The picturesque port city of San Francisco, California has a long history of seafaring activities. This is why it comes as no surprise that the city contains a historic site to contain and preserve this maritime tradition, the San Francisco Maritime National Historic Park.

Located at the west end of Fisherman’s Wharf, this park is a “floating gallery” of magnificent fleets of six ships designated as cultural jewels: 1890 steam ferryboat Eureka; the 1886 squared-rigged Balclutha; 1895 schooner C.A. Thayer; 1891 scow schooner Alma; 1907 steam-tug Hercules; and 1915 steam schooner Wapama.

The park also contains a visitor center and a maritime museum; both where maritime history buffs, shipbuilding fanatics, and casual visitors can learn the glorious history of San Francisco and California sea navigation. The park was designated a National Historic Landmark in 1988.