Port of Oakland Harbor Tour

I went to the Harbor Tour last weekend. It was AMAZING. Such great hospitality. It was everything we could have asked for. Great views of the Bay! It was magically historic as well. We saw FDRs living space, place where he conducted the «fireside chats.“The tour guide named Robert Bernardo was so informative. He had the whole crowd hooked onto his every word. I’ve been on tours before but normally people are not even paying attention. That was NOT the case here, Robert was so engaging and clever. He even made really funny jokes. I loved it. He was so sweet, when the tour came to an end he came out and thanked so many people personally for coming (including myself). He even engaged in conversation with a lot of the passengers. I love seeing that type of hospitality. All of the crew members were smiling and being so nice. I can’t wait to go again and would encourage anyone to go! It’s age appropriate for anyone. I saw so many different age groups there, from children, teens all the way up to the older crowd. The tour was relaxing and a refreshing experience! I learned so much while relaxing! Go check it out!

There is always something new to experience in one’s own backyard. Having been born and raised in the Bay Area, it felt like «been there, done that» for a lot of things around the Bay. Boy was I wrong. The Oakland Harbor Tour was not only fun, but it was educational as well for my family too.
It is a rare opportunity to view the growing sea trading zone known as the Port of Oakland from the point of view only accessible from the Oakland /​Alameda Estuary. During our trip, we were able to witness an 180° turn about of a 5000+ container capacity freighter in the estuary! How amazing is that!
The crew is incredibly professional, timely, as well as knowledgeable about the Port if Oakland as well as the surrounding areas shouldering the San Francisco Bay.
The views were breathtaking and worth the cost of admission. Tours are limited during the season, so registering early is key.
Recommended for both native and visitors alike.

I really liked the tour. The ship was President Roosevelt’s little White House. I cannot think of a bad thing about it since it’s free. You get to learn a lot of about the port of Oakland and how ports work. You learn about flag states and how cranes can lift about 12 elephants. There is free tea, water and coffee and the view is amazing. It is a bit windy but we are on water. You can also ask the docents on board questions about the port. The narrator is really good and you can also look at the different rooms on the boat. Usually the patomic is a museum so you get to learn about history too if you read the cards. You get to see the sailors bed and Roosevelt’s chairs and teak wood lounge. You just cannot go wrong.

It doesn’t get much better than a free harbor tour, does it?
Apparently, it can get better, and in this case «better» is brought to you by the Port of Oakland. The Port of Oakland Harbor Tour aboard President FDR’s yacht, the Potomac, is one of the best experiences I’ve ever had in the Bay Area. Not only did it provide spectacular views of the estuary (and of course of beautiful San Francisco), but it was also very informative. I learned so much about the port and the city of Oakland from a very interesting narrator. The docents and crew are all so helpful and kind, and the tour truly could not have been more fun. Captain Tom and Joe the docent were especially wonderful. Thank you for a truly terrific evening!

Yes, I took a day off work to go see container ships, and yes, almost everyone else on the tour was at least 25 years +/​-​my age. The ship and container handling views are great, but this tour is not for the claustrophobic. You’ll be wedged tight between large groups yelling to one another in many languages, while the Port guide reads about the Port’s commitment to the environment and communities around the world. If you’re interested in the tour, I also suggest visiting the East Bay Regional Parks’ Middle Harbor Park.

Did you know that the Port of Oakland gives FREE harbor tours once a month, May-​Sept? Indeed, it’s true.
They haul out one of the old ferry’s that is really run down and give a free narrated tour. So come… bring your children, and your elders… and your sack lunch (because the pretzels must be left over from the last time they used the ship in the 90s). The narration is mostly a snore, read in a flat tone, complete with mispronunciations and outdated terms. BUT… who really cares? It’s a free harbor boat tour.
Go out on the deck, let the wind blow through your hair, see those giant cranes up close, learn about waterfront parks you never knew were there, and experience the boats out on the water up close. The kids are gonna love it. Afterwards get your snack on at Scott’s and/​or Ben & Jerry’s.