Category: San Francisco

CITY TOUR OF SAN FRANCISCO AND GOLDEN GATE BRIDGE

Explore the city center with a guided tour and soak up the local scene with a comfortable coach ride. The easy way to get to know your destination.

San Francisco, in Northern California, is a hilly city at the tip of a peninsula surrounded by the Pacific Ocean and San Francisco Bay. It’s known for its year-round fog, the iconic Golden Gate Bridge, cable cars, and colorful Victorian houses. The Transamerica Pyramid in the Financial District is its most distinctive skyscraper.

In the bay lies Alcatraz Island, site of the infamous former prison. From the pier, head along the Embarcadero towards downtown San Francisco and then climb up to the city center via Market Street to the top of one of the Twin Peaks. Here, far from the traffic below, lies one of the most beautiful and peaceful spots in all of San Francisco. Pause to admire the view over the city center and the bay (if not obscured by the city’s famous fog). From the lookout point, descend to Golden Gate Park and then to the Pacific coast for a photo stop overlooking the Cliff House and the endless beach nearby. Continue north through the Presidio to see the iconic Golden Gate Bridge.

Here you’ll pause at the pavilion visitor center which offers excellent views of the bridge and relevant information and representations of the bridge’s history and engineering. The spacious shop offers souvenirs and books to commemorate the city and the structure. You can also make an optional stop at the lively Fisherman’s Wharf. You can choose to end the tour here and explore the area on your own. A short walk will take you back to the ship when you’re finished exploring.

Notes: This excursion is included in your package. We request that you confirm your participation on the first day of your cruise and inform the Excursion Office of any changes. This excursion is available on both days. There is a limited number of tour guides in languages ​​other than English. If we cannot find a guide who speaks your language, the tour will be conducted in English only.

ALCATRAZ, THE ROCK

A unique opportunity to visit Alcatraz, the high-security prison on a rocky outpost in San Francisco Bay that once housed the hardest criminals in America. We cross San Francisco by bus past the main attractions of the city, including City Hall, before boarding a ferry for a scenic 15-minute ride to The Rock. Upon arrival, you will be issued an audio guide as you visit the small cells of the most infamous prison in the US. Following the tour, you will have free time to explore on your own before meeting your guide for the return ferry ride and short walk back to the ship.

Please Note: The tour is available on both days; please use code SFO03 if you want to take part in the tour on the first and SFO03B if you want to participate on the second day. The self-guiding Alcatraz Cellhouse Audio Tour is available in English, Spanish, French, German, Italian, Dutch, Japanese, Korean, Portuguese, Mandarin, and American Sign Language (ASL). The visit to Alcatraz is unguided. The audio guides are available on a first come, first serve basis

MUIR WOODS AND SAUSALITO

The region across the bay from San Francisco is known for its beautiful landscape. On this tour, you will explore the town of Sausalito and you will have the opportunity to visit Muir Woods, a 550 acre national monument and home to towering coastal redwoods including some of the tallest and oldest trees in the world.

During your stop here, you will have a map of the park’s various trails for your self-guided tour through Muir Woods. Then it’s off to Sausalito, also known as the Venice of the Pacific. Here you will have some time to explore and browse Sausalito’s many art galleries, boutiques and specialty shops before returning.

Please note: The tour is available on both days; please use code SFO04 if you want to take part in the tour on the first and SFO04B if you want to participate on the second day

EVENING CRUISE ON THE BAY

San Francisco Bay is a magical place, helped by the fog that it’s famous for. From the pier, a short walk with your guide brings you to pier 43½ to embark your vessel. Your voyage departs half an hour prior to sunset.

While cruising, take in the glittering San Francisco skyline and enjoy views of the island of Alcatraz while circumnavigating Angel Island National Park. Travel under the majestic span of the Golden Gate Bridge and ride along the beautiful shorelines of Tiburon and Sausalito as the sun sets over the Pacific Ocean. Next, return to terra-firma and enjoy a leisurely stroll back to your ship or explore Fisherman’s Wharf on your own.

Please Note: Fog may obscure the view on the voyage. Guests should be advised that the walk back to the cruise terminal is approximately 1 mile (1.6 km). Snacks and drinks are available for purchase at your own expense onboard the cruise

SILICON VALLEY

A unique chance to take photos with your smart phone of the places where that technology comes from. Discover the roots of our digital life in one of the most famous valleys in the world, stopping in Menlo Park, Mountain View, and Cupertino. See the headquarters of giants like Google, Facebook and Apple.

Take a selfie with the giant Facebook Like sign, or with the giant T-Rex from the Jurassic Park days, in the Googleplex offices, or visit the local Apple Headquarters Store with items you won’t find in any other Apple Store across the nation. The tour also includes a visit at the Computer History Museum, where you’ll be able to delve into the past, present and future of computing. Explore the museum at your own pace and leisure and, should you wish, enjoy a lunchtime snack at the in-house bistro.

Please note: Guests with any type of food intolerance are required to communicate it to the Shore Excursions Office at least two days before the call. The entrance fee to the Computer Museum is included in the tour cost

World Food Market: San Francisco

A short transfer from the cruise pier will bring you to the Ferry Building Marketplace, which is just nestled besides San Francisco Bay. The building is the jewel of the Embarcadero, erected in 1896, and is topped by a 230-foot clock tower modelled after the campanile of the cathedral in Seville, Spain. Shuttered in 1989 after the Loma Prieta earthquake, the doors were reopened in 2003 after an extensive 4-year restoration. Accompanied by the MSC Chef and guide, you will be taken around this world class public food market and learn about the products sold and the market itself.

Today, the marketplace is a landmark location for the Bay Area’s best food artisans. Following the tour, a short transfer returns you back to the pier where you will then enjoy a dinner prepared for you by the MSC Chef with local products, so to complete your authentic experience.
Please note: Types of products at the market are subject to change and are based on availability.

Due to food safety regulations, all products will not be purchased at the markets, but brought onboard by local licensed providers. This tour is not recommended for guests who are confined in wheelchairs. Comfortable walking shoes are recommended as well as sunscreen