aircraft carrier tour san francisco

USS Hornet Museum

• Address: 707 W Hornet Ave Alameda, CA 94501
• Phone: (510) 521-8448
•      

This aircraft carrier is now a museum. It has docent guides, a flight simulator, and elevator lift to the flight deck, and specialty items. Tours include "Heritage Tour" and "Flashlight Tour". Located less than 30 minutes from downtown San Francisco. The USS Hornet is a National Historical Landmark and is one of the most decorated ships in naval history (it participated in WWII and the Apollo 11 manned moon mission).

• Description This National Historical Landmark is one of the most decorated ships in naval history (it participated in WWII and the Apollo 11 manned moon mission). Explore an authentically restored aircraft carrier and get a close-up look at classic naval aircraft. Exhibits also include the West Coast’s largest display of Apollo moon mission artifacts. In addition to being a museum, the ship is available for corporate entertaining, trade shows, dances, dinners, and youth overnights.
• Floorplan File Floorplan File
• Largest Room 90,000
• Total Sq. Ft. 158,200
• Reception Capacity 3,000
• Outdoor Capacity 3000
• Banquet Capacity 2,000
• Number of Rooms 7

Flight Deck

• Total Sq. Ft.: 90000
• Banquet Capacity: 2000
• Reception Capacity: 3000

Hangar Bay 3

• Total Sq. Ft.: 18500
• Banquet Capacity: 650
• Reception Capacity: 1200

Hangar Deck (Hanger Bay 1, 2, &3)

• Total Sq. Ft.: 44500
• Banquet Capacity: 1600
• Reception Capacity: 2500

Officers' Wardroom

• Total Sq. Ft.: 3600
• Banquet Capacity: 125
• Reception Capacity: 150
• Total Sq. Ft.: 1600
• Banquet Capacity: 50
• Reception Capacity: 80
• Banquet Capacity: 40
• Reception Capacity: 75

Captain's Conference Room

• Banquet Capacity: 16
• Reception Capacity: 36

Monsters Bash 2024 on the USS Hornet

We use cookies to improve our site and your experience. Learn More .

• 2024 Events
• Alcatraz Tours
• Attractions
• Family-Friendly
• Itineraries
• Things to Do
• Where to Eat
• Where to Stay
• SF Bay Area
• Cruises from SF
• All Beyond SF
• Northern California
• SF Arrivals and Transfers
• Weather & What to Wear
• Getting Around SF
• Earthquakes
• Games & Puzzles

SIGN UP  FOR MY EMAIL TO RECEIVE YOUR FREE  SAN FRANCISCO PLANNING GUIDE.

Fleet Week San Francisco 2024: Events, Blue Angels Shows & Pictures

by Jill Loeffler   •

Fleet Week San Francisco is an annual event that draws thousands of people into the city.

It's a free event in the Fisherman's Wharf district that features the Blue Angels, a full air show over the SF Bay, and ship tours all weekend long.

This year, Fleet Week is October 7 - 15, 2024. Most activities and the large air show are over the weekend of October 11 - 13. You will find additional ship tours throughout the week. 

I attend this event almost every year. The airshow is an amazing experience and I typically find myself at the waterfront all three days to watch it. I also try to tour one ship each year. The lines can be long, so be prepared for this if you plan to tour a ship.

My guide is based on my experience over the years and I hope it helps you make the most of this year's Fleet Week.

It began in 1981 to honor the US Armed Forces and to educate civilians and military personnel about best practices in humanitarian assistance. It's held every year in San Francisco on the first or second weekend in October.

The US Navy Blue Angels are set to perform on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday (October 11, 12, & 13) afternoon from 3 pm to 4 pm. They will usually do some practice runs on Thursday afternoon also.

Other air show performers include the Marine F-35B Demo, United 777,   Ace Maker T 33,   Patriots Jet Team, Coast Guard Dual Demo - Helos and C-27, Navy Parachute Team: The Leap Frogs, and more.

You can also enjoy the Parade of Ships on Friday or head out on a cruise to watch the Blue Angels perform from the water.

Disclaimer : I receive a small commission from some of the links on this page.

San Francisco Fleet Week Schedule 2024

Almost all of the Fleet Week San Francisco activities are along the northern waterfront district of Fisherman's Wharf. This week's schedule of events includes the airshow featuring the Blue Angels, ship tours, live music and other entertainment all weekend long.

Here is the schedule for 2024. Some of this is still TBD, so I'll continue to add in more details as they are announced. 

