A Life Without “Porpoise” is No Life at All

A couple weeks ago, it was such a beautiful day that I decided to get out of the office and take a Bay Cruise. The sun was shining and the wind was surprisingly warm. I snapped some typical touristy photos and took in the sights.

As we approached the Golden Gate Bridge, the Captain made an announcement that he   spotted a pod of Harbor Porpoises. I watched as the throngs of tourists rushed over to the rails and started taking pictures blindly. Needless to say, I joined in. It took me about 17 pictures of uneventful ocean water before I decided to myself that the Captain was lying, because if I didn’t see them obviously they weren’t there.  The boat then glided under the Golden Gate. It’s a pretty spectacular view, and I felt like I was being given a special behind the scenes tour of the intricate bridge. We circled around, and made our way back towards PIER 39.

Around the midway point between the bridge and Alcatraz, the Captain made another announcement about a Harbor Porpoise sighting. Without much hope, I scanned the waters for a glimpse of the supposed animals when…SPOTTED. A fin! I again snapped pictures like crazy, trying to catch one of these quick moving guys in action. It took a while until I struck gold. SEE:

(So maybe it’s not the most distinguishable shape, but it really is a Harbor Porpoise, I swear).

My bay cruise was complete. In my mind it was equivalent to being on a whale watching tour in Hawaii and catching a shot of one breaching. We cruised up to Alcatraz and listened to narration about life on the island. Interesting and a little creepy, but I was also still really busy reveling in my photo victory. We sailed back into port, past the Sea Lions lounging on K-Dock, and the cruise was over.

When we disembarked, since I felt like I was on vacation, I got ice cream for lunch at Ben & Jerry’s just outside of Pier 41. Such a rude awakening when I had to go back to work in the actual office.

This little adventure made me realize how lucky I am to have all this unique marine life right at my fingertips. If I had this much fun on something I have access to every day, I can only imagine what a great experience this would be for a tourist! So take it from me – whether you are a tourist or a local, take a mini-adventure on the high seas onboard a Blue & Gold Fleet Bay Cruise. You may not have my supreme photography skills, but you will still be in for a truly enjoyable experience!

Presidents’ Day Bay Bridge Closure – Additional Ferry Service Schedules

This President’s Day Weekend, the Westbound, upper deck of the Bay Bridge will be closed beginning at 8:00pm on Friday, February 17 through 5:00am on Tuesday, February 21. The Eastbound, lower deck will remain open. But don’t let these closures hinder your holiday weekend plans! You can still come into the city for a fun-filled day of shopping or a night out on the town onboard one of our high-speed ferries. From February 18 – February 20 (Saturday – Monday), additional ferry runs will be available on our Vallejo, Alameda, Oakland and Harbor Bay services.

Click here for Alameda/Oakland extended President’s Day weekend schedule PDF.

Click here for Alameda Harbor Bay extended President’s Day weekend schedule PDF. 

Click here for Vallejo extended President’s Day weekend schedule PDF.

Valentine’s Day Sunset Cruise

Valentine’s Day is coming up this Tuesday! Have you planned a romantic rendezvous for your special someone yet? If not, Blue & Gold Fleet is here to play cupid! Because really, what is more romantic than a cruise on the Bay at sunset? Snack on chocolate-covered strawberries and sip on bottomless champagne as you sail past the beautiful city skyline amidst a golden sky. The cruise is just 1 hour long, making it a perfect preface to your dinner plans. Oh wait, you haven’t made those yet either?  Take advantage of our Sunset Cruise + dinner package, where you will wine and dine at one of PIER 39’s most established restaurants, Neptune’s Waterfront Grill and Café. Enjoy sweeping views of the Bay as you feast on a delectable 3-course meal. To view the full menu click here.

Tickets can be purchased online at our Blue & Gold Fleet Web Store , or at our Box Offices at PIER 39 and Pier 41.

Now that I’ve planned your entire holiday for you, I truly hope you enjoy it! Happy Valentine’s Day everyone – I hope all your days are filled with love!

And Happy Birthday to my lovely friend & colleague Courtney!!
Blue & Gold Fleet wishes you a magical and happy day!

Happy Birthday Salty!

This weekend PIER 39 is celebrating the 22^nd anniversary of their most famous residents – the California Sea Lions! To celebrate, Aquarium of the Bay and the Marine Mammal Center will be hosting free 30-minute educational walking tours from 11am – 4pm, beginning today, Jan. 19 through Sunday, Jan. 22. On the tour you will learn all sorts of fun facts about these playful mammals as you view them up close!

Everyone on the tour will receive special discounts, such as 50% off Aquarium of the Bay Admission where you can experience life under the sea, 10% off in the Marine Mammal Store where you can buy your very own sea lion pal, and 50% off a Blue & Gold Fleet Bay Cruise where you can sail right past the sea lions and out on the Bay!

