The Golden Gate Bridge 75th Anniversary May 27, 2012!

The Golden Gate Bridge 75^th Anniversary

Did you know?

Before the bridge was built, the only practical short route between San Francisco and what is now Marin County was by boat across a section of San Francisco Bay. Ferry service began as early as 1820, with regularly scheduled service beginning in the 1840s for purposes of transporting water to San Francisco!

How are you going to celebrate?

You could….

Join the Golden Gate Bridge 75^th Anniversary communities on Facebook (www.facebook.com/ggb75), Twitter (www.twitter.com/ggb75) and Flickr (www.flickr.com/groups/ggb75/)

Attend one or more of the 75 Community Tributes being offered by Bay Area organizations throughout the anniversary year (see list of activities at www.goldengatebridge75.org)

Make plans and invite friends to attend the Bridge’s waterfront birthday celebration over Memorial Day weekend, May 26-27, 2012—don’t miss the surprise grand finale on Sunday night!

Throw your own Bridge birthday party on May 27, 2012

Come and Celebrate the Chinese New Year in San Francisco!

Ring in the Chinese New Year with Southwest Airlines Chinese New Year Parade. A San Francisco tradition since just after the Gold Rush, the parade continues to delight and entertain the many hundreds of thousands of people that come to watch it on the street. It’s all happening Saturday,February 11, 2012 from 6pm-8pm.

Nowhere in the world will you see a lunar new year parade with more gorgeous floats, elaborate costumes, ferocious lions, exploding firecrackers , and of course the newly crowned Miss Chinatown U.S.A. and her court. A crowd favorite is the spectacular 250′ Golden Dragon (“Gum Lung”) It takes a team of over 100 men and women from the martial arts group, White Crane to carry this dragon throughout the streets of San Francisco.

This year’s Southwest Airlines Chinese New Year Parade promises to warm your heart and electrify your senses, come rain or shine.

Red & White Fleet Honored With 13th WRAP Award

San Francisco’s Red and White Fleet was recently honored with their 13th WRAP Award from the state of California in the company’s efforts to reduce their environmental impact.

The Waste Reduction Awards Program (WRAP) is administered by the California Department of Resources Recycling and Recovery (CalRecycle). WRAP provides an opportunity for California businesses and nonprofit organizations to gain public recognition for their outstanding waste reduction efforts and lets the community know the business takes waste reduction seriously. WRAP evaluates the waste reduction, procurement, and education activities in the internal business practices of the applicant, not in the services or products it may provide. WRAP also provides businesses with examples of successful waste reduction techniques, which they may adopt as their own.

Red And White Fleet Features The Holiday Twilight Cruise and Golden Gate Bay Cruise Over All Major Holidays

For those that want to celebrate the coming holiday season in San Francisco with a festive, city lights-inspired twilight tour or a casual bay cruise, Red and White Fleet has packaged up San Francisco’s only “Holiday Twilight Cruise” and the original San Francisco Golden Gate Bay Cruise. Perfect for families, couples or groups of friends, or for anyone who wants to get out of the house during the holidays, both cruises are offered on the upcoming holidays, including Christmas, Hanukah and New Year.

The two-hour “Holiday Twilight Cruise” features views of the city’s spectacular nightscape, live guitar entertainment, light appetizers from the buffet and a hot or cold beverage from the bar. Nestled into the warm and cozy atmosphere of Red and White Fleet’s historic ferry boats, the cruise will pass along the dramatically lit skyline of San Francisco with its modern skyscrapers and historic landmarks, pass the infamous island of Alcatraz and cruise under the impressive San Francisco Bay Bridge and the legendary Golden Gate Bridge. Prices are $54 for adults (18+) and $36 for youth (ages 5-17). Children under five are free. Departures are on Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays at 5:30 p.m, including Christmas Eve and New Year’s Eve.