Monday, October 7

Tuesday, October 8

Wednesday, October 9

Thursday, October 10

• Honor Our Fallen Concert at 6 pm at The Herbst Theatre

Friday, October 11

• 10 am to 5 pm: Humanitarian Assistance Village & STEM Center on the Marina Green
• 11:00 am - 12:00 pm: Parade of Ships
• 12 pm - 4 pm: Air Show (Blue Angels: ~3 pm - 4 pm, arrive early as they will sometimes start as early as 2:45 pm )

Saturday, October 12

• 10 am to 2 pm: K9 Heroes at Duboce Park
• 12 pm - 4 pm: Air Show  (Blue Angels: ~3 pm - 4 pm, arrive early as they will sometimes start as early as 2:45 pm)

Sunday, October 13

• 12 pm - 4 pm: Air Show (Blue Angels: ~3 pm - 4 pm, arrive early as they will sometimes start as early as 2:45 pm)

Monday, October 14

• 10 am to 3 pm: High School Band Challenge at the Golden Gate Park Bandshell

Tuesday, October 15

*Schedule of events is subject to change at anytime.

Cruises During Fleet Week San Francisco

One of the best ways to watch the Blue Angels fly over the San Francisco Bay is from a special Fleet Week cruise.

These sell out quickly, so I recommend booking your cruise as soon as you have your plans finalized.

Red & White Fleet 2.5-Hour Fleet Week Cruise

• 2-hour afternoon cruise to see the Blue Angels over San Francisco
• Offered Friday (10/11), Saturday (10/12), and Sunday (10/13) of Fleet Week
• Cruise leaves at 1:45 pm (please arrive at least 30 minutes before departure)
• Outdoor decks with incredible views of the performance
• Beverages and light snacks available for purchase at the cash bar
• Leaves from Pier 43 1/2 in Fisherman's Wharf
• $105 for Adults (21+ and includes two drinks), $65 for Youth (5-20), free for those under 5, but they must have tickets to manage capacity on the boat
• Visit their site for ticketing details

Cruise on the SS Jeremiah O'Brien 

• Saturday, October 12 and Sunday, October 13 from 10 am to 5 pm (boards at 9 am)
• Cruise around the bay in the morning and get front row seats for the air show in the afternoon
• Catch the air show from 12:30 pm to 4 pm (with the Blue Angels performing from 3 pm to 4 pm)
• Complimentary food and drink, coffee and donuts when you board; hot dog lunch with soft drinks, water, beer and wine
• Tickets are $185 for adults (age 17+) and $110 for children (age 5-16)
• There is also a $500 family group option for up to 2 adults and 2 youth
• Find out more and book your seats for 2024

Blue & Gold 2.5-Hour Cruise

• Saturday (10/12) and Sunday (10/13), One boat per day leaving at 1:30 pm and returning at 4 pm, boarding time starts at 1:15 pm, but they ask that you arrive 45 minutes in advance
• Tickets include a box lunch from Boudin Bakery (sandwich, chips, and cookie)
• Alcoholic beverages and soft drinks available for purchase at their on board bar
• Tickets start at $105 for adults, $70 for children, $85 for seniors and military members, free for those under 5
• Find tickets on their site

Fleet Week Cruise with Hornblower

Dates: Friday, Saturday, & Sunday 

Time: Boarding at 1:30 pm, cruising from 2:30 pm - 4:30 pm 

Boarding Location: Pier 3 Hornblower Landing

• 2-hour lunch cruise on the SF Bay
• Buffet includes entrees, salads, and desserts
• Free flowing sparkling wine, coffee, orange juice, water, and soft drinks
• Purchase wine, beer, and cocktails throughout the cruise

Additional Activities : Are you looking for some additional fun activities for your visit? Check out my list of the best things to do in October . You will also find a lot of free attractions and activities this month all around SF . 

Best Places to Watch the Air Show & the Blue Angels

The northern side of San Francisco along the bay is CROWDED during the air show.

If you want to sit down, you will need to arrive at least an hour before the Blue Angels perform.

Most of the Air Show takes place over the bay, around Fisherman's Wharf and Fort Mason . 

Here are a few places to watch the Air Show with some additional notes to think about for each option:

You will be close to the action, but it gets really crowded here.

However, it's a great place to see most of the show.

Try to find a spot with a clear view of the Golden Gate Bridge .

Aquatic Park

There is a small stadium here with seats facing out over the bay.

You will get a great view of the Fleet Week San Francisco Air Show from here, although the maneuvers over the Golden Gate Bridge will be harder to see.

Crissy Field

There will be fewer people on this side, which makes it a nicer viewing area.

This is a great place to see the Blue Angels maneuvers near the bridge.

It is a little further away from the main action though, so the trees may block out a little bit of the show. 

Marina Green

Just to the east of Crissy Field is the Marina Green. This large green space offers a great look at the air show.

You can also buy premium tickets for this area so you don't have to fight for a place to watch the fun.

Tickets for the premium section are already on sale.

You will find them on the official Fleet Week website .