If this just isn’t enough sea lion fun for you, or if you can’t make it out to the PIER this weekend, visit PIER 39’s brand new Sea Lion Central online! Watch the sea lions play on the brand new webcam and learn all about their history at PIER 39. And be sure to show your commitment to protecting and preserving the habitat of the sea lions by taking PIER 39’s Sea Lion Pledge http://www.pier39.com/SeaLion/sea_lions_pledge.htm. Once you take the pledge, download your free printable certificate and display it proudly!

It’s the Most Wonderful Time on the PIER!

Each year the crew from PIER 39 travel all around the City spreading Holiday cheer! Blue & Gold Fleet, Blazing Saddles, PIER Restaurants, Aquarium of the Bay and Neptunes join PIER 39 in wishing everyone HAPPY HOLIDAYS!

PIER 39 Holiday Hop 2011

►

It’s the Most Wonderful Time on the PIER

It’s the most wonderful time on the PIER
With a big lot for parking,
And sea lions barking,
Blue & Gold sails near!
It’s the most wonderful time on the PIER.

It’s the hap-happiest PIER on the Bay
Ride a bus on Grayline
To tour the city taste wine,
on a motorized sleigh!
It’s the hap-happiest PIER on the Bay.

Blazing Saddles rents bikes,
Neptune’s food you will like,
Aquarium has a new show.
Many stores for shopping,
Wipeout will be hopping,
Fog Harbor your taste buds will grow!

It’s the most wonderful time on the PIER
Clam chowder at Boudin,
Biscoff for Caffeine,
You will find it all here!
It’s the most wonderful time
It’s the most wonderful time
It’s the most wonderful time, on the PIER! 

The Holiday Season is Upon Us!

Even though it’s not yet Thanksgiving, it’s hard to ignore the twinkling lights, shimmering garland and red Starbucks cups popping up all over town. So instead of trying to ignore the décor to prep for the day dedicated to being thankful for all we are given before we eat ourselves into a coma, why not take advantage of some of the special holiday offers early! For instance, PIER 39’s Holiday Local Advantage program is in full swing! Local can sign up to receive 50% off their favorite restaurants, shops and attractions at PIER 39 – including our Bay Cruise or Escape from the Rock Cruise http://www.pier39.com/LocalAdvantage/

Or “like” Blue & Gold Fleet on Facebook and enter for a chance to win a 1-night hotel stay at the Holiday Inn Express on Fisherman’s Wharf (including breakfast and FREE parking), and two (2) Premier Passes to enjoy the best attractions at PIER 39. https://www.facebook.com/blueandgoldfleet?sk=app_163032157099207

Now, apart from all the wonderful deals there are so many magical events coming up in the City! It’s impossible for me to go into all of them in depth, but here is a list of all the San Francisco “Tree” Lightings to really get you in the Holiday spirit!

Nov. 17 (TONIGHT!) – Snowflakes on Market
(Annual lighting of the snowflakes on top of the Market Street lamps. It will almost seem like it’s snowing?)
http://www.marketstreetassociation.org/index.php?p=news&newsId=122

Nov. 20 – PIER 39’s Annual Tree Lighting Celebration
(Mickey Mouse & his Disney pals and Santa will be there. Enough said.) http://www.pier39.com/Events/treelighting11.htm

Nov. 25 – Ghirardelli Square’s Annual Tree Lighting Ceremony (Best Chocolate ever. Have you tried their new Pumpkin Spice Caramel Squares? To DIE for.)
http://www.ghirardellisq.com/events/tree-lighting-ceremony/tree-lighting-ceremony

Nov. 25 – Macy’s Great Tree Lighting at Union Square
(Just visiting the website gave me Goosebumps. And the BEST part? You will be surrounded by the finest shopping in San Francisco)
http://social.macys.com/believe/?cm_mmc=VanityUrl-_-believe-_-n-_-n#/events/greattreelightingsf

Happy Hibernation RocketBoat!

It’s November 3. RocketBoat has now been offline for a grand total of 3 days. Already you miss gazing out of your office window and seeing it zoom past in a bright red blur. You miss having at least the OPTION of going onboard for a ride if the day gets too hot. You miss laughing at the passengers that get truly soaked when you just got lightly misted.  And you realize it’s just one less thing to show off to your visiting family and friends. Ok maybe that’s all just me, but seriously RocketBoat is becoming a staple San Francisco attraction and will be missed these next few months!

But instead of seeing this in a negative light, let’s think of it this way – it’s a good opportunity to take advantage of all the fun holiday happenings that will be going on at PIER 39 and around the Bay! It can get a bit cold to ride RocketBoat in the middle of winter anyway.

So stayed tuned for all the holiday updates coming your way and join me in wishing RocketBoat a happy hibernation!