Dear Educator;
Thank you for your interest in the educational programs at San Francisco Maritime National Historical Park. We offer field trips for students of all ages, led by National Park Service rangers, and by teachers for their own groups. In addition, the San Francisco Maritime National Park Association offers educational programs in the park.
Descriptions of the programs are below. With the exception of a self-guided visit to the *Maritime Museum Building and Visitor Center, all educational groups visiting the park must make a reservation at least two weeks in advance. Reservations are accepted on a first-come, first-served basis beginning on the day after Labor Day for the group tour year which extends from the last week in September through August 31. (*Please note that the Aquatic Park Bathhouse building ( and Maritime Museum) at 900 Beach Street was closed on July 10, 2006 for a multi-year renovation project.)
If you have questions, or would like to make a reservation, please call 415/447-5000 between 10:00am and 4:00pm every day.
The park has two locations your group can visit. Hyde Street Pier, which is located at Hyde and Jefferson Streets at the west end of Fisherman's Wharf, features a collection of historic ships. The Visitor Center, located across the street from Hyde Street Pier, contains interactive exhibits. The park also includes the beach at Aquatic Park, and Victorian Park, where the cable cars turn around – both good locations for a field trip lunch break.
A Field Trip Guide is available to help prepare your class for a visit to the ships. This booklet contains information on the ships in the collection, as well as pre-visit, on-site, and post-visit activities. Although the information is geared toward fourth and fifth graders, the material can be adapted to suit any level.
Descriptions of the programs:
Ranger-led Tour of Hyde Street Pier (60-90 minutes)
A National Park Service ranger will meet your group for a tour of the ships at Hyde Street Pier. The tour can be tailored to emphasize the needs and interests of the class.
No fee; reservation required. School year: Mornings only at 10am and/or 11am. Group size maximum per morning: 60 students plus one chaperone per ten students. Summer: 10:30am only. Group size maximum per morning: 40 children plus one adult chaperone per ten students.
A curriculum-based program on board Balclutha is also available for fourth grade classes. All materials for “Lesson Eight, Touring the Balclutha,” are available on the park website.
Morning only. No fee; reservation required. Group size maximum: One class of 24 students or less plus one chaperone per ten students.
Self-guided Tour of Hyde Street Pier (45-60 minutes)
A National Park Service ranger will meet your group for a ten-minute orientation and introduction. You will lead your class as they tour the ships, studying the exhibits and using the on-site activities form the Field Trip Guide. The curriculum-based program. “Lesson Eight, Touring the Balclutha,” can also be used during the filed trip. All necessary lesson materials can be downloaded from the park web site. The focus of the visit depends on your needs and interests.
Afternoon time slots are available on the half-hour beginning at 12:30pm. No fee; reservation required. Group size maximum per hour: 75 students plus one chaperone per ten students.
Self-guided Tour of the Visitor Center (30 minutes)
The Visitor Center, located at the corner of Hyde and Jefferson Streets, serves to orient visitors to the resources and activities available at the park. It contains interactive exhibits about San Francisco's historic maritime role and the nature of going to sea. Highlights are the large Farallon lighthouse lens and an exhibit on shipwrecks of the Golden Gate. The Voyages curriculum focuses on the exhibits. No reservation required.
Age of Sail Programs
Environmental learning programs, in which students are immersed in an active, cooperative learning experience of history, are conducted at Hyde Street Pier by the San Francisco Maritime National Park Association. Daytime and overnight programs are available. Fees range from $25.00 to $64.00 per person, depending on the program; some scholarships are available. For information and reservations call the Age of Sail Programs at 415-561-6662 ext. 30 or ageofsail@maritime.org.
If you have questions, or would like to make a reservation, please call San Francisco Maritime National Historical Park at (415) 447-5000 between 10:00am and 4:00pm every day.
Thank you for your interest; we hope to see you in the near future.
Sincerely,
The Rangers at San Francisco Maritime NHP
