If you’re staying put this holiday season and are looking for local, car-free family fun that feels like a getaway, look no further! Using your bike and the ferry (which allows bikes of all shapes and sizes), a world of fun is just minutes away.
First, a few notes about ferry service:
Alameda has three ferry terminals: Main Street, Seaplane Lagoon, and Harbor Bay. They all serve San Francisco, but Seaplane Lagoon and Harbor Bay only run during weekdays. Main Street runs on both weekdays and weekends, so if your excursion is on the weekend, plan on using Main Street. And double check schedules on holidays for scheduling changes.
The Seaplane Lagoon terminal is especially choice because the lovely Cross Alameda Trail takes you right to the dock, and the trip to San Francisco is just 20 minutes. All ferry terminals offer short and long-term (BikeLink) bike parking, if you don’t need a bike at your destination.
#1 San Francisco Waterfront
Bike to the ferry and head over to San Francisco for a day of biking and sightseeing along the waterfront north and west of the ferry terminal. Take your pick of the following destinations, all accessible from newly-improved biking infrastructure:
Presidio Tunnel Tops (awesome panoramic views, play structures, visitor center, picnic opportunities)
Fort Point National Historic Site (free tours daily)
Here’s a handy bikeway network map showing the different kinds of biking facilities if you want to map it out in advance.
#2 Mission Bay
Bike to the ferry and head over to San Francisco for a day of exploring the waterfront south of the ferry terminal. There’s a nice waterfront promenade to follow most of the way. Beyond AT&T Park you’ll cross a bridge (3rd Street) and find the newish neighborhood of Mission Bay. Explore Mission Bay Commons and get a bite to eat at Spark Social, a sprawling taco truck park.
#3 Sausalito
Take the Line 78 or bike to the ferry and park your bike, then head over to the San Francisco ferry terminal, where you’ll transfer ferries to get to Sausalito. In Sausalito, spend an hour or two at the Bay Model, explore the boutiques and galleries along the main drag, then have lunch over a game of bocce before heading back.
#4 Angel Island
Bike to the ferry to get to San Francisco, then go to Gate B to catch a Golden Gate ferry to Angel Island. If you haven’t packed a lunch, consider picking lunch supplies (like empanadas) up at the Ferry Building Marketplace between ferries. Spend the day biking or hiking around the island. Golden Gate ferry shedules and ticket details here.
#5 Salesforce Transit Center
Catch AC Transit’s O bus to the Transbay Terminal and head upstairs to enjoy one of the many programmed activities on the Rooftop Park. There are birding walks on first Wednesdays, garden tours on fourth Wednesdays, and live music every Thursday from 12-2. If you’re ambitious, or it’s raining, consider walking just a few blocks up to MOMA or Yerba Buena for some ice skating or take a ride on the antique wooden carousel.
