Overview
On the east side of the San Francisco Bay, Richmond was chosen by the National Park Service (NPS) in 2000 to commemorate the work of thousands of women and men nationwide who built the machines needed to fight World War II. By 1945, women made up almost a third of the workforce in the U.S. and about 41% of welders in the Kaiser shipyards here. The Visitor Education Center offers hands-on exhibits housed in a Ford Assembly Building formerly used to make tanks. Tours are also offered on the SS Red Oak Victory, a cargo ship built here during the war.
Highlights
Museum, film, Rosie the Riveter Memorial, SS Red Oak Victory, real-life “Rosies”
Must-Do Activity
The special thing about this park is the incredible opportunity on most Fridays to meet real-life “Rosies” who worked here during the war. During our visit, we got to hear the stories of two women, Agnes and Marian. They won’t be around forever, so put this site at the top of your NPS to-do list.
Best Trail
The paved Bay Trail winds through Richmond and stops at the Rosie the Riveter Memorial in Marina Bay Park.
Instagram-worthy Photo
The poster of a woman in factory work clothes flexing her right bicep is perhaps the most famous image to come out of World War II. “Rosie the Riveter” was also a popular song on the radio in the 1940s.
Peak Season
Year round, but especially on Fridays when real-life “Rosies” are at the visitor center.
Hours
https://www.nps.gov/rori/planyourvisit/hours.htm
Fees
None
Road Conditions
All roads paved, but you do have to pass through a guard station to access the Visitor Education Center.
Camping
None
The Ford Assembly Building is home to the NPS visitor center
On the Friday we visited we got to meet two “Rosies” named Agnes and Marian 
Kaiser shipyards produced 142 Victory ships (like this one) and 519 Liberty ships 
The Rosie the Riveter Memorial in Marina Bay Park is on the site of the former Kaiser Shipyard No. 2 
Explore More – At its peak, how many people worked around the clock in the Kaiser shipyards?
