USS Pampanito in San Francisco

The USS Pampanito was a US Navy ship that operated during the tail end of World War II and completed 6 war patrols between 1944 and 1945. The submarine was later used as a training ship for the US Naval Reserve before retiring and being used as a memorial for the San Francisco Maritime National Park Association.

Currently, the USS Pampanito can be found at Pier 45 in the Fisherman’s Wharf area of San Francisco. It receives over 100,000 visitors a year who come to the museum to take tours and see what life was like aboard a submarine during the mid-1940s. As you’re walking through the submarine, noticing how cramped it might feel to live there, keep in mind that 80 adult men lived there during the war. In addition to the regular daily tourists, the museum also hosts around 1,500 people for an educational day and night program all about the Pampanito.

USS Pampanito in San Francisco - one of the highlights of 12 Best Museums in San Francisco (Read all about San Francisco here)

Highlights of USS Pampanito

One of the highlights of the USS Pampanito tour is taking in the sheer size of things around you, and the juxtaposition of how the outside of the submarine makes you feel small, yet the inside of the ship can make you feel cramped. While the submarine might not be among the largest in the historic fleets, it is still large enough to dwarf anyone standing on the dock next to it.

Taking the tour and seeing the submarine is only part of the experience. Learning about the history of the ship and its role in World War II, as well as its crew's personal stories, is an incredible experience. This could be especially interesting for the younger generation that didn't experience the war or as a nostalgic and illuminating experience for those who are familiar with the "Over There" years.

History of USS Pampanito

The USS Pampanito was launched from Kittery, Maine, on July 12, 1943, to make its way to what would become its homeport, Pearl Harbor, Hawaii. The ship arrived on February 14, 1944, and set off for its first war patrol on March 5, 1944. The first 5 of its 6 patrols had the USS Pampanito engaging with enemy ships, sinking many. On its last patrol, it only sighted 1 target but did not engage.

Upon the return to Pearl Harbor after that 6th war patrol, the USS Pampanito was sent to San Francisco at the end of the war and was decommissioned on December 15, 1945. It stayed there until it was used for training beginning in April 1960. In 1986, the USS Pampanito was listed on the National Register of Historic Places, declared to be a National Historic Landmark, and moored at Pier 45.

Good to know about USS Pampanito

The USS Pampanito is moored in the lively Fisherman’s Wharf area, which is home to many other exciting attractions. You could visit the USS Jeremiah O'Brien, a World War II ship and museum, or tour the Cartoon Art Museum, an intriguing museum with cartoon and comic art on display. The Fisherman’s Wharf is also a famous tourist attraction in its own right and boasts a great selection of food and entertainment. You'll find many museums and attractions within walking distance from the USS Pampanito, such as Ripley’s Believe It or Not! and Madame Tussauds Wax Museum.

Before heading out for the day, check online to help plan for a smoother outing by finding directions to Fisherman’s Wharf and the best places to park. You can also see what other attractions are at the Wharf and in the surrounding area, so that way you can plan out your entire day's sightseeing itinerary.

photo by Superchilum (CC BY-SA 3.0) modified

Location: Pier 45 Fisherman’s Wharf, San Francisco, CA, 94133, USA

Open: Daily 9 am to 6 pm

Phone: +1 415-775-1943

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