San Francisco Maritime National Historical Park

Great place to walk on the pier and check out the big ships! Lots of interactive, learning activities. There are Park Rangers on hand walking about who can answer any questions. It is free to walk around and do the activities, but if you want to go aboard to tour the ships, you must pay a nominal fee.

This park is excellent for relaxing and getting some nice sunshine in the grass overlooking the water and the golden gate bridge (little far but still gorgeous).
Parking is tricky, the tiny parking lot right next to the water is free for 4 hours. After than you need to move. Most is street metered parking but you can try (on weekdays) to park on the slanted Larking St (free) but you also need a bit of luck.
Lots of tourists and shops to rent a bycicle there so you’re pretty much set. They encourage you to bike the bridge and come back on ferry. Food is plenty, ranging from seafood restaurants (many with happy hour) to In n Out a few blocks. Excellent place to visit on your first time in SF.

Great place to walk, bring your dog, sun bathe, etc. I’ve even seen a couple families swimming in the water (though I’m too pansy to stick a foot in since i get cold very easily).
A lot to see, great atmosphere of local eateries. Can’t complain, it completed my relaxing walk along the bay very nicely. Would definitely love to come again for any events.

Great spot to take kids for a painless history lesson. I went this week with my second grader and 4 year old. (The big one and I had been once before, when he was 4.) I feel like 4 is probably the minimum age to get something out of the experience. Stop into the visitor center first to get an overview through the exhibits, and pick up the Jr Ranger booklets. Those booklets really helped my kids focus on interesting details, and provided an opportunity to sit and take breaks between the ships. Clean bathroom options both in the visitor center AND on the pier itself. The only reason I am holding back that 5^th star is that the tugboat hours are limited «because of the tide» — no further explanation and a little annoying when adults have to pay $ 10 to board the ships no matter how many ships are open.
Other than that, a great excuse to get outside and learn a little something about West Coast history!

San Francisco Maritime National Historical Park is located in San Francisco, California along the San Francisco Bay shoreline in the Fisherman’s Wharf neighborhood.
Since San Francisco Maritime does not cover a large area, walking is the best way to get around. City streets are adjacent to the park but no public road goes through it. There is no parking lot, and street parking is limited. Using public transportation is an excellent way to visit, and the turnaround for one of the famous cable car lines (Hyde) is in the park.
The Bathhouse building was built in 1939 as a joint project of the City of San Francisco and the New Deal Works Progress Administration (WPA), and is the focal point of the Aquatic Park Historic Landmark District. This unique structure was designed in the Streamline Moderne style, a late offshoot of the Art Deco period, and mimics the clean lines of an ocean liner.
Main Resources of the Park
A fleet of historic vessels are moored at Hyde Street Pier, an extension of Hyde Street. The ships are open to visitors year-​round. A short, level walk to the end of the pier rewards visitors with great views of San Francisco Bay.
The Visitor Center, located across the street from Hyde Street Pier, features information and award-​winning exhibits.
Just outside the Visitor Center is an open, grassy area overlooking Aquatic Park beach and cove with access to the water’s edge. Visitors can see breathtaking views to the north of San Francisco Bay, Alcatraz Island, the Golden Gate Bridge, and Sausalito in Marin County.
Two blocks away from the Visitor Center is the Maritime Museum in the Aquatic Park Bathhouse building.
The Maritime Research Center, located in Fort Mason Center, is a 10-​minute walk from Hyde Street Pier through Aquatic Park. Appointments are required.
Stand on the stern of BALCLUTHA, face west to feel the fresh wind blowing in from the Pacific Ocean. Located in the Fisherman’s Wharf neighborhood, San Francisco Maritime National Historical Park offers the sights, sounds, smells and stories of Pacific Coast maritime history. The park is all about History & Culture and you will find essential information here for exploring and discovering the park’s stories of Pacific coast maritime history.
San Francisco Maritime National Historical Park is located on the edge of San Francisco Bay in the Fisherman’s Wharf neighborhood and can be visited year-​round.
Begin at the Visitor Center (Phone: 415−447−5000), located at 499 Jefferson Street (Zip Code: 94 109) at the corner of Hyde Street. There, Park Rangers will help you plan your visit.
From the Visitor Center, cross Jefferson Street to Hyde Street Pier and visit the park’s collection of floating historic ships. Here, you can also see breathtaking views of the San Francisco Bay and Golden Gate Bridge.
From Hyde Street Pier, take a short stroll across the park to see the exhibits in the Maritime Museum located in the ship-​shaped Aquatic Park Bathhouse Building.
There at the Park you will see:
People — Biographies and stories of sailors and waterfront characters.
Places — Enjoy guides to the historic Aquatic Park and the San Francisco waterfront.
Stories — Tales of struggle and daring on the high seas, voyages along the byways of the waters and sloughs of San Francisco Bay and Delta, and many more await your discovery.
Collections — Discover the largest National Park Service museum, archives, library and small craft collection. Here you can learn about the park’s fleet of historic ships and small craft. Access information about the Maritime Research Center and the museum, archives and library collections.
Ships include:
1886 square-​rigger Balclutha
1895 schooner C. A. Thayer
1890 steam ferryboat Eureka
1891 scow schooner Alma
1907 steam tug Hercules
1914 paddlewheel tug Eppleton Hall
1890 (circa) San Francisco Bay Ark
1915 steam schooner Wapama

