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Given the city's deep nautical roots and privileged location at the mouth of one of the world's most scenic natural harbors, San Francisco is a fantastic place for recreational boating and waterborne sightseeing.

The most common way for visitors to get out on the Bay is aboard one of the big tour boats that depart from the Fisherman's Wharf area for hour-long sightseeing cruises, dinner cruises and trips to the famous island prison at Alcatraz. These excursions are easily booked by phone or through local agents, but be sure to check around for discounts off the posted fares.

Another option is to catch a regular commuter ferry behind the Ferry Building at the foot of Market Street. A round-trip journey to Larkspur or Sausalito costs slightly less than a typical sightseeing cruise but offers similar views of the city and the Bay. Pick up a cup of coffee, a can of beer or a glass of wine at the onboard snack bar and head out on deck to enjoy the ride. The Ferry Building itself, which was recently transformed into a gourmet food hall and farmer's market, is a lovely place to stop for a bite to eat at the end of your return journey.

With generally reliable winds, tricky currents and picture-postcard scenery, San Francisco Bay is a challenging and exhilarating place to go sailing. Excursions can be booked through a number of local charter outfits, with boats ranging from small sloops to large sailing yachts. Summer afternoons, when stiff winds blow through the Golden Gate, offer the most exciting ride.