SS Jeremiah O'Brien image

SS Jeremiah O'Brien

Tourist attraction Museum Historical landmark Army museum Maritime museum

Functioning World War II–era naval ship serving as a living museum for the Liberty class of ships. People often mention ship, history, 'Brien, Jeremiah, experience, museum, visit, engine, time, recommend,


Address

Pier 35, San Francisco, CA 94133

Website

www.ssjeremiahobrien.org

Contact

(415) 544-0100

Rating on Google Maps

4.70 (1.3K reviews)

Open on Google Maps

Working Hours

  • Friday: 10 AM to 4 PM
  • Saturday: 10 AM to 4 PM
  • Sunday: 10 AM to 4 PM
  • Monday: 10 AM to 4 PM
  • Tuesday: Closed
  • Wednesday: 10 AM to 4 PM
  • Thursday: 10 AM to 4 PM

Featured Reviews


Frequently mentioned in reviews: ship (32) history (19) 'Brien (13) Jeremiah (12) experience (10) museum (10) visit (9) engine (8) time (7) recommend (7)
Reviews are sorted by relevance, prioritizing the most helpful and insightful feedback at the top for easier reference.
  • 5/5 Cashflow RE Diana L. 1 year ago on Google
    Awesome experience. Touring the ship that won WWII and came back home after the heroic victory. The staff was awesome & price is very reasonable. Great visit!
    5 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 wayne c. 1 year ago on Google
    Amazing floating museum!! Massive kudos to Linda and the whole team here, their passion and hard work to preserve the history and knowledge surrounding this epic piece of history shines as soon as you speak to them. Self guided tour was clearly outlined in the program provided. Price of admission is very reasonable at $20 ($15) for students. There's no time limit, in fact there's so much to see and learn about it's best to take your time. Working guns allow you to manipulate actual artillery (not loaded obviously). Accurate dioramas show the scenario at omaha beach of which this ship was part of. Can't recommend this enough for all ages!
    5 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Pebble36 2 years ago on Google
    Awesome experience. Love touring on the ship that won WWII and came back home after the heroic victory. The staff was awesome. The price is very reasonable. I most definitely recommend. You will not be disappointed.
    4 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Andrew W. 2 years ago on Google
    If old steam ships are your thing, this is a must visit. The reciprocating steam engine is still in operation and in pristine condition! In fact it was the same engine filmed for the the 1997 Titanic movie! This ship itself was built in 1941 for WWII. It is one of two surviving liberty ships. A fleet of ships built quickly during the war. I spent over two hours here and could have easily spent more if not on a strict schedule. General admission is $20 but if you are a student the price is $15.
    3 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Jeff H. 6 months ago on Google
    For Fleet Week, we got our cruise tickets off Eventbrite $175. This was such a fun experience. The crew and volunteers were friendly and made the ride memorable. I loved the live band and the announcer pointing out the details of the ride and where we were on the bay. There were about 900 people on the boat. It departed at 10am and returned back at 5pm. Upon boarding, there were coffee, donuts, hot chocolate and tea. The lunch service started at around 11am with hot dogs and tacos. The beer and wine ran out at around 2pm. The line for the tacos went almost the length of ship at one point. Good job everyone on SS Jeremiah O'Brien.
    2 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Noah M. 8 months ago on Google
    This is one of the coolest museums I have ever been to. You get to walk all over the ship inside and out. You even get to love the 3” gun in the back around. Lots of cool history and well worth the money spent.
    2 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Stefan 0. 2 years ago on Google
    So much unique history. One of two Liberty ships still in existence. Very friendly staff and a lot of passionate volunteers. Besides acces to the engineroom (with the huge triple expansion steam engine), the decks and the bridge, there is a museum in the forward upper cargo hold. Especially the diorama is well worth the visit.
    2 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 ANTONIO SANCHEZ R. 2 years ago on Google
    Amazing museum. It worths every dollar spent in the entrance. An historic piece of WWII. Best thing is that everything you can see works on it!
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Kyle T. 2 years ago on Google
    i enjoyed my visit. it's an hour or so of content. the engine room was my favourite thing to look at. the day was great and being out on the deck with views from left bridge to right bridge was pleasant. too bad there was smog.
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 4/5 Manuel G. 2 years ago on Google
    The staff giving out information, welcoming you onto the ship and selling you the ticket seem to be people that were there when the ship was active, and they are very nice people, you get to see up and close a very important piece of American history. You can also see great views of the city.
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Krishna S. 9 months ago on Google
    SS Jeremiah O'Brien at Pier 45 stands as a testament to the unwavering spirit and patriotism of our nation's heroes. Visiting this remarkable piece of history evokes a profound sense of gratitude and admiration for the sacrifices made by brave men and women who fought for our freedom. As I explored the decks of the ship, I couldn't help but feel a deep connection to the patriots who risked their lives to protect our cherished way of life. The ship's preserved condition and immersive exhibits transported me back to a pivotal time in our nation's history, allowing me to appreciate the valor and dedication of those who served. I was moved by the importance of preserving this symbol of patriotism and history. I urge the local government to continue supporting and maintaining the SS Jeremiah O'Brien as a lasting tribute to the sacrifices made by these heroes. It is not only about political ideology but also a solemn obligation to honor the memory of those who made the ultimate sacrifice for our freedom. The SS Jeremiah O'Brien serves as a reminder that patriotism transcends political differences, uniting us as a nation. It stands as a tangible representation of the courage and commitment of our forefathers, reminding us of the values and principles that we hold dear. I eagerly look forward to visiting SS Jeremiah O'Brien again if the opportunity arises, to pay my respects to the patriots who fought for our liberty and to honor their enduring legacy.
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Goosehunter82 1 year ago on Google
    A great piece of History. This is my fifth or 6th World War II vessel that I've been on and it did not disappoint. We got extra Lucky in the weekend we were in town they were going to be taking it out on the Harbor so we got to go down in the engine room while it was running and see all the working moving parts. Definitely worth the stop.
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Christoph R. 1 year ago on Google
    Amazing ship! We went during our visit to San Francisco because we really enjoy viewing ships from the past across USA! The employees were super helpful and the ship was in great shape! Many places to venture and explore (there is a gift shop inside the ship). Would def recommend for those that enjoy learning about history!
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Louis B. 1 year ago on Google
    What a great experience. You get unfettered access around the ship. Great information along the ways and such a huge part of American history. The volunteers are so nice and full of information. Great for kids and adults. Absolutely recommend.

