Top Things to do in California
What to do and see in California, United States: The Best Ships
California is a fertile, peaceful place where you’ll find a near-equal balance of vineyards and deserts, beaches and mountains, hippies and traditionalists. Catch an epic wave in Big Sur or swirl a glass in Napa Valley. Be dazzled by the Joshua Tree night sky or just star-gaze in Hollywood. Swish down the slopes of a Tahoe ski resort, or cruise across the Golden Gate Bridge with the top down and the music blasting. Above all, don’t forget to soak up some Golden State sunshine.
Restaurants in California
1. The Landing Craft Support Museum
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 2 reviews
2. Maritime Museum of San Diego
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 1,748 reviews
Welcome aboard our floating compilation of adventure and history! Admission to the "Maritime Museum of San Diego" grants you access to one of the world's finest collections of historic sea vessels. Once on board our museum ships, you will find that we offer something for people of all ages. You not only get to explore our ships and submarines, the museum displays permanent and temporary exhibits on art, maritime history, commerce and exploration. Historic bay cruises run daily and can be added on to the price of admission for an extra nominal fee. There is no better way to spend the day than on the bay!
Reviewed By robertcF7289TB
The San Diego Maritime Museum is a national treasure right here in America’s Finest City. Literally, the museum has been ranked as the best in the USA and among the top five in the world. One of the major reasons is that so many of the vessels are kept in sailing condition. You can take rides on a replica of a historic Spanish galleon (the San Salvador), California’s official state tall ship (the Californian), a hundred year old luxury yacht (Medea), or a vintage harbor pilot boat (the Pilot). You can tour the oldest actively sailed tall ship (the Star of India), and if you ate lucky, you might be able to sail on her. The Museum has educational exhibits including many ship models that have been made by expert craftsmen on board the historic Ferryboat Berkeley, which serves as the Museum’s headquarters. Become a member and all the ships are open to you and your family.
3. USS Pampanito
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 763 reviews
World War II submarine docked at Pier 45.
Reviewed By GilB867 - Memphis, United States
The USS Pampanito, built in 1943 is now a National Historic Landmark and actually part of the San Francisco Maritime National Park Association located not at the Maritime National Park but at Fisherman's Wharf or pier. This sub completed six war time patrols between 1944 and 1945. If you are the least bit of a history, navy, or ship enthusiasts this is a must see while in San Francisco, and it is conveniently located in the Fisherman's Wharf area on the bay. Ticket prices are a little steep but well worth the first hand look you will get inside an actually WWII submarine. You can tour the entire ship, stand in every compartment, at your own pace using a audio cassette.
4. USS Pampanito
5. SS Jeremiah O'Brien
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 444 reviews
Historic World War II ship docked at Pier 45. One of two remaining Liberty Class of ships, the Jeremiah made 11 trips from London to Normandy for the D day invasion to supply the war effort and carry troops.
Reviewed By RHS1946 - Monroe, United States
On a recent trip to San Francisco with family, we visited the SS Jeremiah O'Brien, a restored and functional WWII Liberty ship. My interest was the fact that it had seen duty on Omaha Beach on D-Day and my father had been there on a US Navy LST landing troops and equipment. It had seen duty in the South Pacific too and had even delivered "war brides" to the USA after the war was over. Hard working people managed to save this Liberty Ship, the only one of it's class still a working vessel. It was sailed to Normandy for the 50th Remembrance of D-Day. Walking up the rope had rail of the steps to the ship would not be easy for anyone who is walking challenged. Almost the entire ship can be explored - from the gun placements above deck to the engine room way below deck. We saw the Captain's quarters and where the ordinary seamen slept, the galley, the infirmary, the map room and many other places. It was fascinating. There is a museum aboard complete with a very large diorama of the sea, the entire beach head and the land where the invasion took place. A small gift shop had several interesting items including books, some posters, patches, hats. This was on New Year's Eve and as we left the staff was setting up for a large event. What a setting to watch the fireworks to be set off at midnight while the band played!
6. USS Potomac
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 98 reviews
Reviewed By Citallwic - Columbia, United States
Frankly, touring the Potomac was a lot more interesting than I though it was going to be. I'll credit our guide, Bud Beal, who was very knowledgeable and had a great sense of humor. It was surprising to see how few creature comforts this vessel was equipped with. FDR certainly put up with a lot more inconveniences than you would expect of a President.
7. The Pilgrim
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 55 reviews
Reviewed By Bandonman
Built in 1945, the "new" brig Pilgrim is a replica of the original Pilgrim sailed by Richard Henry Dana, Jr. in 1834-35 on his historic cruise from Boston the coast of California, which he chronicled in his literary classic Two Years Before The Mast. It's a great educational and fun experience to board this tall ship, hear how old-time sailors lived, and learn about Dana Point in the 1830s. Highly recommended.
8. San Francisco Maritime National Historical Park Ships at Hyde Street Pier
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 230 reviews
Established in 1988, San Francisco Maritime National Historical Park encompasses 34 acres, and has the most National Historic Landmarks of any unit in the National Park Service. In addition to the fleet of historic ships at Hyde Street Pier, the Park includes the Aquatic Park Historic District (Maritime Museum, beach, lawn area, and bleachers), a Visitor Center and the Research Center (in Fort Mason Center).
Reviewed By meimei44
An under-promoted gem of the Hyde St Pier, the 100-plus year-old scow schooner Alma sails regularly around the Bay. Don’t miss it! You’ll be sailing on a vintage restored vessel that I feel offers the smoothest bay sailing tour around (its a long, wide, flat bottomed vessel, so it doesn’t heel or rock at all while plowing through the choppy waves). As a novice sailor, I was fascinated with all the ginormous masts, sails, and rigging, as it is all authentically maintained. You can help hoist the sails (takes several people), watch the volunteer crew work nimbly to steer and trim, tour the backside of Angel Island (i sails through Raccoon Strait), and enjoy the ocean view of the SF shoreline. Great fun for all ages, and the only vessel of its type still actively in use in the US. The ranger on board offers interesting stories of the old shipping days, and how Alma once carried hay, coals, timber, etc. around the bay and far up the Sacramento Delta. Check the website for sailing dates. $40 for a wonderful afternoon on a unique boat!
9. SS Red Oak Victory
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 41 reviews
Reviewed By Quest302863 - Richmond, United States
An actual Victory Ship that helped the United States win WW2. I recommend going for the Pancake Breakfast & tour or the Swing Dance nights... very cool and right in our back yard.
10. HMCS Yukon
Overall Ratings
3.0 based on 1 reviews
