The List >> 9 Bay Area military museums, submarines and Liberty ships to explore
Whether you're a military buff or simply looking for a cool place to see, the Bay Area's military museums offer intriguing sights and historic glimpses on the tarmac, at national parks and even beneath the waves. Here are nine to check out.
USS Hornet, Alameda: This World War II aircraft carrier is now a sea, air and space museum that is open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Friday-Monday. Tickets are $10-$20; uss-hornet.org.
Red Oak Victory Ship, Richmond: Built at the Richmond Kaiser Shipyards during World War II, the Red Oak is one of the last Victory ships to survive. Today, it's a museum that is open for self-guided exploration ($10) or docent-led tours ($15-$20) from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sundays; redoakvictory.us. Rosie the Riveter WWII Home Front National Historical Park, Richmond: This National Park Service museum explores the history of the “Rosies” and other civilians who kept the Kaiser Shipyard and other homefront efforts running during the war. The museum is open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily; www.nps.gov/rori.
Fort Point, San Francisco: This Gold Rush-era military fort was built between 1853and 1861to protect San Francisco Bay. Today, the Fort Point
National Historic Site is open for self-guided tours from 10a.m. to 5p.m. Friday-Monday; www.nps. gov/fopo.
National Cemetery, San Francisco: Some 30,000 Americans — including Civil War generals, Buffalo soldiers and, the National Park Service tells us, even a Union spy — are buried at this military cemetery in the Presidio; www.nps.gov/prsf.
USS Pampanito, San Francisco: This World War II-era submarine on Pier 45 is open from 10 a.m. to 6p.m. daily. Tickets are $10-$25; maritime.org/ uss-pampanito.
SS Jeremiah O'Brien, San Francisco: Also on Pier 45, this Liberty ship was one of 2,710built during World War II and one of two remaining that are fully functional. Open daily from 10a.m. to 4p.m. Tickets are $10-$20; www.ssjeremiahobrien.org.
Pacific Coast Air Museum, Santa Rosa: This 3-acre aviation history museum includes military aircraft from the Korean and Vietnam wars through 9/11. Open from 10a.m. to 4p.m. Wednesday-Sunday. Tickets are $5-$10; pacificcoastairmuseum. org.
Nike Missile Site, Marin Headlands: This restored Nike missile site dates back to the Cold War. Today, you can tour the site with a Golden Gate National Recreation Area docent on Saturdays between 12:30 and 3:30 p.m.; www.nps.gov/goga.
— Staff