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My memorable San Francisco Seaplane Tour adventure began on a Monday near the end of July.

Having spent the previous three years photographing San Francisco from the beaches, parks, streets and rooftops for my iNeTours.com website, I was really looking forward to taking some aerial pictures. This tour turned out to be a great way to see SF from the air for a new perspective on this picturesque city.

click pictures to enlarge

You will find detailed booking information at the end of this article if you'd like to enjoy a seaplane tour after reading about my experience.

The San Francisco Seaplane no longer flies from Pier 39 but there is a free shuttle from there to Sausalito. When I took my tour they were taking off from both locations though they would often not be able to leave from Pier 39 because of the roughness of the bay so they now begin all their flights in Sausalito. To begin my adventure I met Colin who's was there to check in passengers, escort us to the airplane and make sure we were safe, comfortable and enjoyed our flight.

Before boarding I also met fellow passengers, Jim, his two daughters and his son. I'd guess the kids ages to be between six and twelve. It was soon apparent that Jim had not told his kids what they were going to be doing as there was a lot of excitement and a just little nervousness as we walked down the floating dock to the small plane.

The single prop seaplane holds up to seven passengers, though they usually fly with just five so that everyone can have a window seat. I was given the copilots seat, and the other four passengers were two to a row behind me.

Colin helped everyone aboard, made sure our seat belts were fastened, went over the safety equipment for a flight over water and pushed us away from the dock. Our seaplane ride was about to begin!

The small plane was surprisingly stable on the water–it felt like we were in a good size boat, riding smoothly along, even though the bay looked choppy. Charlie guided the plane out of the marina, and we set off toward Treasure Island riding the waves. After several minutes, I was about to make a comment about how I'd expected to be traveling at a higher altitude when Charlie turned the plane around to face the direction we had come. With the prevailing wind coming through the Golden Gate we needed to take off facing west.

Well before we covered the distance to the pier, we were in the air, had made a slight right turn and had begun climbing past Alcatraz Island. As I started taking pictures the first thing I noticed was that I couldn't hear the shutter sound my digital camera makes to let me know I'd taken a picture. I kept having to check the counter to see if it had changed. The engine makes enough noise to let you know that you are definitely traveling in a small plane.

Our pilot pointed out landmarks as we flew along. After circling Alcatraz Island, the next landmark was Angel Island on the left. Having visited both Alcatraz and Angel Islands it was a real treat to see them from the air.

As you can see from my photos, the plane is small enough that I was able to take pictures out of either side.

Tiburon and Belvedere—on a large peninsula extending into San Francisco bay—were the next recognizable landmarks to pass under our wings.

Looking at a map later, I realized that Charlie had been making great big S curves, giving us the best views of the incredible San Francisco Bay Area cities and scenery.

Up next was the Richmond-San Rafael Bridge, and Charlie pointed out San Quentin State Prison as we made another turn to the west to fly over Mill Valley and Muir Woods.

With San Francisco’s famous fog blanketing the coast, it made no sense to actually go as far west as the coast line, so instead we turned south and flew over Sausalito on our way to the Golden Gate Bridge.

San Francisco’s most recognizable landmark is impressive from any angle, but there's a special thrill to seeing the Golden Gate Bridge from the air, especially with fog providing a perfect backdrop.

As our small plane once again was over The City, the Palace of Fine Arts in the Marina District came into view.

Looking out the left side of the plane, we saw one of those incredible views of San Francisco—with just a wisp of fog to enhance the picture.

The fog was much heavier to the west, rolling over twin peaks, alternately hiding and revealing the Sutro tower.

Circling back to the north, Charlie pointed out San Francisco’s ballparks. First the older Candlestick-3Com park, and then close-up on the left, AT&T Park. I wasn't the only one taking pictures of San Francisco’s famous ballparks.

As our Seaplane Tour was coming to an end we flew over the San Francisco, Oakland Bay Bridge and as I shot pictures of Yerba Buena and Treasure Islands, the passengers on the left side of the plane were treated to memorable views of the Embarcadero, Financial District and Coit Tower.

Jim’s daughter made the perfect summation of the SF Seaplane Tour. As we were walking down the floating pier after disembarking from the plane, she told her father,

“That was so cool Dad!”

Golden Gate Seaplane Tour

Adult only $139 Save $10 off reg. $149 fare by buying online
Child only $99 Save $10 off reg. $129 fare by buying online
(child is 12 and under)

1.5 Hours (including transfer)

10:30 AM, 12:00pm, 1:30pm, 3:00pm, Daily
(except Thanksgiving, Christmas Day & New Year's Day)
4:30pm (Summer only).

Your flight begins with a takeoff from Sausalito. The Golden Gate Tour will fly you directly out to the Pacific Coast, and south to the Golden Gate Bridge. After flying over the bridge, you will continue your flight over the Financial District and Downtown San Francisco, along the waterfront, Fisherman's Wharf and Pier 39, then north to Alcatraz, around Angel Island, and along the picturesque cities of Tiburon, Belvedere and Sausalito. This tour lasts approximately 30 minutes, and offers a great balance of sights from Marin to San Francisco.

Champagne Seaplane Tour

Adult or Child only $179
Save $20 off regular $199 fare by buying online

1.5 Hours (including transfer)

Departs from Sausalito
4:00pm – Daily (except Thanksgiving, Christmas Day & New Year's Day)
5:15pm (Summer only).

A Premium Tour for a special occasion.

As you sip your Champagne and watch the beautiful views, this romantic flight cruises north over the lakes of Mount Tamalpais then down the coast and over the Golden Gate Bridge, arriving over San Francisco. You'll then head back to the Seaplane Base, passing between Sausalito and the Tiburon-Belvedere Peninsula. The flight lasts 40 minutes. This flight is only available from our Sausalito location.

PLEASE NOTE: We need the body weights of all passengers listed in the comments of the order. Tour is 40 minutes in length, tranfer is about 1 hour.

Tours depart from Sausalito but there is Free shuttle service to and from Pier 39. Pick up is approximately 30 minutes prior to departure (by reservation only)

Includes:
FREE shuttle service to/from Pier 39 (by reservation only)

Excludes:
Meals, Gratuities and Souvenirs are not included

Terms:
Tour prices are per person, with a two adult fare minimum. Reservations are recommended for all flights. All times are approximate and routes may vary due to weather or other factors. All prices are subject to change without notice.