Additional Places to See the Blue Angels in SF

Here are a few places to see the Blue Angels at this year's Fleet Week San Francisco. You won't get great views of the entire airshow, but you will get some great views of the Blue Angels over San Francisco and the Bay. 

Golden Gate Bridge Walkways : You can also see the airshow from the walkways of the Golden Gate Bridge. The eastern walkways are open during the airshow, but they fill up early. I would arrive at least a couple of hours in advance of the start of the airshow in order to get a good spot to see the entire show.

Twin Peaks : You can also see the Blue Angels during Fleet Week San Francisco from Twin Peaks . You won't get a close up view, but some good views of the Blue Angels.

Marin Headlands : Another great place is the Marin Headlands. You will see the airshow, but the biggest benefit to this location is being able to see the Blue Angels near the Golden Gate Bridge.

Again, these are not the best spots for the Fleet Week San Francisco airshow, but some alternative to watching it from the shore along Fisherman's Wharf.

More Things to Do this Weekend in San Francisco

These are some of the other fun things to do during Fleet Week San Francisco or as you are waiting for the big airshow to begin.

San Francisco Theater

Catch a theater performance during your time in San Francisco. Every year, the Golden Gate and Orpheum Theaters welcome hit Broadway musicals.

This year, you will find Wicked on stage throughout Fleet Week. Find tickets . 

In addition, smaller theater companies perform at a variety of venues all over town.

>> Find a full list of theater performances this weekend in San Francisco

Free Walking Tours

Every day of the week, SF City Guides offers free walking tours in different districts all over town. Learn more about the Golden Gate Bridge, Union Square, the Palace of Fine Arts, and more. 

>> More details on SF's free walking tours

Concerts in San Francisco

If you love to listen to live music, then you will find plenty of options this weekend in SF. We have venues large and small with everything from well known artists to popular local bands.

>>  Click here for a full schedule of concerts this weekend

Additional Fun Tours to Check Out

Hotels for san francisco fleet week.

Since more than a million people attend Fleet Week San Francisco each year, I highly recommend booking your hotels early. 

Note : Most hotels will not guarantee that you will get a waterfront room to see the show from your room. Plus, you won't get great views of most of the show so I recommend heading outside to watch it.

All events are in Fisherman's Wharf and it's a great place to stay. You can easily walk to and from your hotel to see the shows and enjoy all of the activities.

Here are a few recommendations in this San Francisco neighborhood.

Courtyard by Marriott : 3-star hotel, 2 blocks from the waterfront, next door to In-N-Out Burger, 580 Beach Street, read recent guest reviews and get your room

Marriott Fisherman's Wharf : 3.5-star hotel, 2.5 to 3 blocks to the waterfront, great for those also visiting North Beach , 1250 Columbus Street, read recent reviews and book your room here

Hotel Zoe : 4-star hotel, 3 blocks to the waterfront, steps away from the Powell/Mason cable car turnaround , 425 North Point Street, read reviews from recent guests here

Find additional hotel recommendations for Fisherman's Wharf .

Fleet Week San Francisco Ship Tours (TBD for 2024)

The Fleet Week San Francisco ship tours are wildly popular. All tours are free, and they encourage you to interact with the sailors on board. I recommend showing up well before they open their doors, as it's first come, first served and the lines get long fast.

These are all the ship tours from last year, 2023. I will update this when they announce the ships that will be here for 2024.

Due to national security reasons, they only announce these about three or four days before the ships arrive .

However, this is a good estimate on what you can expect again this year. 

Tuesday, Wednesday & Thursday (from 2023)

• 10 am to 4 pm on Tuesday and Thursday, 10 am to 2 pm on Wednesday
• SF Pier 30/32 only

Saturday and Sunday  (from 2023)

• 10 am to 4 pm
• SF Pier 30/32 and Pier 35

Monday  (from 2023)

• 9 am to 12 pm

These are the ships that were on site in 2023. I'll also update this once the ships are announced, which is usually right before they arrive.

• Amphibious transport dock USS John P. Murtha (LPD-26)
• Guided missile destroyer USS Paul Hamilton (DDG-60)

More Rules to Visit the Ships During Fleet Week

• Must show a valid government ID if you are 18 and over
• Anyone 17 and under must be accompanied by an adult
• No large backpacks, large purses, or large camera bags
• May not be accessible for those with disabilities or certain medical conditions. Most ship visits require climbing steep steps, uneven surfaces, small areas, etc.
• No high heels and closed toed shoes are recommended.
• Must remain with your tour guide at all times while on the ship.
• Must comply to screening and inspection before boarding each ship for your tour.

More Pictures and What to Expect in 2024

Below are a few of my photos from previous years for each activity. They will give you an idea of what to expect this year.

