On Thursday, I attended the San Francisco Maritime National Park Association’s 60th birthday bash. I’m a new member, and so I’m just beginning to learn about this little gem, and the maritime history of SF.
The park includes that bad-ass ship you see at Hyde Street Pier (in the photo at the bottom of this post), a submarine you can go into, and a museum in the art deco building at Aquatic Park with jaw-dropping ship models and other miniaturizations.
The inside and outside of the Aquatic Park Bathhouse Building are covered with awesome WPA-era murals and mosaics.
Learn all about the association and the park here.
Beware: Polar Bears often swim in adjacent Aquatic Park, so if you’re sensitive to seeing half-naked old guys who like to maximize “shrinkage,” look away – ooh, what a pretty ship!
Is that the C.A. Thayer? I spent the night on there in grammar school as part of a school program. I even had to stay up from 1am to 3am on night watch like the old sailors would have. We cooked dinner and breakfast on the ship too, slept inside it. It was really cool!
yes, it is. no, it’s the Balclutha. it spent a couple of years getting its hull replaced, but has been back since 20079.http://www.nps.gov/safr/historyculture/thayerrestoration.htm
Nope, it’s the Balclutha…
I didn’t even realize one could be a member of the association. I’m a huge fan of the ships there and am counting down the time until I can go aboard the Hercules. I’m stupid for tug boats.