USS Hornet Aircraft Carrier Museum
one of the most famous ships in history

The USS Hornet aircraft carrier gives a true feel for the exciting days of yesteryear. It’s immense and very real. You can easily spend 3 entertaining hours just wandering around the many decks, exhibits and old war planes.  This is a very convenient (see map below) and entertaining way to learn history.

The Hornet fought in many major battles during WWII (including Iwo Jima, Okinawa, and one early on where it alone sunk an entire Japanese military convoy of 11 war vessels). Later it served in Korea and Vietnam. On July 24, 1969, the Hornet with President Nixon on board recovered the Apollo 11 astronauts from the first moon landing mission. It is now a floating museum in Alameda.

Several of the biggest of many events held on the Hornet each year are the Big Band Swing Dance fundraisers, held on 3 dance floors within the enclosed heated hanger deck, for in excess of 1200 party goers. Voted one of the best places to dance to swing music in the Bay Area. Three of the most popular events are the Halloween Monster Bash (in costume), the annual New Years Eve Party (in period costume) and the 4th of July Celebration,.  See the hiddenSF.com Events page, near the proper time of year for more details.

phone: 510-521-8448
links:  website, wikipedia, yelp

more notes:

• Groupon discounts, for 50% off, admission for 2 for $20, are often available.
• This particular USS Hornet, the CV-12, in service from 1943-1970, was the last in a long line of 8 warships. Its predecessor, the CV-8, was used to launch the Doolittle air raid on Japan in April 1942 before being sunk later that year. The very first Hornet was a ten-gun square-rigged sailing worship commissioned in 1775 to serve during the American Revolutionary War.
  USS Hornet, 707 W Hornet Ave, Pier 3, Alameda CA (note:  Click satellite version of map and enlarge by double clicking to see a good top view of the ship)

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• SF East Bay Map of Best Things To Do
• San Francisco Bay Area Maps of Best Things To Do
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