We had a great time sailing on the Alma today! We got to hoist the sails and helm the boat. Staff and volunteers were friendly, informative and helpful, offering to take our photos. The sail was a spectacular look at the bay! I look forward to returning! I also appreciated the lack of music and broadcast narration so we could enjoy the experience as it is.

I can’t believe I’ve been in San Francisco over a decade without visiting these ships. It’s fabulous and fascinating. The Balaclatha (almost like a pirate ship) alone is worth the $ 5 entrance but you also get the ferry boat with antique cars and more. Make sure you watch the movies on the cargo level and hear the stories via phone. Or you can join a guided tour. I went self-​guided with a toddler. Absolutely fantastic for toddlers and up. Before or after your visit, go into the free museum across the street from the Hyde St Pier entrance. Cap it off with an ice cream or hot cocoa at Ghirardelli Sq and your kids will believe you have superpowers.

We stumbled upon here while walking from Fishermans Wharf to the Powell-​Hyde cable car stop. It’s a National Monument so we decided to explore the pier. We came when it was close to closing on a Monday so not a lot of people around. We got to see some old ships but didn’t go on any. It’s a cool place for everyone and lots of history.
I’m pretty sure it’s free but leave a few bucks for posterity of the history.
A nice view of the city and the bay too.

Great location, views, boats, clean and refurbished traditional boats with identifying placards and information/​history for each vessel stored there for your viewing pleasure. You have to pay to board the crafts, then you are succomed to participating in boating events for your walking tour. Kids were having fun, but it looked like it was mandatory and not voluntary. The crafty shipmen were doing a fine and challenging job teaching basic day seamenship to the tourists, a deft challenge in itself. No place to eat, Bathrooms needed some serious attentin and upgrades, bathrooms don’t need to recapture the feel of the 1800’s bathrooms, that type of relic is for the mainstream of this place. A swim club is next door, and watching these guys/​gals swim in 20 – 30 degree iced water is a visual spectacle. There is a makeshift beach here with a gorgeous natural beach sound from which was pleasing. There is a live steam engine here with a tenant operating the unit. A great view of the Golden Gate, Treasure Island, and the Wharf from here for pictures and memories to share.

Very cool place that I never even knew about! While everyone was hustling and bustling elsewhere, the Maritime National Park was a nice break from the crowds. Inexpensive, educational and loads of fun! My husband and I spent a couple hours (more than expected) roaming the different boats and reading up on their history. Great for all ages!

I absolutely love this area of San Francisco. While I haven’t actually gone to visit the museum the area directly across the street from Ghirardelli Square is just such a nice place to sit and relax whether it is on the benches or on the grass and to go further you can go to the steps and eventually to the beach.
From here there is a gradual slope leading down to the water where you can see the curved pier, Alcatraz and the Golden Gate bridge.
I like this park because while you can get some good sun here it’s nice and cool like the inside of a fridge at times. You can see all along Beach street and if you’re going to walk along the Wharf you can cut through the park to get to Jefferson just a beat east.
This park is also where the Hyde Street cable car turns and where you can travel to Market Street turn so it’s easy access too.
The last few times I’ve visited here and Ghirardelli I’ve actually found parking on the street nearby.
Overall there are some great views to be had here and it’s a nice relaxing place to sit on the benches or lie down on the grass. If you wanted to go to the water you can do that too.

Wow!!! We did the sailing tour around the bay in a 100+ year old schooner. It was amazing!!! Great staff, cool volunteers, very affordable (worth more than you pay, for sure). More people need to know about this and go out and enjoy it! If you like boats, this is a must-​do…

My husband is a big historical boat freak so I dutifully go along with it, which usually is booooring. However, this place is fantastic. The boats on display are awesome and, in fact, I found myself wishing there were more that we could board and check out (only 3 were open when we went). I also loved the views out on the pier — Alcatraz, Ghiradelli Square, the GG Bridge, the entire bay. What a beautiful place to come and take it all in. Another cool thing is that you don’t need a ticket to walk around the boats — only if you want to go on them. So anyone can just come down here and check it all out. A great activity for adults and kids alike. Very cool!

