Fort Point

Why go

Fort Point is defined by arched casemates, parade ground, spiral stairs, and cannon positions. Another layer comes from the bridge structure looming above the fort's seaward walls. Plan Fort Point by remembering to check opening days and prepare for strong wind beside the strait. After Fort Point, choose Golden Gate Bridge or Crissy Field; this keeps Fort Point geographically coherent and avoids forcing Fort Point into an unrelated crossing.

What to look for

• Look closely at arched casemates, parade ground, spiral stairs, and cannon positions.
• Notice the bridge structure looming above the fort's seaward walls.

The full story

Fort Point is a masonry seacoast fortification located at the southern side of the Golden Gate at the entrance to San Francisco Bay. This fort was completed just before the American Civil War by the United States Army, to defend San Francisco Bay against hostile warships. The fort is now protected as Fort Point National Historic Site, a United States National Historic Site administered by the National Park Service as a unit of the Golden Gate National Recreation Area. In 1769 Spain occupied the San Francisco area and by 1776 had established the area's first European settlement, with a mission and a presidio. To protect against encroachment by the British and Russians, Spain fortified the high white cliff at the narrowest part of the bay's entrance, where Fort Point now stands. The Castillo de San Joaquin, built in 1794, was an adobe structure housing nine to thirteen cannons.

Useful to know

• For Fort Point, check opening days and prepare for strong wind beside the strait.
• Pair Fort Point with Golden Gate Bridge or Crissy Field when the route and opening conditions align.

Your next visit

Estimated · Declared scenario and planning estimates; no live opening, weather, queue or booking service.