Aquatic Park has a picturesque setting on the San Francisco waterfront, with a lagoon and beach protected by the discharge shaped branch of the Municipal Pier .
Relax on the flaxen beach, or take a breathless walk along the 1,400 foundation Municipal Pier. Visit early nearby attractions, like the flotilla of historic ships at the Hyde Street Pier, the detached Maritime Museum, and stunning Fort Mason .
10 best things to do at Aquatic Park
1. Stroll along the waterfront path at Aquatic Park.
Aquatic Park SF
Aquatic Park is at the quiet, western end of the 1-mile farseeing Fisherman ‘s Wharf, less than a 15 minute walk from Pier 39. Tourists visiting Pier 39 are much unaware that the Aquatic Park exists, and that the Fisherman ‘s Wharf besides includes Aquatic Park .
2. Sink your feet in the golden sand at Aquatic Park.
Municipal Pier near Aquatic Park San Francisco
3. Visit the free Maritime Museum overlooking Aquatic Park.
This nautical-themed building was a Roosevelt-era WPA project, constructed between 1936 to 1939. The open attracted thousands of people, and it was declared a “ Palace for the Public ”. The bathhouse had all the modern conveniences, like an emergency clinic, restaurant, bite barroom, and showers, and the adjacent bleachers were constructed as contribution of the project, for people to sit and relax .
much to everyones alarm, in 1939 the bathhouse was rented to a private businessman and converted to a seafood restaurant known as the Aquatic Park Casino, but then went bankrupt in 1940. between 1942 to 1945 the U.S. Army housed troops in the construction, and in 1951 it became a maritime museum .
4. Hang out in the bleachers at Aquatic Park.
Aquatic Park SF swimming
Sit and relax on the bleachers, and enjoy the best seat in the firm !
5. Follow the waterfront path up the hill from the Aquatic Park to charming Fort Mason.
SF Aquatic Park
Fort Mason ‘s historic hillside buildings overlook the Aquatic Park. Fort Mason is a former U.S. Army base, that has been converted into a youth hostel, rentals, and a grassy, bluff-top diversion area with great views of the Golden Gate Bridge .
6. Enjoy views of famous Alcatraz Island.
Aquatic Park has open vistas of the Bay, all the room out to Alcatraz Island. You ‘ll often spot swimmers in the protected lagoon of the Aquatic Park. Aquatic Park was once known as Black Point Cove, and has been a popular put for swimmers since the 1860s .
7. Visit the Hyde Street Pier adjacent to Aquatic Park, with a flotilla of historic ships.
Read more: Maritime search and rescue – Documentary
8. Walk along the 1,400 foot Municipal Pier for incredible views.
Municipal Pier SF
Continue along the waterfront path to the arc-shaped Municipal Pier, that circles around with a elegant, tear-drop end. The 1,400 animal foot Municipal Pier was constructed in 1931 to provide swimmers a more protected area in the Bay .
San Francisco waterfront
These are the incredible city views at the end of the Municipal Pier. You can see it all – including Fisherman ‘s Wharf, Coit Tower, Ghirardelli Square, and the Transamerica Pyramid. wow !
It ‘s a gorgeous walk along the Municipal Pier, but it ‘s in awful motivation of reclamation. Years of winter storms have taken their toll, and large chunks of concrete are missing from the decaying pier. Eventually it will close, if nothing is done .
San Francisco Pier
Most of the vintage electric lamp posts no longer work, and many of the original glass fittings have been removed .
If you do n’t have clock time to visit Alcatraz Island, the Municipal Pier is a great room to get a closer count at it .
There ‘s nothing at the end of the Municipal Pier, except 360 degree views ! The circular structure at the end of the Municipal Pier was intended to be a public toilet station, but was never completed, and is hollow inside. Imagine all the possibilities for this structure, if the pier is ever rehabilitated .
9. Walk one block back from the Aquatic Park, to Ghirardelli Square where you can load up on sweet treats or visit a restaurant.
10. See award winning exhibits at the Visitor Center, next to the Aquatic Park.
caspar de portola expedition 1769
Spend a few hours at this fascinate visitor center, learning about key events in San Francisco ‘s history, like the Gold Rush, San Francisco shipwrecks, and the immigrants who made a be at the Fisherman ‘s Wharf ( 499 Jefferson Street ).
Know before you go
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Address: 900 Beach Street, San Francisco, CA 94109.
- Maritime Museum: hours.
