About 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.
Plan a Visit
Core visitor information on this page is sourced from the National Park Service. NPD proximity sections use NPS reference coordinates and straight-line distance. Local source bundle updated Sep 27, 2026. View the official NPS page.
Weather & Conditions
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…
NPS Reference Location
Park state / territory membership: California. This map uses the National Park Service reference coordinate. It may represent an administrative or reference point rather than a park entrance, trailhead, visitor center, or the nearest access point. Use the official NPS directions below when planning travel.
Operating Hours
Visitor Center: Open daily 10:00 am – 5:00 pm. The Visitor Center is closed on Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Day, and New Year's Day.
Activities
Current Alerts
Park passes will not be sold at the San Francisco Maritime Visitor Center on Monday, 9/28/26. For park passes, please visit the Presidio Visitor Center located at 210 Lincoln Bvld, San Francisco, CA 94129.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Getting There
The park is located within the city limits of San Francisco, in the Fisherman's Wharf neighborhood, on the shoreline of San Francisco Bay.
View Official DirectionsContact & Address
The NPS-listed address may be an administrative office, visitor center, mailing/contact location, or other park facility rather than a park entrance.
Topics & Themes
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.
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.
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…
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:…
Visitor Centers
San Francisco Maritime Visitor Center
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…
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.…
Nearby National Park Service Sites
These sites are ordered by straight-line distance between NPS reference coordinates. This is useful for comparison, but it is not road mileage. Trails, parkways, rivers, and distributed units may extend far from their reference point.
Nearby Cities for Trip Planning
These cities are ordered by straight-line distance from the NPS reference coordinate. They are comparison starting points, not official park gateways or road-distance estimates. Trails and other distributed units may extend far beyond this reference point.
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