San Francisco Maritime National Historical Park
Established in 1988, San Francisco Maritime National Historical Park celebrates America’s maritime heritage on the Pacific Coast. Our 50-acre park has grown around Aquatic Park Cove, a protected area in the stunning San Francisco Bay. As you explore the cove and the historic landmarks around it, you will experience the sights, sounds, and stories of the city’s seafaring past.
About under an hour from San Francisco and 2 hours from San Jose by car.
Alerts
- ClosureNPS ↗Hyde Street Pier Closure
Hyde Street Pier and access to historic ships will be closed to public until further notice starting 11/04/2024 in preparation for Hyde Street Pier renovation work. Limited public access to the ships is available on Saturdays and Sundays at Mare Island.
- CautionNPS ↗Sick Birds and Wildlife, H5N1
Be cautious around sea lions, and dead or sick birds. If you get “bombed” by a bird, wash with soap and water immediately, monitor for signs of illness, and call your doctor. Report beached, sick or distressed wildlife to Wildlife Mortality Reporting.
- InformationReplace Bocce Ball Court Retaining Wall
Project work begins on Monday, February 9 to replace the bocce ball 50-foot retaining wall in order to improve existing infrastructure and enhance visitor safety. Several parking spots on lower Van Ness will be fenced off and the bocce ball court will not be accessible for the duration of the project, slated through August 2026. Please be aware of machinery, work, and signs.
- InformationNPS ↗Municipal Pier Permanent Closure
Municipal Pier is closed permanently. After a safety review with the U.S. Public Health Service, it was determined that the deterioration of Municipal Pier in Aquatic Park Cove is unsafe for public use.
Fees & passes
Free. No entrance fee here.
America the Beautiful: The National Parks and Federal Recreational Lands Pass Series. A pass is your ticket to free entry to more than 2,000 federal recreation sites. Passes are available for purchase at San Francisco Maritime Visitor Center.
Hours
| Visitor Center | Daily · 10:00AM - 5:00PM |
| Maritime Museum | Varies by day ▾
|
| Historic Ships at Mare Island Vallejo | Varies by day ▾
|
| Research Center | Varies by day ▾
|
| Hyde Street Pier | Daily · Closed |
Visitor Center: hours by date. Standard hours apply on every date not listed.
| Dates | Hours |
|---|---|
| Standard hoursNow | 10:00AM - 5:00PM |
| Nov 26, 2026Thanksgiving | Hours not published |
| Dec 25, 2026Christmas | Hours not published |
| Jan 1, 2027New Year's Day | Hours not published |
Maritime Museum: hours by date. Standard hours apply on every date not listed.
| Dates | Hours |
|---|---|
| Standard hoursNow |
|
| Nov 26, 2026Thanksgiving Day |
|
| Dec 25, 2026Christmas Day | Closed |
| Jan 1, 2027New Year's Day | Closed |
Research Center: hours by date. Standard hours apply on every date not listed.
| Dates | Hours |
|---|---|
| Standard hoursNow |
|
| Nov 26, 2026Thanksgiving Day - Closed | Closed |
| Dec 25, 2026Christmas Day - Closed | Closed |
| Jan 1, 2027New Years Day - Closed | Closed |
When to go
July draws the most visits here and November the fewest, averaged over 2021 to 2025.
Visitor centers
- San Francisco Maritime Visitor Center ↗Passport stamp
In the San Francisco Maritime Visitor Center, National Park Service staff and volunteers are available to answer questions and provide information. Watch the park film and visit “The Waterfront” exhibit, an interactive walk through six historical waterfront neighborhoods.
- Maritime Museum
The Maritime Museum is open Wednesday to Sunday from 10:00 am to 4:00 pm. The museum is closed on Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year's Days. There is no admission fee.
Explore
Things to do
- Enjoy the Beach at Aquatic Park Cove
Enjoy the beach and calm water of Aquatic Park Cove. Swim, paddle, or play in the sand.
Opens on the Park Service site - Visit Hyde Street Pier and the Historic Ships
Visit Hyde Street Pier and the collection of historic ships at San Francisco Maritime National Historical Park.
Opens on the Park Service site - Agents of Discovery at San Francisco Maritime National Historical Park
Agents of Discovery® is an educational mobile game that enables players to become a secret “Agent” and explore the Park in a fun new way. Unlock hidden geo-located challenges, solve entertaining trivia questions, and earn a prize!
Opens on the Park Service site - Be a Junior Ranger at San Francisco Maritime National Historical Park
While in the park, younger visitors can pick up a free Junior Ranger Program activity booklet at three contact stations: the Visitor Center, Maritime Museum, or the Ticket Booth on Hyde Street Pier.
Opens on the Park Service site
Films
National Park Service productions, public domain.
Events
- Sea Chantey Sing at Mare Island10/1712:00 PM · free860 Nimitz Ave. Vallejo, CA. 94592
- Sea Chantey Sing11/0706:00 PM · freeMaritime Museum, 900 Beach St, San Francisco, CA 94109
News
- Jonathan Dille Selected as Superintendent of San Francisco Maritime National Historical Park ↗2026-07-16
Jonathan Dille has been selected as superintendent of San Francisco Maritime National Historical Park. He has served as the park’s acting superintendent since July 2025.
Map
Interactive map by the National Park Service
Historic landmarks nearby
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Public land nearby
Distances are approximate. Wilderness Atlas publishes a center point and an acreage for each area rather than a boundary, so each area is treated here as a circle of the same size and the figure is the gap to that circle.
Guidebooks for California's national parks
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Titles come from Open Library's catalog, matched by subject.
Reference
Activities
All 16 activitiesHide
Weather & climate
San Francisco is located in a Mediterranean climate. The rainy season usually lasts from November to March. The warmest months are usually September and October. The famous San Francisco fog begins rolling in through the Golden Gate in the spring and can persist throughout the summer months. That said, the city can be foggy and windy any time of the year, so if your visit to “sunny California” includes a stop in San Francisco, bring some warm clothing. The average annual temperature is 62.5°F (16.9°C).
Questions people ask
Does San Francisco Maritime charge an entrance fee?
No. San Francisco Maritime is free to enter.
Source: National Park Service
What are the hours at San Francisco Maritime?
Standard hours are 10:00AM - 5:00PM, every day. Dated exceptions are listed under Hours.
Source: National Park Service
Is anything closed at San Francisco Maritime right now?
4 active alerts as of October 14, 2026: Hyde Street Pier Closure; Replace Bocce Ball Court Retaining Wall; and more.
Source: Alerts
How busy is San Francisco Maritime?
2,944,483 recreation visits in 2025, number 30 of 387 units that report visitation.
Source: Most visited parks
Is there cell service at San Francisco Maritime?
At the park's reference point, FCC coverage maps show Verizon 5G, AT&T 5G, and T-Mobile 5G. Coverage inside the park varies by location.
Source: FCC Broadband Map
What is the weather like at San Francisco Maritime?
San Francisco is located in a Mediterranean climate. The rainy season usually lasts from November to March.
Source: Weather & climate
Follow this park
- Alerts feed (RSS)
- Every active Park Service alert for this unit, one item each, rebuilt with the nightly data refresh.
- Add dates to your calendar (.ics file)
- Fee-free entrance days that apply here and each published hours exception, as all-day events.
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