The action never stops at the San Francisco Maritime National Historical Park. Surrounded by the tranquil green hills with awe inspiring views of Golden Gate Bridge and a lively beach scene, this is one of the choice areas to visit in San Francisco. My three years young son loves to run laps on this beach, collect rocks, roll on the grass at the lush park, have his mural painted, ride the trolley and share a cocoa shake with Daddy at Ghirardelli. We keep on coming back to refill our spiritual cup with the summer of love feeling found inside the emerald city of San Francisco.

OMG
GO HERE!!!
NO REALLY GO HERE!!!
SERIOUSLY CAN’T YOU SEE I AM TYPING IN ALL CAPS TO LET YOU KNOW THIS PLACE ROCKS!!! GO HERE!!!
This has to be one of the best museums /​historical parks I have ever been to and I love it. They have done a great job and really provided an amazing experience. The crown jewel is the Balclutha which was a multi-​purposed old sailing ship which has a had a storied life. They restored her and turned her into a floating live museum that has no equal. The other ships are also really great to visit. If you have kids that them here.

According to the official San Francisco Maritime National Historical Park website, you can experience the «sights, sounds, smells, and stories» of maritime history. I’m a fan of alliteration, but «sailor smells» is not something I’m into … call me weird.
Don’t worry about the smells. Come to enjoy the breeze and be on a boat (that’s docked) because SF Maritime Park lets you walk on … and in … some classic ships that sailed the Pacific Ocean.
Would you, could you, on a boat?
* Park for Fisherman’s Wharf and head to Hyde Street Pier
* Cable Car or MUNI bus is probably the easiest/​cheapest option
* Open 9:30 a.m. — 5:00 p.m. (except Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Years)
* $ 5 per person entrance fee or use a National Parks pass (recommended)
* Children under 16 are free (when accompanied by an adult)
* Prep early and be the first in your group to sing lyrics from «I’m on a boat.»
* The Visitor Center is at the corner of Hyde & Jefferson
* The Ticket Booth is half way down Hyde Street Pier
* Four boats are on the Pier for you to board and explore
* 1886 triple-​mast square-​rigger Balclutha
* 1890 sidewheel paddle steam ferryboat Eureka
* 1895 wooden-​hulled schooner C.A. Thayer
* 1907 steam tug boat Hercules
* The Maritime Museum is about a half block away
* Walkways, Gardens, and a Cable Car Turnaround are part of the park
* A small «beach» is popular. People actually swim from there … brrrrrr
* Hyde Street Pier was built in 1922 as a ferry point for Route 101
* Until the Golden Gate Bridge was built this was THE place to cross the bay
* Bring a jacket or wear layers. The weather can get cold/​windy
Here are some lyrics to practice on the ride over …
(Shortayyyy) Aww sh*t
Get your towels ready it’s about to go down (shorty, yeah)
Everybody in the place hit the f-​in deck (shorty, yeah)
But stay on your motherflickin toes
We runnin this, let’s go
I’m on a boat (I’m on a boat)
I’m on a boat (I’m on a boat)
Everybody look at me cause I’m sailin on a boat (sailin on a boat)
I’m on a boat (I’m on a boat)
I’m on a boat
Take a good hard look at the motherflickin boat (boat, yeah)
Take a picture, trick (trick) I’m on a boat, b*tch (b*tch)
We drinking Santana champ, cause it’s so crisp (crisp)
I got my swim trunks, and my flippie-​floppies
I’m flippin burgers, you at Kinko’s straight flippin copies
I’m on a boat and, it’s goin fast and
I got a nautical themed pashmina afghan
I’m the king of the world, on a boat like Leo
If you’re on the shore, then you’re sho’ not me-​oh
{Get the f up, this boat is REAL!!!}

Ever spotted these glorious ships from afar?
Ever wondered what they would look like up close?
As many, I had seen the ships many times but sheer curiosity stopped there.
Then one day. I decided to walk down Hyde Street after my sunny CableCar ride.
The pier is free to walk on, so you can see some relics, parts of boat engines,
as well as the carpenters working on restoring the latest little boats.
To get on the ships… it’s ONLY $ 5! Not even per day. it’s a 7-​day pass so you can
come back and admire, and look at every nook and cranny of these beauties all week.
The level of restoration varies from ship to ship, with some areas fenced off for safety.
Generally, I found them to be beautifully preserved/​restored, and loved the informative
stations located all throughout the ships complete with pictures and mini documentaries.
The price is for free-​roaming and if you want more, they also have organized tours.
Absolutely beautiful ships, great peeps around to answer any questions you might have,
and don’t forget to get to the top level so you can re-​create your favourite scene from
the Titanic… Don’t lie, you know you want to do it.

