The Island

If you’re thinking about heading out to any of the Giants’ exhibition games later this week, you can skip the Bay Bridge hassle: The Alameda/Oakland ferry is offering direct service to the games. For Thursday and Friday’s games against Seattle and Oakland, the ferry leaves the Main Street stop at 6:15 p.m. and gets to the ballpark about 10 minutes before the games’ 7:15 p.m. start. The ferry departs AT&T Park 20 minutes after the last out or by 11:30 p.m. For Sunday’s game, also against Oakland, the ferry leaves Alameda at 11:30 a.m. (and you may have some time to kill, because according to the Giants’ website, the game doesn’t start until 1:35 p.m.). The ferry departs 20 minutes after the last out. The ferry offers service to 60 games this season, which starts on April 8. Tickets are $7 each way (about the cost of a beer at the park) for adults, $4.75 for seniors, $4.25 for kids ages 5 to 12 and $5.75 for active military personnel. You can buy ‘em on the boat. Regular tickets and ticket books are not accepted for ballpark service. For more information (and to double-check the time on Sunday’s service), call the ferry at (510) 522-3300 or go online here. The Alameda Main Street terminal is at 2990 Main Street, and parking is free.