This past weekend we went to see the aircraft carrier USS Hornet. It is located in Alameda, California and is directly across the bay from San Francisco. From the ship there is a great view of the city. It was so much fun to step back in time and experience a whole lot of history. The Museum's website USS Hornet has all the information you might need to plan a trip.
Three decks of the carrier are available for open exploration. They are the flight deck, the hanger deck and the second deck.
We went on two guided tours while we were there. The tours were free, but space was limited and we had to sign up for them early as soon as we came on board. One tour was below deck in the engine rooms and the other went above the flight deck into the "Island". They were both great tours that were led by retired Navy officers who enjoyed telling of their adventures.
Engine room
Galley
The Island
There was food and beverages on board on the hanger deck and bathrooms were available throughout the ship. There is a lot of climbing that can be done on step steps, so be sure to wear comfortable, flat shoes to take full advantage of this awesome opportunity. It is WAY bigger than anyone can possibly imagine, so come prepared to get some good exercise! There were lots of places to sit and rest in most areas, but not on every area of the tours. The below deck tour was longer that above deck tour and depending on the guide can take two hours or more. If you plan on staying on some of the outside decks for any length of time some sunscreen application before you arrive might be advisable.
