WWII Liberty Ship and Submarine Pampanito – Dive Into WWII History at Fisherman’s Wharf

When your small-group sightseeing tour in San Francisco cruises through Fisherman’s Wharf, you’ll spot two historic naval giants docked along the waterfront: the SS Jeremiah O’Brien and the USS Pampanito. These vessels aren’t just relics — they’re floating museums that honor the service and sacrifice of those who fought in World War II.

If you’re a fan of history, naval technology, or just love uncovering San Francisco’s hidden gems, this is one stop you don’t want to miss on your custom San Francisco tour.

Liberty ships were the unsung heroes of WWII logistics — sturdy, swift to build, and essential to victory. The SS Jeremiah O’Brien is one of the last remaining fully operational Liberty ships in existence, out of the 2,710 built during the war.

Moored at Pier 35, she serves as a living museum where visitors can explore nearly every inch of the ship — from the cavernous cargo holds to the sunlit flying bridge.

• • She’s operational! On special “Steaming Weekends,” the O’Brien’s powerful triple-expansion steam engine is fired up and runs just like it did in 1944.

  • She’s historic. The O’Brien participated in the D-Day landings in Normandy and returned there decades later for commemorative events.

  • She’s immersive. Step into the engine room, peer into crew quarters, and experience the sounds, smells, and sensations of life at sea during WWII.

Whether you walk her decks on a dockside visit or witness her engine roar to life, the SS Jeremiah O’Brien is a time machine floating right in the heart of San Francisco.

Just down the waterfront at Historic Pier 45, the USS Pampanito rests quietly, but her stories are anything but silent.

This diesel-electric submarine, meticulously restored to its wartime condition, completed six combat patrols in the Pacific during World War II. During that time, she sank six enemy ships and damaged several others, playing a critical role in the Allied victory.

• • Audio Tours: Self-guided audio experiences let you follow in the footsteps of the crew, exploring torpedo rooms, sleeping quarters, and the conning tower.

  • Hands-On Learning: Kids and adults alike can touch the controls, peer through periscopes, and really get a feel for submarine life.

  • Overnight Programs: For an unforgettable night, book the popular submarine sleepover and spend the evening exactly where sailors once stood watch under the Pacific.

You don’t have to be a history buff to be blown away by the tight quarters, complex equipment, and human stories that fill every inch of the Pampanito.

Both vessels are docked along the San Francisco waterfront, making them an easy stop on any private San Francisco city tour.

SS Jeremiah O’Brien
Pier 35, The Embarcadero, San Francisco, CA 94133
SS Jeremiah O’Brien Website

USS Pampanito
Historic Pier 45, Fisherman’s Wharf, San Francisco, CA
Open daily from 10 AM to 6 PM
USS Pampanito Website

Visiting the SS Jeremiah O’Brien and USS Pampanito isn’t just a nostalgic walk down memory lane. It’s a hands-on education in courage, engineering, and endurance.

These vessels represent the enormous effort behind the Allied victory, and the lives of the people who served aboard them. From merchant mariners hauling critical supplies across the Atlantic to submariners navigating the perilous Pacific, their stories come alive on these ships.

• • How America’s wartime shipbuilding boom changed the course of the war

  • The daily routines — and extraordinary risks — of Navy crews in combat

  • The inner workings of WWII-era maritime engineering

Whether you explore them in depth or simply admire them from the deck of your open-air Jeep, here are a few experiences worth checking out:

• • Steaming Weekends on the O’Brien: A rare opportunity to see a 1940s-era steam engine in action — loud, powerful, and thrilling!

  • Interactive Audio Tour of the Pampanito: Discover crew stories, missions, and close calls with enemy forces through a deeply immersive audio guide.

  • Historic Pier 45: Take a stroll around the pier after your tour. There’s more maritime magic nearby, including exhibits, shops, and even more hidden history.

• The SS Jeremiah O’Brien was built in just 56 days in South Portland, Maine — part of a revolutionary assembly-line shipbuilding process.

• She returned to Normandy for both the 50th and 60th anniversaries of D-Day, still fully seaworthy.

• The USS Pampanito’s sleepover program lets families or scout groups sleep onboard and eat Navy rations for a true sailor’s experience.

• Liberty ships like the O’Brien were so vital that losing even one could mean mission failure — every voyage was a high-stakes journey.

Both the SS Jeremiah O’Brien and USS Pampanito are visible from your Jeep as you cruise along Fisherman’s Wharf on a private, small-group San Francisco sightseeing tour. Our local guides point out these important landmarks and share their fascinating backstories.

And if you’re curious to explore further, you can always plan a return visit for an in-depth walk-through — we’ll even drop a few pro tips on where to grab a chowder bread bowl afterward!

Hop into an open-air Jeep and experience the city’s storied past in style. From waterfront legends like the Pampanito and O’Brien to breathtaking views of the Golden Gate Bridge, a private San Francisco Jeep Tour makes history come alive.

Book your private tour today and discover what makes San Francisco’s maritime legacy so unforgettable.