This is my favorite place to go in San Francisco. If you like the sea and notical history . You will love this place. The big ships are across the street so when you are done enjoying the museum, you can visit the ships. So much fun and such a great place. I am a San Francisco commercial fisherman and I feel lucky to have this great museum so close to my boat. I take my six kids here a few times a year. So much fun

Beautiful sport with opportunity to board one the shops for a cost ( not sure how much). Several interactive activity too. Go if you can. Doesnt cost anything if you just want to look from the jetty.

One of my favorite tourist spots to enjoy in San Francisco. Beautiful boats, great information about the history of the area with the ships and boats. Stations set up to learn how to tie different marine knots.

Lots of great history kept within the walls of this visitor center. They have a junior ranger booklet that can be completed by kids. If they complete 5 activities, they get a junior ranger badge and get sworn in as junior rangers. Fun way to get the kids involved! There is a restroom inside and the rangers are very knowledgeable and open to answering any questions. Easy to spend an hour or more in this little visitor center.

This is the first time we have visited this museum and we like to dive in the marine history of San Fran. It is operated by the National Park Service and has no entry permit. Due to charges for all other tourist attractions in the area, the hotel charges. The museum is located on the smaller side but contains a wealth of photographs, artifacts and displays that represent the various locations or time periods of the SF. Well-planned complementary narratives or videos help bring more meaning to the exhibition. This family likes this visit and should be the starting point before you visit the historic boats of other Ocean Parks.

Stop here before you go see the Ships on Hide Pier. This museum has more history about Commercial Sailing and Maritime San Francisco. This will give some great background before you visit the ships. Best part is there is no cost for this museum. Its self paced so spend as much or little time as you like. Restrooms were nice as well.

Very informational place to take the family. Loved the knowledge gained and the kids loved all the things they could see!

This was a very cool experience! Touring the ships and learning some of the history along the way was awesome. If you have questions the staff is more than happy to answer!. There is an admittance fee but considering all of the different ship attractions you get to tour it is well worth it.

I always drop by visitors centers, and quality varies. This is like a small free museum. Kids 3-12 had a good time, and actually had to call them to leave. Could be a nice spot to take a break with some kids seats for educational material, and an educational short documentary for adults.

Awesome museum... One of the few floating museums there is! Gotta love this place

Was pretty cool. lots of history. it was super cool that they had an old hit and miss gasoline engine. made in 1920. see the pictures.

Loved it . one of the boat tours you can take its 15 to visit three boats the other tours are $20 each for the military boat and the submarine. lots of great history and information theres also a historical Park Visitor Center across the way that any one of the park rangers could point to you that is also a must-see.

The museum quite nice and has very interesting information on the marine history of the area. It is close to Fishermans wharf.

Great museum. Fascinating interpretive exhibits on the history of San Francisco, and particularly, the maritime history of the Bay Area. Well worth a visit to this visitor center.

Crawl all over sailing ships and enjoy one of the best attractions around. Normal great NPS facilities!

Free experience and definately worthwhile to see how San Fransisco became the City of today

I had a ball at this place. Lots of historical artifacts. Right at fishermans wharf. After you finish. In and Out is right across the street. Enjoy

Its really pretty. Youre allowed on all the ships and its just really neat. I loved the Eureka ship since you could walk right into the pit? Whatever you call where the ships steering is. There were a couple they had to close because of the water but that was understandable. Everyone was very nice and it was just a really nice place to visit for a portion of your day.

A great example of a national park museum. Fine displays and informed details of the history of the bay area. A great place to get a little quiet and browse the the displays.

Excellent visitor center with helpful staff, great displays and clean restrooms.

The museum isnt huge but its nonetheless so full of things. There is plenty to see, all related to the nautical past of San Francisco. The exhibits are wonderfully curated and insanely specific. The admission is free, too. Definitely would recommend it to anyone in the area.

Spend some time getting to learn about the maritime history of San Francisco. The displays are informative, but easy to digest. My family spent about 1 hr and could have stayed longer.

Interesting, free little museum close to Fishermans Wharf.

Never knew this was here! So fascinating to learn about the history of the area and the displays are intricate and expansive. Free to visit!

The ships themselves are fantastic. The museum is quiet and simple, with some interesting photos and (currently) cool seafarers art and crafts on display. Its not essential viewing - I would spend way more time at the ships themselves than the museum, but if you have 10-20 minutes to spare, its a nice diversion. It also has a nice view of Alcatraz.

