The longest-serving American aircraft carrier of the 20th century — 47 years from WWII’s end to Desert Storm — now rests on the Embarcadero as one of the most-visited naval museums on Earth.

On the pier beside her stands the Unconditional Surrender statue — the famous sailor’s kiss — where our guides tell the story of homecoming that defined a generation of this Navy town.

This is stop 08 of ten on our Free Walking Tour through downtown — English daily at 10 AM, Español at 10:30 AM, about two hours from the Gaslamp Arch to Seaport Village, always pay-what-you-wish.