USS Hornet - Sea, Air and Space Museum

My boyfriend has always wanted to come here and while we were close for another event we decided to make the trip and check it out. He had spent his childhood wanting to go here and never got the opportunity to do so. We entered the ship and paid for the Weapons Tour on top of our entry fee. Our tour started roughly 10 minutes later. We were the only ones on this specific tour so we had the guide all to ourselves. He was very informative and knew alot about not only what was on board and how it was used/operated but he brought his own knowledge from his previous employment. I was wearing backless shoes - which I would NOT recommend for this museum as there is quite a bit of up and down stairs that are steep as this is a Naval ship. There was alot to see and many levels on the ship - however you cannot go lower than 2 deck unless you are on a guided tour. There is a small gift shop in the center of the main deck for souvenirs. This was a really cool experience and I learned quite a bit about the ship and how it operated and what weapons were onboard. I would recommend this especially if you have kids interested in boats/planes/history.

Really cool and fun experience with my 2 yr old toddler. Got to see a F14 tomcat close up. Huge thanks to all the retired navy officer giving intro about all the aircrafts. There are a lot of steps and stairs within the carrier and can be a little tricky for elderly and young kids. Private guided tours are also available. Tickets can be purchased upon arrival and we did not wait long at all. A must do experience!!

Pleasant 3 hours spent learning about the ship, the aircraft, the stories including the Apollo connection. The best thing was it was really quiet. Very few people for a large ship. Maybe it's off the beaten track because compared to the USS Enterprise in NYC but I was surprised that it felt peaceful on a Saturday. Next time I would do a docent tour of the conning tower since that's normally off limits.

What an amazing piece of history that you get to walk through! We have visited the USS Hornet several times now and been on multiple docent tours to various parts. Regardless, we still manage to find new sections to explore. All of the docents are friendly and knowledgeable. What's more incredible is that volunteers keep this museum running.

If you’re anywhere near the Bay Area and haven’t seen the USS Hornet at night — you’re missing out. The ship is absolutely majestic after dark. With the lights casting long shadows across the massive flight deck and the surrounding harbor glowing quietly in the distance, the entire scene feels like you’ve stepped into a history film… or a sci-fi set. There’s something surreal about standing on a legendary aircraft carrier under the stars, knowing it played a real role in WWII, the Apollo missions, and even Cold War operations. The cool night air and faint creaks of the ship only add to the atmosphere — it’s dramatic, peaceful, and slightly eerie all at once. Whether you’re into naval history, photography, or just want a unique night experience, this is a hidden gem. Bonus points if you catch one of their overnight or paranormal tours — the ship definitely has stories to tell.

I had a great experience in this place. Firstly, I have never seen and been in a ship, especially a retired battleship, this large and spacious. Not only that they are showcasing the aircraft and weapons used in World War II, this ship was also involved in the recovery mission of Apollo. During my visit, I was able to explore two floors (I was solo traveling without and docents or any other help), the hangar deck, and the living quarters (or whatever they are called) right below the hangar deck floor. The ship had a kitchen, a library, barracks, vending machines, a merchandise shop, public restrooms, optometrists’, nurses’, surgeons’, doctors’, etc. office and emergency rooms/sick bays with typewriters, all remained and retired from World War II. It’s absolutely an amazing experience to be able to take a look at those in my opinion. Lastly, the views of the San Francisco - Oakland Bay Bridge was great from the ship. Overall, it’s a great place to visit.

An absolute must for technology enthusiasts and anyone interested in military history. The USS Hornet is a decommissioned aircraft carrier and now a museum, staffed by young Marines and veterans. For me, it was an unforgettable afternoon – one of the veterans who had served on the ship personally showed me around. I learned so much about the ship, the technology, daily life on board, and its history. The view of the city is also fantastic. Make sure to take the Alameda Seaplane ferry; I took the wrong one and ended up with a long walk to the museum.

A must-see! The USS Hornet in Alameda is a massive aircraft carrier turned museum — nearly 900 feet long, with an F-14 and other aircraft on the flight deck. There's tons of space memorabilia, helicopters, and incredible history, including picking up the Apollo astronauts and quarantining them in an Airstream trailer.

Wow what is not to like? It checked off 3 #AvGeek items in one fell swoop. Aircraft museum on an Aircraft carrier? Check Docents with cool and interesting stories? Check The perfect platform to see the historic Martin Mars seaplane land one last time? Check It had been over a decade since I had visited this historic museum. And being perfectly candid I ventured in waiting for an historic seaplane to land in the bay in front of it. I was going to use the fantail as my perch. I had forgotten how cool this place is. Tons of aircraft that are well restored and the docents are fantastic with the knowledge of the ship and aircraft. Plus the links to the Cold War era space program are not to be missed

Fantastic piece of naval/space and American history everyone should have a chance to see. Tickets are only $25 for adults and admission is free for children 6 and under. If you are lucky and the weather is good you'll be able to see across the Bay to SF. There are self guided and docent guided tours spanning 3 decks of the ship, including the flight deck, main hanger deck, and the deck immediately below. Plenty to see with historical and more modern aircraft including the F18 and F14 as well as older planes such as the Avenger torpedo bomber and Wildcat. There's even a plane cockpit that you can hop into for pictures. Also lots to explore on all the decks with the medbay and quarters/galley. There are areas which are more exclusive, Be advised that getting to the Bridge requires a paid docent tour and is restricted to ages 4 and older. There's a small café serving drinks and hoy food items off the grill such as hotdogs/burgers and sandwiches. Highly recommend to stop by to check this place our. You can easily spend 2 hours here at the very minimum.

Fun place to go for an outing. We went with family and our 4 year old niece. You can see how an aircraft carrier works and some of the history of the ship. They have an f14 tomcat like on top gun.

This museum rates five stars on two levels. One for presenting a factual history and storytelling of the USS hornet and the military for the last 70 years. It's a beautifully maintained place in the details that are presented to you in stories are beautiful. The other treasure of this ship and museum are the do the volunteers that give you an oral history of the ship and the people and the times most of them Veterans themselves. They're the heart and soul of this operation that makes it real for everyone that comes aboard. It is a true brotherhood between themselves too. You can tell it on their faces from the respect and knowledge that they share.

For me, this was a must visit. I applaud the folks that are keeping history alive. I took my two sons with me and they enjoyed the visit as well. I do suggest to add on one of the guided tours. You learn so much more!!

Everyone should experience this atleast once. Tickets online are $25 per person with a few discounts offered for students and seniors and military, and easy to book. This is self guided, but believe me there is something to learn at every corner, and if reading isn't really your thing, there are plenty of pictures, videos, and veteran volunteers walking around always willing to give some extra info. Please take advantage of the fact that they are walking around asking if you have questions, at first I didn't because I didn't want to bother them, but after a few hours, I started to ask small questions and the small "fun facts" they told us was quite interesting and wouldn't have known these things had we not talked to them. I encourage everyone to come and learn afew things, we spent about 3 hours, and lived every minute.

Everyone should see this. Very much a part of our nations history. Show casing the men and women existence and living quarters at sea serving our country.

Great museum for young and old alike. Wasn't very crowded. Unfortunately I don't think a wheel chair would be able to access and someone who needs assistance might find it challenging to get to various areas of the ship. Lots of stairs to get to other parts of the ship and even to the flight deck. So I'd recommend wearing comfortable shoes. I still highly recommend this activity to learn about history and hands on experiences. Many of the docents are veterans and have stories to share. There is a video presentation to watch and you can even sit inside of a cockpit of one of the planes. Not a huge place and it can occupy you for about 2-3 hours. Parking is on the dock. I really enjoyed it.

I don't know how you cannot give this Museum 5 Stars!!! They basically turned this whole Aircraft Carrier into a museum, and it's awesome!! Although you can't go everywhere on the ship, which is understandable, you can go to enough places on this huge ship that you feel like you've been everywhere!! Located in Alameda, It costs $25 for admission, well worth it!! Being ex military myself (U.S. Army) these types of places always make me recall my own military experiences as well. So you can go from the flight deck to the hanger and a few floors below. You will see the galley, meeting rooms, sleep quarters officers rooms, engine rooms, just a lot. There's also plaques throughout that explain things, videos also, lots of information!! You will also see plenty of different aircraft and spacecraft, different types of airplanes, helicopters and modules and capsules!! They also have guided tours, but I prefer my own self guided tour. The stairs down below are steep, so definitely watch your step!! But most of all, be prepared to spend a good amount of time here, because there is plenty to see!!

We traveled to San Francisco primarily to see people, not as tourists, so, I really didn't know what to expect when my husband suggesting sightseeing here. We quickly learned how brutal trying to park anywhere is, so it was great that it was not only spacious, but free here. I've never seen an aircraft carrier in real life before, so it didn't strike me as particularly large when we first arrived. Once we trekked aboard, though, I realized how misleading my initial perspective was. When I say trekked aboard, I mean, not only are there considerable stairs/ladders; it surprised me how not simple it was, given that I've boarded many very large ships before. When we got inside, we were quickly greeted by one of the many volunteer staff. She was eager to the point of asking whether we were going to just stand and gawk in the entryway, or come in. Yes, we were making our way to the ticket counter, lol...if she were a salesperson it would be annoying, but she was simply enthusiastic about the museum, and continued to tell us many things after we bought our entry. And there are many, many really amazing things to learn about the Hornet and its role in WWII. It's a CV-8 Yorktown-class carrier, the 7th US Navy vessel to carry its name. It's not just a stagnant, historical artifact. I was thrilled to see that they had a plane set up for visitors to actually go inside and "play" with. It's set up so that you watch the preamble video when you come in, and then board the plane beside the mini-theatre if you wish. There's a designated volunteer to assist you in and out of the plane, and, like many of the other volunteers there, an actual veteran. He answered a lot of questions, and gave plenty of interesting information. When he helped us out of the plane, we got the coolest souvenir - a little pin. How cool is earning your wings on a US WWII plane, on a US WWII carrier? The ship is so large, you can spend all day exploring the levels, sections, and other aircraft on board for display. The best surprise was the Apollo modules they actually have from participating in the Apollo 11 recovery mission (among other things.) If you're into Space Race history, you might be really excited to see the footprints of the astronauts painted onto the floor where they exited. They also have comprehensive exhibits on the Nisei veterans (American soldiers of Japanese ancestry), Anti-Submarine Warfare, and many other subjects. Last but not least, you can book a real overnight at the museum, or rent the venue. There is way too much to describe for a review, so I would highly recommend checking out their website for particulars. There is a gift shop to purchase souvenirs, but no food or beverages to purchase (and not really anyplace to eat on board, either) so you might want to take your other meal options into consideration before visiting. All in all, it was a super impressive attraction, and I'd go again if I ran out of other things to see as a tourist in San Francisco. 5/5 no question.

We visited the Hornet with my father in law. He had served on the ship about 60 years ago and wanted to visit the museum to relive his time on the ship. He got us a tour that included the living quarters and let me say- our guide did NOT disappoint. I don't recall his name, unfortunately, but he was so knowledgeable, friendly, and even took extra time with us. There is so much to learn from those who served and so much to experience on this ship. I highly recommend a visit, especially if you love history like I do!

As a history buff I loved this place. It's huge, lots of walking. It took me about 2.5 hours to explore the whole ship, minus the docent led tours which I want to go back and do. I don't think it's a good place to bring little kids that want to run around and jump on everything though. It was amazing to get to walk through a place like this and imagine how it was when it was fully operational. I felt really immersed while walking through the 2nd deck, with all its twists and turns and different rooms. A must visit! They also have water filling stations, plenty of bathrooms, a gift shop, and snack vending machines.

2 Nov.'24-10:17-Admission is a little pricey but well worth it. We spent 3 hours here wandering endless winding corridors. It seemed like we were only here an hour. So cool to see how US Navy personnel lived and worked on the Aircraft Carrier. We learned a lot and got our exercise too. You've got to be in pretty good shape to navigate all the corridors and ladders. Totally worth the $25 admission fee and highly recommended. Don't miss it and enjoy the great views of San Francisco Cal. on the flight deck.

This is a magical place, and it just keeps getting better. The first few times I went, they were still working on restoration. As they've made progress, more of the ship has been opened up, so you can now see more than just the planes in the hangar deck. Some of the spaces that are in progress are available for docent tours, which I haven't taken yet but am excited to. There are occasional special events. On Memorial Day, they had a vintage plane flyover. They also have a new year's celebration (which I have not yet attended) and the occasional party on the ship. Beyond naval aviation: The Hornet was the recovery ship for Apollo 11, so you can see the original quarantine trailer that the astronauts had to live in when they were brought aboard. As a bonus, the view of San Francisco off either the flight deck or the rear of the ship is awesome.

Fantastic local museum on an aircraft carrier! It's not for mobility impaired. So much of this huge ship is available to just wander. Beautiful views of San Francisco and the bay

What a great weekend to visit the Ship! Really puts into perspective what the Navy goes through and does. Shout out the Navy thank you for srrving and for Gods freedom may he bless this country!

A gem. Amazing history right here. Take the kids and don't miss this experience. Great space/ NAS artifacts too.

This was unique and interesting. It wasn't busy at all, despite it being Saturday, which made for a pleasant experience. The docents were nice and knowledgeable (and this was without using the guided tour). Walking around below deck really gives you a picture into what living on a boat would be like, and it felt cool to basically have the run of the ship to explore! I wish the island was included in your basic membership and wasn't extra, but that would be my only complaint.

This place was amazing! Went there with my Boy Scout troop And it was my first time, Great experience And ghost stores were awesome!

Really fun and interactive museum. You can walk the flight deck, bay, and winding hallways below deck. The docents are also friendly and informative. Many descriptive, helpful exhibits on life on the aircraft carrier, the adventures of the USS hornet, and the history of the navy. Do note though that the stairs going between decks are very narrow and steep. I'm not sure how accessible the museum is for strollers or wheelchairs

Between the Hornet, Midway in San Diego I liked the hornet exhibit the best, not in the nicest location like Midway, it just felt more real to me. We have also seen yorktown charlest which was a great exhibit, and the lexington in Texas, only one more to go in New York no time soon. Great for the kids, but for us old farts a lot of climbing.

Did an overnight ghost tour, on the USS Hornet and it was so much fun. The staff is friendly and knowledgeable of the ship's history.

This is an incredible experience for the whole family! It's massive so wear comfortable shoes and a coat for when you hit the upper deck with views of San Francisco!

Have you ever wondered what's inside the USS Hornet in Alameda? Let's GO!! We decided to check out USS Hornet - Sea, Air and Space Museum. If you like the movie TOP Gun, then this place is for you, minus Tom Cruise. lol The aircrafts on the flight deck was so cool. Though there was a little eerie feeling while exploring the lower decks of the naval ship. The top deck was spacious to run around or just chill and watch the ocean. There were a lot of veterans on board to answer any of your questions, super friendly. Definitely a cool place to bring the family or on a date.

I had applied to become a Volunteer at the museum I had worked for the museum from 1998-2011, i left the museum to take care of a family member that had health problems, after several years i decided to return to the museum the volunteer director in her email says it would be wounderfull that i became a vollunter , but a few days before my NVO meeting (new volunteer meeting ) ,I receved a email from the museum , they decided that after much consideration that they did not want me to again work for the museum ,its been14 years since i had worked for the museum , i do not know what's going on , i tryed to get clarafication i was told stop emailing and if i continued the email i was using would be blocked . there are outher museums and places to go , I wish them the best of luck with the current state of the economy the current staff are not the same people who fought the us navy from scrapping a historic WWII aircraft carrier and worked to preserve it for future generations, there people are running the museum for profit, the docent led tours years ago were free

We were looking for something fun to do in the Bay Area and came across this on yelp. I really can't believe I haven't been here. First parking is free! You're literally boarding a ship it was so cool. I had two adults and one child in my party. The price was $40. My son was free and he's 5. I loved how you literally got to explore the entire ship on your own. You got a feel for real history and how they lived. You can even go outside it was very nice. There's a ton on walking do wear walking shoes. If anyone you know is into history this is a great gift. I highly recommend coming here even if you have no kids this is a fun activity for all ages. There was a man who gave my son a pin with wings it was so special. This is a must stop if you're in the Bay Area.

