Maritime Museum-San Francisco Maritime National Historical Park

Free admission. We visited on a wet weekend. Really admired the 19-foot sloop Mermaid in which Kenichi Horie sailed solo from Japan to San Francisco. The related exhibits were impressive and moving, with funny but effective quotes. A map showed how much of downtown has been reclaimed from the sea. Went outside and turned left to enter a rotunda dedicated to painting, murals, and the theory of color by Hilaire Hiler. We enjoyed the second floor done in the Art Deco style and filled with subtle murals in light colors. The second floor was bright, even on a cloudy day with wind-driven drizzle. Liked the radio room on the second floor with old ships' radios. The Senior Center downstairs was closed to the public.

Stopped in here on a whim on a Sunday since I was in the area. I love going to the little tourist spots and museums in Fisherman's Wharf even though I live here. It's a tiny place - just one level and a couple exhibits. There is a really fascinating one on Horie who sailed from Osaka to SF as a 23 year old in a 19 foot boat in 1962. It took him 94 days! He did the trip the opposite direction at the age of 83, and made a world record as the oldest person to do that alone. Wild right? They have the boat in the museum so you can look at it. There are beautiful murals on the walls and free postcards when I was there! There was a guide explaining some of the history to guests when I was there too.

This small museum had plenty to offer all in a single room and floor when I visited this past Wednesday. Model ships and dioramas of the wharf in the 19th and 20th centuries behind glass casing, some with very intricate details, my fave noting the history of the salmon trade from Alaska to SF, one of the vessels the Star of India, the other the Balclutha (the actual ship, visitors can also tour at Hyde Street Pier nearby). Other exhibits included colorful murals on the walls that make you feel like you're underwater (also showing the cool history and making behind the artwork), a map of the buried ships of Yerba Buena Cove, interesting artifacts like bird sculpture ornaments from the Sea Lark and Sea Robin tugboats, and a full sized Mermaid ship on display to go along with the history of the 1962 voyage of Jenichi Horie (from Japan) ending on day 94 as he sailed into SF's Aquatic Park. Admission to this museum is free, but the parking situation is pretty terrible near here, as expected. I found free street parking on a weekday afternoon but had to walk several blocks.

Free museum conveniently located on the waterfront features the amazing story of the Japanese man who sailed alone from Japan to SF in a tiny sailboat at the age of 80! Must see! There's also incredible artwork and other exhibits

Very nice museum! Came here on a nice Sunday afternoon. Enjoyed it very much. Very informative!Definitely recommend

Probably because I'm not a maritime junkie (and fortunately not an earthbound one either), the most interesting part of this smallish museum is the cool Art Deco (Streamline Moderne style) building that houses it. The colorful murals and balcony views of Aquatic Cove overshadow the historical artifacts inside. They state that there are over 35,000 such artifacts. Gee, they must be counting the restroom fixtures, too. Loved the vintage phone booths, a rare sighting in any building these days.The shipboard photo blow-ups of Wilhelm Hester were intriguing for how contemporary the faces looked. The most interesting exhibit when I visited was the Mermaid, the original boat manned by Kenichi Horie, the first man to sail solo across the Pacific back in 1962. He repeated this feat earlier this year at the age of 84. Otherwise the meticulous detail of the bright murals is worth the extra time to appreciate. The museum is part of the $15 twofer with the Hyde Street Pier (review: https://bit.ly/3BgKUhi) - though I noticed the staff wasn't too diligent about checking for tickets late in the afternoon.RELATED - Exploring Fisherman's Wharf? Here's a collection of places I've visited and reviewed: http://bit.ly/2HyFdzC

Oh the memories this place brought back of my childhood living near the city, and riding the ferry boat across the bay as a child. We would drive our car onto the boat, buy some pink popcorn, and watch the sights and sounds as the ship would carry us across the bay. Also loved the old sailing ships from a bygone era. Many pictures of what life was like for those sailors of the past. Riding the ship around the horn. Putting up.the giants sails, and taking them down. Sleeping in a hammock. Eating your meals in the galley. Lots of hard working young men who bravely sailed the high seas on a working ship. You will truly enjoy visiting this fab placr.

Learn about Sea-Faring San Francisco survived and thrived! History at its best, several ships to climb onboard- beautifully restored- and seem to be ready to sail out to defend the City we love, or bring passengers to a new ocean harbor! Docents are great at telling the stories, there are even special evening events- singing Sea Chanties.

This is very small, just one room of ship models in display cases. There are some interesting history placards. The bathrooms are clean, and the veranda outside has a great view of the bay.

"... And I would do anything for loveI'd run right into hell and backI would do anything for love...I'd never lie to you and that's a factBut I'll never forget the way you feel right nowOh no, no way...And I would do anything for love..." - Meat Loaf Location: The Barbary Coast, San FranciscoAhoy! In the heart of San Francisco's Fisherman's Wharf there's a hidden treasure chest that many don't know about. Tourists and locals alike pass by the Maritime Museum without venturing inside, tsk, tsk. Your lost! If you have the courage to explore the dank... you'll first encounter a grumpy old man best described as a cross between Blackbeard and Meat Loaf lol. Yup, "that" Meat Loaf who is best known for "I'd Do Anything For Love..." Arrrrr..."Oh I would do anything for loveI would do anything for love, but I won't do thatNo, I won't do that..."After signing the visitors log. I'd suggest chatting with "Meat Loaf"... as he brings quite a show to the museum. Heck toss in Popeye's voice to the equation too! Don't be a Scallywag and at least nod his presence lol. And for all you cheapskates... admissions is based on voluntary donation, so do what you can! Arrr! The exhibits are in a circular pattern, so wherever you start, you'll loop to the end eventually. It's not a big museum, but I enjoyed the educational side. The interactive exhibits, film clips, the history, the maritime antiques, and even how important the early Sailors and Mariners were in building early San Francisco. I also found the story of the early Chinese immigrants that entered the California Bay looking for gold quite fascinating! This review is for the Museum part of the San Francisco Maritime Historic National Park. Just so there's no confusion, as some reviews are quite confusing lol. Again entry is based on donation! Across the old train tracks is where you'll find the antique ships from days of yore. Thar She Blows! In the end, I'd recommend the Maritime Museum to anyone who appreciates history or those who loves Pirates, Sailors, boats, Americana, and Meat Loaf;) For me, this place has a special meaning as my Dad was a Fisherman on his spare time, and my Grandpa was a lifetime Merchant Marine, who I recently found out, also served on the USS General W. G. Haan (AP-158) during WWII. Sadly, I didn't know Grandpa as he died well before I was born, but hearing the stories of his life and feeling the spirits of Sailors past brings a smile to my face... "Oh I would do anything for loveI would do anything for love, but I won't do thatNo, I won't do that..." Heck, I have pirate blood in me! So I would do that! Godspeed.