• A section of the bowsprint and figurehead on the bow of BALCLUTHA.

    San Francisco Maritime

    National Historical Park California

Support Your Park

Docent Robin Mitchell speaking with two visitors aboard BALCLUTHA.

Docent Robin Mitchell speaking with two visitors aboard BALCLUTHA.

NPS

If Ships Could Speak: An Introduction to Interpretation at San Francisco Maritime National Historical Park
Are you interested in becoming a volunteer docent at the park? This FREE training course will introduce participants to maritime history and the art of presenting educational programs. Click here for more information.

 
A man in a red t-shirt using a paintbrush on railings along a pier.

Employee Sean Lee from AAA of Northern California, Nevada, and Utah painting the railings on Hyde Street Pier.

NPS by Terry Dorman

Volunteers from AAA of Northern California, Nevada, and Utah return every year for our National Public Lands Day event on Hyde Street Pier.

 
Park volunteer on Hyde Street Pier standing next to a red Hick's engine and talking to interested park visitors.
Park volunteer on Hyde Street Pier standing next to a Hick's engine and explaining how it works to interested park visitors.
NPS
 
People on Hyde Street Pier working on a spar (mast) for a boat.
A park employee and volunteer working on shaping a spar (mast) for one of the small craft, while park visitors look on.
NPS

Did You Know?

A historic photo of a 19th century San Francisco street.

19th century San Francisco was a hard drinking town. The sailing ship Balclutha helped quench that thirst by delivering cargoes containing Scotch whiskey, Dutch bitters, French vermouth and ales and liquors of all kinds. More...