USS HORNET : Special Events Capabilities

Welcome to the San Francisco Bay Area's newest and most unique venue, located less than 30 minutes by bus or ferry from downtown San Francisco. The aircraft carrier USS HORNET, one of the most decorated ships in naval history, is a National Historical Landmark that is available for corporate entertaining and a variety of special events.

Whether your gathering is a trade show,
a dance,
or a "sit-down" dinner for 30 or 3000;

...the USS HORNET can provide many options -- from the massive hangar bays that provide large floating party rooms to the intimate setting of the officers' wardroom. After stepping onto the footsteps of the Apollo 11 astronauts, guests can also enjoy an unforgettable view of the San Francisco skyline, the Bay Bridge, and the Bay.

TO ENHANCE YOUR EVENT
We offer the following options:

Ferry Service and Other Transportation - Your group can travel to the USS HORNET via chartered ferry or bus. If you are driving, there is plenty of free parking at the HORNET's pier. No matter how you arrive, we can put out the "red carpet" for your guests.

Flight Simulator - A 12-seat simulator is available for your event and a block of time can be arranged for your group. Fly off the deck of an aircraft carrier in an F/A-18 jet fighter on a desert strike assignment or with the Blue Angels . It's unique and definitely a show-stopper.

Docent Guides - Expert tour guides can lead groups to the Captain's bridge, Medical Spaces, gun mounts, Engine Room, and many other interesting areas of the ship. General, overall tours last approximately 60-80 minutes. Shorter tours to specific areas last approximately 20 minutes.

Guest Speakers - Arrangements can be made for retired USS HORNET officers and former crew to speak at your event. Hear how the hurricane destroyed HORNET's flight deck and how this led the Navy to create the first hurricane bow - now a structural part of every aircraft carrier. Get the inside scoop on history!

Interactive Games and Team Building - Total Adventures is the exclusive team-building and interactive game company for the USS HORNET. The ship makes for a unique and memorable venue for custom-designed, whimsical programs. Whether rescuing the Apollo 11 capsule and astronauts from a giant man-eating shark or playing an interactive game show based on HORNET Trivia, Total Adventure's meeting-enhancement exercises are the antidote to a boring event! Imagine launching rockets from the stern of HORNET, with the San Francisco skyline in the background.

Elevator Lift to the Flight Deck - Give your guests a dramatic lift to HORNET’s flight deck in the largest elevator they have ever seen! Designed to move helicopters and planes, our lift will hold 250 of your guests.

Air Show - An air show specialized for your event only! Make it big or small - the sky is the limit! Gordon Bowman-Jones is one of the most experienced and professional voices in the air show business. Regular air show visitors recognize his familiar "Aussie" accent from any of the hundreds of air shows that he has narrated all over the world. He not only announces, but he is an excellent air show coordinator too.

Pyrotechnic Displays - Depending upon the time of the year, fireworks over the Bay with a fantastic view from the flight deck can be arranged by Da Vinci FUSION.

Specialty Items - USS HORNET souvenirs can be purchased for your guests. Mugs, caps, emblems, and HORNET dog tags are some of the items available. A photographer can also be arranged for instant images the night of the event -- a brand new process with quality digital photos.

Got an idea? - Let us know. We have lots of space and can be creative to fit your specific needs.