Alameda Naval Air Museum

Great little museum. Lots of models and displays about Naval Aviation, especially at Alameda NAS. I was pleasantly surprised by the huge Battleship Yamato and USS Enterprise CV-65 models.There's also a small area about PanAm flying boats that used to fly out of Alameda.Upstairs there's a model train layout with a couple operating trains. There's also a static train layout. They hope to get a couple other train layouts done.If you're in the area I think it's worth the visit. I hope to drop by again.

Life was meant for good friends and great adventures. There are friends, there is family, and then there are friends that become family. Alameda Naval Air Museum and I are beloved old friends who became family and a great adventure. Alameda Naval Air Museum is the friend who walked in when friend NAS (Naval Air Station) Alameda was forced to walk out. I've been visiting this museum on a regular basis because of the emotions and passion it brings up in me each time I visit, a moment of poignance and earnestness on a public stage --and because it always has something new. I remember well all the prosperity, commerce, pride, and connections NAS Alameda brought to the Alameda Island. Hello, old friend. I've come to walk with you again. We drove past the groovy A-7 Corsair mounted in the median towards the lagoon and there it is again. I see it all again with the old familiar feelings of patriotism. For years Alameda Naval Air Museum is housed in the former Military Air Travel Terminal & Waiting Room for NAS Alameda. Here again I so enjoy the 50-year history beginning in 1942 of NAS Alameda in defense of America, the units that Served there, their missions during WWII as the 'Gateway To The Pacific', the Sailors and Marines that Served there, and the wonderful Art Deco design of the enlisted barracks, mess hall, headquarters, and more buildings. During WWII, 45,000 people were stationed at NAS Alameda. The town of Alameda -- Spanish for tree-lined path -- then had only 25,000 people. Fact: Alameda is located on part of what once was the site of one of the largest coastal oak forests in the world. The museum has a lot of cool stuff about born in Alameda in 1896, Medal of Honor recipient, WWII US Army General James Doolittle.Museum's now open Saturday from 1000 - 1500, 10:00am to 3:00pm, and open by appointment for group tours of 10 or more during the week. Crow's Nest is available any day of the week for events. Archive and research hours are available by appointment Wednesdays 1200 - 1600, noon to 4:00pm.Admission is $10.00 --free for under age twelve, and Active Duty or retired military with military ID ( https://wmphoenixopen.com/wp-content/uploads/military-id-poster-2020.pdf ), and for organized youth groups by appointment. Has free parking and is wheelchair accessible. At 1000, 10am, upon presentation of my US Department of Defense id with my former rank on it, I was welcomed in at no charge by a smiling volunteer. They can always use more volunteers I tell my young cousin who was driving us that day. My young cousin just smiled and prepared himself for during the next five hours as I always tour here the full five hours it's open of my regular gently prodding to him to enlist in the US Armed Forces. Like all best families, we have our share of eccentricities, of impetuous and wayward youngsters and of family disagreements. There's usually something new here each time I visit. That's because the museum is always accepting old things, photos, artifacts, home movies, stories, and anything from Naval Air Station Alameda 50-years of Service in defense of the United States. When it comes to business, amateurs practice until they get it right while professionals such as this business practice until they can't get it wrong.Alameda Naval Air Museum is a rainbow in the Dick Cheney rain upon the San Francisco Bay Area. You see, NAS Alameda was a victim of Republican Dick Cheney's 1993 Base Realignment and Closure Commission along with nearly all of the major military bases in the Bay Area (Including Mare Island, Treasure Island and Concord NWS, as well as 2 hours south the closure of Fort Ord Army Base. I betcha the day is soon coming when we'll need all these military bases back. China isn't the only reason.I remember well the loss and sorrow I and most on Alameda Island and the rest of the San Francisco Bay Area felt at the closure of NAS Alameda. The financial devastation, social connections devastation and community identity devastation was immediate, far-reaching and long-lasting. I remember often seeing the U.S.S Enterprise docked at NAS Alameda. Each time brought tears to my eyes; the ship was so magnificent. It was the world's first nuclear-powered aircraft carrier when commissioned in 1961. Big E called the Alameda Naval Air Station home from 1965 until 1989.Today, while I'm at Alameda Naval Air Museum, U.S.S. Enterprise and so very much more, are remembered publicly by this oh-so-cool museum to a shining, outstanding, wonderful, and extraordinary 50-year-moment in America's history. Oh gosh. Here I go crying again - over this darn museum.

This place is a treasure trove of cool WWII and aviation history and memorabilia. My grandfather worked at the "Alameda Naval Air Depot" as an airplane mechanic during the war and I never really understood how big a deal it was until I visited this museum. There are two floors stuffed with photos, replicas, exhibits, gift shop, a short video and a couple of 'guides' who can take you on a tour. If you need disability access, there's a ramp on the back side of the museum but you must check in at the front to get it opened up. It's also fun to walk or drive around what's left of the naval air base including wineries/brewpubs, a small park and the USS Hornet docked across the way.

