fun to do kids fishermans wharf san francisco california   Travel for Kids
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San Francisco Maritime NHP

balclutha sailing ship
Ships and the sea are very much a part of the history of San Francisco. SF Maritime National Historical Park along the waterfront has a visitor center with fascinating exhibits, and beach (play in the sand) and grass at Aquatic Park.
Tip: Hyde Street Pier is closed.
Maritime NHP Photo Album
  Visitor Center
      In the visitor center, check out ships models of schooners, whaling boats, schooners, ferries, tugs and clippers ships, sparkling Fresnel lens from Farallon Island lighthouse, and wreck of a full-size fishing boat that washed up on the rocks, plus a map of shipwrecks outside the Golden Gate.
      An exhibit "A Walk Along the Waterfront" re-creates scenes of the San Francisco waterfront – from the first Native Americans in tule boats, to fur traders, Gold Rush ships (including artifacts from a buried ship), fisherman in Italian feluccas, and great steamships of the early 20th century.
      The visitor center museum is free and open daily.
 

Hyde Street Pier

    The historic ships are moved to another location while the pier is completely rebuilt.
    In the meantime, here's a video of the ship Balclutha.
    Aquatic Park
      The Aquatic Park has a sand beach and calm water. It's the perfect place for kids to dig in the sand, or wade (but water's always cold, even in summer). There's a small green park too, with park benches where parents can sit back and relax, while the kids run around.
   

 

TfK Blog
TfK Blog