Parade of Ships 2024: Friday, October 11 from 11:00 am to 12:00 pm

The Parade of Ships is the official start of the Fleet Week San Francisco celebrations. All of the ships for the event come in under the Golden Gate Bridge and head to their designated pier in San Francisco. You can tour all of these ships during the three-day celebration.

A couple of years ago, my mom, sister, and I were on Alcatraz Island during the Parade of Ships, which is one of the best places to be for this event. Here are just some of my pictures from that day.

The Parade of Ships is about ready to begin. The boats at the bottom of the picture are all waiting for the parade to start. In the background is the Golden Gate Bridge, which is where all the boats enter the San Francisco Bay for the event.

This is one of the first boats coming in for Fleet Week San Francisco. You can see the downtown San Francisco skyline in the background.

This is one of the largest ships that come into San Francisco for Fleet Week. It's an aircraft carrier and is open for tours all weekend. In the background are the Presidio and the Palace of Fine Arts .

This is a second look at the aircraft carrier heading into San Francisco. It's close to Alcatraz Island and making its way to its pier to set up for tours. You can again see downtown San Francisco including the Transamerica building in the background. 

Fleet Week San Francisco Air Show: Friday, Saturday & Sunday

The event that most people come out for is the air show on Friday, Saturday and Sunday from 12 pm to 4 pm. There are several performances during the four-hour show.

All three days, the air show finishes with an amazing performance by the Blue Angels. They always start their performance a little after 3 pm. Even if you have watched them before, you will never get tired of seeing their performance over the San Francisco Bay.

Here are just a few of my Blue Angels photos from previous Fleet Week San Francisco performances. This is a shot of just four of the six Blue Angels doing a maneuver. This is another shot from Pier 39. 

This is another shot of the Blue Angels, in the distance, performing over the San Francisco Bay. In front is a crowd of people and the sea lions near Pier 39.

The smoke trailing the Blue Angels as they perform another maneuver.

The Blue Angels get daringly close during their performance. My camera does not have a great zoom, so this shows just how close you will feel from the viewing area!

You can also head out to catch some of the practice session on Thursday. There are fewer people around and they don't perform their entire show.

However, it's a great way to catch the action if you are not going to be around on Friday, Saturday or Sunday. 

Fleet Week Free Concert Series (TBD for 2024)

Here is a full schedule of all free concerts for 2023. You'll find them both along the waterfront and also in neighborhoods throughout San Francisco. 

Monday, October 2

• Sunset Library, 12:30 pm, Navy Band Southwest, Woodwind Quintet

Tuesday, October 3

• Warriors Thrive City, 12 pm, 1st Marine Division Band
• City College Ocean Campus, 12 pm, Navy Band Southwest - Brass Band
• San Francisco Zoo, 12 pm, Navy Band Southwest - Woodwind Quintet
• Salesforce Park, 1:30 pm, 1st Marine Division Band - Brass Band
• Noe Valley Town Square, 6 pm, 1st Marine Division Band - Brass Band

Wednesday, October 4

• Hayes Valley, Patricia's Green, 12 pm, 1st Marine Division Band, Ceremonial Band
• Crab Wheel Plaza at Fisherman's Wharf, 12 pm, Navy Band Southwest - Destroyers
• San Francisco VA Medical Center, 12:30 pm, Navy Band Southwest - Woodwind Quintet
• One Sansome, 5 pm, Navy Band Southwest - Woodwind Quintet
• Japantown Peace Plaza, 5:30 pm, Navy Band Southwest, Brass Band

Thursday, October 5 

• Ferry Building Marketplace, 12 pm,  Navy Band Southwest, Woodwind Quintet
• Presidio Visitor Center, 3 pm, US Air Force - Band of the Golden West
• Castro in the Jane Warner Plaza, 5 pm, Navy Band Southwest, Brass Band
• Herbst Theatre, SF War Memorial & Performing Arts Center, 6 pm, Honor Our Fallen Concert - 1st Marine Division Ceremonial Band and Navy Woodwind Quartet

Friday, October 6

• Golden Gate Park Band Shell, Noon, Navy Band Southwest, Brass Band
• Cable Car Turnaround at Powell/Market, Noon, 1st Marine Division Band, Brass Band
• Union Square Plaza, 12:30 pm, 1st Marine Division Band
• Lakeside Landing, 4 pm, Navy Band Southwest - Woodwind Quintet
• Pier 39, 5 pm, Navy Band Southwest - Destroyers
• Valencia Street (btw 16 St-17 St), 6 pm, 1st Marine Division Band, Ceremonial Band

