San Francisco Maritime National Park Association to host inaugural Maritime Spring Fling Luncheon May 6 at the Presidio
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San Francisco Maritime National Park Association to host inaugural Maritime Spring Fling Luncheon May 6 at the Presidio
Jack Lapidos & Fisherman’s Wharf Community Benefit District Honored
Fundraiser Supports Education, Public Programming, the USS Pampanito, and San Francisco’s Maritime Legacy
Highlights from A Balcony on the World Documentary To Be Shown
28 April 2026 – San Francisco, CA: Nearly two centuries ago, sailor and author Richard Henry Dana Jr. looked at San Francisco Bay and predicted: “If California ever becomes a prosperous country, this bay will be the center of its prosperity.” On Wednesday, May 6, 2026, the San Francisco Maritime National Park Association will give proof to Dana’s words and celebrate that legacy with its inaugural Maritime Spring Fling Luncheon, a lively and inspiring afternoon at the Golden Gate Club at the Presidio. Taking place from 11am to 1pm, the event will feature a silent auction, wine toss, special fund-a-need appeal, and recognition of two outstanding honorees whose contributions have made a lasting impact on San Francisco’s maritime community.
“San Francisco’s maritime history is not something locked away in the past — it is alive in our ships, our shoreline, our neighborhoods, and the people who continue to care for them,” said Darlene Plumtree, CEO of the San Francisco Maritime National Park Association. “The Maritime Spring Fling Luncheon is a celebration of that living legacy, and an opportunity to support the education programs, public events, historic vessels, and philanthropic initiatives that help keep San Francisco’s maritime story accessible to all.”
This year’s luncheon will support the Association’s education programs, public event programming, the USS Pampanito, and philanthropic initiatives benefiting the San Francisco Maritime National Historical Park.
The event will also recognize two honorees: Jack Lapidos will receive the inaugural Salty Dog Award, recognizing his longstanding dedication and continued support of the San Francisco Maritime National Park Association. The Fisherman’s Wharf Community Benefit District will receive the Maritime Community Award, honoring its leadership and ongoing efforts to revitalize and support Fisherman’s Wharf, home to the historic USS Pampanito.
“To be recognized with the inaugural Salty Dog Award is deeply meaningful,” said Jack Lapidos. “San Francisco’s maritime history has shaped this city in ways both grand and personal — from the ships and sailors who connected us to the world, to the parks, museums, and historic vessels that continue to educate and inspire. I am grateful to the San Francisco Maritime National Park Association for keeping that legacy alive, and honored to support its mission.”
“The Fisherman’s Wharf Community Benefit District is honored to receive the Maritime Community Award and proud to support the San Francisco Maritime National Park Association’s work preserving the stories, vessels, and public spaces that make our waterfront so meaningful,” said Bri Maughan, Executive Director of the Fisherman’s Wharf Community Benefit District. “Fisherman’s Wharf is one of San Francisco’s most iconic neighborhoods, but it is also a living maritime community — home to working waterfront traditions, historic ships, small businesses, visitors from around the world, and generations of San Franciscans who see the Bay as part of who we are.”
Additionally, highlights from “A Balcony on the World,” the acclaimed documentary by San Francisco filmmaker John Rogers that is a great tribute to the period art and architecture of San Francisco during the 1930s, will also be shown during the Maritime Spring Fling Luncheon. The film explores the history, art, architecture, and civic meaning of the Aquatic Park Bathhouse Building — now home to the San Francisco Maritime Museum — illuminating its WPA-era origins, its extraordinary murals and design, and its enduring role as a public treasure on the waterfront.
The luncheon will include a silent auction, wine toss, and fund-a-need appeal. Individual tickets are $175, with sponsorship opportunities available for those seeking to further support the Association’s mission.
“San Francisco’s waterfront has always been more than a postcard,” Plumtree summed up. “It is where Gold Rush dreamers arrived, ferryboats stitched the Bay together, fishermen built livelihoods, sailors came home, and generations of San Franciscans learned that the city’s story begins at the water’s edge. At SF Maritime, we’re proud to highlight those dreams and dreamers.”
About the San Francisco Maritime National Park Association:
The San Francisco Maritime National Park Association supports education, public programming, historic preservation, and philanthropic initiatives benefiting the San Francisco Maritime National Historical Park. Through programs, partnerships, and community engagement, the Association helps preserve and share the maritime stories, vessels, landmarks, and traditions that shaped San Francisco and continue to inspire visitors, students, and residents today.
Event Details
What: Inaugural Maritime Spring Fling Luncheon
When: Wednesday, May 6, 2026, 11am – 1pm
Where: Golden Gate Club at the Presidio, 135 Fisher Loop, San Francisco, CA
Tickets: Individual tickets are $175 per person
Sponsorships: Sponsorship opportunities are available