On the west side of one of San Francisco‘s most popular areas, Fisherman’s Wharf, we find the San Francisco Maritime National Historical Park. This museum park not only offers spectacular views of the bay, but is a perfect place for lovers of sea life and historic vessels.
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San Francisco Maritime National Historical Park Information
Breathe in the sea breeze at your feet and stroll among boats that are more than 100 years old… The San Francisco Maritime National Historical Park is a maritime national park that is home to:
- a fleet of historic ships moored along the Hyde Street Pier. A short walk takes you to the end of the pier and from there you can enjoy a beautiful view of the bay;
- a Visitor Center that offers lots of information and details about the pier and the naval fleet;
- a garden near the shore, just outside the Visitor Center, overlooking the bay and the beach at the Aquatic Park Pier. From here, in addition to the bay, you can see Alcatraz Island, the Golden Gate Bridge and Sausalito;
- the Maritime Museum inside the picturesque building known as the Bathhouse;
- a Research Center inside the Fort Mason Center, about a 10-minute walk from the pier.
The vibrant energy that characterizes Fisherman’s Wharf in this park combines with the allure of going back in time and feeling like you are inside a novel starring deckhands, captains, and sailing ships ready to set sail to discover new lands.
Directions
The San Francisco Maritime National Historical Park is located at 2905 Hyde Street in the famous Fisherman’s Wharf neighborhood.
The best way to visit this area is on foot. There is no parking and there are only a few parking spaces. Since it is a wharf, there is no real road running along it. For this reason, I suggest you use public transportation to get to the Maritime National Historical Park (buses 27, 54, 72 on Van Ness Avenue/Francisco Street or the F subway and L-OWL bus on Jefferson Street/Taylor Street).
The Hyde Cable Car streetcar terminus is located right here, so one idea might be to reach this area by boarding one of San Francisco’s iconic streetcars. Alternatively, if you prefer, you can reach the attraction by bike, here are some tips on that:
Opening Hours and Tickets
Hyde Street Pier, the pier that houses the boat park, is open daily from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. It remains closed on Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Day and January 1.
The Maritime Museum is open Wednesday through Sunday from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. It is closed on Mondays, Tuesdays, Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Day, January 1, Martin Luther King’s Day, Memorial Day, Independence Day, Labor Day and Columbus Day.
The ticket cost to board the historic ships and sailing ships is $15 per person. Children under 15 do not pay.
If you are staying in San Francisco for an extended period and plan to visit this pier several times by boarding its sailing ships there is also an Annual Pass, a ticket valid for one year, at a cost of $45 that allows you to enter whenever you want throughout the year also bringing two other adults with you. Teens and children under 15 can get in free with the person who has the pass.
Finally, it is helpful to know that you can purchase the National Parks and Federal Recreational Lands Pass. San Francisco Maritime National Historical Park is, in fact, one of the 200 parks included in the pass.
Why Visit and What to See
Among the many attractions in San Francisco, the Maritime National Historical Park is definitely worth a visit, let’s see why.
Not only is the naval park ideal for a stroll among the boats while admiring the ocean, but it is also a place to learn about the lives of sailors and the history of some of the old boats that sailed the seas of the world in the late 1800s.
The Maritime Museum is worth a visit and is among the most important places in the Naval Park. It is located inside a building called the Bathhouse that resembles an ocean liner. It was built in 1939 in the Streamline Moderne or late Art Deco style. The lobby is covered with colorful murals, and inside you will find exhibits about the lifestyle of sailors, their sailing techniques, and boats. In the 1940s the structure served as a base for troops, while after the war it became the official home of the museum.
Another highlight of this park is the exhibition of historic vessels. The oldest and perhaps most fascinating is Balclutha, a three-masted sailing ship with square sails from 1886. She sailed from Glasgow in Scotland that year, and during her ‘career’ reached Cape Horn 17 times. The C.A. Thayer is a three-masted schooner with a wooden hull from 1895, used to transport lumber. Another schooner, from 1891, is Alma. Eureka is, on the other hand, an 1890 steam ferry, and Hercules is a 1907 steam tugboat. Finally, you will also find Eppleton Hall, a 1914 steamboat, moored here, and see an 1890 houseboat, the Bay Ark.
Where to Stay in the Area
Fisherman’s Wharf is a great neighborhood to spend a few nights in San Francisco: you’re close to the ferryboats to Alcatraz and the Golden Gate Bridge, you’re a stone’s throw from Ghirardelli’s Square with its clubs and entertainment, you’re next to the famous Pier 39. The sea and the nightlife are here waiting for you! However, there are also other areas worth considering. For a complete overview and some recommended accommodations please take a look at our guide dedicated to the topic:
