Berkeley
The Berkeley is a steamboat ferry which is part of the Maritime Museum. The Victorian styled 1898 Berkeley operated for 60 years ferrying people around the San Francisco Bay and has been docked in the San Diego Bay since 1973. Now a California State Historic Landmark and National Historic Landmark, the Berkeley is one of San Diego's finest treasures.
As part of the Maritime Museum in downtown San Diego, the Berkeley houses the museum's offices, model shop, workshop, a maritime research library, the museum store, and a special events room for up to 800 people. The triple expansion steam engine has been fully restored so visitors can marvel at its operations. Although no longer steam powered, the system is now functional using hydraulics and compressed air.
Visitors also get to see the many full time exhibits displayed in five galleries. These five galleries reflect major themes of maritime history and how it relates to San Diego and the San Diego Bay's strategic location in the Pacific Ocean. The permanent exhibits include the Age of Sail, Age of Steam, Charting the Sea, Harvesting the Ocean, and San Diego's Navy. In addition, art exhibits relating to sailing are offered to Berkeley visitors. The art exhibits change regularly throughout the year and often involve photography.
The Berkeley's upper deck has hosted thousands of special events including weddings and corporate gatherings. Visiting the Berkeley will give you a chance to see a historic iron and steel hulled ship and one of the greatest 19th century ferryboats that is still floating in the entire world.