Saturday, October 7

• K9 Heroes at Duboce Park, 10 am, 1st Marine Division Band - Ceremonial Band
• Polk and Jackson Streets, 12 pm, 1st Marine Division Band - Brass Band
• Ghirardelli Square, 12 pm, Navy Band Southwest - Brass Band
• Chinatown (Grant Ave & Commercial St), 12 pm, Navy Band Southwest, Woodwind Quintet
• Pier 39, 12 pm, Navy Band Southwest - Destroyers
• West Portal Courtyard (82 West Portal Ave), 4 pm, 1st Marine Division Band, Brass Band
• Westwood (2036 Lombard Street), 7 pm, 1st Marine Division Band, Diamondbacks

Sunday, October 8

• Jefferson & Powell to Washington Park, 11:00 am, Marine and Navy Band Southwests

Monday, October 9

• Golden Gate Band Shell, 10 am, High School Band Challenge

Comments? Questions? Suggestions?

I would love for you to join me in my private Facebook group ! 

It's a great place to interact with me and others who know the area well.

You can ask questions, get advice for your upcoming stay, and then share your photos and advice with others when you return home. It's a great community and the fastest way to get answers to those nagging questions about your visit!

Come join the fun here !

About Me    |    Contact Me    |   Privacy Policy    |   Terms of Service    |    Advertising Disclaimer

As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

Exclusive Member of Mediavine Travel

Copyright © 2009-2024 by SFTourismTips.com. All rights reserved.

This website does not sell any personal information. (See privacy policy )

Your Guide To the 5 Aircraft Carrier Museums In The USA

Your changes have been saved

Email is sent

Email has already been sent

Please verify your email address.

You’ve reached your account maximum for followed topics.

Florida Has Been De-Throned As The Best Retirement State For A Surprising Alternative

This cute colorado town is the perfect alternative to telluride, skip yosemite: 8 underrated california state parks to visit in fall 2024, read update, will there ever be another us aircraft carrier museum, quick links, uss yorktown cv-10, the uss hornet cv-12, uss intrepid cv-11, uss lexington cv-16, uss midway cv-41.

The United States is home to an impressive five World War Two-era aircraft carrier museums. There are five US Aircraft Carrier Museums, and they date from the same period - from WW2. Back then the aircraft carriers were smaller and were commercially powered. After the war, American aircraft carriers remained conveniently powered but grew larger and became supercarriers.

Four of these aircraft carriers are Essex-class aircraft carriers (the United States built 24 of these carriers during the war). The fifth one is a Midway-class carrier built towards the end of the war. They are scattered across the nation in New York, South Carolina, Texas, and California (California has two). They are some of the most interesting American naval museums to visit .

UPDATE: 2023/04/30 15:32 EST BY AARON SPRAY

The United States has five aircraft carriers for people to visit and learn about the role of the Navy in protecting the United States. People can explore the largest warships of their era and learn how they helped win the Pacific War and the role they took in the years following. This article was updated and expanded with more information about the prospects of there ever being a sixth aircraft carrier museum.

The USS Yorktown is an Essex Class aircraft carrier built in World War Two. Named after the Battle of Yorktown in the American War of Independence and took the name in honor of the previous aircraft carrier USS Yorktown CV-5. USS Yorktown CV-5 had fought in the Battle of the Coral Sea and then the Battle of Midway, where she met her end.

• Commissioned: April 1943
• Campaigns: Pacific War, Korean War, Vietnam War
• Decommissioned: 1970
• Displacement: 27,000+ tons (1943) 30,000+ tons (1956)

She was decommissioned soon after the war but reactivated and served in the Korean War. Eventually, she became an anti-submarine carrier and served during the Vietnam War (and earned another five battle stars).

Towards the end of her career, she served as the recovery ship for Apollo 8 space mission and was started in the film Tora! Tora! Tora! and the film The Philadelphia Experiment .

In 1975 she became a museum ship in South Carolina and is a National Historic Landmark.

• Time for tour: People expect to spend 5 to 6 hours touring the USS Yorktown CV-10 at the Patriots Point Naval & Maritime Museum in South Carolina. Some even spend a longer time to see the Vietnam War Experience and the submarine. The USS Yorktown alone has six guided tours at the museum.

The USS Hornet is also an Essex class aircraft carrier that was built for World War Two. She was completed in 1943 and assigned to the Fast Carrier Task Force. She saw action in 1944, attacking Japanese installations in New Guinea, Palau, and Truk, among others. Today one of the greatest attractions for divers today is seeing the sunk Japanese fleet at Truk (Chuuk) Lagoon.

Later she took part in the Mariana and Palau Islands campaign as well as the "Great Marianas Turkey Shoot," which was the Battle of the Philippine Sea.

Like other ships, she took part in the Korean War (she had to be pulled out of reserve) and was modernized as an anti-submarine carrier. She played a minor role in the Vietnam War and also took part in the Apollo program.

