Prior to the construction of the Golden Gate Bridge and the Bay Bridge, this historic ferry-pier was the primary automobile ferry terminal that connected San Francisco with both Marin County and the East Bay. A fleet of six historic vessels are on display on the pier. Some are available for a self-guided tour, others by docent-led tours. On payment of the $5 National Park Service fee several can be boarded, depending on tides; kids can join for free. Among the ships you can see are the Balclutha, an 1886 steel-hulled square rigged sailing ship, the Eureka, an 1890 steam ferryboat (which also has an exhibit of antique cars on board), the C.A. Thayer, an 1895 lumber schooner, and the Hercules, a 1907 steam tug.