USS Hornet Sea, Air & Space Museum

707 W. Hornet Ave., Pier 3, Alameda Point, Alameda. Thur-M 10-5. $25, 65+ $15, 7-17 $10. Tours +$12.

exterior of USS Hornet Sea, Air & Space Museum in Alameda, California

Stretching the length of three football fields and reaching 11 stories high, this immense vessel served as an aircraft carrier from 1943 to 1970. She is now a National Historic Landmark and known as the USS Hornet Sea, Air & Space Museum. The oil-fired Hornet was known as the “Grey Ghost” during World War II and could outrun anything. She holds an unequaled combat record for destroying enemy aircraft and sinking enemy ships. She survived 59 air attacks without getting hit, and she was the primary recovery vessel for the Apollo 11 and 12 moon missions in 1969. Nowadays, vets lead fascinating tours, and a dynamite view of San Francisco is enjoyed from the flight deck. Great photo ops abound.

On Living Ship Day (the third Saturday of the month) the radar tower turns, the loud-speakers spit out messages, and the extraordinarily fast airplane elevator carries fighter planes up and down from the hold to the deck. You can sign-up for an overnight, but be aware that the vessel is reputed to be haunted by the ghosts of still restless airmen. Big Band Dance programs are sometimes scheduled