• Commissioned: 1943
• Displacement: 27,000+ tons (1943)

Today it is a museum in Alameda in California (open since 1998) and is also a National Historic Landmark. Admission is $20.00 for adults.

• Opening times: The USS Hornet Museum opens its doors, from Friday to Monday, and offers many interesting tours, exhibits, community events, group and special tours, and more. It opens from 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM with the last entry set at 4:00 PM.
• Price: While admission tickets are generally USD 20 per person, seniors, military, and students get the ticket for USD 15. Young people aged between 7 and 17 enter with a USD 10 ticket while children aged 6 and under can access the museum for free. The same applies to museum members.

Related: Japan's Truk Lagoon is Home To An Extraordinary Number Of Wartime Wrecks, Still Visible Today

She is another of the four Essex class aircraft carriers to survive today (unfortunately, the massively iconic USS Enterprise was scraped right after the war). She was also commissioned in August 1943 and participated in the Pacific War against Japan - notably the Battle of Leyte Gulf.

Like many of the Essex class carriers (there were so many of them after the war that one could have tripped over one) she was decommissioned. But later she was modernized and reactivated and went on to participate in the Vietnam War and was also involved in the space program.

Her back luck earned her the nicknames "Decrepit" and "the Dry I" - she was high by four separate Japanese kamikaze aircraft.

• Campaigns: Pacific War, Vietnam War
• Decommissioned: 1974

The USS Intrepid is today part of the famous NYC USS Intrepid Sea, Air & Space Museum.

• Museum hours: The NYC USS Intrepid Sea, Air & Space Museum opens from Monday to Friday from 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM, and on Saturdays, Sundays, and holidays from 10:00 AM to 6:00 PM from June through September. From October through May, the museum opens its doors only on Saturdays, Sundays, and holidays from 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM.
• Things to do: The museum offers a handful of activities, including tours, simulators, education demonstrations, souvenir photos, space shuttle pavilion tour, and more.

The fourth surviving Essex class aircraft carrier, she also took part in the Pacific War. She was nicknamed "The Blue Ghost." She was named following the loss of the first American aircraft carrier - the USS Lexington CV-2, at the Battle of the Coral Sea. They are named in honor of the Battle of Lexington.

• Campaigns: Pacific War
• Decommissioned: 1991

Since 1992 she has been a museum and is docked in Corpus Christi in Texas.

• Opening times: The USS Lexington Museum opens its doors from 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM from Labor Day to Memorial Day, and from 9:00 AM to 6:00 PM from Memorial Day to Labor Day.
• Price: Admission costs USD 18.95 for adults. Seniors aged 60 and over get a discounted ticket for USD 16.95. Military members benefit from a special price of USD 14.95. Parking fees amount to USD 5.
• Attractions: There are many attractions to enjoy at the USS Lexington Museum, including Escape Rooms, the Flight Deck, Joe Jessel 3D MEGA Theater, Pearl Harbor exhibit, Scale Models, flight simulator, and Virtual Battle Stations. People can enjoy either self-guided or guided tours of the museum.

Related: America's Most Interesting And Historic Naval Museum Ships, And How To Visit Them

The USS Midway is the only museum aircraft carrier that is not an Essex Class carrier. She was the lead ship of her class and was commissioned just eight days after the end of World War Two.

She remained the largest ship in the world for a decade until 1955. During her time, she saw action in Vietnam and took part in Operation Desert Storm in Iraq but was decommissioned right after it in 1992.

• Campaigns: Vietnam War, Operation Desert Storm
• Decommissioned: 1992
• Displacement: 45,000+ tons (1945)

Today she is a museum ship in San Diego, California .

• Price: Ticket prices at the USS Midway Museum are USD 26 for adults and USD 18 for youth and veterans.
• Activities: There are many activities to enjoy at the USS Midway Museum in San Diego, such as Hangar Deck exhibits, Flight Deck exhibits, Below Deck exhibits, TBD Devastator, Remembrance Wall, Midway stories, Midway Virtual Tour, and more.

Unfortunately, after the Navy's decision to scrap the USS Kitty Hawk and USS John F. Kennedy last year , there are not likely to be any new aircraft carrier museums for a very long time (they were also supercarriers and the last American conventionally powered aircraft carriers).

The Forrestal class was the first completed supercarriers, and they were followed by the Kitty Hawk class (an incremental improvement on the Forrestal class). These were also the last American carriers to be built conventionally powered (all subsequent carriers are nuclear powered).

All the Forrestal and Kitty Hawk aircraft carriers have been decommissioned. For a long time, a couple of carriers - including the USS John F. Kennedy and the USS Kitty Hawk were held in decommissioned mothball reserve. These were the last carriers that could feasibly be made into aircraft carrier museums.

