History of Golden Gate Ferry

Crossing the San Francisco Bay by ferry dates back to 1850 when ferries operated between San Francisco and Oakland. In 1868, a group of San Francisco businessmen formed the Sausalito Land and Ferry Company to operate ferry service between Sausalito, in southern Marin County, and San Francisco. Prior to the opening of the Golden Gate Bridge, ferry service flourished. Then, following the opening of the Golden Gate Bridge in 1937, ferry service between Marin County and San Francisco declined and eventually came to an end on Friday, February 28, 1941. For the next 29 years, driving across the Golden Gate Bridge was the only way to travel directly between Marin County and San Francisco.

Golden Gate Sausalito Ferry

Ironically, the same District that contributed to the decline of the ferries was called upon to bring them back. Working from a 1969 study of water transit conducted by the counties of Marin and San Francisco, the Golden Gate Bridge, Highway and Transportation District purchased the M.V. (Motor Vessel) Point Loma in June 1970. The twin-engine, diesel-powered ferry was built and operated as an excursion boat in San Diego, California. It carried 525 passengers at a speed of 15 knots (17 mph). The vessel was reconditioned and rechristened the M.V. Golden Gate. It began service on August 15, 1970, and was retired from service on March 26, 2004. Over its many years of service, the M.V. Golden Gate made about 432,108 round trips, traveled about 1,296,384 nautical miles and carried 21,129,850 passengers. A 715-passenger Spaulding class vessel is now used on this route.

Golden Gate Larkspur Ferry

Acting on the August 1970 report commissioned by the District, Golden Gate Commuter Ferryboat System, San Francisco - Marin Crossing, and prepared by Philip F. Spaulding and Associates, Seattle, Washington, plans moved forward to add to the Golden Gate Ferry fleet and designate a portion of the north bank of Corte Madera Creek on the Hutchinson property in Larkspur, CA as the Marin County main terminal.

Between 1972 and 1977, the District constructed three additional ferry vessels, each capable of carrying 715 passengers.

On December 11, 1976, the first of the new Spaulding ferries, the G.T. (Gas Turbine) Marin, went into service between Larkspur and San Francisco. At the same time, the new Larkspur Ferry Terminal, designed by Braccia, Debrer & Heglund, was dedicated.

On March 7, 1977, the second vessel, G.T. Sonoma, was added to Larkspur service. On September 12, 1977, the third boat, the G.T. San Francisco, arrived. At this time, just two of the three ferries were kept in daily service, with the third as an alternate. On June 17, 1978, the San Francisco Ferry Terminal facility was dedicated.

To provide more frequent service and lower maintenance and fuel costs, all three Spaulding vessels were converted from a gas turbine water jet propulsion system to twin diesel engines and twin propellers. On December 1983, the first of the G.T. vessels was sent to San Diego for conversion to diesel power. By November 17, 1985, all three Larkspur ferries had returned and were rechristened with the designation M.S. (Motor Ship), and for the first time, all three vessels provided service between Larkspur and San Francisco. The commute, midday and weekend schedules were expanded, and by the following year, ridership increased over 34%.

On September 8, 1998, Golden Gate Larkspur Ferry expanded services between San Francisco and Larkspur with the launch of a new high-speed catamaran, Motor Vessel (M.V.) Del Norte. This significant milestone offered customers new commute options, including more frequent trips, better departure times, and faster crossings. The addition of the M.V. Del Norte to the Larkspur Ferry fleet nearly doubled the number of daily round trips available to customers - to 40 trips per day up from 26. The high-speed catamaran was an instant hit, increasing ridership by 11%.

On July 20, 2001, on it way to Larkspur from the shipbuilder in Washington, Golden Gate Ferry’s second high-speed catamaran, M.V. Mendocino, made a stop to be christened in her home county at Noyo Harbor near Fort Bragg. On September 10, 2001, the M.V. Mendocino was placed into service between Larkspur and San Francisco.

From December 2002 to December 2003, to ensure its long-term viability as substantial warranty work was required on the M.V. Mendocino, the vessel was taken out of service and sent back to the original builder who made the necessary repairs at no cost to the District. It had been determined that the aluminum used for the hull was constructed using a process that did not meet stringent marine engineering and U.S. Coast Guard regulations.

From 2001 to 2002, all three Spaulding vessels had new more modern and efficient diesel engines installed.

On October 27, 2006, a contract was awarded to Bay Ship & Yacht Co. Alameda, CA, in the amount of $6.2 million, for the refurbishment of the interior of the Golden Gate Ferry vessel, M.S. Marin. The project was funding using 80% Federal Transit Administration grant funds, with the remainder coming from Bridge tolls. From November 2006 to July 2007, the M.S. Marin underwent a complete refurbishment including all new seating, paint, deck covering and carpeting, ceilings and wall paneling, lighting, PA system, restrooms, refreshment stand, security cameras, windows, bicycle racks (accommodate at least 70 bicycles), modern handicap lift; generator and electrical systems.

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M.V. Del Norte - Golden Gate Ferry's original high-speed catamaran