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Submarine Force Museum
Rating Details »
- Hours:
Mon. 9:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.
Tue. 1:00 p.m. - 5:00 p.m.
Wed-Sun. 9:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.
- Good for Kids:
- Yes
6 reviews for Submarine Force Museum
I wasn't expecting a lot when I came here, so I was very pleasantly surprised. My father and I were looking for something to do during the day in the area and decided to come here. My grandfather was in a submarine during World War II, so we had a little bit of an outside interest.
It was extremely informative and we definitely learned a lot about the history of submarines and what it was like to be in one. The best part, however, was that we got to go into the Nautilus submarine which is docked outside the building. There was audio for us to listen to as we walked through the vessel and it very much put it into perspective how much gets accomplished in such a tight space. I knew it was crowded down there, but to be able to see it up close was really neat.
I'm very interested in history and technology, so this was an obvious choice for me. I was a little concerned my wife would be bored but she actually enjoyed it.
The museum and sub tour are absolutely free. Everything is self-guided and at your leisure. The staff is very enthusiastic and ready to answer all your questions.
I knew when I walked in the door and saw a ten plus foot model of the Disney Nautilus suspended in the foyer that I would enjoy this museum! The museum has many exhibits about the history of the US submarine fleet, and some are even interactive and good for kids, including periscopes and touchscreens. Many of the items are real and may be touched. Everything was in good repair, except the set of microphone/headsets (and that might have been due to user-error...) There is also a film (not to be confused with the video presentation) which we didn't have time to see.
The submarine itself includes a broadcast audio tour which repeats in each section, so you can spend as long as you like in each area. The audio tour is a bit vague and will take you through a broad area very quickly, so don't worry if you don't see what it's talking about right away. You'll find whatever it is a little further down the way. I was really surprised at how much there is to see in the sub, considering it's only a small portion of the interior. Also, it's nice that photography is allowed.
We went soon after opening, which was just right. The sub began to get crowded right as we left, but we were lucky enough to enjoy ourselves. As I said, it's all at your own pace, and although you could speed through in an hour, I'd really recommend setting aside two hours to get a good overview. There isn't any food, so eat beforehand or bring a snack.
Also, be careful leaving. It's a working military base, and the oncoming base traffic doesn't seem to pay attention to cars leaving the museum, and might even drive right into you.
The museum is right alongside the base, so you can pull into the fairly large parking lot and look down the shore at the real subs. Very cool.
The museum is free, my friend and I went there after she got off duty. She had not been, but we both saw it and figured might as well see what it's all about. We were greeted by some very nice men who told us that yes she could be there in uniform, and reminded us we only had until 3:45 or something to get onto the USS Nautilus and do the tour.
We wandered around for a bit, took the tour, looked out over the water, and enjoyed the sights and sounds of what the history of life and times of these people were/are like. Interesting. This is a good place for kids, they have all kinds of interesting features, a movie, periscopes (that's the right word, right?) and stuff to play with and then all kinds of things in the gift shop that you conveniently have to walk through to get to the exit. I smashed a quarter in the machine they had to have a souvenir.
The museum is next to the Submarine Base, where I was based. Tell alot about history of submarines. Now, I'm back in San Francisco. The first Nuclear Submarine, USS Nautilus is decommissioned right here.
People thought this was:
- Useful (2)
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This is an awesome museum for kids. There is so much to do here including visiting the USS Nautilus, a decomisioned nuclear submarine. Best of all, the museum is free!
People thought this was:
- Cool (1)
this is a great museum, especially since its free! as a navy wife, i loved coming here with my husband and learned alot about his career as a submariner. When you walk in, your greeted by friendly sub vets willing to answer any of your questions. The USS Nautilus, the first nuclear submarine, is outside as part of the museum to take a look into. The submarine is not handicapped accessible but they have a video to show you the inside if you can't make it in. If your chlosterphobic obviously don't go down there, my friend freaked out and had to leave! There is also a gift shop with alot of nice souveniers.