One bay crossing in California for now: the Coronado boats from downtown San Diego, where the choice of pier matters more than the timetable.
The West begins on this site with a single harbor route, and it is a city service rather than a road link. Coronado sits across San Diego Bay from the Embarcadero, and a private operator, Flagship Cruises & Events, runs the boats between the two. Outside the early commuter sailings every ride is paid: $9.00 one way for anyone aged four and over.
What trips people up is the mainland side. Broadway Pier sends a boat every hour, while the Convention Center's Fifth Avenue Landing, about a mile to the south-east, runs every 30 minutes, and both land at the same Coronado Ferry Landing. Early on weekday mornings a set of free commuter sailings runs as well, which the city and the operator describe slightly differently; the route page sets out both readings.
| Coronado ferry: two downtown San Diego piers, one landing on the island side | Passenger ferry | $9.00, ages 4 and up |