Pier 45, San Francisco
Pier 45, tucked into the lively Fisherman鈥檚 Wharf district, is a rich tapestry of San Francisco鈥檚 maritime and wartime heritage. As you stroll onto the pier, its raw industrial charm immediately signals a departure from the nearby souvenir shops and seafood stalls. Instead, Pier 45 offers a low-key yet deeply resonant experience鈥攈ighlighted by the historic USS鈥疨ampanito submarine, the SS鈥疛eremiah鈥疧鈥橞rien Liberty ship, a heartfelt chapel dedicated to lost fishermen, and the whimsical Mus茅e鈥疢茅canique arcade.
Standing at the pier鈥檚 edge, the gleaming USS鈥疨ampanito emerges as a focal point. This fully restored World War鈥疘I diesel-electric submarine conducted six Pacific patrols, sinking multiple enemy vessels, and now operates as both memorial and museum. Visitors can explore compartments like the torpedo room, control room, and cramped sleeping quarters, using self-guided or audio tours that bring the 鈥渟ilent service鈥� to life. Nearby, the SS Jeremiah鈥疧鈥橞rien鈥攐ne of the last remaining operational Liberty ships鈥攍ies at the adjacent Pier鈥�35, though once docked at Pier鈥�45 itself.
Beyond naval history, Pier鈥�45 is home to the Mechanical Museum, a delightfully nostalgic, interactive collection of over 300 mechanical arcade games, from fortune-tellers to Laffing鈥疭al automata. Free to enter, the museum invites playful exploration with a handful of quarters鈥攊deal for families or retro enthusiasts. The pier鈥檚 small chapel, honoring fishermen lost at sea, adds a poignant moment of reflection amid the bustling wharf.
Pier鈥�45 also remains a working waterfront: local fishers process more than 21 million pounds of seafood annually, and you can often watch dawn-crabbing or buy fresh-caught fish. As Fisherman鈥檚 Wharf undergoes a $10鈥痬illion revitalisation鈥攊ncluding a new plaza, floating dock, and added food and museum venues鈥攖he pier promises a blend of lively culture and timeless history. For visitors seeking a taste of San Francisco鈥檚 maritime soul, Pier鈥�45 offers compelling stories, hands-on discovery, and unforgettable waterside atmosphere.
Standing at the pier鈥檚 edge, the gleaming USS鈥疨ampanito emerges as a focal point. This fully restored World War鈥疘I diesel-electric submarine conducted six Pacific patrols, sinking multiple enemy vessels, and now operates as both memorial and museum. Visitors can explore compartments like the torpedo room, control room, and cramped sleeping quarters, using self-guided or audio tours that bring the 鈥渟ilent service鈥� to life. Nearby, the SS Jeremiah鈥疧鈥橞rien鈥攐ne of the last remaining operational Liberty ships鈥攍ies at the adjacent Pier鈥�35, though once docked at Pier鈥�45 itself.
Beyond naval history, Pier鈥�45 is home to the Mechanical Museum, a delightfully nostalgic, interactive collection of over 300 mechanical arcade games, from fortune-tellers to Laffing鈥疭al automata. Free to enter, the museum invites playful exploration with a handful of quarters鈥攊deal for families or retro enthusiasts. The pier鈥檚 small chapel, honoring fishermen lost at sea, adds a poignant moment of reflection amid the bustling wharf.
Pier鈥�45 also remains a working waterfront: local fishers process more than 21 million pounds of seafood annually, and you can often watch dawn-crabbing or buy fresh-caught fish. As Fisherman鈥檚 Wharf undergoes a $10鈥痬illion revitalisation鈥攊ncluding a new plaza, floating dock, and added food and museum venues鈥攖he pier promises a blend of lively culture and timeless history. For visitors seeking a taste of San Francisco鈥檚 maritime soul, Pier鈥�45 offers compelling stories, hands-on discovery, and unforgettable waterside atmosphere.
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Pier 45 on Map
Sight Name: Pier 45
Sight Location: San Francisco, USA (See walking tours in San Francisco)
Sight Type: Attraction/Landmark
Guide(s) Containing This Sight:
Sight Location: San Francisco, USA (See walking tours in San Francisco)
Sight Type: Attraction/Landmark
Guide(s) Containing This Sight:
Walking Tours in San Francisco, California
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Travel Distance: 2.3 Km or 1.4 Miles
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Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 1.4 Km or 0.9 Miles
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Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 1.4 Km or 0.9 Miles
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Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 1.5 Km or 0.9 Miles
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Tour Duration: 3 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 5.3 Km or 3.3 Miles
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Travel Distance: 5.3 Km or 3.3 Miles
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Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 1.5 Km or 0.9 Miles
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Travel Distance: 1.5 Km or 0.9 Miles
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