Fort Point National Historic Site
201 Marine Drive, San Francisco, California
Sitting just below the Golden Gate Bridge on the very northern tip of San Francisco, Fort Point National Historic Site was built in the mid-1800s to guard the entrance to San Francisco Bay during the Gold Rush. Today, the small site can be explored on foot and provides a fantastic vantage point of the bridge and bay.
A visit to the brick fort offers a look at artifacts such as Civil War–era uniforms, cannons and other weaponry, and historical photographs. As you climb up to the top tier, stop on each floor to take in displays before continuing to the roof to excellent views. On high-swell days, you might even spot local surfers riding waves underneath the bridge. If you’re just interested in seeing the fort from the outside, there are several ways to do so, including bike tours, bus tours over the bridge to Sausalito, and the ferry ride to Alcatraz Island.
- Fort Point National Historic Site is a must for history and military buffs.
- Admission is free.
- Wear comfy shoes for walking up and down stairs, and bring layers as it’s likely to be windy.
- A booklet is available at the entrance for self-guided tours; guided tours take place periodically.
- There are exhibits on the first floor for visitors with disabilities, but there is no elevator to the upper levels.
The fort sits at the end of Marine Drive, on the far side of Crissy Field in the Presidio of San Francisco. It is accessible via MUNI bus 28 or the PresidiGo shuttle at the bridge toll plaza stop. On-site parking is limited, so consider walking or biking from Crissy Field.
Opening times vary and aren’t always consistent. The fort is typically open Friday to Sunday from spring to fall and five days a week in the summer. There are two popular events that take place at certain times of year and require advanced reservations—pier crabbing demonstrations and the Fort Point Candlelight Tour. Check the National Park Service website for date and times.
Fort Point National Historic Site is part of the Presidio, which was founded in 1776 and has gone from a Spanish military base to an American Army post to a National Park Service location. The park attracts visitors for its many attractions, including cultural sites, hiking trails, golfing, bowling, beaches, military buildings, the Walt Disney Family Museum, and public art by artist Andy Goldsworthy.
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