San Francisco Cruise Port
Port of San Francisco, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, 94113
The ever-bustling Port of San Francisco welcomes 400,000 visitors each year and more than 100 cruise ships. Divided between Port 35 and Port 27 (the latter is also known as the James R. Herman Terminal and was opened in 2014), the port is located at the northeastern edge of the city, within view of the Bay Bridge.
The basics
Blessed with one of the world's biggest natural harbors, San Francisco is a popular destination and departure point for some of the world’s largest cruise ships. Vessels connect the City by the Bay with a wide array of locales, from the Alaskan coast and Mexico to Hawaii and French Polynesia.
Prior to 2014, cruise ships were handled exclusively at Pier 35. Today, they’re also served by Pier 27. Both are a short distance from the Embarcadero neighborhood and its transit links and are a quick commute from popular tourist destinations like Pier 39 and Fisherman’s Wharf.
Things to know before you go
- The Port of San Francisco serves many major cruise lines, from Royal Caribbean and Disney to P&O and Norwegian.
- Pier 39 and Fisherman’s Wharf are both popular attractions; alternatively, head to Coit Tower for memorable sightseeing or the Exploratorium for a museum excursion.
- Though luggage storage is not permitted at either port, it is hosted at the California Welcome Center at Pier 39.
- The port area is flat and accessible, and bikes—including those provided as part of the Bay Area bikeshare program—make exploring easy.
How to get from the Port of San Francisco to San Francisco
The Port of San Francisco is located along the northeastern edge of the city and is adjacent to several of its major attractions. If venturing further afield, taxis and rideshare services offer a convenient way to get around; there is a nearby Muni Metro station. To get to the airport or additional locations around the city, walk or take a taxi to the Embarcadero BART station, located roughly 1 mile (1.6 kilometers) away.
Port information
Pier 27 and Pier 35 are located a short distance from each other and are easily accessible to other San Francisco attractions. Pier 27 offers a wide array of modern amenities. English is the local language, and the local currency is the US dollar.
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