The ever-more-popular ferry services into San Francisco are really worth a try either for leisure or for commuting. The high-speed ferries take just 30 minutes to get you from Larkspur to San Francisco (and the older boats taking a leisurely and more ponderous 45 minutes).

The ferries provide some of the very best views of The City, the Golden Gate Bridge, The Rock (Alcatraz), Angel Island, San Quentin, and the waterfront communities of Tiburon, Belvedere, Greenbrae, and Sausalito. Taking one of the slow boats can be absolutely delightful on sunny days. You can grab a beverage at the bar (yes, there are fully stocked bars) and head out to the deck for one of the most wonderful boat rides you could imagine.

There is also service to Giants games at AT&T Park (dropping you off steps from the turn-stiles) and Angel Island (reserve a campsite and stay on the island overnight!). Another wonderful way to take in the sights is to ride bikes over the Golden Gate Bridge to Tiburon (or Sausalito), relax at a local waterfront restaurant (such as Sam's in Tiburon), and then take a ferry back to The City. You can make a day of it.

The Golden Gate service (which runs lines from Larkspur and Sausalito) plans to add another high-speed boat to the Larkspur line in 2009. It will be the largest boat yet, with a seating capacity of 499 passengers. Have fun!

Click HERE for the Larkspur & Sausalito schedules.

Click HERE for the Tiburon & Angel Island schedules.