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USS Hornet Museum

707 West Hornet Avenue, Alameda, California

Description

The USS Hornet Museum consists of the aircraft carrier USS Hornet (built for the US Navy during WW2), retired military aircraft and exhibits from the NASA Apollo Moon exploration missions. Self-guided tours have access to the flight, hangar and first decks whilst docent-led tours also take visitors into the ship's navigation system, flight deck control area and the propulsion turbines section. The link with the Apollo mission is that USS Hornet was selected as the prime recovery ship for the Apollo 11 and 12 missions.

Access & Transport

The USS Hornet is docked at the former Naval Air Station Alameda, just to the southwest of Oakland, California. Plenty of free parking next to it. There are direct ferry crossing form San Francisco Ferry Building and downtown Oaklan is only 5km away. By bus, take the #78 from 'Fruitvale' station in Oakland or #96 stops close by at 'Pacific Av & Main St'. Refer to this web page for accessibility info: https://uss-hornet.org/accessibility-information

Instructions & Recommendations

There are general admission tickets as well as daily tours. Min. height for the latter is 4 feet (~122cm)

Meta review

A lot of military / navy buffs visiting but not only. Online reviewers state that there is a good selection of planes on the flight deck and that the ship has been well restored, close to what it would have been during its years in service. The historical aspect during WW2 and the Apollo missions is a definite plus. Visitors who have taken the docent tours thought it was worth the extra fee and enjoyed the knowledgeable and passionate guides.

Environmental & Social

Repurposing of a ship so quite neutral from an environmental perspective (as long as it does not move and aircraft don't fly). Helps preserve a "technical heritage" and volunteers share their passion and knowledge.

Conclusion

If you are in the San Francisco Bay area and have never been on an aircraft carrier and/or have a particular interest in the Apollo Moon Landing missions, we strongly recommend a visit there. Not very difficult to reach, impressive and educational. Upgrade to the tours if you can.

Key positive

Visually extremely impressive, including the aircraft on deck

Apollo Mission exhibits and splashdowns related stories

Key negative

None

Suitability

Only partially accessible to visitors with reduced mobility because of the stairs and ladders between decks

About this Rating

TYPE

Desktop

RESEARCHED IN

Updated in July 2023

PROVIDER

Koreval

Included Items
None
Timing
Duration of visit
Last admission at 16h00. Closed on Thanksgiving, 25 Dec and 01 Jan

av. transport time:0h 30m

est. visit time:1h 30m

Regulated hours

Monday10:00 - 17:00

Tuesday -

Wednesday -

Thursday -

Friday10:00 - 17:00

Saturday10:00 - 17:00

Sunday10:00 - 17:00

Pricing
Age band
Age band
Regular price / pers.
Senior
65 - 99
US$15
Adult
18 - 64
US$20
Teen & Young
7 - 17
US$10
Child
3 - 6
US$0
Infant
0 - 2
US$0
Price for students is $15

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