San Francisco Maritime
National Historical Park


This unique Park, located at the west end of San Francisco's Fisherman's Wharf, includes the fleet of historic vessels at Hyde Street Pier, the Maritime Museum, and the Maritime Museum Library. Each year: over a half million visitors board turn-of-the-century ships and tour the Museum; hundreds learn traditional arts -- like boatbuilding and woodworking -- in Park classes and workshops; and thousands of schoolchildren spend the night aboard the 1895 schooner C.A. Thayer as part of an innovative educational program. The Park offers history, music and craft programs for all ages, and provides unique opportunities for docents, interns and volunteers to become part of history!

The current Museum exhibit is "Found: The Wreck of the Frolic. A Gold Rush Cargo for San Francisco." If you plan to be in the San Francisco Bay Area during August, we hope you will stop by for a visit. Please check our schedule of events and programs for dates and times. Detailed information for educators planning field trips, or other group visits to the Park, is available here.

On the Horizon
Alma's Summer Sailing Schedule
1999 Sea Music Concert Series (September through December)
1999 Festival of the Sea (September 25 and 26)
New Museum Exhibit: "Sparks, Waves and Wizards: Communications at Sea"

VISITATION:
Highest in July; lowest in January.
 
LOCATION:
On San Francisco Bay, at the west end of Fisherman's Wharf in San Francisco, California.
 
ADDRESS:
San Francisco Maritime NHP
Building E, Fort Mason Center
San Francisco, CA 94123
 
TELEPHONE:
(415)556-3002
 
OPERATING HOURS, SEASONS:
 
Museum Building (Foot of Polk Street)
Open daily, year-round
10am-5pm all year
 
Hyde Street Pier (Foot of Hyde Street)
Open daily, year-round
9:30am-5:30pm all year
 
Maritime Library (Building E, Third Floor, Fort Mason Center)
Open six days/week, year round
Tuesday: 5pm-8pm
Wednesday-Friday: 1pm-5pm
Saturday: 10am-5pm
 
CLIMATE, RECOMMENDED CLOTHING:
San Francisco can be foggy and windy at any time of the year. Visitors should wear layers since the climate can change very quickly. The Bay Area is known for its microclimates which can change dramatically from neighborhood to neighborhood. The warmest months tend to be September and October. November to April or May is considered the rainy season. The average annual temperature is 62.5F (16.9C).
 
DIRECTIONS (BY CAR):
From the South Bay (San Francisco International Airport/US101): Take 101 north. Follow the signs to 101 North Golden Gate Bridge. Take the Mission Street exit, at the bottom of the ramp follow the bulk of the traffic going right on Mission Street, two blocks later again follow the bulk of the cars left on Van Ness Avenue, follow Van Ness Avenue (north) about 30 blocks. Turn right on North Point Street (east), then turn left on Polk Street. The Museum Building is straight ahead.

From the East Bay (Bay Bridge): Take the first San Francisco exit (from either the left or right lanes -- Fremont Street or Harrison Street). At the bottom of the ramp turn right (north). Turn left onto the Embarcadero. Follow the flow of traffic past Pier 39 and on to Jefferson Street. Hyde Street Pier is about 5 blocks up on the right. To reach the Museum Building, continue on the Embarcadero. Turn left on to North Point Street (east), drive for about 10 block,. then turn right on Polk Street.
 
From the North Bay (Golden Gate Bridge/Marin): Follow the Lombard Street exit. Turn north (left) on Van Ness Avenue. Turn east (right) on North Point Street, and then north (left) on Polk Street to the Museum Building.

There are also free (but commercial) maps offered over the web. Depending on the speed of your internet connection (and the version of your web browser) you may find these maps to the Museum/Aquatic Park, Hyde Street Pier, and the Maritime Library useful.
Please note: Parking anywhere in San Francisco is scarce. We strongly recommend public transportation. (The Hyde Street Cable Car line starts right in the Park--it's a great ride!)
 
TRANSPORTATION:
MUNI Bus Routes
(For more information phone 673-MUNI)
To Museum Building, Aquatic Park, and Hyde Street Pier:
To the Maritime Library
 
FEES, COSTS RATES:
Admission to the Museum and Library is always free. Hyde Street Pier admission: $5 adults, $2 12-17 and seniors. Visitors under 12 free. There is no admission fee to Hyde Street Pier on the first Tuesday of every month.
 
