Take the Oakland-Alameda Ferry Instead of the Bay Bridge

Taking the Oakland-Alameda Ferry Instead of the Bay Bridge

The Bay Bridge connecting Oakland and San Francisco is open again after several days of closure to move a new span into place. Everyone that lives an hour or two east of San Francisco uses the Bay Bridge to get into the city. In forty plus years that I have been using the bridge it has only been closed a couple times, and since I don’t commute to San Francisco the closures have not affected me.

I began using the Bay Bridge in 1961. Back then there was two-way traffic on the upper and lower decks and you paid a twenty-five cent toll at both ends of the bridge. I remember the first time I crossed was to go to a hospital in San Francisco to sell a pint of blood. I was down to my last thirty-five cents. I received five dollars for my pint of blood. Lucky thing, if I didn’t sell my blood I would have been stuck in San Francisco.

It is always a thrill to cross the Bay Bridge. You catch sight of Angles’ Island, Treasure Island, Alcatraz, the Golden Gate, and the outline of downtown San Francisco. Sometimes the fog is rolling off the bay and adding to the beauty of it all. Part of the excitement is that your destination is San Francisco where you can visit Golden Gate Park, and the De Young Museum, or North Beach and the coffee houses, or the theater district to take in a play.

As the years have flown by the traffic across the bridge has grown heavier and heavier some times backed up at the toll booths for five or ten minutes. The fare has gone up from twenty- five cents one way, to four dollars with no toll collected on the way back. And, after you cross the bridge, you have to find a place to park. No easy matter, I’ve paid as high as twenty-five dollars to park for the day across from Pier 39.

Several years ago, I took my grandkids for a ride on the Oakland-Alameda Ferry. What a beautiful ride past the Oakland shipping, and under the Bay Bridge, with sights of Treasure Island, Alcatraz, the Golden Gate Bridge, and the city sky line. The ferry cuts through the water and rocks with the waves giving a feeling of being at sea. We made a quick stop at the Ferry Building where the city commuters disembark, and then on to Pier 41 where we gotoff to spend the rest of the day showing the grandkids the sights.

On my next trip to San Francisco, I thought wait a minute. Why put up with the traffic on the bridge? Why put up with looking for parking in the city. Why not take the ferry? You can park for free at the Washington Street Garage with a validated ticket. It only cost seven-fifty round trip for seniors. Why not take the ferry, and sit back and enjoy the ride.

So, now unless I’m going to a specific place like Golden Gate Park, or Land’s End, or the Mission District where I need the car, I take the ferry.

We always ride outside on the top deck where you can feel the fresh air, and get a taste of the water. It’s always a thrill to go under the Bay Bridge and watch the tiny cars pass overhead. We get off at Pier 39 where Anne will spend her day taking in the sights or shopping. And, I’ll hotfoot it off on my own little adventure.

San Francisco is a city made for walkers. From Pier 41 I can walk to North Beach in about 15 minutes taking in the sights as I go. On a typical day, I spend a little time in Washington Square admiring the Saint Peter and Paul’s Catholic Church. Walking through North Beach, I stop at City Lights Book Store and glance through the books. Then, I hoof it up through the Financial District where I stop to study the Pyramid Building. From there I hit Market Street and admire the sky scrappers. After a short break with a glass of wine or a Cuddy and water I can head back through China Town. Or maybe if I have a lot of energy climb the stairs taking back way to Coit Tower.

Back at Pier 41, I meet Anne for dinner usually at Alioto’s. Then, instead of fighting traffic to and across the Bay Bridge, we board the ferry and enjoy the ride back across the choppy water.