We are a Maritime city, so lets learn about it. After visiting it walk to the Maritime National Historic site and go aboard the variety of old ships docked for your pleasure. Lots of green grass to let your kids get rid of excess energy. Street merchants sell a wide selection of crafts along the way.

Almost walked by it. In a storefront on Fishermans Wharf. Nice display showing the history of San Francisco bay, shipping and how downtown SF developed along the shore. It took us about 45 minutes to wander through, reading displays and watching some of the videos.

Nice spot. Very informative. Theres a lot of reading, that I didnt do, but I learned a lot about the starting of California.

Really cool history, right on the water in San fransisco bay. Only a short walk from main SF bay attractions.

Great place to experience ship history

The rangers were really nice and I loved the museum exhibits. It’s neat how this place was tucked into the middle of the city. We walked past it at first but it wasn’t too hidden

Love coming here and could spend many hours reading the details of maritime historu in SF. Love it! Don’t forget to walk along the Hyde St. pier for a glimpse of the Thayer and Eureka, as well as the Balclutha, all of which are impressive ships!

Very nicee

This place is so cool! It’s not the largest museum I’ve visited, but it sure does give a rich lesson in San Francisco history! An absolute must!!!! And... it’s free!!!!!!

Beautiful ships and submarines.

This small park is on Fishermans Wharf just north of Ghirardelli Square and surrounded by shops on the piers. There are vintage ships docked here that you can buy tickets to enter. Free military tickets are available to service members. There are a few free displays like hands-on knot making. Its a pleasant stop for 15-20 minutes.

The most interesting ship is not there. It will be back at the end of 2018. Otherwise its nice little museum.

A hidden gem & its free! Definitely worth the visit.

Visitor Center was very informative and a great place to visit, especially before touring the ships. Free admittance

Great maritime history museum. Free unless you wish to board any restored board. The National Parks Visitor Center nearby has a free museum also.

Super interesting and fun.

Good exhibits, located between wharf and Ghirardelli Square.

History abounds. I learned a lot

Well worth the time and very inexpensive. There are two parts to this museum; the inside and the ships across the street. Your ticket is good for 5 days so be prepared to stay at least all day. Lots to see and do

They have interesting old artifacts about San Francisco. It is a good place to visit if you like history like I do.

So neat. Great treasures!

Great to see some maritime antiques

Wonderful place to learn about San Francisco maritime history.

Great displays.

This is a very good free museum. There are a number of buildings and outdoor exhibits.

Very enjoyable and educational.

Great history museum. Very well worth the visit.

Nicest place in the area or at least the cleanest. Some very good info on the history in the area.

Worth a stop to check out the history of Fishermans Wharf!

Worth your time to stop in. Great history lesson

Great, food was delicious and tasteful. The staff was good, and the bartender excellent.

Small visitor center but well done

Interesting small museum for maritime buffs and people interested in knowing the maritime history of San Francisco / West Coast run by the National Parks Service.Free to see. Exhibits are self-paced. Staff are friendly volunteers.

Lots of uphill and downhill walking but had a good time

Great layout. Very informative.

A great spot to get the history of the area.

Get a great view of San Franciscos past. Bonus: no admission is charged.

Cute museum, didnt visit for long, stepped in to use the restroom. It was empty but if you like ships and history, its a good visit.

Cool place

There are several cool shops to check out

Neat spot to learn a thing or two.

Beautiful place

Very informative, .thanks

Bit dark but not as touristy as the rest of the places on the wharf.

Extremely well presented and organized story of San Francisco as aMaritime center.

This is an amazing visitor center. Very interactive.

They are awesome with educating the public

A nice piece of history

Very fun place to check out

Fleet week is always a wonderful time

Nice Museum. Interesting.

Great history you can touch

I had to use the bathroom there got to keep it real

Good experience!!

Great views.

Great place.

Excellent place to visit

Worth a visit.

Very cool museum - worth a visit for locals and tourists

My famili loves it

Loved it.

Ive been here so many times. Its a must when your in the area. They give a history of the area. Take your time going through because theres much to read and look at.

Nice!!

Great

Enjoyable

Neat place

Lovely

Lots of boats and maritime information.

Awesome place

Nice place

Awesome tidepools

Interesting places with very friendly staff

Super nice park

Thank you NPS! Great history exhibits!!!

Nice naval museum