Cruises from San Francisco to the Mexican Riviera

Which lines sail from San Francisco to the Mexican Riviera?

• Carnival Cruise Line
  Laid-back, loud in the best way and unpretentious; flip-flops, burgers by the pool and a comedy show after dinner.
• Princess Cruises
  Relaxed, welcoming and dependable; a comfortable middle ground between mass-market buzz and premium polish.

When to go

1. January: Best time, average high 80 degrees F Jan 80°62°
2. February: Best time, average high 80 degrees F Feb 80°62°
3. March: Best time, average high 81 degrees F Mar 81°63°
4. April: Best time, average high 82 degrees F Apr 82°66°
5. May: Shoulder season, average high 85 degrees F May 85°71°
6. June: Cruises run, average high 89 degrees F Jun 89°77°
7. July: Cruises run, average high 90 degrees F Jul 90°77°
8. August: Cruises run, average high 90 degrees F Aug 90°76°
9. September: Cruises run, average high 90 degrees F Sep 90°76°
10. October: Shoulder season, average high 89 degrees F Oct 89°75°
11. November: Best time, average high 86 degrees F Nov 86°69°
12. December: Best time, average high 82 degrees F Dec 82°64°

• Best time
• Shoulder season
• Cruises run
• Few or none

Temperatures in Fahrenheit, long-term averages. Climate source.

Short Baja cruises run year-round from Southern California, and the main 7-night Mexican Riviera season runs from about October through April, when the coast is dry and warm. Summer is hot and humid with afternoon storms, and the Eastern Pacific hurricane season runs May 15 to November 30. Humpback whales are in the area from about December through March.

The Eastern Pacific hurricane season runs May 15 to November 30 according to NOAA. Storms affecting Cabo San Lucas and the Baja coast are most likely in August, September and October. Cabo is usually a tender port, and swells can cancel the stop even in good weather. The sea days off Southern California can be cool and windy in winter and spring.

Where you'll stop

Itineraries vary by line and length. These are the ports the Mexican Riviera cruises most often visit:

• Cabo San Lucas, Mexico: The arch at Land's End, glass-bottom boat trips, Medano Beach and winter whale watching. Usually a tender port.
• Puerto Vallarta, Mexico: A walkable old town and Malecon, Banderas Bay beaches, and tours into the Sierra Madre foothills.
• Mazatlan, Mexico: A restored colonial historic center, one of Mexico's longest seaside boardwalks and good food at local prices.
• Ensenada, Mexico: The usual stop on short cruises, with La Bufadora blowhole and the Valle de Guadalupe wine region nearby.
• La Paz, Mexico: Calm Gulf of California waters, sea lion snorkeling and seasonal whale shark tours.
• Catalina Island (Avalon), United States: A California island town with clear-water snorkeling and golf-cart exploring, common on short cruises.

Before you sail from San Francisco

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.

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.

• 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.

Documents: Cruises that begin and end at the same US port are "closed-loop" sailings. U.S. Customs and Border Protection says US citizens on a closed-loop cruise can re-enter the United States with a birth certificate plus a government-issued photo ID, and children under 16 need only proof of citizenship such as a birth certificate (most lines want an original or certified copy, not a photocopy). CBP also warns that the countries your ship visits may still ask for a passport, and cruise lines can set stricter rules than the government does. We recommend a passport book anyway: if you miss the ship or have to fly home early from a foreign port, you cannot board an international flight without one, and a passport card works only for land and sea crossings. Non-US citizens, including green card holders, have different rules. Check current requirements with your cruise line and the State Department before you sail. Mexico requires a tourist card (FMM) for visitors, which cruise lines normally handle for passengers staying aboard between port calls.

More detail: our full San Francisco cruise port guide and our Mexican Riviera cruise guide.

Related routes

Also from San Francisco: Alaska.

Mexican Riviera from other ports: Los Angeles (San Pedro), San Diego.