F I R S TP R E V790NEXTLAST

Fresh Air Commute, San Francisco Bay
For many, ferry rides are a daily part of life in the Bay Area. Ferries transport tens of thousands of commuters to and from San Francisco every day. The city's first ferry, Kangaroo went into service in 1850, just after the start of the Gold Rush. Early ferries were designed to carry passengers atop and horses, drays, and baggage carts below. By 1870s most ferries were owned by railroad companies and served as continuations of rail lines. In 1890 two daring thieves stole five bags of money from a Wells Fargo safe while it was being carried across the Bay on the steam ferry, Oakland.

Besides commuters, many visitors use ferries to tour the Bay, view the Golden Gate, go whale-watching, or enjoy moonlight dinner cruises. Two unique ferry tours that always sell out quickly are the Native American Sunrise Ceremonies to Alcatraz Island. These ceremonies commemorate Native people and highlight the taking of their land by the federal government. The cruises begin at 5 a.m. on Thanksgiving Day and Indigenous People's Day (formerly known as Un-Columbus Day).
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