I'm really not a military history buff. Could you tell? Despite rumor, I wasn't alive during WWII, so my only memories of wartime combat came from Hollywood. My reason for coming here was rather incidental as I was strolling around the new Alameda Point Waterfront Park (review: https://bit.ly/3bfUGH0) and knew this was just down the road on the part of the island unfamiliar to me. It's quite an aircraft carrier to behold and it was built in the early 1940's back when my mom was a riveter in a Japanese Zero factory. Hey, we all had our loyalties. It's been parked here as a museum since 1998. You enter by way of an elevated gangway. Admission is $20, which struck me as a tad pricey for looking at a lot of battle-fatigued metal and historic aircraft, though students and seniors only have to pay $15. She charged me $15 without asking for my ID. It made me realize I should amp up my moisturizer. Once I was onboard, a docent led me to a video screen where I watched a vintage ten-minute film of the ship's history. From there, I was free to roam the three open floors of the ship. I decided to start with the flight deck by precariously climbing the stairs. There was little to see except some isolated aircraft and a unique view of the bay. Most of the historic aircraft is on the hangar deck as are the Apollo 11 artifacts like the command module and the quarantine trailer from which I remember Neil, Buzz, and Mike peeking through the window after their flight to the moon (photo: https://bit.ly/3HQHuES). The first deck below was the most claustrophobic area because it shows how the crew lived their daily lives onboard the ship. I can't say everyone would enjoy touring the Hornet. Even I was having trouble with some of the WWII memorabilia being displayed since it celebrated the number of planes shot down (photo: https://bit.ly/3Ojy7jB). That comes with looking backward at history, right? RELATED - Exploring Alameda? Here's a collection of places I've visited and reviewed: https://bit.ly/2Ik8mky

Really cool old ship that you can pretty much explore on your own. Everything is super realistic and pretty much left as you would see it back in WWII. Wandering around the sick bay I can easily get lost in these fluorescent, dimly lit hallways. It was pretty spooky. I think they have overnight adventure options (totally not my thing), but cool if you're into that. One thing I will mention is that it's not very accessible for small children and babies. The ship is full of steep staircases and dangerous ladders. Definitely not stroller friendly! We carried our baby around and kept a close eye on the toddler. If you don't feel like chasing around children then I recommend coming here on your own so you can really explore and take things in.

Such an impressive big ship! Walking inside brings you back into the heroic history. The stairs are very steep and narrow. It's very cold and windy walking on the deck but the view is amazing.You can see the whole San Francisco bay and the Golden Gate bridge on the deck. It's not crowded even at weekends. Easy to park. Bathrooms are very clean. Not wheelchair or stroller friendly.

This was a fun tour! Not only the aircraft, that was on display, but the walking tour of this carrier really answered questions about life and operations aboard a U.S. Carrier.

I visited the USS Hornet a few weeks ago with my family. Tickets are $20 for adults. The museum, has several military aircraft on board to view. We were able to check out the living quarters below deck where the sailors would sleep. There's a chapel, kitchen/cafeteria facilities, medical ward etc. It was an awesome experience checking this historical museum. My favorite was seeing the old military apparel. At the gift shop they sell the Astronaut Neopolitan Ice Cream Sandwich, and I bought one to try. It was pretty cool, it tasted like a meringue wafer lol. Cool museum to visit if you're in the Alameda area.

Other than it being historic, the gift shop is a rip off, the kids like it because they're kids and don't understand. Don't waste your money on the gift shop plus gift shop guy was rude, uninviting, he looked like he hated his job, everyone else looks retired and enjoy their little hobby volunteering. The planes are cheaply made, were broken when box got opened. Save your money and across the bridge where it's free.

Unfortunately I made two tries to visit the Hornet. Ist on a Thursday morning, and again on a Saturday morning. Both times I was unable to tour. Thursday closed and on the 24th, a Saturday, only special local people were holding an event for Memorial Day weekend. I was in town from Kentucky and could only visit at certain times. I was told that if I paid $50.00 unsteady of the senior rate on Saturday, I could take the tour. No rating. Unfortunately a waste of my time. But I did research the carriers history and praise the sailors for their service. Nick F.