San Francisco’s original bay tour, the Golden Gate Bay Cruise was launched in 1939 as part of the Golden Gate International Exposition. This cruise has been a highlight of any visit to San Francisco for 70 years and a favorite for locals as well. This one hour excursion sails along San Francisco’s breathtaking waterfront, under the majestic Golden Gate Bridge and closely around notorious Alcatraz Island. On route, passengers will discover San Francisco’s history and world famous landmarks through personal headphone audio, available in 12 languages. There will be five cruises a day on the aforementioned holidays. Prices are $24 for adults (18+) and $16 for youth (ages 5-17). Children under five are free. Cruises depart 8-10 times daily every 30-45 minutes, typically starting at 10:00 a.m.. On Christmas Day, five departures will be offered.

To keep guests warm and comfortable on those starry winter nights, Red and White Fleet’s vessels feature heated indoor spaces with large viewing windows and upholstered seating as well as outdoor viewing decks. A full cash bar with drinks and snacks is available as well. Advance bookings are recommended as these cruises will sell out on some days/evenings. A full bar with drinks, snacks and merchandise (including logo wear) are available onboard.

Book now!

Red & White Offers 50% Discount Tickets for Kraft Bowl Fans

Especially for Kraft Bowl fans, Red and White Fleet is offering special 50% discount on adult tickets for the Twilight Cruise or Golden Gate Bay Cruise, for departures between Dec 23-31, 2011.  Go to http://tours.redandwhite.com/default.asp and enter coupon code “KRAFT” prior to selecting ticket count.

HYATT REGENCY SAN FRANCISCO IS HOME FOR THE HOLIDAYS

Ideally located in the Embarcadero Center, across from the iconic Ferry Building and steps from the California Street Cable Car line, Hyatt Regency San Francisco has a host of holiday plans to entice revelers from near and far.  As a matter of fact, Hyatt Regency San Francisco is predicting snowfall throughout the holiday season in its dramatic, Guinness Book of World Records’ Largest Atrium Lobby in the world.  Complementing thousands of cascading lights and a dramatic 30-foot tree, snow will fall three times a day in the hotel’s lobby, from November 19 through December 31, 2011.  The calendar of events for Hyatt Regency San Francisco’s 2011 holiday season is outlined below with full descriptions to follow:

Tree and Interior Lobby Lighting: November 18 from 7:00 – 8:00 p.m. in conjunction with Embarcadero Center’s exterior illumination and skating show, which is from 6:00 – 7:00 p.m.

Snow in the Atrium Lobby: Daily from November 19 to December 31 at 1:00 p.m., 6:00 p.m. and 8:00 p.m.

Embarcadero Holiday Skating Rink: Daily from November 9, 2011 to January 2, 2012

Holiday Happy Hour at Eclipse Lounge: Daily from 4:30 pm – 7:30 p.m., featuring Signature cocktails and holiday libations

Ice Skating Package: November 18 to December 30

Thanksgiving Dinner: November 24 from 4:00 – 10:00 p.m. featuring a 3-course dinner, $37 for adults and $18 for children 4 – 12 years of age, children under 4 free

Breakfast with Santa in Eclipse Café: December 3, 4, 10, 11, 17, 18 from 8:00 a.m. – Noon, full breakfast buffet, $23.95 for adults and $10.75 for children 4-12 years of age, children under 4 free

Christmas Eve Dinner: December 24 from 4:00 –10:00 p.m., featuring a 3-course dinner, $37 for adults and $21 for children 4-12 years of age, children under 4 free

Christmas Day Dinner: December 25 from 4:00 – 10:00 p.m., featuring a 3-course dinner, $37 for adults and $21 for children 4-12 years of age, children under 4 free

New Year’s Eve Package: December 31, 2011 to January 1, 2012

New Year’s Eve Bayviews and Bubbles: Regency Club Package (December 27, 2011 – January 4, 2012)

New Year’s Eve Dinner:  December 31 from 5:30 – 10:00 p.m. featuring a 4-course dinner, $45 for adults and $21 for children 4-12 years of age, children under 4 free

New Year’s Breakfast Buffet: January 1 from 7:30 a.m. – 2:00 p.m., featuring a $7 Bloody Mary Bar, breakfast buffet, $23.95 for adults and $10.75 for children 4-12 years of age, children under 4 free

For more information, visit www.sanfranciscoregency.hyatt.com or call (415) 788-1234.

