The Golden Gate Bridge is Turning 75!

It’s a big weekend for the waterfront! On Sunday, May 27, our iconic Golden Gate Bridge is celebrating its 75^th birthday! Completed in 1937, the Golden Gate Bridge remains an engineering marvel to this day. Built with a cable suspension design and painted a bright International Orange, it has truly withstood the test of time.

There are many festivities going on along the waterfront to mark this momentous anniversary, with the grandest being the fireworks display over the bridge on Sunday night. But why wait until nighttime when you can have an excuse to celebrate all day!
PIER 39 is offering fun and interactive entertainment beginning at 2pm on Sunday. And if you weren’t one of the lucky ones who scored a ticket to one of the Blue & Gold Fleet fireworks cruises, make sure to grab a hot chocolate and a spot at one of the PIER’s prime viewing locations.

PIER 39 Local’s Night

Life’s good for locals on the Bay this Thursday!

Residents of the Bay Area – how many times have you celebrated just the fact that you live here?? This Thursday, May 10, gather together with your friends and family at PIER 39 as they celebrate YOU, the locals! Show your ID to receive 50% off food, drinks, merchandise and attractions from participating merchants – including 50% off special additional evening RocketBoat rides! (4:15pm, 5pm, 6pm, 7:15pm, weather permitting).

In addition, enjoy live entertainment by Alice Radio, the world-famous PIER 39 Street Performers and the lovable sea lions. Be sure to check out the LIVE broadcast of CBS 5’s “Eye on the Bay” including Thuy Vu, Brian Hackney and Marcus D.

Now, please pay attention to the important disclaimers below. Hope to see you all there!

If you reside within one of these following counties, you are eligible to receive the special 50% OFF savings for Local’s Night at PIER 39: Alameda, Contra Costa, Fresno, Madera, Marin, Mendocino, Merced, Monterey, Napa, Sacramento, San Benito, San Francisco, San Joaquin, San Mateo, Santa Clara, Santa Cruz, Solano, Sonoma, Stanislaus or Yolo.

*Must reside within Local Advantage region. Not valid with any other offer. Offers vary per merchant. Some restrictions apply. For all details and residency guidelines/restrictions, click here.

RocketBoat is Back for Spring Break!

It’s our favorite time of the year again…RocketBoat season! RocketBoat is blasting back onto the Bay for Spring Break 2012, beginning March 28!  Here are some tips for the new or seasoned RocketBoat rider:

Tip #1: We always hope that the rain clouds steer clear of the Bay. But if it’s just a little drizzly, don’t let it get you down, you can still ride RocketBoat! Complementary (and fashionable!) ponchos are provided upon request.

Tip #2: With the purchase of a Bay Cruise ticket, you can ride RocketBoat for only $10.00 more. A great deal for those of you who can’t get enough of being out on the Bay!

Tip #3: If you want to get wet, sit in the BACK. The nose rides just a little bit higher, and RocketBoat goes so fast that the front misses the splashes, usually. It’s science.

Tip #4: Keep all personal belongings that you want to stay dry covered. We’ve seen a couple of waterlogged cameras. Don’t let it happen to you.

Tip #5: Sunglasses help to shield the wind from your face, but make sure you hold onto them tightly! They will be pretty hard to recover once those sea lions get a hold of them.

Tip #6: Girls – bring a hat or something to tie your long hair back with. And be careful when brushing your new RocketHairdo – it can get a wee bit tangled. Trust me on this.

Tip #7: Each captain decides where s/he wants to go, so each ride will be different!

Now you are all set for the most thrilling ride on SF Bay! Here is the schedule for all the lucky ones who will be in town for Spring Break:

After April 15, regular RocketBoat service will resume in May. Happy RocketBoat season!

PIER 39 Local Advantage

Calling all locals! PIER 39 has a series of special deals that I’m going to let you in on. If you reside in Alameda, Contra Costa, Fresno, Madera, Marin, Mendocino, Merced, Monterey, Napa, Sacramento, San Benito, San Francisco, San Joaquin, San Mateo, Santa Clara, Santa Cruz, Solano, Sonoma, Stanislaus or Yolo county (wow that was a mouthful), you are eligible to join PIER 39’s Local Advantage Program! For almost every month out of the year, locals can receive discounts such as, buy 1, get 1 free on select merchandise, food, and attraction tickets. All you need to do is sign up! Click to sign up for PIER 39 LOCAL ADVANTAGE.

Yesterday marked the beginning of a new set of special offers – Kids Eat & Play Free!  All you need to do is purchase an adult entrée or attraction ticket at participating locations, and you’ll receive one child’s (11 years or younger) entrée or attraction ticket FREE! Blue & Gold Fleet is participating with a buy 1 adult Bay Cruise ticket , and receive 1 child Bay Cruise ticket free. And since I hear it’s going to be a beautiful weekend in the City with temperatures in the 70s, what better time to treat your kids to a cruise on the sparkling Bay!

These offers are only available through May 31^st, so be sure to take “advantage!”

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!