Elite Event: You Boat’Cha RocketBoat Tour

Hardcore romantic adrenaline pumping morning… could not have planned a better date myself. I loved the jet boat ride, just enough speed to make you feel awesome, but not enough to make you throw up. I loved Angel Island & the tram ride, been on my bucket list forever. To wrap it all up with a nice scenic cruise home?! Awesome day!

Thank you to Abby and the Unilocal crew for organizing this event!!! This was my first Unilocal Elite event, so I was super excited to join other Unilocalers and enjoy a beautiful part of the SF Bay. This event was so organized and smooth. We loved the Rocket Boat (always saw the Rocket Boat whenever we had sushi at Hana Zen up in Pier 39) and finally had a great reason to hop on for ourselves. So fun to zip around the Bay and peek up the Bay Bridge’s undercarriage. I can go on and on, but the other reviews really sum up a perfect afternoon on Angel Island.

Thank you again Abby and the rest of the Unilocal SF team for letting me (lowly un-​elite Unilocaler LOL) join in on the fun! Despite having lived in the Bay Area all my life, I’ve never once stepped foot on Angel Island and also, because I do live around here I hardly ever find myself doing the cool tourist-​y things that everyone does when they visit. Thanks to the Elite event, I got to kill two birds with one stone!
Riding the Rocketboat was so fun! The entire 30 minute ride was one big adventure partially because of how fast it goes and partially because if you’re like me, you’re simultaneously trying to take pictures and somehow trying to not drop your phone. Pretty much every moment on the Rocketboat was a huge photo opportunity. I particularly liked how it went under the Bay Bridge and how they even made a quick pause at Alcatraz for a brief history lesson. After our tour, we were let off at Angel Island to wander for the rest of the day.
Angel Island itself is a beautiful place. It’s still crazy to me to think that we were just a quick boat ride away from SF. I felt like I was on the island in Lost. Or Lian Yu in Arrow, haha. It was a rare sunny day out, so there were a lot of people barbecuing and hiking the island. Unfortunately, since there were lots of people, we didn’t get to partake in the complimentary bike rentals. BUT, we did take the opportunity to take a short hike before our 2pm complimentary tram tour (typically $ 15!). We got to hike up to the Immigration Center, which I believe is about $ 5-​$ 8 to tour. However, we opted out so as to make it back in time for the tram tour. The tram tour was awesome as well. It was a relaxing 1hr tour around the entire island, which really gave us a great 360 degree view of the entire place. It was also accompanied by an audio recording of the history of the island, as well as the significance of the different places we passed by during our ride. Definitely not a bad way to spend my Sunday.

My friend and I had so much fun at this Unilocal event! Rocketboat whisked us away on the Bay waters with fun rock music playing and a fun and funny guide, and then afterward they took us clear across to Angel Island. We off boarded and got our tram tour tickets and then had a delicious Cuban sandwich with coleslaw. We took our time eating and then walked around a little before boarding a tram around the island.
It was a gorgeous view of SF on the tour as it was a clear, sunny day! We learned a great deal about Angel Island history. Time was a little tight, but we were able to board the ferry back to SF. We also had a gorgeous view of Golden Gate Bridge on the way back.
What a lovely day! Thank you, Unilocal!Love you! :)

Had an absolute blast at this trip. The boat ride, the view, the food and the company was absolutely perfect. The view was to die for, breathtakingly beautiful. Thanks Unilocal for allowing us to be a Unilocal elite for a day.

I’m not a elite member, but it’s been a bucket list of mine to one day become one. Thanks Unilocal for letting me be an Elite for a day. The rocket boat tour was amazing, I felt like i was on a roller coaster ride, but better. I get motion sickness pretty easy, but the rocketboat tour was a smooth ride to Angel Island. Everyone needs to visit Angel Island, you get a 360 view of the city on Mt. Livermore. I suggest tour and locals to come and visit, you won’t be disappointed

