under $10.
https://www.clippercard.com/ClipperWeb/get.html
Drinks and light snacks offered for purchase, restrooms available on the vessel.

FINAL TIPS for my fellow motion-sick friends: take an OTC dramamine, enjoy the fresh air, sit/stand forward...don't pick a windy day! You're welcome! :)

1 of 2 reviews, as this ferry has two Yelp Listings.

Quality/Quantity - Local business ferry, one of 3 in Alameda!

Atmosphere - Beautiful. I hike here at times as well.

Plenty of parking, 250 spaces, no overnight parking allowed.
20 bike racks available, the ferry is bike friendly as well.
24 bike lockers available.
AC Transit = 21 line.
Public restrooms, don't expect much.

Service - 5 stars.
My favorite form of travel, especially with the continued discounted price. Thank you.
Approximately 20 minutes to get to SF.
Also, since I have lived in Alameda, the ferry service has always been on time.
This ferry, similar to Sea Plane, operates only Monday to Friday, so if you go on a weekend, you need to take the main ferry.

Price - $4.50 one way with a clipper card, otherwise $5.75.
Still 50% off versus pre-pandemic prices, thank you.
Also just discovered the main ferry only cost $1 to go to Jack London Square; so why am I still driving to the Rosenblum winery???

Owner Comment - Thanks for having a ferry on the south side of the island! So much better than having to drive to SF.

With the daily commute across the Bay Bridge getting more stressful and crowded by the day, the relaxing commute alternative is ferry ride to and from the City. A past work assignment afforded me the opportunity to take the 25 minute ride to and from the City from Harbor Bay in Alameda. Now I can take the ferry into the City again for appointments, shopping or meeting up with friends.

There's about 250 free spaces in the Harbor Bay ferry lot which means the lot will be full by the time the later ferry departs. So you'll need to be dropped off, walk there, or get there by other means. The ferry has added a 7:00am and 9:00 am departure in addition to the standard 6:30am, 7:30am and 8:30am runs. Return trips include a 6:00pm run to the 4:35pm, 5:35pm, 6:35pm and 7:35pm runs. The 9:00am ferry is perfect boat for me to get into the City and take the first ferry back.

The boats are clean, modern and comfortable. You can't beat the views you get from the boat as well. The way to commute!

Cliff and Nick are awesome:)))
If you guys did nothing wrong why is it that everywhere I go if you know the folks involved or are them, there's so much tension. Definitely never forced you to mistreat me..it's funny I never imagined my life would lead me to where I am now. At least your persistence and intentional actions caused me to learn mental toughness.. got me thru teaching in china.. it was not a lovely exp like my coworkers had.. white males my age.. why do I keep getting the short end of the stick?... hmm well Rolleri it's simple, institutional and colorblind racism are quite prevalent since I've never blended in.. even when I tried.. just like how I always got called on in class. I stand out and I'm sick and tired of all you haters. The ferry is a nice break

Excellent option instead of driving, public transit and BART. Surprisingly quick (20 minutes) and they try to maintain schedules as best they can. Inside seating during in-climate weather and clean.
~100 paved parking with about the same for dirt parking, both are free.

The most Convenient route for going to San Francisco from Bay Farm Island Alameda. Easy parking and biking storage. Only 7 round trips on weekeday

I came here recently with my kids to scout a location for a photography client. The sunset here is insane!! The trail is beautiful and this location has a gorgeous and diverse mix of locations. It has now been added to my favorite locations and I can't wait to bring more families here to document them!

Had several days of business in San Francisco so stayed in Alameda & took the Ferry daily to the Ferry Building. What a great way to travel & so affordable as opposed to City parking rates. The boats are comfortable & fast. I highly recommend taking the boat . The crew were all very nice as well. Did not try on board Bar but its a option. I see more Future Ferry rides in my future. Thank you

What's there to say
Get picked up to go work in the bay
There usually is room on the ferry
Go with friends and it gets merry

But beware of Bart strikes that make the lines long
They haven't run out if space but if they did to be late would be wrong
Because at times they have been at capacity
You'd be risking not getting into work in the city
But that's a rare situation
And you are welcome for this information

Don't be late for the ferry is on time. You get there near boarding time you'll get ok seats. Sometimes the ferry can get loud so want to get headphones. They now take clipper cards so that's great! Don't forget to badge on and off.

Thank goodness for these ferries. Stupid BART strike. Nice bay ride. Beats the smelly BART trains.

Long line in the morning about 5:45AM. Too long to get on the 6AM ferry, Caught the next, 6:30AM.

Commute back, long line for the 4:30PM, but was able to board.

Nice alternative.