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USS Hornet Sea, Air & Space Museum

Explore a WWII aircraft carrier, NASA recovery vessel, and National Historic Landmark on the San Francisco Bay.

4.8

Explore the USS Hornet, a WWII-era aircraft carrier turned museum, in Alameda, CA. Discover naval aviation history, Apollo space program artifacts, and life aboard a warship through interactive exhibits and restored spaces.

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 climbing ship's ladders and walking through multiple decks.
  • Plan for at least 2-3 hours to fully explore the museum and its exhibits.
  • Visit on a weekday for fewer crowds.
  • Check the museum's website for special events, tours, and temporary exhibit information.
  • Dress in layers, as temperatures can vary throughout the ship.
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Getting There

  • Public Transport

    From downtown Oakland BART stations, take the Line 96 bus to the USS Hornet Museum, followed by a 0.8-mile walk. Alternatively, take a ferry from the SF Ferry Building to either the Seaplane Lagoon Terminal (weekdays only, 10-minute walk) or the Alameda Main Street Terminal (2.1-mile walk, taxi/rideshare recommended). The ferry from San Francisco Ferry Building to Alameda Seaplane Lagoon Ferry Terminal costs $6 - $9.

  • Driving

    From San Francisco, cross the Bay Bridge towards Oakland and follow signs for I-880 South/San Jose/Alameda. Take the Broadway/Alameda exit and turn right onto 5th Street. Follow signs to the museum. From Oakland Airport, follow Airport Drive and turn left onto Doolittle Drive. Free parking is available adjacent to the museum's 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 southernmost pier of the former Naval Air Station Alameda, offers an immersive experience aboard a historic aircraft carrier. This Essex-class carrier, commissioned in 1943, served in World War II, the Vietnam War, and played a crucial role in the Apollo 11 and 12 missions by recovering the astronauts and their command modules. The museum features a vast collection of aircraft from the 1940s to the 1980s, including propeller aircraft, jet aircraft, and rotorcraft. Visitors can explore the flight deck, hangar deck, and exhibits covering naval aviation history, space exploration, and life aboard a warship. Key highlights include the Apollo splashdown display, with artifacts like the Apollo Command Module CSM-011 and the Mobile Quarantine Facility used by the Apollo 14 astronauts. Explore the Hangar Deck's aircraft displays, including a TBM-3E Avenger and an F-14A Tomcat. Tour the island superstructure and bridge to see where the ship's captain commanded the vessel. The USS Hornet is a National Historic Landmark, offering a unique opportunity to learn about American history, science, and technology.

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