  • 5/5 Toni L. 6 months ago on Google
    We definitely found a hidden treasure of San Francisco Bay! We love going around the ship and look at the museum!

  • 5/5 Gary M. 6 months ago on Google
    I recently had the opportunity to visit the SS Jeremiah O'Brien in San Francisco, and it was a truly memorable experience. This historic World War II ship offers an amazing glimpse into the past and provides a fascinating journey through maritime history. From the moment I stepped on board, I was in awe of the ship's well-preserved condition and attention to detail. The knowledgeable and passionate volunteers on board were eager to share their expertise and answer any questions I had, making the visit even more engaging. The SS Jeremiah O'Brien is a living museum, allowing visitors to explore various areas of the ship, including the engine room, captain's quarters, cargo areas, and even the wheelhouse. Each section provides a unique perspective on what life was like for the crew during wartime. One highlight of the visit was witnessing the impressive operations of the ship's original steam engines. The rumble and power of the engines truly bring history to life and offer a rare opportunity to experience the machinery that played such a vital role during World War II. The ship also features informative displays, exhibits, and artifacts, which provide an in-depth look into the ship's history and its involvement in the war effort. The attention to detail in these exhibits is commendable, and they offer a comprehensive understanding of the ship's significance. The SS Jeremiah O'Brien is wonderfully maintained, and the dedication of the volunteers and staff is evident throughout. The ship is a testament to the hard work and commitment of those who have worked tirelessly to preserve this piece of history. I highly recommend a visit to the SS Jeremiah O'Brien for history enthusiasts, maritime lovers, and anyone interested in World War II. It's an educational and immersive experience that offers a unique perspective on the past. Don't miss the opportunity to step back in time and explore this impressive ship!" I hope this review accurately reflects your experience at the SS Jeremiah O'Brien in San Francisco!

