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USS Hornet: A Floating Museum of History and Innovation

Explore a WWII aircraft carrier, witness Apollo artifacts, and discover naval aviation history at the USS Hornet Sea, Air & Space Museum in Alameda, CA.

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Explore the USS Hornet, a WWII-era aircraft carrier turned museum, in Alameda, CA. Discover its pivotal role in naval aviation, the Apollo space missions, and witness a vast collection of aircraft and artifacts. A unique blend of history, science, and technology awaits.

A brief summary to USS Hornet - Sea, Air and Space Museum

  • Monday 10 am-5 pm
  • Friday 10 am-5 pm
  • Saturday 10 am-5 pm
  • Sunday 10 am-5 pm

Local tips

  • Wear comfortable shoes, as you'll be doing a lot of walking and climbing.
  • Plan for at least 2-3 hours to fully explore the museum.
  • Check the museum's website for special events, tours, and temporary exhibits.
  • Dress in layers, as temperatures can vary on the ship.
  • Ask the docents questions; they're a wealth of knowledge about the ship and its history.
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Getting There

  • Public Transport

    From downtown Oakland BART stations, take the Line 96 bus towards the USS Hornet Museum. After alighting, there will be a walk of approximately 0.8 miles to reach the museum. AC Transit's website provides detailed schedules and bus stop information. A ride on BART and the bus will cost around $6.

  • Ferry

    A scenic option is to take a ferry from the San Francisco Ferry Building to either the Seaplane Lagoon Terminal or the Alameda Main Street Terminal. From the Seaplane Lagoon Terminal, it's a 10-minute walk to the ship. From the Alameda Main Street Terminal, you can take a short cab or rideshare, or walk 2.1 miles. A one-way ferry ticket costs approximately $6 - $9. Please note that the Seaplane Lagoon Terminal is only used on weekdays.

  • Driving

    From I-880, take the 23rd Street exit and follow the signs to Alameda over the Park Street Bridge. Turn right on Lincoln Avenue and proceed for about 3.5 miles, where it merges into Pacific Avenue. Cross Main Street to enter the former naval air station. Turn left at Skyhawk St, drive to the end, then turn right onto W Hornet Ave. Free parking is available across the street from the pier.

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Discover more about USS Hornet - Sea, Air and Space Museum

The USS Hornet Sea, Air & Space Museum, located on the former Naval Air Station Alameda, offers a captivating journey through naval history and technological innovation. This Essex-class aircraft carrier, commissioned in 1943, played a significant role in World War II, earning nine battle stars for its service in the Pacific. After the war, the Hornet served in the Vietnam War and, most notably, as the prime recovery ship for the Apollo 11 and 12 missions, retrieving the first astronauts to walk on the Moon. Today, the USS Hornet is a National Historic Landmark and a Smithsonian Affiliate, offering visitors a chance to explore its vast decks and compartments. The museum features a remarkable collection of aircraft from various eras, including WWII-era propeller planes, early jets, and helicopters. Explore exhibits dedicated to the Apollo program, including a Mobile Quarantine Facility used by Apollo 14 astronauts and the Apollo Command Module CSM-011. Visitors can take self-guided tours of the flight deck, hangar deck, and other areas, or opt for docent-led tours to delve deeper into the ship's navigation and engineering spaces. Knowledgeable docents provide insights into the daily lives of sailors, the ship's weaponry, and the intricacies of flight operations. The USS Hornet Museum is dedicated to promoting awareness and understanding of history, science, technology, and service.

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