Hyde Street Pier

This pier at the end of the Hyde Street Cable Car line is well worth a visit. It houses some fascinating and photogenic historical ships and offers expansive bay views. The gleaming white Eureka, resembling a classic riverboat, was part of the Bay Area’s complex ferry system, one of the busiest in the world. Onboard you can see the antique cars and trucks that once traveled on the ferryboat. Kids will enjoy heading all the way to the top floor to take the helm of the Eureka. The majestic Balclutha is an19^th century square-rigger that began its journey in Scotland and rounded South America’s cape horn 17 times. Go below to see the captain’s quarters and a picture of his daughter Inda Frances, who was born on the Indian Ocean en route to San Francisco. Interactive exhibits detail life onboard the sailing ship and the critical cargo it carried around the world.

After you take in the view from the pier and explore all of its intriguing ships, you may notice, in the cove next to the pier, people actually swimming without wetsuits in the frigid bay. They’re part of the Dolphin Club, founded in 1877 by people who think 54-degree water is swimmable. If you still want to know more about San Francisco’s maritime past, cross the street to the San Francisco Maritime National Historical Park Visitor Center at 499 Jefferson Street. (Don’t worry that the Hyde Street Pier is in Fisherman’s Wharf. It’s at the western edge of the wharf, so you can avoid venturing into the rest of the traveler-trampled neighborhood).