Things to Do in Pacifica

With a satchel swung 'round his shoulder, walking stick in hand, and a plume of red and black feathers struggling against his cap, Emperor Norton I leads enthralled sightseers around the iconic corners of San Francisco during 2-mile treks through time. Gold epaulettes gleam beneath the Bay Area sun as the emperor dispenses lively, informative, and charming commentary while ambling along a route that, like an above-ground swimming pool full of sleeping but excitable sharks, takes approximately 2.5 hours to cover. Stories about landmarks, including the St. Francis Hotel, Maiden Lane, and Lotta's Fountain, explain each location's importance, helping tour-takers take in the city's history. Tours run four times a week, and sally forth from the historic grounds of Union Square.

With the blood of the Stevens family—an American sailing dynasty that included America Cup pioneer John C. Stevens—coursing through his veins, captain Steve Hocking was destined for greatness aboard the open sea. As the owner of Ohana Sailing, he's armed with a US Coast Guard license and racing chops that earned him an invitation to the prestigious Rolex Invitational Big Boat series. Steve indulges a passion for sailing that began when he bought his first boat in Canada and steered it straight to San Francisco. At the helm of his 45-foot Beneteau, the Ohana, Steve pilots moonlit or daytime cruises during which passengers can lounge between the wood panels of a luxurious master stateroom and two guest rooms.

Steve also holds three-month racing courses aboard the Ohana, enabling hands-on learning by including participation in three or four races each month. At individual sailing lessons, pupils board the Roadrunner, a 23-foot Ranger boat, and master techniques for navigating the diminutive vessel through open waters and between the sentient statues that guard them.

With a proud fleet of schooners, performance catamarans, vintage and contemporary luxury yachts, and tall ships, SF Bay Adventures has vessels to suit any occasion. The friendly, USCG-certified crews have experience helming ships for special events, marine filming, corporate team-building events, and educational programs. They also embark on adventure excursions such as shark- and whale-watching tours, eco tours, floating wine tastings, and special cruises for Mother’s Day, Father’s Day, and Blackbeard’s mother’s birthday. After rigging the sails, they lead tours of the Golden Gate Bridge, sunset cruises, and pirate-themed parties aboard their various sailing ships.

The tech-savvy staff members at Blue Sky Rental Studios lease three varied studio spaces to clients for multimedia, film, and still-photography shoots. Two studios with multipurpose floors and white industrial walls bathe subjects in natural light spilling in from tall, white windows. The Light Grid studio's four walls and ceiling are inlaid with digitally controlled studio lighting, enabling photographers to join forces with a robot without having to promise their camera's hand in marriage. Outside these three creative spaces, a 7,000-square-foot hall hosts a range of private events such as weddings and new-equipment showcases.

When not hosting creative talents, Blue Sky staffers contribute directly to the process as they provide camera gear and accessories, photography and production assistants, and services such as location scouting and casting. They can also aid in completing a photographer's digital workflow with postproduction work, secure-image archival, and hand-drawing mustaches on models in each photo.

With Janis Joplin's raspy vocals slicing through its speakers, and a costumed guide at its helm, the Magic Bus cruises into the 1960s as it captivates riders with a groovy comparison of San Francisco's past and present. Over the course of a two-hour trip, iconic neighborhoods and city landmarks pour through the bus's windows, which, at various stops, get covered by retractable video screens that flicker with historic images. Tour takers sing along to classic tunes as the bus rolls through Chinatown, Golden Gate Park, and Haight-Ashbury, famous for its role during the Summer of Love, and later, during the notorious crossing guard strike of 1982. Aside from public tours, the Magic Bus opens its tie-dyed doors to private parties and corporate charters.

Porpoises, seals, and pelicans follow in the wake of sailboats as they coast through the waters of the San Francisco Bay. The 30-foot Cherubini Hunter known as Fearless sails among them, bringing passengers toward sights that are only attainable by boat. Captain Stephan Sowash boasts 30 years of experience and certification from the U.S. Coast Guard, and steers the vessel with the confidence of a boxer who has filled his gloves with sand. He coordinates trips with light refreshments or gourmet dinners such as grilled salmon or lamb, leading guests toward attractions such as McCovey Cove, where kayakers paddle frantically for rare home-run balls and autographs of famous fishmongers.