The John F. Kennedy was held at the Philadelphia Naval Shipyard (a mothball fleet) and was available for donation as a museum. But eventually, in 2017 the navy revoked her donation hold status and the remaining Kitty Hawk carriers were sent for dismantling.

All other and future American carriers are nuclear-powered - that makes the effort and costs of converting them into museums much higher. It seems unlikely there will be another American aircraft carrier museum for a long time.

If visiting England, take the time to visit HMS Victory - Lord Nelson's flagship in the Battle of Trafalgar . Additionally, see the old museum ship (and still listed ship) of the United States - the iconic USS Constitution .

Next: How To Get The Most Out Of A Historical Visit To The Pearl Harbor Museum & Memorial

7-14 October, 2024

• Center For Humanitarian Assistance
• STEM Center

Career Fair

• Neighborhood Concert Series
• High School Band Challenge

Honor Our Fallen Concert

• Humanitarian Assistance Village

Parade of Ships

• Port Chicago 50
• Silent Drill Platoon
• Concession Fundraising
• PDF Map of Events
• Visiting Ships & Tours
• Conduct During Shipboard Tours
• Boat Safety
• Transportation
• The Center for Humanitarian Assistance
• Bay Area Military History

Free Concert Series

Thursday october 10 at 6:00 pm, the herbst theatre: 401 van ness ave, heroes concert at fleet fest, saturday october 12 at 5:00 pm, 2024 events, monday october 7, tuesday october 8, wednesday october 9, thursday october 10, friday october 11, saturday october 12, sunday october 13, monday october 14.

Partners & Sponsors

The San Francisco Fleet Week Association thanks all our generous sponsors.

Air Show Sponsors

Air Show Chalet Sponsors

Thanks to all our generous sponsors

Air Show Network

Bessemer Trust

Blue Angels

Vets in Tech

Andreesen Horowitz

2024 Program Sponsors

Thank you to all our generous sponsors

Academy of Art

Grant for the Arts

Public Works

Rosie Chicken

Horse Soldier

NTAG Golden Gate Golden Dragons

Ave Greenlight

Backyard BBQ

SF Bay Ferry

BuildSubmarines.com

Program Partners

San Francisco Fleet Week Association is not affiliated with the Department of Defense or any Military Service.

Navy Region Southwest

Third Fleet

Expeditionary Strike Group

US Coast Guard

Marines Memorial

Navy League

Hoover Institute

Olympic Club

One Vet One Voice

Port Chicago Alliance

The Raytom Group

Peace Corps

San Francisco Fleet Week succeeds with the support and participation of volunteers in all aspects of the show’s production. Friendships are built and memories are made during the shared experience of presenting this event to the public. We invite all members of the community 16 years old+ to apply for available positions.

SF Fleet Week: A Tour of the Brand New USS Tripoli

The u.s. navy's newest amphibious assault carrier, the uss tripoli is home to some 1,100 sailors, and serves as an offshore base for marine corps aircraft flying missions over land, by jonathan bloom • published october 5, 2021 • updated on october 6, 2021 at 11:12 am, what to know.

• The USS Tripoli, commissioned in July of 2020, made its maiden port visit to San Francisco just ahead of Fleet Week 2021, to honor the fallen on the 20th commemoration of 9/11
• The Tripoli is one of the Navy's largest ships, accommodating over a thousand sailors and up to a thousand Marines during air operations
• Helicopters and short-takeoff jets can operate from the Tripoli's flight deck, and the ship can also perform humanitarian aid with its on-board hospital and its robust capacity to make drinking water

The Golden Gate Bridge was shrouded in chilly fog on the afternoon of September 11, 2021 as San Francisco's fireboat, the St. Francis, sat waiting at the mouth of the Bay for the dark object on the horizon to approach.

Watch NBC Bay Area News 📺 Streaming free 24/7

The firefighters aboard the St. Francis had come to welcome a special visitor: The Navy's newest amphibious assault carrier, the USS Tripoli, with more than a thousand sailors in their white uniforms standing around the edges of the ship's enormous deck.

"We call it manning the rails," explained Chief Petty Officer Jerome Dunkley, who's in charge of flight deck operations. "It was 9/11, so we were giving honors to the fallen, and also for the city."

Though it came several weeks early, the Tripoli's maiden port visit to San Francisco added an exclamation point to the announcement that S.F. Fleet Week would proceed as scheduled the first week in October — the only Fleet Week in the country to happen in 2021. The ship's crew also took part in disaster preparedness training with Bay Area first responders.

"What makes our ship so unique is we can do assaults if we need to, but we can also do humanitarian assistance and disaster response," said Navy Lt. Sam Lieber. "We have a unique ability to create a lot of water — potable water for drinking. We also have a very robust medical capability on board."

