Wow, I grew up in the SF bay area. I drove cars and motorcycles over the Bay Bridge many times.

Reading your post and looking at your photo of that bridge from a bicycle commuter's point of view provokes one thought:

Evil bridge.

But I vote for the bicycle/ferry deal. It sounds cool, biking, boating, more biking. Ride on your lunch break, or catch a later ferry on your way home.

It sounds to me like you are coping with the loss your "perfect commute". Most people never or rarely have a perfect commute.