Cost of the food at the snack stand,half the displays empty rooms ,paid $ 25.00 to see dust

Fantastic museum dedicated to the men who served aboard this ship. The museum is well kept and you can see the living quarters, mess areas, and battle stations for the Hornet which served our country with distinction in the Pacific Theater during World War II. If you're a tourist and visiting from San Francisco, I would recommend going on a Friday as there's a seaplane ferry that delivers you nearly close to the Hornet. Otherwise. If you go on a Saturday or Sunday you'll have to catch the regular ferry, which is a 37 minute walk (which we did, but did wish we had the short walk!). The only issue I had about the visit is that not once did anyone stop us to see if we had any questions or needed directions or anything. And we were on board for a couple of hours. Even the guys at the snack bar were too busy looking at their phones to notice we were standing there. Oh well. Other than that it was an absolute thrill to learn more about this incredible piece of US history and would recommend it to anyone who wants to know more.

Be honest to the staff and volunteers,review why the museum was creates and not to be a for profit organization

Welcome aboard the USS Hornet (CV-12). Amazing visit to the USS Hornet (CV-12), an Essex-class aircraft carrier which was built to serve the United States Navy during World War II. She was the eighth battleship to be named the USS Hornet. She was named to honor the fallen USS Hornet (CV-8) which sunk at the Battle of Santa Cruz Islands while protecting US forces holding Guadalcanal. Watch the movie or ask a guide (who may have served) to learn more about her role in history in the Pacific during World War II, the Korean War, Vietnam and the Space Race to the Moon. During World War II, she was assigned to the Fast Carrier Task Force, the navy's primary offensive force during the Pacific War. She is one of the most decorated ships of the US Navy. The USS Hornet (CV-12) was awarded nine Battle Stars for Pacific service in World War II. Under air attack 59 times, she was never seriously damaged. She played a major role in Pacific amphibious landings and airstrikes with many pilots achieving "Ace in a Day" status. After World War II, she helped bring the troops back to the US in Operation Magic Carpet. During the Apollo program on July 24, 1969, the USS Hornet recovered Apollo 11 astronauts, Buzz Aldrin, Neil Armstrong and Mike Collins, as they returned from their historic walk on the moon. She recovered Apollo 12 astronauts Charles Conrad, Jr., Alan L. Bean, and Richard F. Gordon, Jr. a few months later. Today, you can tour this historic aircraft carrier and explore the flight deck, planes in the hangar, sickbay, crew quarters, torpedo room, mess hall and more. Learn about Women in the Military, the Space Race and Apollo Splashdown and the Evolution of Aircraft carriers. Take a guided tour to hear about life on the USS Hornet and access some behind the scenes areas. Enjoy the beautiful bay views from the flight deck. We used a reciprocal benefits with NARM for admission which is usually $20 per adult. Plenty of parking. Such an interesting part of history.

One of the best museum visits i have ever had. Fantastic history events heald by Veterans. Loved every minute and can't wait to go back.

Really great if you're into aviation or history in general. If you check in on Yelp, there's a 10% discount, which I didn't find out until afterwards but I don't mind paying the full price as it goes towards the museum. It was super cool to see all the planes and inside the ship. Now, if you've been to the USS Midway Museum in San Diego, this may be a bit underwhelming. The flight deck only had 1 plane up there which was a bit disappointing since I was expecting a handful displayed up there similar to the USS Midway. I wish that they had more signage around the ship! It's quite easy to get lost while exploring (we got a bit lost and turned around a few times). You can also do a paid tour which gives you access to some closed off areas of the ship.

For the 4th of July this year we made a little family trip to tour the USS Hornet. They also have an afternoon plane fly over by some old war planes. We explored every inch of the ship. If it wasn't blocked off by "Do not Enter" signs we were in there checking everything out. My grandfather was once stationed on this ship. Not sure when or what he did on the ship other than be a cook. Sadly he is no longer with us for me to ask. It was a fascinating trip. The bunks were really cool to see. The torpedo room also, really awesome. They have some things associated with one of the Apollo missions. The flight deck is massive. There were so many people on the ship to see the fly over. I'm not sure the number but there were a lot of people. If you haven't been make a date to come. It doesn't have to be on a specials day like the 4th of July.

Not hands on kid friendly. No aircraft or partial aircraft for kids to pretend and play in. Nice layout. F-14 tomcat wasn't WW II era but nice to look at. They should add safety fencing and open up the gun turrets to pretend play in for kids.

