Hyde Street Pier and San Francisco Maritime National Historic Park

The ships of the 19th Century capture the imagination, with their tall masts, dozens of fluttering sails, and important loads of spices, lumber, salmon, grains, and other cargo packed for long sea voyages to exotic ends of the world. You don’t see ships like that on the horizon anymore. But there’s a place where seven historic vessels are on public view, including an 1886 square-rigger, an 1895 schooner, and an 1890 steam ferryboat. Dubbed the Balcutha, C.A. Thayer, and Eureka, these and four other magnificent vessels can be seen and boarded at the San Francisco Maritime National Historic Park at the Hyde Street Pier.

Built to travel the world, Balcutha has in fact survived the trying journey around Cape Horn a total of  17 times, bringing pottery, cutlery, whiskey, and other goods from Europe to San Francisco and back again. Over 300 feet long and with intricate 25-sail rigging, it’s no wonder that 26 hands were once needed to sail this 1600-ton beauty.

Hercules is a steam tug built in 1907 to tow sailing ships, barges, log rafts, disabled vessels, and later – railroad car barges. Restored in 1977 and designated a National Historic Landmark in 1986, Hercules is open for boarding on the floating museum during visiting hours.

Other historic vessels at the Hyde Street Pier include Alma, an 1891 scow schooner, Eppleton Hall, a 1914 paddlewheel tug, and Bay Ark, a little houseboat located at the entrance to the pier, built between 1890 and 1900. Guided tours of the Balcutha, Eureka, and Hercules are available daily, when you’ll hear fascinating tales about seafaring adventures and learn all about the day-to-day realities of a sailor’s life on board.

While you’re here, find your way to the Visitor Center on Jefferson Street to take part in daily activities like arts and crafts for the kids, guided walks around the waterfront, on-board sing-alongs and concerts, engineering tours, and even scrimshaw classes. Walk to the end of the pier and you’ll find Aquatic Park beach, with a shipwrecked rowboat where the kids can play pirate. As you roam the docks, see if you can find Stretch, the pier cat. Animals were prevalent on board the big ships, helping to control pests and keep up morale. Perhaps Stretch has taken on the role as mascot for Hyde Street Pier.

Located on the San Francisco Bay Shoreline, San Francisco Maritime National Historic Park is in the bustling Fisherman’s Wharf neighborhood, with beautiful views of the Bay and the Golden Gate Bridge, and a range of nearby eateries, galleries, museums, and attractions to choose from once you’ve tired of your sea legs.

HelloSanFrancisco tip: Nearby attractions to the Hyde Street Pier include Musee Mecanique on Pier 45, and Aquatic Park Bathhouse and Municipal Pier in the Aquatic Park Historic District.
 

- by Renee M. Rutledge, San Francisco Reporter for HelloMetro  (Click to leave a message)

Renee M. Rutledge

Renee M. Rutledge currently writes articles on local travel and culture for Red Tricycle, Parents' Press, Oakland Magazine, and Alameda Magazine.