I was like a kid in a candy store! I love Maritime History, especially if its local and a real bargin to board the ships for only $ 5 per adult! Located along San Francisco’s northern shoreline, at Hyde Street Pier.
You get to walk around and see 6 historic vessels…
1~ Alma, 1891 Scow Schooner a flat bottomed vessel. Traveled up the Delta to deliver seed, coal, oil, cloth and sewing machines! Built right in San Francisco!
2~ Balclutha, 1886 large European rigged sailing ship. The oldest. 256 feet long!
3~ Eureka, 1890 Steam Ferryboat. There are classic trucks and cars displayed on the lower deck. There’s a really cool old mail truck!
4~ Eppleton Hall, 1914 steel tug boat from England. Being restored and wasn’t able to board on this visit.
5~ Hercules, 1907 steam powered tug boat from New Jersey.
6~ C.A. Thayer, 1895 Three-​masted schooner built in California. Carried raw materials for California’s early cities in the early 1900s.
Once aboard the different ships you kinda step back in time and there is artifacts, machinery, photos and documents for each to real and learn. Its a super fun place for kids as they can lean about boats and the history of them.
Bathrooms are located near the front before you get to the famous Hyde Street Pier over head entrance sign.
If you didn’t want to drive into the City, take the Ferry from an outer city and you’ll be dropped off right down the street at pier 45. A short scenic walk to the Hyde St Pier.

Hyde Street Pier and particularly the tall masted ship, The Balclutha, are my little boy’s favorite things to see in all of San Francisco.
He spends hours reading all the information at each exhibit and watches the (3) videos onboard the Balclutha as if the information will be part of the SAT in 12 years.
(«Balclutha» is named for the river Clyde in Scotland in case you’re wondering. I learned this from the on-​board video I’ve watched at least 30 times!)
For a slim $ 20 you can get an annual membership to Hyde Street Pier to board the ships and take in views not available on any postcard. Your membership will include you and (2) or (3) other adults plus children 15 and under are **free**.
Passes are good for 7 days, too. It’s a deal and such a great institution to support so please consider buying an annual membership; it’ll pay for itself in one or two visits.
And, it’s always free to walk Hyde Street Pier, no need to buy a ticket unless you want to board the tall ships (which I recommend).

I have sort of a thing for tall ships and historic maritime stories of yore, so I jumped at the chance to chaperone my daughters 4^th grade class to the Maritime Museum.
But this wasn’t your usual museum visit. It was an «Age of Sail» program where the kids were transported back in time via a cast of character who acted and behaved as if it were 1906… and the kids were new sailors to be trained. Mister Clem, the second mate, greeted them on the dock, and then gave them a primer on speech and behavior (e.g. how to address superiors, walking around lines on the deck, using «aye» instead of «yes»).
Then we waked single file to the Balclutha, the three-​masted ship that is the jewel of the museum. And then soon after we met Mister London, the strict and hard-​to-​please first mate. With a mane of wild hair stuffed under a seaman’s cap, slightly wild eyes, a thick British accent and a short temper, he got the kids’ attention immediately. When he told them their sea chanty and «aye ayes» were «pathetic», and then proceeded to dress-​down the second mate for bringing these «green hands» to his ship, the look on the kids’ faces was priceless.
He and the second mate never broke character the entire time. i felt like I was in the middle of a PBS period piece.
We met the captain a short while later, who was older, strict and a bit dour, but not unfriendly. She took aside the parents for a private discussion of rules before sending us back to the group, but not before Mister London sent scathing remarks our way (to the absolute joy of the children, I might add).
(Note: Parents like myself were to remain silent and observant, but not to speak to the children at all; also no electronics or sunglasses allowed… since it was 1906)
The class was broken into «crews» and each assigned to learn a different task, with one parent («tall sailor») assigned to each crew. With orders being barked constantly and their every move scrutinized, I have never seen my daughter and her friends pay attention so well. Eye opening.
After lunch and another set of tasks in the afternoon, the mood relaxed somewhat and the captain sat with the kids and had a friendly, frank discussion about the history of the ship and life on board; she also asked about their impressions, favorite moments, and not-​so-​favorite moments. Finally we were given a tour of the ship before departing.
I learned cool stuff; I got to play-​act a bit, and I watched my daughter soak in the experience. Easily the best thing I’ve done so far this year.