OAKLAND BOAT TOUR FIELD GUIDE
Aboard FDR’s Floating White House: Two Hours on the USS Potomac
A two-hour guided or self-guided cruise from Jack London Square that pairs San Francisco Bay scenery with the preserved history of President Franklin D. Roosevelt’s presidential yacht.
Aboard FDR’s Floating White House: Two Hours on the USS Potomac.
Step aboard the USS Potomac at Jack London Square for a two-hour cruise of San Francisco Bay aboard President Franklin D. Roosevelt's restored presidential yacht. Docents and a visitor-center orientation put the ship’s place in American history into context while the skyline, islands, lighthouses and bridges of the Bay pass by.
Highlights
Outing Highlights
Ride a National Historic Landmark
The USS Potomac is the only presidential yacht restored and still operating in the United States; as a National Historic Landmark it preserves stories of FDR’s presidency and wartime use while volunteers and staff maintain the vessel and lead interpretive tours.
San Francisco Bay scenery en route
Over the two-hour cruise you’ll pass vessels and waterfront landmarks—cruising by lighthouses, islands and under bridges—and take in sweeping views of the San Francisco skyline from the water.
Docents, Visitor Center video, and living stories
Before departure visitors are asked to arrive early to watch a 15-minute Visitor Center video; once underway you may choose between docent-led or self-guided interpretation as crew and volunteers recount the Potomac’s restoration and FDR-era history.
What the day feels like
What the two-hour cruise feels like
The outing begins at the Potomac’s Visitor Center in Jack London Square, where a short orientation film and check-in set the stage. On deck, volunteers and docents alternate narration with the noise of the bay: gull cry, engine thrum, and the slow arc of the ship as it makes a circuit past islands, lighthouses and bridges, before returning to the Oakland dock two hours after departure.
Suitability
Who it's for
Who this cruise suits — and who should reconsider.
Practical planner
Details to review before reserving
Plan to arrive 45 minutes before departure for check-in and to view the 15-minute Visitor Center video that provides context for the onboard tour.
Food is not served on the two-hour cruises; light snacks and soft drinks are available for purchase. Coffee, tea and dispensed water are provided complimentary onboard.
Individual cancellations must be made online at least 48 hours before departure for a full refund or rebooking. Groups of 10+ must cancel within 30 days for a full refund. In operator cancellations (weather or unforeseen), all bookings receive a full refund. For questions call (510) 627-1215 (M–F, 9 a.m.–5 p.m.).
Review cancellation policies before reserving.
Frequently asked questions
Planning Your Outing
How long is the cruise?
Two hours.
When should I arrive before departure?
Please arrive 45 minutes prior to departure for check-in and to view the 15-minute Visitor Center video.
Are meals provided on the two-hour cruise?
No. Food is not served on two-hour cruises; light snacks and soft drinks are available for purchase, and coffee, tea and dispensed water are complimentary.
What is the passenger capacity?
The USS Potomac has a maximum capacity of 110 passengers for two-hour cruises.
What are the accessibility provisions?
The vessel is historically preserved and has limited ADA access: wheelchairs are restricted to the main deck (maximum width 25 inches), onboard bathrooms are not accessible, accessible restrooms are available dockside, and crew are not permitted to provide physical assistance such as lifting occupied wheelchairs.
What is the cancellation policy?
Individual reservations canceled online at least 48 hours before departure receive a full refund or may be rebooked; less than 48 hours, no refund or rebooking is available. Groups of 10 or more must cancel within 30 days to receive a full refund. Operator cancellations due to weather or unforeseen events receive full refunds.