Hyde Street Pier in San Francisco

The Hyde Street Pier is part of the historic Fisherman’s Wharf district in San Francisco and is home to a fleet of historic ships. The ships are part of the San Francisco Maritime National Historical Park, which offers a unique learning experience for all ages to learn about the nation’s maritime heritage. Get an opportunity to see and learn about different ships, such as different schooners and tugs, a rigger, and more.

The walk along the pier is fascinating as you walk through an outdoor hallway of the past with giant ships rising above you on either side. You will also get to see breathtaking views of the Golden Gate Bridge and San Francisco Bay. There’s so much to explore when walking along the pier. Many of the ships offer tours, as does the Maritime Museum that can be found a short distance away.

Hyde Street Pier in San Francisco - one of the highlights of 11 Best Free Things to Do in San Francisco (Read all about San Francisco here)

Highlights of Hyde Street Pier

When visiting Hyde Street Pier, you’ll want to tour the historic ships docked there. Board the fleet and see how the ships were built and how the sailors lived over 100 years ago. The oldest ship was built in 1886. Amid such history, you can imagine being alongside the historic sailors.

Another attraction you’ll want to see when visiting Hyde Street Pier is across the Maritime National Historical Park at the Maritime Museum. Filled with a lot of historic information and artefacts, all ages will be entertained as they walk the rooms of this unique bathhouse building. The bathhouse originally opened in 1939, and some of the murals on the wall date back to the 1930s and 1940s., bringing together art and maritime heritage.

History of Hyde Street Pier

Before the erection of the Golden Gate Bridge and the San Francisco Oakland Bay Bridge, the Hyde Street Pier started life as a ferry terminal. Ferries would carry passengers and cars across the Bay, connecting San Francisco with Marin County by way of Sausalito to the North, and East Bay by way of Berkeley.

The Bay Bridge is a complex of bridges and it opened on November 12, 1936, with the Golden Gate Bridge opening up 6 months later. After a while, there was no need for ferries anymore and the pier was taken over by the San Francisco Maritime National Historical Park where it now houses its historic fleet of ships and over 100 smaller crafts.

Good to know about Hyde Street Pier

Hyde Street Park is part of the San Francisco Maritime National Historical Park, which is in the Fisherman’s Wharf section of San Francisco. It can seem a bit confusing, but the Maritime National Historic Park section has a Visitor’s Centre and should be your first stop when you arrive. Park Rangers will help you plan your visit, providing you with maps and other information to help make your visit a smooth one.

Before you head out to the Visitor’s Centre, be sure to check online to find directions and the best places to park. Additionally, don’t forget that you will be at Fisherman’s Wharf where there’s a lot to see and do. Some of the best food in San Francisco can be found in this part of town, so plan what you want to do before and/or after your trip to Hyde Street Pier.

Location: 2905 Hyde St, San Francisco, CA 94109, USA

Open: Daily 9.30 am to 5 pm

Phone: +1 415-447-5000

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