By Khalida Sarwari
A ferry ride from Sausalito to San Francisco is the second most exciting and scenic ferry ride in the world, according to a recent poll by the Society of American Travel Writers.
The 25-minute ride from Sausalito to the San Francisco Ferry Building was praised by the nonprofit organization of professional journalists and photographers for offering historic and picturesque views of the San Francisco Bay Area for just under $8.
“Crossing San Francisco Bay on a sunny afternoon, with Alcatraz Island and the Golden Gate Bridge to the right, the Berkeley Hills to the left and that glorious San Francisco skyline looming ahead, all that’s missing is a bar of Ghirardelli Chocolate and a warm loaf of sourdough bread,” freelance travel writer and photographer Eric Lindberg said in a prepared statement.
Hong Kong’s Star Ferry came in first on the list. And then after the Sausalito to San Francisco trip was the Staten Island Ferry in New York, Washington State Ferries from Puget Sound to the San Juan Islands, British Columbia Ferry System that connects Vancouver to Victoria, the ferry from the Sydney Harbor to Manly in Australia, the ferry system of the Greek Islands, the Alaska State Ferry System, the ferry ride from Flam to Gudvangen in Norway and the ferry from Mallaig to the Isle of Skye in Scotland.
“Public and private ferry boats provide an inexpensive alternative to cruises, often traversing some of the world’s most beautiful harbors, fiords, rivers and waterways at bargain prices,” Society of American Travel Writers President Bea Broda said.
More information about the San Francisco ferry ride can be found at: www.goldengateferry.org or www.blueandgoldfleet.com.