  • 5/5 Irv W. 5 months ago on Google
    Everyone was super friendly! And it was so easy to get in and out. Such a great experience! I love the staff honestly. The engine room was even a better experience because one of the pro boilers/mechanics was very friendly. Talked with us and explained a bunch.

  • 5/5 dylan j. 1 year ago on Google
    My wife and I visited the Jeremiah O'Brien in May and toured the vessel on a slow Thursday, which was more than enough to convince us to return this October for the 2022 Fleet Week cruise. Unfortunately the weather was un-participative for the Air Show, but the privelage of being on a functioning 79 year old Liberty Ship sailing such a beautiful area was more than enough. I'd recommend it to anyone who loves naval history, or engineering, or the Bay Area.

  • 5/5 James J. 1 year ago on Google
    My wife and I went on the 2022 fleet week bay cruise, it was awesome other than the air shows being obscured by heavy fog, Be ready for a shift in your time reality as the ship moves at an unfamiliar but deliberately slow but welcome speed. It is as if it has it's own time zone. For the most of the trip we did the unthinkable and turned off our phones and disconnected from the grid. The food provided was good and filling, the hot dogs were the old style dog with snap cases. And the taco bar had three choices of meat and was very flavorful. And seconds we're highly encouraged. Reminder to bring your folding chair, and be ready to just relax. I have been going to fleet week for about 40 years and have been on the shoreline for much of those years, but I have also been out on the bay for a handful of the events. I have to say being on the ship was the most relaxing choice that can be made. Would definitely recommend and go again.

  • 5/5 Daniel S. 1 year ago on Google
    This is an excellent maritime museum with plenty of history regarding this ship in particular and liberty ships as a whole. The first place you enter has a whole load of information about the SS Jerimiah O'Brien, her wartime service, as well as her history as a museum ship. It's also fascinating to note that this ship still runs on her original engines, and you can go down into the engine room! There is also a few dioramas in the forward part of the ship that show what a typical amphibious landing in WW2 looked like, with the Jeremiah O'Brien involved, as well as the convoys she used to sail with across the Atlantic to get wartime supplies to the European theater. Up on deck her 3 inch gun is on the bow and still moves! So you can train it across the bay at Oakland, the Bay Bridge, or anywhere you like, you can pretend you are defending the ship against enemy planes in WW2 and have a blast. At the stern, you can look out on the Golden Gate Bridge and see the fog coming over the mountains which is a gorgeous sight. Then up in the superstructure you can explore the cabins and the Bridge, which unlike many WW2 museum ships, has a mix of original WW2 vintage equipment, as well as modern equipment for when the ship still sails around the bay and around the world. I will definitely need to come back to this museum during fleet week so I can sail aboard her when she goes out into the bay. I also will have to come back to spend more time aboard her as the amount of information and history this ship has is incredible!

  • 5/5 Marc A. 2 years ago on Google
    This is a definite must see attraction. It’s the only Liberty Ship that’s still in original condition. It’s wonderfully maintained and still cruises the harbor. You can explore virtually the entire ship and the museum is definitely worth visiting. At $15 per person it’s a bargain.

  • 5/5 Stephenie K. 2 years ago on Google
    Self guided tour of the last remaining ship to have traveled to Normandy in the war. Very windy up on top, bring a jacket and tie your hair back. Museum exhibits in the hull were well maintained and there were lots of good photo ops. Nice panoramic views of the bay. Took about an hour to go through but could have spent longer.

  • 5/5 Azadeh H. 2 years ago on Google
    Fantastic ! The 20 dollars you pay for the 20 something minutes you will spend on this ship totally worth it. It’s fun and there are so many nice crew around who love to talk to you and give you information you did not even think of. The access to different parts of the ship is pretty good too. If you are in SF, don’t miss it


Call (415) 544-0100 Open on Google Maps

Amenities


  • Accessibility
    • ✗ Wheelchair accessible entrance
    • ✓️ Wheelchair accessible restroom

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