Home Outdoor Fun Explore the Bay’s History on These Awesome Ships & Boat Tours By Kate LowethApril 25, 2019 Search more like this sign-upday-triplibrarysleepsummer-campvisitor-centerhornethistoricyachtferrytourmuseumshipbay Read next Outdoor Fun The Best Organic Clothes for Babies & Toddlers Outdoor Fun 45 Pumpkin Carving Designs That’ll Wow the Neighborhood Outdoor Fun Target’s Best Holiday Deals Start Sooner Than You Think Outdoor Fun This Larger Than Life Mister Rogers Monument is Exactly What the World Needs Outdoor Fun Want a Free Donut on Halloween? Here’s How to Get One from Krispy Kreme The San Francisco Bay is home to a number of historic ships that are all available to visit. Little ones will be amazed by their massive size and bonus, they’ll get a little history lesson at the same time. Cruise on through this list and pick your next day out on the water! photo: Kate Loweth San Francisco Maritime National Historic Park Head to Fisherman's Wharf to check out this fleet of historic vessels. Visit the 1907 steam tug Hercules, 1891 scow schooner Alma and others docked on the pier. Public ranger-led tours of the pier are offered daily or you can tour on your own. The visitor center is across the street from Hyde Street Pier where you can explore the park's collection of historic vessels.Entrance to the pier is $15/person age 15 and older. Kids are free as are visitors who come with a fourth grader with an Every Kid in a Park pass (free to sign up). Kids looking to explore the SF waterfront this summer can sign up for one of their summer camp programs.Hyde Street PierFisherman's WharfSan Francisco, CAOnline: nps.gov photo: Kate Loweth USS Pampanito—San Francisco The USS Pampanito SS-383 is a WWII Balao Class Fleet Submarine. This historical vessel is now a popular floating museum in San Francisco's Fisherman's Wharf neighborhood. This sub went out on six patrols in the Pacific during World War II and it sank six Japanese ships and damaged four others. Audio tours are offered on a daily basis and kids five and under get in free. Scouting programs are offered including overnights. Pier 43San Francisco, CAOnline: maritime.org photo: USS Hornet USS Hornet Museum—Alameda The USS Hornet Museum is a museum ship composed of the aircraft carrier USS Hornet, exhibits from the NASA Apollo moon exploration missions and several retired aircraft from World War II and the transonic and early supersonic jet propulsion period. Tours are available on a daily basis and they even offer overnights where you get to sleep restored compartments where the crew lived. Kids love taking a ride inside the flight simulator. Insider tip: Check out passes to visit the Hornet for free via your library's Discover and Go Program. 707 W Hornet Ave.Alameda, CAOnline: uss-hornet.org photo: Kate Loweth SS Jeremiah O'Brien—San Francisco The SS Jeremiah O'Brien is one of two remaining fully functional Liberty ships of the 2,710 built and launched during World War II. The O'Brien has the distinction of being the last unaltered Liberty ship and remains historically accurate. A living museum on the National Register of Historic Places and a National Historic Landmark, the O'Brien transports you back almost seven decades to when sailors braved the harshest of high seas and threat of enemy attack. The ship is docked right next to the USS Pampanito, perfect to visit at the same time. Pier 45San Francisco, CAOnline: ssjeremiahobrien.org photo: Potomac Presidential Yacht Potomac—Oakland The “Floating White House” was originally commissioned the USCG Cutter Electra in 1934. In 1936 it was renamed the USS Potomac and served as Franklin Delano Roosevelt’s Presidential Yacht until his death in 1945. The Potomac offers cruise opportunities on San Francisco Bay where you will learn about the history of San Francisco Bay and FDR’s role in its development. You can also tour the yacht dockside in Jack London Square on Wednesday, Fridays and Sundays. 540 Water St.Oakland, CAPhone: 510-627-1215Online: usspotomac.org photo: Kate Loweth Alcatraz Cruises—San Francisco A ferry ride to Alcatraz Island gives you a history lesson of a different sort.You'll get an unparalleled view of San Francisco and Alcatraz Island for the duration of the ride. When you arrive, take the tour of this island prison before heading back to SF on the next ferry. All Alcatraz Island tours depart from and return to Pier 33 Alcatraz Landing, located along San Francisco’s northern waterfront promenade, on The Embarcadero near the intersection of The Embarcadero and Bay Streets. Read all about Alcatraz Island here. Pier 33The EmbarcaderoSan Francisco, CAOnline: tinybeans.go-vip.net photo: Angel Island Cruises Angel Island Cruises—San Francisco and Tiburon Whether you choose to leave from San Francisco or Tiburon, a ferry ride to the historic Angel Island is fun day trip for families. When you arrive, sign up for a tram tour that takes you to all the historical spots on the island. Stop for a photo at Battery Ledyard before you visit the crumbling former hospital that some say is haunted. Angel Island Tiburon Ferry provides service from Tiburon and Blue and Gold Fleet from San Francisco. Read all our Angel Island tips here.Angel IslandOnline: tinybeans.go-vip.net —Kate Loweth RELATED STORIES Island Time: Insider’s Guide to Alcatraz and Angel Island The Ultimate Guide to Kayaking with Kids All Aboard! The Best Train Adventures in the Bay (& Beyond)
