Theodore Roosevelt Presidential LibraryPublic Lands Directory

Alerts and conditions

Information Tree Work with Parking Impacts on Jefferson St.

A project to replace declining trees will start on November 2 through November 20. Parking along the south side of Jefferson St. will be unavailable during the first week of work and may be intermittently unavailable during the remainder of the project. Please follow all all posted signs, traffic controls, and instructions from project personnel.

Park Closure 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.

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Information Replace 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.

Information 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.

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Caution 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.

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Overview

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.

From the National Park Service

History

The designation history for this site (every law, proclamation and order, and the administration behind each) is being researched and checked by the Library’s historians.

What to see and do

Activities

  • Arts and Culture
  • Craft Demonstrations
  • Cultural Demonstrations
  • Live Music
  • Boating
  • Sailing
  • Boat Tour
  • Guided Tours
  • Self-Guided Tours - Walking
  • Boat Tour
  • Hands-On
  • Arts and Crafts
  • Living History
  • First Person Interpretation
  • Junior Ranger Program
  • Museum Exhibits
  • Shopping
  • Bookstore and Park Store
  • Gift Shop and Souvenirs

Browse hiking, biking and paddling routes on AllTrails

Plan your visit

Hours

Visitor Center: 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.

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 Day.

Historic Ships at Mare Island Vallejo: The historic ships are berthed temporarily at the Mare Island Coal Sheds and can be seen from the Coal Sheds promenade. The ships come and go, depending on their maintenance schedules. The park will open one ship or more at Mare Island in Vallejo, CA on Saturdays and Sundays from 12 pm to 4 pm, pending staff availability.

Research Center: The Maritime Research Center is open Tuesday through Friday by appointment only. Contact our Reference Library (415) 561-7030 to make an appointment, for assistance with your research, or for more information. Appointment availability is subject to staffing levels and may be available during the hours listed. The Research Center is located at 2 Marina Blvd. (Fort Mason Center), Bldg. E, 3rd floor.

Hyde Street Pier: Hyde Street Pier is closed indefinitely.

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.

Visitor centers

Weather

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).

Phone: 415-447-5000

Whose lands these are

These lands are the ancestral and present-day homelands of Native nations. A section on whose lands these are is being prepared with tribal review. In the meantime, Native Land Digital offers a starting point.

Photos

People sitting on a grassy lawn look out over a cove and historic ships in the distance
Aquatic Park, with a View of Hyde Street Pier · NPS/J.Woerner
A view of a large white building standing next to a beach and the calm water of a cove
Maritime Museum · NPS/J.Woerner
a View of the aquatic park bathhouse from the bleacher steps beside the building
Aquatic Park Bathhouse · NPS/S.Oliveros
a historic brick building stands on the corner of a busy street.
San Francisco Maritime Visitor Center · NPS/C.Fenton

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