Although the historic ships on Hyde Pier are a large part of the attraction at Maritime Historical Park, the park actually encompasses a larger area around Aquatic Park and up to Ghirardelli Square. This sign anchors the corner of Hyde and Jefferson, where the Hyde Street Pier begins.
San Francisco Maritime National Historical Park is a mix of ship exhibits, a visitor center with free displays, the San Francisco Maritime Museum (closed for renovation until 2009), and special events hosted by the Park Service which include themed tours, walks and children's activities.
Be sure to stop in at the free Visitor Center to see the First Order Fresnel lighthouse lens. The Fresnel lens was invented by French physicist Augustine Fresnel, and is known for its efficiency in capturing a large percentage of light. This allows for the light to be transmitted longer distance, and makes for a stunning, artistic prism of a lens.
Read more about the Fresnel Lens in this 1999 Smithsonian article on the subject.