Thanks SF Unilocal,Blue & Gold Feet, as well as Angel Island for hosting this wonderful event!
We arrived at Pier 39 around 11am and were greeted by beauty blue sky, excited Unilocalers, Unilocal goodie bags, and the awesome Rocket Boat!
The boat tour took us from Pier 39 to west of the peninsula, across the Bay bridge, back to East towards Alcatraz, and finally docking on the north side of Angel Island. The trip was 30 minutes total. We were provided with ponchos, even though we didn’t really get wet. The captain did 4 – 5 360 degree turns and we got some beautiful views of the city.
Upon arrival, my friend and I went to the café to grab tickets for the 2 o’clock tram tour around the island. The tour was an hour each and seemed very relaxing. We also planned on renting out bikes in the shop next door, but sadly they ran out right before we got to the counter. :(
My friend and I headed on the Sunset Trial, which took 2.5 hours around trip. The view towards the end of the trial was absolutely amazing — we could see sail boats in the north, kayaks near Sausalito, the Golden Gate bridge, as well as the entire SF city.
We couldn’t make it back on time for the 2pm tram, so we decided to take the ferry back to SF, which arrived at Pier 41 around 4pm.
Even though we didn’t get to bike or go on the tram, we had a blast exploring the island on our feet. It was a beautiful day also — we could not have asked for more. :)

Big thanks to Abby, Alex, and the Unilocal SF team for putting together an awesome event! I’ve never been on the RocketBoat and it was super fun to be speedily cruising around SF Bay Area in the hottest red rod ;)
Unilocalers arrived around 11AM and we were off to go at 1130AM. We cruised around the SF Bay and stopped to view the dreamy city, Bay Bridge, and Alcatraz. Rocketboat dropped us off at Ayala Cove at Angel Island. We spent a pleasant 3 hours on the island. Luckily, we were hooked up with a cool goodie bag with snacks and a rain poncho for the boat ride, complimentary cookies and coffee/​drinks at the Angel Island Café, and a free tram ride ticket around the island, worth $ 15!!!
The weather was perfect and gorgeous, like as if they knew we were coming out today ;) Cloudless skies, light breeze, and a warm sun greeted us all Sunday afternoon. We had lunch facing Ayala’s shores– dim sum anyone? Yum! Afterwards, we hiked around Ayala for a bit before heading to the tram bus. The tram bus tour took us around all corners of the island — China Cove, Fort McDonnell, Camp Reynolds, Alcatraz Gardens, etc. Our tour guide, Donna, was very knowledgeable and hilariously comedic. She had a plethora of textbook info about the island’s history spanning from its early 1800s days to the Civil War to WWII. We stopped at a majestic scenery edge of the island with a breathtaking view of Oakland, SF, Tiburon, Richmond, and their connecting bridges. We ferried back to SF shore at 3:20PM with smiles :) I am so glad I got to experience this Elite Event! It’s not always about the food/​drinks (I know, blasphemous coming from a foodie). Big thanks to Unilocal for allowing me to experience fun, cool things to do! I’ll definitely be back!

Had such a great time on the Rocketboat around the bay and getting a tour of Angel Island. Thanks Abby, Alex and rest of the Unilocal SF team for making it happen. It was such a treat to experience it on my birthday.
You guys are the hands down the best!
Fiona

The day could not have been more perfect!
The weather was gorgeous, and the time spent on the water was so fun. I’d never been on the RocketBoat before, and for someone who loves the thrill of rollercoasters and amusement parks, I now ask myself why I didn’t try it out sooner! After 30 minutes on the water and taking some snaps between the splashes, we landed on Angel Island.
My last memory of being on Angel Island was back from elementary school days, so it was great to revisit as an adult. I’m definitely looking forward to future trips to the island for hiking, grilling, and even camping.

Reason #9822 I love Unilocal,events like this.
Had it not been for Unilocal,I wouldn’t have ever 1) gone on a rocket boat and 2) have gone to angel island.
I think the knee-​jerk reaction to the word « Unilocal» is a place to review food and drinks, when it is much more than that. Unilocal is a great place to go and find local events or creative ways to play tourist in your own city (something I personally don’t do enough).
The event started promptly at 11am at pier 39. Given wristbands, a swag bag and a smile from a coordinator. Shortly after, we boarded the rocketboat. It was just that, a rocket… boat. RB was a fast and fun way of seeing (and tasting) the bay. We went under the bay bridge, around Alcatraz and onward to angel island. With a few stops along the way, our guide was engaging and fun… adding to the overall experience.
Once on angel island, we aimlessly «followed the red bags» into the café where we were treated with a complimentary cookie and coffee. Since we skipped breakfast, we shared a tuna melt which was served with a small salad; both filling and delicious. We were given a ticket to the 2pm tram tour and explored the island in the meantime. Angel island is both breathtaking, family friendly and quiet. As mentioned earlier, had it not been for Unilocal,I never would’ve gone… so for this, I’m grateful. The tram tour is HIGHLY recommended. Very informative, scenic and was a guided tour (which flash info from our guide) which lasted roughly an hour, just in time to catch the 3:20 blue and gold fleet boat. This was calming, relaxing and scenic as well.
Overall, a solid and mellow Sunday funday.
Huge shout out to Abby and the Unilocal team for, as always, delivering a solid and fun event to cap our weekend off. We couldn’t ask for more.

