So Much More Than a Sandwich - Tour the USS Pampanito Submarine

If you’re looking for something to do with the kids over Spring Break, look no further. Go to visit the USS Pampanito, located at Pier 45, Fisherman’s Wharf. USS Pampanito is a World War II submarine museum and memorial that is open to visitors daily.

Pampanito is being restored to a specific point in time (Summer, 1945), to represent the height of WW II submarine development. The Maritime Park Association has scoured the country searching for missing equipment and spare parts, and almost all of the missing items have been replaced and much of the equipment has been restored to operation.

Even though it survived six war patrols in the Pacific and an at-sea rescue of 73 POWS, the Pampanito is no match for wind and salt. Every seven years the San Francisco Mar8iitime National Park Association hauls the 300-foot submarine from its perch and restores it, piece by piece, to its WW II era glory. This meticulous upkeep and respect for original detail have earned the vessel its status as a Nat9ional Historic Landmark. While the crews keep the exterior in ship-shape, the curators use the interior as a gallery for historic artifacts that tell about the ship’s accomplishments and the men who ran it.

The restored Pampanito hosts more than 110,000 visitors every year, and is one of the most popular historic vessels in the country. Now you can experience the letters, memorabilia and oral histories with the audio tour. The museum also has a number of educational programs and guided tours. You can even have your child’s birthday party aboard the submarine. As if all this isn’t good enough, Groupon has a deal for a Submarine Tour for Two or a Family for Six.