Maritime Museum

a white building designed to look like an ocean liner ship near a rocky shoreline
The Aquatic Bathhouse was designed to resemble the smooth curves and horizontal lines of an ocean liner.

NPS/C. Fenton

The Maritime Museum is located inside the historic Aquatic Park Bathhouse. Originally opened in 1939, the building was constructed as a joint project of the City of San Francisco and the New Deal-era Works Progress Administration (WPA). It is the focal point of the Aquatic Park Historic Landmark District. This unique structure was designed in the Streamline Moderne style, a late offshoot of the Art Deco period, and mimics the clean lines of an ocean liner.

The Maritime Museum offers exhibits on West Coast maritime history as well as original murals and mosaic tile artwork. Stop by and discover the vibrant colors depicting a dreamy underwater world, watch a short film on the history of the Aquatic Park Bathhouse, or stand on the veranda and enjoy the view of Aquatic Park Cove.



 

Image Gallery

Image Gallery

Image Gallery
 
historical photograph of the Aquatic Park Bathhouse
Aquatic Park Bathhouse

Learn more about the history of the Aquatic Park Bathhouse and the art and controversy it inspired.

black and white photo of men and women sitting and laughing together around a table.
Artists of Aquatic Park

Discover the stories of the artists behind the iconic designs on the Aquatic Park Bathhouse.

 
  • A Palace for the People

    A Palace for the People

    San Francisco, CA – Over eighty years ago, San Franciscans, with the help of the federal WPA, realized a decades-old dream: building a palace for the people on the City’s northern waterfront. San Francisco Maritime National Historical Park salutes that legacy with a 15-minute documentary that tells the story of this iconic Art Moderne building.

    Duration:
    15 minutes, 15 seconds
 
 
American Alliance of Museums accredited museum logo

American Alliance of Museums

Accredited by the American Alliance of Museums since 1996.

Last updated: March 2, 2025

Contact Info

Mailing Address:

2 Marina Boulevard,
Building E, 2nd Floor
San Francisco, CA 94123

Phone:

415 561-7100
The public information office is open from 8 am to 5 pm PST.

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