Imagine yourself staring up at the Golden Gate Bridge in all its splendor while standing in a mighty fortress built between 1853 and 1861, with the sound of the water crashing on the rocks… Fort Point National Historic Site is undoubtedly a place to visit not only if you are looking for beautiful views but also if you want to learn more about the history of San Francisco and one of its most interesting historical monuments.
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Fort Point History
Fort Point National Historic Site is a stone fort built on San Francisco Bay on the south side of the Golden Gate Bridge. Actually when this coastal fort was built, the Golden Gate Bridge did not exist yet. In fact, the fort was built between 1853 and 1861, while the Golden Gate Bridge was not inaugurated until 1937.
The history of the area in which Fort Point is located also goes back even further. Although Fort Point was actually built beginning in 1853 and the year of its inauguration is historically 1861, the entire area had long been used as a defensive base to protect San Francisco Bay and the entire city from attacks by enemy ships. As early as 1776, in fact, the Spanish, who had occupied the area, had built the Presidio here to defend against the Russians and British. The area of Punta del Cantil Blanco was later occupied by the Mexicans, and during the Mexican-American War, the United States was able to take possession of this promontory, declaring California officially a U.S. state in 1850.
As a result of the Gold Rush, the headland on San Francisco Bay and the entire rapidly expanding city needed more protection. Consequently, Alcatraz was fortified and Fort Mason and Fort Point were built. Although neither of these ever came under attack, this place is rich in history and charm. Consider the engineering work and human resources employed to build them, and the military preparedness of Fort Point during the Civil War and later in World War II. It was used as a military base by the U.S. Army until 1994, and later the entire Presidio area was transformed into a national park.
Fort Point Directions
Fort Point National Historic Site is located at 201 Marine Drive, in Building 999, in San Francisco. The fort is within The Presidio of San Francisco, right at the beginning of the Golden Gate Bridge.
By car
- If you are coming from San Francisco or from further south take Highway 101 northbound and exit at Golden Gate Bridge Toll Plaza. Turn right and then left onto Lincoln Boulevard. Take the first left onto Long Avenue, take Marine Drive and continue to the end of the street.
- If you are coming from the north, however, take Highway 101 and cross the Golden Gate Bridge. Stay to the right and exit just past Golden Gate Bridge Toll Plaza. Turn right and then left onto Lincoln Boulevard. Take the first left onto Long Avenue, take Marina Drive and continue to the end of the street.
Parking is free, but spaces are limited.
By public transportation
In general, I would advise against visiting San Francisco by car. You have the option to take public transportation to reach Fort Point National Historic Site. These are your choices:
- 101, 130 and MUNI 28 buses. The closest stops are Golden Gate Bridge / Parking Lot and Golden Gate Bridge Toll Plaza both about a 15-minute walk away.
- The PresidiGo shuttle bus which has two routes: The PresidiGo Around the Park Shuttle is free and allows you to visit various areas of the Presidio, particularly the south central area, and the PresidiGo Downtown which instead connects the Presidio Visitor Center (where you can take a half-hour walk to Fort Point) with Union Square and Embarcadero.
To learn more about the city’s public transportation, read our guide on getting around San Francisco.
Fort Point Hours and Admission
The Fort Point National Historic Site is open from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. In the summer it is open five days a week, Thursday through Monday while in the winter, it is open three days a week, Friday through Sunday. Therefore, it is always closed on Tuesdays and Wednesdays. In any case, I recommend that you always check the official website to be sure. On New Year’s Day, Fourth of July, Thanksgiving Day, and Christmas Day the fort is closed to the public.
Both admission and the tour of Fort Point are completely free and I suggest you take advantage of it, not only to absorb the history and atmosphere, but also for the beautiful view of the Golden Gate Bridge above the fort. At 11:30 a.m. and 1:30 p.m. on the days the fort is open, park rangers explain the history and importance of the fort during an approximately 15-minute presentation.
You can also take the Candlelight Tour at a cost of $20 for adults and $12 for children between the ages of 10 and 17. The tour must be booked two weeks in advance. During this approximately 90-minute evening tour, a ranger hands each participant a lantern and proceeds to explain the history and life inside the fort while taking you up the four floors of the fortified building, all the way to the roof. Once you reach the top you can enjoy the view of the Golden Gate Bridge lit up at night.
Why Visit Fort Point?
In addition to the fantastic pictures you will be able to take of the bridge and bay, you can also benefit from learning about this significant historical site. Fort Point National Historic Site has been called “The Pride of the Pacific” and “the Gibraltar of the West Coast.” To build it, part of the cliff was blown up so that it was lowered from 27 feet to about 5 feet, allowing cannonballs to fire closer to the water level.
Explore the various floors of the fort and admire some perfectly preserved examples of artillery; remember also that while there were some 30 or more defensive forts on the East Coast, on the West Coast, Fort Point was the only existing fort. Its history and its location north of the Presidio and south of the Golden Gate Bridge certainly make it an interesting place to visit. Plus, admission is free, so why not take advantage of it?
Where to Stay in the Area
The Fort Point National Historic Site is located within a national park, so obviously it is not possible to find accommodations near the historic fort. However, there are accommodations within the Presidio. Outside the Presidio there are many more hotels, for example in the area between Marina District to the northeast and the Cow Hollow neighborhood. For more information on accommodations inside and outside the Presidio, check out these tips. If you want to know about other neighborhoods in the city where you can find a hotel and still easily get around, read our article on where to stay in San Francisco.