We were there for the Valentine's Dance with Death and Taxes Swing Band. The dance floor was full the whole night. We danced for a long time. There was a photographer there for us to stop by and get our picture taken for pickup within a half hour. We arrived late due to an accident in the Alameda tunnel and so we waited in line for snacks and drinks when we arrived. Airplanes inside all over. The bathrooms were a short walk and clean. We had seats where there was an open panel of the ship, so it was cold when we were at our table. There was parking there. A stairway and walkway into the ship, but the option of an elevator. View of Oakland, the Bay Bridge and San Francisco from the top deck. A night we won't forget.

My husband and I loved visiting this museum! Being in the ship itself was so cool. We loved seeing all the jets, helicopters, and Apollo memorabilia. Absolutely wonderful experience. We especially loved getting to speak with Bob upstairs. He was extremely knowledgeable, so friendly, and had incredible personal experience to share regarding his families history with the war. We will definitely be back and hope to see Bob again!

So much history and so close to home! We just did the standard entry for $20 and I was absolutely amazed at how much of the ship we were allowed to wander through on our own. Learning about the USS Hornets involvement in the Apollo Lunar missions was fascinating. You can't go wrong spending the afternoon here!

A truly interesting floating museum with a wealth of history. Walking into the ship, you're immediately greeted by all sorts of aircrafts and a small section where a guide covers the history of the ship and it's contribution to the war. Even if you're not into military history, there are a ton of exhibits and displays which will capture you. You can navigate your way through the ship and have free range over a good portion of it if it isn't blocked off or reserved for paid tours. My daughter loves airplanes and I'm glad we were able to bring her on board.

Glorious history, too much to see in one visit. I just had a few hours to spend today, and that is obviously way too little. There's a great history to this famous aircraft carrier, and you just can't appreciate the full thing in one visit. They have knowledgeable docents who will take you around a few areas, or you can just walk around on your own. You can visit the crew quarters, sickbay, the mess hall, and lots of other places. I did not see the brig, but they said if I misbehave I could get a closer look at it. This is the ship that retrieved the famous Apollo Astronauts. You can see one of the containment units, where the astronauts had to live for a few weeks when they came back from their mission. So all in all, an excellent visit. Just plan on coming back again.

My friend that was visiting from out of state, his dad served on this ship during WW ll so we just had to visit it. I've been to several of these ships and I really enjoy them, just love hearing stories of these ships. There is a small fee and you can just do a self tour of the ship. There are veterans on-site that actually served on the ship that can answer all questions.

July 20, 2019, just an incredible day on the Hornet celebrating the ships and personnel involvement in recovering the Apollo 11 Astronauts after their return from walking on the moon. I drove up from Los Angeles to be part of the celebration. Many of the men that participated in the recovery and quarantine were present and spoke about their experiences. NASA brought in moon rocks. They opened up the Apollo 14 Quarantine Airstream Trailer for people to come on. The Post Office was there selling their just released Man on the Moon Forever Stamps with a USS Hornet Cancellation Stamp on the back. The ship was packed and the best was hearing from people that were on the ship that day and what it was like welcoming the Apollo 11 crew back with President Nixon on board and a nationwide TV audience.

Like history? Like boats? Like space travel? Like the military? Then you will love the USS Hornet Museum. And let's be clear: the museum is on the USS Hornet. Some of the aircraft carrier was modified for the general public, but most of it is left just the way it was when it picked up Apollo XI from its trip to the moon. Narrow doors and hallways, bunks three high, keeping the chapel/library and medical center the way it was, and very steep & narrow staircases. The hangar areas are huge, with some of the fighter jets and tanks to see up close, and you can go on top to enjoy the fresh bay air and a view of San Francisco's Financial District. Fittingly, the sound system was playing Berlin singing "Take My Breath Away" from "Top Gun". Tours are available, we took none when we went. Book & gift store between the entrance and exit. The moon angle is played up, and one room is set up like a 1969 living room with a TV showing footage of the moon landing and a picture of President Nixon looking distinguished. The Hornet has various events throughout the year. Their New Years Eve party looks like a lot of fun. The girl and I went to the first-ever Carrier Con, a cosplay & anime festival that was a little boring, but she enjoyed getting her photo with Princess Leia, Rae, Supergirl, and some of her anime heroes. The USS Hornet is a piece of history that is worth seeing.