San Francisco Maritime Museum/Aquatic Park Bathhouse Building
San Francisco Maritime Museum/Aquatic Park Bathhouse Building
San Francisco Maritime Museum/Aquatic Park Bathhouse Building
4
10:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Monday
10:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Tuesday
10:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Wednesday
10:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Thursday
10:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Friday
10:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Saturday
10:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Sunday
10:00 AM - 4:00 PM
About
Find everything seaworthy - ship models, ship relics, scrimshaw, whaling gear and figureheads - in this free maritime museum.
Duration: 1-2 hours
Suggest edits to improve what we show.
Improve this listingTours & experiences
Explore different ways to experience this place.
Full view
Top ways to experience San Francisco Maritime Museum/Aquatic Park Bathhouse Building and nearby attractions
The area
Address
Neighbourhood: Fisherman’s Wharf
Packed with family-friendly entertainment, quality hotels, and good food, there’s something for everyone at Fisherman’s Wharf. From street performers and historic cable cars to art galleries and museums, a postcard-worthy photo is available on every corner. Bring your appetite: seafood lovers will be rewarded with Dungeness crab and sourdough bread bowls, while Ghirardelli Square will satiate anyone’s sweet tooth after a day at Alcatraz and the Golden Gate Bridge. Don't forget to say hello to the adorable sea lions that make this neighbourhood a true San Francisco treat.
Reach out directly
Best nearby
Restaurants
3 356 within 5 kms
Attractions
1 119 within 10 kms
Contribute
Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as waiting time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
Popular mentions
4.0
109 reviews
Excellent
49
Very good
42
Average
10
Poor
6
Terrible
2
Brad
Hong Kong, China175 414 contributions
Sept 2012 • Couples
Interestingly, some of the best attractions along Fisherman's Wharf are free to enjoy, like the historic Hyde Pier and the San Francisco Maritime National
Historical Park Visitor Center, which is just across the street. We quite like this small, well-presented centre of San Francisco's maritime history. Some nice models of old sailing vessels are on display and now there is a new section open called 'Walk Along The Waterfront' which offers some recreated scenes from San Francisco's maritime past. This greatly helps history come to life and makes the Visitor Centre much more child and family friendly. In this regard, there is also a room dedicated to children found next to the large ship wreck display.
Further, there is always a ranger around to ask questions and the staff can give you some information about the historical vessels available for visit (US$5) right across the street at Hyde Pier. In the end, it’s a pleasant way to spend 20-30 minutes before walking across the street to visit Hyde Pier.
The museum is located on the corner of Hyde and Jefferson Streets, next to the Argonaut Hotel and the very good Blue Mermaid Restaurant (a rare good stop for chowder in the Wharf area). Also, just around the corner is where the famous SF Cable Car Wharf turn-around station is found.
Overall, combined with a visit to the historical Hyde Park just across the street, the Maritime National Historical Park Visitor Center is one of our favorite attractions along the Wharf. Those with an interest in maritime, historical or budget friendly attractions will probably enjoy this area of SF.
Historical Park Visitor Center, which is just across the street. We quite like this small, well-presented centre of San Francisco's maritime history. Some nice models of old sailing vessels are on display and now there is a new section open called 'Walk Along The Waterfront' which offers some recreated scenes from San Francisco's maritime past. This greatly helps history come to life and makes the Visitor Centre much more child and family friendly. In this regard, there is also a room dedicated to children found next to the large ship wreck display.
Further, there is always a ranger around to ask questions and the staff can give you some information about the historical vessels available for visit (US$5) right across the street at Hyde Pier. In the end, it’s a pleasant way to spend 20-30 minutes before walking across the street to visit Hyde Pier.
The museum is located on the corner of Hyde and Jefferson Streets, next to the Argonaut Hotel and the very good Blue Mermaid Restaurant (a rare good stop for chowder in the Wharf area). Also, just around the corner is where the famous SF Cable Car Wharf turn-around station is found.
Overall, combined with a visit to the historical Hyde Park just across the street, the Maritime National Historical Park Visitor Center is one of our favorite attractions along the Wharf. Those with an interest in maritime, historical or budget friendly attractions will probably enjoy this area of SF.
Written 27 October 2012
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
The Brown Daredevil
Moreno Valley, CA365 contributions
Nov 2019
Free admission, no free parking though unless you can find somewhere that you are comfortable with to leave all day. Quick walk and you're done. See it once though, there are some interesting stories about people who travel via sea in situations you'd think it is impossible.
Written 19 December 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Claire H
Bidford-on-Avon, UK23 contributions
At this state run attraction you can walk along the pier and visit the museum for free, and pay $5 to board the boats. Your ticket is valid for 7 days, so if you don't have time to do all the boats in one go you can go back like we did. Really enjoyed going on the paddle boat and hearing about the history of cargo on the wooden sailing ship. Try and fit this in if you can.
Written 3 November 2013
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
mini
Fremont, CA212 259 contributions
Mar 2020
We enjoyed seeing the maritime museum and its assortment of exhibits. We very much enjoyed our visit while visiting San Francisco.
Written 17 August 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
mini
Fremont, CA212 259 contributions
Dec 2019
We visitd the San Francisco Maritime Museum. There are a number of exhibits. It used to be a bth house. Admission is free.
Written 23 December 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Candace K
33 contributions
Dec 2019
We enjoyed both the Aquatic Boathouse building and the exhibit in the Argonaut Hotel.
The self guided exhibits were very well done and gives you a great history of the waterways of San Francisco bay. It was wonderful in an expensive city to travel in that this is a free. ( you have to pay to tour the boats on the dock, but we did not do this).
The self guided exhibits were very well done and gives you a great history of the waterways of San Francisco bay. It was wonderful in an expensive city to travel in that this is a free. ( you have to pay to tour the boats on the dock, but we did not do this).
Written 20 December 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
CoachRFM
Youngsville, NC174 contributions
Sept 2019
The history of the building was more interesting than its contents. Nice location with views of the waterfront.
Written 12 November 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
TEntwistle
Philadelphia, PA83 contributions
Aug 2019
They have the actual tiny boat that a man used to sail from Japan to San Fran, along with his story and artifacts. There are artifacts and the story of a ship that was converted into a hotel on the beach during the gold rush, which then burned to ground level during the great fire. There is an excellent exhibit on photography in the early days of San Francisco in relation to the shipping industry. I expected nothing, and left really happy we dropped in
Written 20 August 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Fastphilad
Detroit, MI938 contributions
Aug 2019 • Family
There are two sections of the Maritime Museum. Both are free and on The water. It is a very picturesque area. The museum gives a good history of the early Maritime traffic in San Francisco bay. They have a short movie as well as many exhibits. It does not take too long to do and if you are in that area I would definitely recommend taking some time to see it.
Written 7 August 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Flounder M
Hayward, CA1 552 contributions
Jul 2019 • Solo
Always wanted to visit this museum. When you walk in, there are murals on all the walls by Hilare Hiler. Off the right is the stern of the Niantic. Upstairs is a replica of a radio operator room. Definitely, venture here.
Written 23 July 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
No questions have been asked about this experience
Is this your Tripadvisor listing?
Own or manage this property? Claim your listing for free to respond to reviews, update your profile and much more.
Claim your listing