San Francisco Maritime National Historical Park, San Francisco

San Francisco Maritime National Historical Park, San Francisco

The park consists of the Hyde St Pier and the fleet of historic ships moored there, the Maritime Museum, Aquatic Park, and the Municipal Pier.

The park consists of the Hyde St Pier and the fleet of historic ships moored there, the Maritime Museum, Aquatic Park, and the Municipal Pier. Six major ships are on display on the Hyde St Pier, including the Balclutha - an 1886 steel-hulled square rigged sailing ship, Eureka - an 1890 steam ferryboat (which also has an exhibit of antique cars on board), C.A. Thayer - an 1895 lumber schooner, and Hercules - a 1907 steam tug. Shaped like a ship, the historic Maritime Museum building was originally built by the WPA as a bathhouse and served as the Maritime Museum for many years before a recent renovation. The maritime exhibits have been moved to storage and the Visitor Center, but you can enter and view the beautiful underwater-themed murals. The Aquatic Park was once part of Fort Mason but is now a complex for museums and artisans, and a great place to take a break from the bustle of Fisherman's Wharf. There is a small beach at the foot of the park where you'll see kayakers, kite fliers, swimmers from the nearby Polar Bear Club, and even rock sculptors at work. At the end of the park is Municipal Pier ? the closest you can get to Alcatraz on foot or bike. After dark it can be a bit desolate.