Tree Lighting at Ghirardelli Square

What is the first day that you start thinking about Christmas? I know for most, it’s the day after Thanksgiving. This is the first day that most pull out the Christmas lights, go tree shopping or start to hang their stockings. This year you can celebrate the beginning of holiday spirit at the 47^th Annual Ghirardelli Square Tree Lighting. It is all happening November 25, 2011 at 5:30 pm.

Enjoy free, live entertainment for the entire family throughout the day culminating with the lighting of the Ghirardelli Square tree. It is the perfect opportunity to get together with the family to kick off the holiday season.

Before the tree lighting there will be live entertainment from the San Francisco City Opera, Contra Coastal Chorale and even Yuletide Carolers.

Walk around listening to the singing, viewing the tree and of course tasting the chocolate that San Francisco is known for. Enjoy hot chocolate with your family and friends while walking around the square.

Veterans Day: A Day of Remembrance

Veterans Day, held on November 11 every year, is a celebrated day of those who selflessly served our country for the human right to freedom, that of which American’s are incredibly lucky for.

Did you know that Veterans Day (originally named Armistice ) day was named by Woodrow Wilson in 1919 in honor of those who fought in the first World War?

“To us in America, the reflections of Armistice Day will be filled with solemn pride in the heroism of those who died in the country’s service and with gratitude for the victory, both because of the thing from which it has freed us and because of the opportunity it has given America to show her sympathy with peace and justice in the councils of the nations.”

-Woodrow Wilson

Are you close to any Veterans this year? Whether is be a family friend, or a part of your family or even someone who just recently or is serving they deserve appreciation this year. This Veterans Day is the perfect time to show it and our cruises present a perfect opportunity to do so. At Red and White Fleet We have a variety of special bay cruises that will give you Veteran a sense of appreciation and pride for what he or she did for our country and our freedom.

Now Introducing San Francisco’s Only Holiday Twilight Cruise

For those that want to celebrate the coming holiday season with a festive, city lights-inspired bay tour, Red and White Fleet has packaged up San Francisco’s only “Holiday Twilight Cruise,” available from November 10 through December 31, 2011.

On this casual two-hour cruise, passengers will enjoy views of the city’s spectacular nightscape, live guitar entertainment, light appetizers from the buffet and a hot or cold beverage from the bar.  Nestled into the warm and cozy atmosphere of Red and White Fleet’s historic ferry boats, the cruise will pass along the dramatically lit skyline of San Francisco with its modern skyscrapers and historic landmarks, pass the infamous island of Alcatraz and cruise under the impressive San Francisco Bay Bridge and the legendary Golden Gate Bridge.

The buffet includes a variety of appetizers, such as sandwiches, salads, fruit and dessert. To keep guests warm and comfortable on those starry winter nights, Red and White Fleet’s vessels feature heated indoor spaces with large viewing windows and upholstered seating as well as outdoor viewing decks. A full cash bar with drinks and snacks is available as well.

Advance bookings are recommended as this event will sell out on some evenings. A full bar with drinks, snacks and merchandise (including logo wear) are available onboard.

Prices are $54 for adults (18+) and $36 for youth (ages 5-17). 

Children under five are free. 

Departures are on Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays at 5:30 p.m. from, November 10, 2011 to March 24, 2012

The route:  From Pier 43½, along the San Francisco waterfront (Fort Mason, Marina, Presidio) to/from the Golden Gate Bridge, loop around Alcatraz, west of Treasure Island, under the Bay Bridge and past AT&T Park, the Ferry Building, Pier 39, back to Pier 43½.

Gorgeous San Francisco Bay Sunset on our California Twilight Cruise