This museum definitely feels a bit like you're visiting your grandparents' attic or garage, but that's kind of what gives it its charm. While it could be hard to differentiate what was Alameda Naval Air Station history from general military history, it still offers a unique perspective. As a new Alameda resident, I'm really glad I took the time to visit, talk to the veterans who volunteer there, and help support such an interesting part of the community's history.

Nice collection of artifacts, very interesting displays and helpful people. Lacked a bit in the way coherence, maybe could use more of a timeline style self-guided tour direction.

I first heard of the Alameda Naval Air Museum at, of all places, the Gatsby Weekend, that Art Deco wing-ding that is held every August at the Dunsmuir Manor. One of the volunteers there was a very nice fellow who drove a 1940s taxi for attendees and, during the course of a ride he gave my wife and I, he ended up inviting us to come visit the ANAM. Since the Museum is very close to the Alameda Flea Market (which we always attend), we kept intending to visit the Museum afterwards, but too often found ourselves too tired to do so.Then last week when we were leaving the Flea, we decided we still had enough energy to stop into the Museum. I have to admit that, from the outside, it doesn't look like much; just a utilitarian concrete building from the '40s, in the early stages of decay, on the edge of the Naval Air Station. But entering the museum, we were warmly greeted by three nice older folks who immediately engaged us in conversation. One of them, a fellow named Bill, offered to show us around. We paid our $5 each and tagged along.Bill was quite a character, and part of a vanishing breed of authentic Americana that we're all poorer for losing more of every day. When the Japanese military bombed Pearl Harbor, Bill enlisted in the Navy and spent the War serving on big ships deep in the Pacific Theater. I don't care how much of a peacenik you might be, to serve your country in a time of international crisis is brave and honorable, and Bill exemplifies the best of his generation. He also reminded me quite a bit of both my late father and my father-in-law, who also served on a ship in the Pacific during the War. Bill guided us from exhibit to exhibit, showing us the Museum's countless installations, models, photos and memorabilia, and enriching our experience immeasurably with personal anecdotes and a ready sense of humor. At the drop of a proverbial hat, he would recite poetry from memory that he had written about the War, military life, lost love and other topics; all of it quite moving.The Museum's collection may not be as slick and "Hollywood" as some Museums but it makes up for it with the personal involvement of dozens of enthusiastic volunteers. And some of the exhibits were downright fascinating, such as a wall with three "bombsights" that you can peer through and see a recreation of the Battle of Midway from the perspective of a pilot; all accomplished with a huge turntable, model ships and lots of cotton-wool! You have to see it to believe it.Bill took us on a special tour of the second floor and even up to the third floor, which is not normally accessible to visitors. But since my father had been a docent at Castle Air Museum and was ex-service, Bill volunteered to show us the Museum's amazing library up there that will (hopefully) soon be open to visitors. We also got to meet "Chief" Parry, the man who helps run the Museum and is a veteran of two wars, an amazing model builder, and another good old-fashioned American, like they're not making anymore.Is the Museum for everyone? No. If you're someone who finds the very idea of men and women answering their nation's call to fight and defend it from invasion, do everyone a favor and stay home. If you believe that museums must have Disneyland-level audiovisual sophistication, you'll probably be disappointed. But if you have an interest in Bay Area history, if you admire Americans who served their country during WWII, and if you enjoy the company of those who actually were there, the ANAM is a unique and irreplaceable resource. I doubt very much that you'd regret the visit and it may be for you, as it was for us, a richly rewarding experience. It would also be the perfect combination with visiting the nearby USS Hornet.

Even though Alameda Naval Air Museum is only open on weekends from 10:00 AM to 4:00 PM, there is so much history to see and learn about. Admission is $7.00, and there is plenty of information on World War II and many different conflicts over the years. Plus model planes, weapons that were used in such wars, and so many exhibits to view, including on the second level. If you love history, then you'll certainly enjoy the Alameda Naval Air Museum (of course, if you're not into history, then you probably won't enjoy it very much).

This place is great! Visited today with my family and saw some really great things and learned a lot about the history of the Alameda Navy Base. Staff was really knowledgeable and had lots of stories to tell that were as entertaining as the displays! The museum is a bit hidden (in fact I didn't even know it existed and I've lived in Alameda for 4 years!) but once I realized its in the building with the Pan-Am mural on the side, it'll be easy to tell everyone how to get there! Go, visit, take your kids (they're free)!!

This museum is a great place to visit. It is well organized, the staff is friendly, and there are many rooms to explore. It presents solid information about warbirds during both WWI and WWII and is a walk back in time to what Alameda used to look like when it was simply a naval base. I am an aviation editor, and I must say that this is one of best places to learn about aviation in the Bay Area.

I came with my son, we like it, lots of information the staff was really helpful, I notice some of the comments and the two stars, because the staff was not friendly??? The idea is to come and see some history, I guess they got confused with Disney land, stop complaining and enjoy what this place has to offer.....