This minor museum is housed inside one of San Franciso ‘s memorable landmarks – a 1930s bathhouse in the streamline moderne expressive style, that has the appearance of an ocean liner about to sail, overlooking beautiful Aquatic Park beach. The Maritime Museum has interesting ship models and other artifacts from San Francisco ‘s bewitching nautical history .
10 best things to do at Maritime Museum San Francisco
1. Visit the striking 1930s bathhouse building.
National Maritime Museum San Francisco
The bathhouse was constructed in the Great Depression between 1936 to 1939, as a Roosevelt-era WPA project putting unemployed people men back to work on public works programs. The bathhouse opened in January 1939, and provided raw conveniences like showers, a restaurant, meet rooms, and an hand brake clinic, for the democratic naiant cove .
The bathhouse underwent many changes over the years, at one time being converted to a casino, then finally closing down. The U.S. Army housed troops there between 1942 to 1945, and in 1951 it ultimately became a nautical museum. Over the decades the build fell into disrepair, with numerous leaks damaging the murals. In 2006 a major restoration took place .
2. View the gorgeous murals on the lower floor.
Hilaire Hiler murals at Maritime Museum San Francisco
When you step inwardly, you immediately notice the gorgeous nautical murals on the walls, and brilliantly colored terrazzo floors. There ‘s a distinctively 1930 ‘s vibration here. Artist Hilaire Hiler painted 5,000 square feet of murals, and his imagination was based on the submerge continents of Mu and Atlantis .
3. Check out miniature ships models and a ship’s wheel on the lower floor.
4. See the hull and rudder off the Gold Rush-era boat the Niantic.
The Niantic sailed from Peru to San Francisco in 1849, with 250 passengers aboard, tidal bore to join the Gold Rush. The crew deserted the gravy boat upon arrival to head to the gold fields, and it was finally scrapped to make a hotel .
5. See the 19-foot sloop, the Mermaid.
SF Maritime Museum
In 1962, boater Kenichi Horie completed the first solo traverse of the Pacific in the Mermaid, from Japan to San Francisco. He spent ninety four days at sea .
6. Enjoy beautiful views of the Aquatic Park from the upper floor.
The upper floor of the Maritime Museum has a balcony with cover girl views over the beach .
7. Learn about life for 19th century sailors and fisherman.
The upper floor besides has some intrigue historic photos and stories from 19th century sailors, captains and fisherman. It ‘s a fantastic way to immerse yourself in the history of the area. The photograph hark binding to a time when sailing ships and steamships graced San Francisco ‘s shores, and it was a hub of department of commerce and bodily process .
8. Relax on the bleachers above Aquatic Park.
Aquatic Park SF swimming
The adjacent bleachers are still there today, and are a place for visitors to sit and relax, while spending a day at the beach .
9. Stroll along the sandy beach at the Aquatic Park.
Aquatic Park SF
10. See panoramic views of San Francisco from the Aquatic Park pier.
Municipal Pier SF
Walk out along the pier to see close up views of Alcatraz Island, and cross city views of San Francisco .
Know before you go
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Address:
900 Beach Street, San Francisco, CA 94109.
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Hours:
here. -
Admission:
free.
Read more: Maritime search and rescue – Documentary
Nearby museums
There are two other museums that form separate of the San Francisco Maritime National Historical Park. The Hyde Street Pier is just steps from the Maritime Museum, and has a flotilla of ships, and the excellent Visitor Center is a few streets back, following to the Argonaut Hotel .
