Where is Fort Point National Historic Site, San Francisco, California?

Written by | Updated On: December 09, 2025, 14:28 ET

Fort Point National Historic Site is located in San Francisco, California, USA. It lies between the San Francisco Bay and the Golden Gate Bridge and is situated in a coastal area. It is famous for its historic military architecture and protecting the entrance to the bay.

Fort Point National Historic Site Location Map, San Francisco, California

Top Attractions Inside Fort Point National Historic Site

  • Historic Fort Structure – Well-preserved Civil War-era masonry fort beneath the Golden Gate Bridge.
  • Exhibit Rooms – Displays on the fort’s construction, military history, and coastal defense.
  • Parade Ground & Ramparts – Walkable areas showcasing artillery placements and defensive architecture.
  • Golden Gate Bridge Views – Iconic vistas of the bridge and San Francisco Bay from the fort.
  • Photography & Observation Areas – Scenic spots for capturing historic architecture against stunning bay backdrops.
  • Guided Tours & Programs – Educational talks and tours on the fort’s history and engineering.
  • Picnic & Outdoor Spaces – Areas around the fort for relaxation and enjoying waterfront scenery.

Fort Point National Historic Site Facts

Official NameFort Point National Historic Site
LocationSan Francisco, California, USA (southern entrance of San Francisco Bay, under the southern approach of the Golden Gate Bridge)
Latitude & Longitude≈ 37.8106° N, 122.4770° W
Total Area~29 acres (≈ 11.7 hectares) of preserved fort & grounds :contentReference[oaicite:2]{index=2}
Construction Period / BuiltBuilt between 1853 and 1861 by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers :contentReference[oaicite:3]{index=3}
Purpose / ConceptThird‑System coastal fortification to defend San Francisco Bay against naval attack — protect harbor and bay entrance during Gold Rush & beyond :contentReference[oaicite:4]{index=4}
Structure & FeaturesMassive brick & granite masonry fort with thick walls (≈7 ft thick), multi-tiered casemates for cannon, barbette tier for gun emplacements, central courtyard — only fortification of its type on the U.S. Pacific Coast :contentReference[oaicite:5]{index=5}
Historical SignificanceConsidered “the pride of the Pacific” and “the Gibraltar of the West Coast”; served as primary defense for San Francisco Bay from mid‑19th century through World War II; architectural example of Civil War‑era masonry forts :contentReference[oaicite:6]{index=6}
Military Use & HistoryFort was first garrisoned in February 1861; during Civil War the fort was armed with heavy cannons though never fired in combat; became obsolete with rifled artillery advances and post‑war guns were gradually removed by 1900. Later used intermittently for training, storage, and coastal defense (including during World War II) :contentReference[oaicite:7]{index=7}
Preservation & Historic‑Site StatusSaved from demolition during construction of Golden Gate Bridge in 1930s; declared a National Historic Site on October 16, 1970; now managed by National Park Service (unit of Golden Gate National Recreation Area) :contentReference[oaicite:10]{index=10}
Current Use & Public AccessOpen to public — self‑guided and ranger‑led tours, interpretive exhibits, historic‑artillery demonstrations; vantage point for views of Golden Gate Bridge & San Francisco Bay; educational and recreational use including historic reenactments and events :contentReference[oaicite:11]{index=11}
Visiting HoursOpen Thursday through Monday, 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM (roof access until 4:30 PM); exterior grounds accessible daily. Closed on Thanksgiving, Christmas Day, and New Year’s Day :contentReference[oaicite:12]{index=12}
Address / Access InfoLong Ave & Marine Drive, San Francisco, CA 94129, USA — south anchorage of Golden Gate Bridge (exit via Hwy 101 toll plaza) :contentReference[oaicite:13]{index=13}
Admission Fee / EntryFree entry to fort and grounds; guided tours and special events may have nominal fees :contentReference[oaicite:14]{index=14}
Notable Facts / TriviaOnly Third-System fort built on the U.S. West Coast; the Golden Gate Bridge was engineered to arch over Fort Point rather than demolish it — a tribute to its masonry craftsmanship :contentReference[oaicite:15]{index=15}
Official Website / Info Sourcehttps://www.nps.gov/fopo/

Distances from Fort Point National Historic Site to Nearby Landmarks

  • Golden Gate Bridge – 0.3 km (0.2 mi)
  • Crissy Field – 1.0 km (0.6 mi)
  • Palace of Fine Arts – 2.2 km (1.4 mi)
  • Alcatraz Island (ferry terminal at Pier 33) – 4.0 km (2.5 mi)
  • Fisherman’s Wharf – 4.5 km (2.8 mi)
  • Coit Tower – 5.5 km (3.4 mi)
  • Union Square – 6.5 km (4 mi)
  • Chinatown – 6.0 km (3.7 mi)
  • Lombard Street – 5.0 km (3.1 mi)
  • Ghirardelli Square – 4.2 km (2.6 mi)
  • Exploratorium – 5.5 km (3.4 mi)
  • Marina District – 2.5 km (1.6 mi)
  • Ferry Building Marketplace – 5.8 km (3.6 mi)
  • Presidio of San Francisco – 1.5 km (0.9 mi)
  • San Francisco City Hall – 6.8 km (4.2 mi)