Pier 45, a jetty in San Francisco
Pier 45 is a wooden dock in the heart of Fisherman's Wharf where boats are moored and history is preserved. The pier provides access to the restored USS Pampanito submarine from World War II, a memorial chapel, and nearby museums that document the area's maritime past.
The pier was built in the early 1900s as a working fishing dock and served for decades as the main landing point for the city's fishing industry. It later became home to restored warships and grew into a memorial space preserving maritime history.
The pier remains deeply connected to San Francisco's fishing heritage and maritime traditions that shaped the city. The presence of working boats and memorials reflects how this place continues to honor those who made their living from the sea.
Pier 45 sits at the western end of Fisherman's Wharf, near the Hyde Street Pier and the USS Pampanito. The SkyStar Wheel began operating in the wharf area on November 13, 2023, during the APEC summit. Expect heavy crowds around the Fourth of July fireworks and the Fleet Week air shows.
Pier 45 is the berth of the SS Jeremiah O'Brien, a Liberty ship and National Historic Landmark, and the USS Pampanito, a decommissioned World War II submarine; both are preserved as museum ships within the San Francisco Maritime National Historical Park. The pier also holds a chapel in memory of the "Lost Fishermen" of San Francisco and Northern California.
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