The «You Boat’Cha» Elite Event embodied the essence of a perfect day on the bay: boating around the Golden Gate and bay; snapping great pictures of the bridges, city skyline, and the major islands; and hiking to the top of Angel Island for both a great walk and scenic views! Between the Rocket Boat and Angel Island, You Boat’Cha gave us a new view on some of the amazing experiences that San Francisco has to offer.
We started off the day on the Rocket Boat. I can see why this might be a more touristy experience, but it was pure joy to zoom around the bay in a fast boat, experiencing the different waves and hitting pretty much all of the key sights in less than 30 minutes!
Angel Island was the perfect end point as it gave us the ability to see San Francisco from a different perspective: while climbing to the top of Mt Livermore! If you are planning on heading over to the island, be sure to wear good footwear, some water, and a lunch. There are a number of picnic tables at the top for one to enjoy lunch!
After a day of wonderful hiking and beautiful views, we found ourselves splitting a bowl of Chili at the Angel Island Café. It had a zazzy kick to it and I would definitely recommend!
We returned on the 3:20 ferry direct to San Francisco, Pier 41. It gave us a final view of Angel Island, Alcatraz, and the Golden Gate Bridge. Although this was an organized event, the experience is easily replicable by anyone seeking to enjoy a day on the Bay!!!

Fantastic way to enjoy the natural features of the Bay Area without traveling far from the city. The boat was a fun little risked coaster on water. Fun but not too crazy and just enough slash to wake up without having to dry off at all.
Angel island is an incredible natural escape from the city so close to the city. Fell a lot like hiking around redwoods much further north.
The trip was also about 4.5 hours so not a huge time commitment too for a weekend.

Kickass event! Thanks for the many firsts for me today… Rocketboat, biking around angel island, and riding the blue and gold fleet.
Thank you Abby and SF Community team! I’m inspired to finish the many draft reviews I’ve got saved and get back to the Elite status!

The rocket boat tour was so fun! Roller coaster on the water (literally)!!! The «tour» on water lasted about 20 minutes. It was great that they stopped to let us take photos along the way. The boat also played great music and really was great way to see the Bay. We went under the Bay bridge, to Alcatraz for some photo-​ops and then onto Angel Island. Along the way, we also caught great views of Treasure/​Yerba Buena Island and the East and North Bay.
It was great to be able to check out Angel Island as well! Although the tours and food were on our own, there was a ton of activities to partake in on the island, from Segway tours to bikes to good old hiking.
All in all, this was an awesome event to partake in. Thanks Abby and the Unilocal crew for the invite!

What a way to spend a Sunday!
The Rocket Boat Tour felt like an adult Disneyland ride, with the speed, fun, and minor wetness splashed in! You zoom from the dock and get an opportunity to get some sweet views of the Bay Bridge. Of course photo ops were slotted in. Luckily we caught SF on a sunny day so it was nice and warm, and a cool moment was actually being able to see a contrasting landscape of the sunny Bay Bridge and gloomy Golden Gate Bridge on opposite ends. We jetted through and did a slight pit stop around Alcatraz before docking at Angel Island.
At Angel Island we continued to enjoy the nice weather over a brief hike and then food and drink. The visitor center and the tram tour ride (About 1 Hr.) provided some informative and historical context, which I found very enlightening. Kind of eerie to see all these old buildings and to imagine all the history that happened behind those walls. But the views of the bay and surrounding areas are breathtaking. Really awesome sights to see if you enjoy immersing yourself in nature.
Overall, a really enjoyable Sunday Funday! Major props to Abby and the Unilocal SF crew for organizing a great event! Thankful for the opportunity to learn a little bit more of Bay Area history and enjoy some good ol’ outdoors fun!