FACILITIES AND OPPORTUNITIES:
 
Museum Building:
Explore two floors of exhibits chronicling different periods of West Coast maritime history inside this ship-shaped, streamline-moderne structure. Mast sections, jutting spars and figureheads are arranged among the colorful fish and gleaming tiles of muralist Hilaire Hiler's expressionist vision of Atlantis. Displays include panels, video, oral history re-creations, models and interactive exhibits. In July, Park Rangers present a special guided history tour focusing on the building itself. Click here for information about the current exhibit.
 
Hyde Street Pier:
Large Vessels: Board the 1886 square-rigger Balclutha, 1895 schooner C.A. Thayer and 1890 steam ferryboat Eureka daily. Also berthed here are the 1891 scow schooner Alma, 1907 steam tug Hercules and 1914 paddlewheel tug Eppleton Hall. Alma's summer sailing schedule is here.

Small Craft: Although the big vessels are magnificent, the Park's 100-plus collection of traditional and significant Small Craft are a fine introduction to boatbuilding and the maritime trades. Peruse an article about six small craft in the collection, or experience one brave sailor's  small craft odyssey on San Francisco Bay! And there's still time to sign-up for one the 1999 boatbuilding classes.

Ranger Programs: Visitors can participate in frequent interpretive programs like "When Battleships Were Tricky,"  "Historical Charts Of San Francisco Bay" and "Gold! Gold! The Rush Is On!" and enjoy hands-on exhibits, waysides, videos and tours.
 
Victorian and Aquatic Park:
Picnic, watch ship traffic on San Francisco Bay, or just rest from a run through the commercialized portion of Fisherman's Wharf. Lawns, beautiful landscaping and park benches. Adjacent are two historic swim clubs: the 1877 Dolphin Swimming & Boating Club and the 1873 South End Rowing Club.
 
Maritime Library:
The Pacific Coast's pre-eminent library of commercial maritime history provides public access to 32,000 volumes, periodicals, shipping records from 1847, films, manuscripts and oral histories. The public reading room contains 143 current maritime history and maritime trade periodicals, and provides microform readers and listening cubicles.

The Library also provides access to the Historic Documents Department's extensive historic photograph collection -- you can request a print of your grandfather's schooner, or a blow-up of a unique, old-time San Francisco street scene. Another unique group of historic documents is the collection of marine architectural drawings. Each of the Park's major vessels is represented in the marine architectural drawings collection, and several have been made into plans packages for model makers.
 
Programs, Activities:
Activities include: school group overnights; navigation, rigging, sea music, history and traditional sailor craft programs; boatbuilding and woodworking classes; living history; hands-on exhibits; research workshops; tours; lectures; and programs designed especially for kids.
 
Lodging and Camping Facilities:
None in the Park. A variety of lodging is available in the immediate area.
 
Food, Supplies:
World-class restaurants (and fast food) are within walking distance of the Park.
 
Other Concessions, NPS-Managed Visitor Facilities and Opportunities:
The Maritime Store, located at the entrance to Hyde Street Pier, offers a wide range of maritime-related books (history, fiction, technical, ocean wildlife, traditional crafts, etc.), a selection of maritime folk music, videos, games, ship plans, posters, models and other "gifts of the sea." For further information phone (415)775-BOOK.
 
Accessibility:
The first floor of the Maritime Museum, Hyde Street Pier, portions of the historic vessels (depending on tides and weather), the Maritime Store and the Maritime Library are wheelchair accessible.
 
Special Needs:
A limited number of handicap parking spaces are located at the entrance to Hyde Street Pier, the Museum Building and the Maritime Library.
 
RECOMMENDED ACTIVITIES/PARK USE:
Visit the ships, museum, exhibits and library. Join daily programs.
 
RESERVATIONS/PERMITS:
Reservations for school groups and other educational groups should be made three weeks prior to your visit. For more information about school group visits, please click here. At least one month's notice and application for Special Use Permits is required. Filming permits are arranged on an individual basis. For additional information concerning reservations, special use or filming permits, phone (415)556-3002.
 
BASIC VISIT RECOMMENDATIONS:
Although a thorough exploration of the Museum and Pier could take the better part of a day, you can easily adjust your visit to fit your schedule (by concentrating on just one vessel, for example). If you wish to do research at the Maritime Library, please give the reference staff advance notice of your visit by phoning (415)556-9870.
 
SPECIAL EVENTS/PROGRAMS:
Call the Park for specific dates and times at (415)556-3002.
 
VISITOR IMPACTS:
Call the Park at (415)556-3002.
 
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:
Write San Francisco Maritime NHP, Building E, Fort Mason Center, San Francisco, CA 94123 or phone (415)556-3002.

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Last Updated: Thursday, 1-July-99 11:57:00

Questions and comments to: lynn_cullivan@nps.gov