The Tripoli's on-board hospital is second in size only to the Navy's dedicated hospital ships. And the ship as a whole is one of the Navy's largest, second only to supercarriers like the USS Nimitz.

Get a weekly recap of the latest San Francisco Bay Area housing news. Sign up for NBC Bay Area’s Housing Deconstructed newsletter.

Despite its imposing size, the Tripoli has no catapults for launching jets. Its 844-foot, heat-resistant flight deck is purpose-built to accommodate a new generation of Marine Corps aircraft that are capable of short or vertical takeoff and landing. Currently, it operates as a platform for MV-22 Osprey tilt-rotor aircraft and F-35B Lightning II fighter jets — and has sleeping and dining accommodations for the hundreds of Marines who come with them.

"I'm a high-energy guy," Dunkley said as he stood on the flight deck. "I can't stay still, so I like being up here because it constantly keeps you on your feet, constantly keeps you busy."

Doug Emhoff makes campaign stop in Menlo Park, mobilizes Silicon Valley execs

Bay Point shooting leaves 2 injured, sheriff's department investigating

Dunkley showed us the red and white "foul line" behind which air operations personnel must stand for their own safety when jets and helicopters are taking off.

"You do not want to be standing here when that aircraft is taking off," he said. "It's gonna blow you back."

Directly below the flight deck, the Tripoli's massive hangar bay is where aviation mechanics are typically shuffling aircraft around, performing light maintenance on the ones toward the front of the ship, and more complicated repairs on the ones toward the rear. But when the ship is in port, it carries just a solitary, battered airplane covered in duct tape.

"This guy's just for training purposes — there's no engine in it, it's just here so we can use it to practice," Dunkley explained. "We have to constantly train, train, train, that's the only way we get better. ... The guys have to be proficient moving them around the hangar bay because it's a tight space."

The ship is filled with tight spaces, including narrow hallways punctuated by tightly-sealed doors that not only can stop fire and flooding, but also help control the flow of air conditioning. Savvy sailors can tell where they are on the ship by decoding the cryptic clusters of letters and numbers printed on many of the ship's beige interior walls.

"We call that the bullseye," Lieber said. "Those are all over the place. Every space will have one."

Another common sight aboard the ship: fire hoses.

"That is because at sea, we are our own fire department," Lieber said. "We can't call anyone for help, so all sailors are trained in some basic level of damage control, whether it be fire, flooding or even toxic gas. But we do also have our own little fire department on board."

Back up on the flight deck, Dunkley showed us the ship's fire truck — a compact and boxy white vehicle with red stripes that carries an ample supply of both water and firefighting foam.

"It's as powerful as you'll ever get," Dunkley said. "It's fast!"

But aside from water and foam to fight fires, and fuel to power the aircraft, there's another important liquid aboard the Tripoli: coffee. For officers like Lt. Lieber, coffee is found in the ship's wardroom — a combined dining room and meeting space that's right next to the officers' on-board barbershop. Lieber says drinking the ship's coffee is a rite of passage for visitors aboard the Tripoli, and a veritable necessity for the sailors stationed on board.

"These guys work really hard to make sure the coffee's always hot so people can keep working around the clock," Lieber said of the ship's large culinary staff. "Because somebody's always working on a ship. A ship is never asleep."

Though the sailors couldn't disclose where they'll head next, it's likely to be the ship's first time there. That's the fun of being on a brand new ship, Lieber said.

"It's something we'll be able to tell our kids and grandkids and family and friends years from now, 'Hey, the first time that ship went there, I was there,'" he said. "I'm looking forward to all the exciting places she'll go, and I can't wait to be a part of that."

This article tagged under:

USS Hornet Sea, Air & Space Museum

This National Historic Landmark is one of the most decorated combat ships in naval history and participated in two of the 20th century’s most significant events: WWII and the Apollo 11 moon mission.

Exhibits include vintage aircraft and the West Coast’s largest display of Apollo artifacts. The aircraft carrier is a unique venue for catered corporate parties, trade shows, dinners and dances.

Located on the isle of Alameda docked on the San Francisco Bay, the USS Hornet Sea, Air & Space Museum offers an incredible view of the San Francisco skyline and the Bay Bridge. Event guests can enjoy tours of this authentically restored National Historic Landmark aircraft carrier and hear thrilling stories from our Docents, many of whom are former ship crew members.

• Indoor Seated Capacity: 1,500
• Indoor Theater Capacity: 3,000
• Indoor Reception Capacity: 2,500
• Indoor/Outdoor Capacity: 5,000*

*Tenting required in winter months.

Global Gourmet Catering is proud to be a preferred catering company for this amazing Easy Bay catering venue!

Contact & Book

More venues in east bay.

Ciel Creative Space

Place a hold.

Craneway Pavilion