Few departures beat sailing out under the Golden Gate Bridge. San Francisco's main cruise facility is the James R. Herman Cruise Terminal at Pier 27, opened in 2014 on the Embarcadero below Telegraph Hill, with Pier 35 a few minutes' walk north as an overflow berth. The Port names Princess and Carnival as its homeport lines, and many others call during the year.
Princess runs the widest range from here, including Mexico and Hawaii round trips through much of the year and Alaska in summer. Carnival bases Carnival Luminosa in San Francisco for the summers of 2026 and 2027, mainly for Alaska. Hawaii round trips involve several sea days in each direction.
The terminal is in the middle of the city's waterfront, near Fisherman's Wharf, Pier 39 and the Ferry Building, so a pre-cruise stay is easy without a car. The main drawback is parking: the Port does not provide overnight parking at the terminals.
Where cruises from San Francisco go
- Alaska Glaciers, fjords, wildlife and frontier towns on a summer-only season through the Inside Passage and Gulf of Alaska.
- Mexican Riviera West Coast sunshine: Cabo, Puerto Vallarta and Mazatlan on easy round trips from Southern California.
- Hawaii Four islands in a week from Honolulu, or a long Pacific crossing from the West Coast.
Cruise lines sailing from San Francisco
- Princess Cruises Classic, comfortable cruising with tech-smart service and an Alaska specialty.
- Carnival Cruise Line Casual, affordable Fun Ships sailing from more US ports than almost anyone.
Line schedules change by season. We confirm which ships sail from San Francisco on your dates when we quote.
Cruise terminals
| Terminal | Used by |
|---|---|
| James R. Herman Cruise Terminal (Pier 27) The Embarcadero at Lombard Street. Opened in 2014 with shore power. | Princess, Carnival |
| Pier 35 Secondary cruise berth about a 6 to 8 minute walk north of Pier 27. | Varies |
Getting there
From SFO, a taxi or rideshare usually takes 25 to 40 minutes. BART runs from SFO to Embarcadero station, about a 20-minute walk from Pier 27, and the F-line streetcar along the Embarcadero stops near the terminal at the Embarcadero and Sansome Street. Taxis and cars can drop off at the terminal hall entrance.
- SFO San Francisco International Airport: about 15 miles
- OAK Oakland San Francisco Bay Airport: about 18 miles
Parking
The Port of San Francisco does not provide temporary or overnight parking at the cruise terminals. Metropolis offers cruise parking at 55 and 80 Francisco Street, booked directly with Metropolis (the Port does not manage these lots). Otherwise, plan on downtown garage rates or skip the car.
Where to stay the night before
Fisherman's Wharf, North Beach and the Embarcadero hotels are closest. Union Square and the Financial District are a short taxi ride.
Season: Year-round for Princess, with Alaska sailings in summer and Mexico and Hawaii in the cooler months. Carnival's San Francisco sailings run in summer.
Embarkation-day tips
- Head to an outdoor deck for sailaway; passing under the Golden Gate Bridge is the highlight of the day.
- There is no overnight parking at the terminal, so reserve a private garage or come by taxi.
- If you arrive early, the California Welcome Center at Pier 39 has self-service luggage lockers; the terminals do not store bags.
- Pack warm layers even in summer; San Francisco's waterfront is often cool and foggy.
Cruising from San Francisco: questions
Which cruise lines sail from San Francisco?
Princess and Carnival are the homeport lines at the Port of San Francisco. Carnival Luminosa sails from the city in the summers of 2026 and 2027, and other lines call or run occasional departures.
Is there parking at the San Francisco cruise terminal?
Not overnight. The Port refers cruisers to Metropolis, which offers cruise parking at 55 and 80 Francisco Street, booked directly with that company.
Can I take BART to the cruise terminal?
Yes. Take BART from SFO to Embarcadero station, then walk about 20 minutes north along the waterfront or take the F-line streetcar to the Embarcadero and Sansome Street stop.
Sources and fact-checking (last checked October 14, 2026)
We write our own guides and check hard facts like fleet sizes, ship specs and published fees against these sources. Cruise lines change things often, so we re-confirm details in every quote. Spotted something out of date? Tell us.
