by Alex Gugel , all rights reserved
![]() | Golden Gate - Fort BakerBrochure |
Brochure of Fort Baker at Golden Gate National Recreation Area (NRA) in California. Published by the National Park Service (NPS).
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covered parks
Fort Baker
National Park Service
U.S. Department of the Interior
Marin Headlands
Golden Gate National Recreation Area
Photo credit: Michal Venera
Hidden Gem at the
Golden Gate
Fort Baker covers approximately 335 acres set in and around a cove at the north
side of the Golden Gate. This beautiful historic area includes a core zone of 91 acres
surrounding a parade ground, protecting a collection of over two dozen historic
military buildings from the early 1900s. Partners have added new eco-friendly and
architecturally compatible buildings amongst the historic buildings to create program
space and lodging. The main post is fronted by Horseshoe Cove, and over a mile of
rocky bay shoreline. The surrounding open space and hillsides, which contain habitat
for the endangered mission blue butterfly, contribute to the site’s significance. An
extensive trail system invites exploration. With less fog and warmer temperatures
than other coastal sites, Fort Baker offers quiet solitude in a spectacular setting.
Fort Baker’s Early History
The Coast Miwok tribe inhabited this
area prior to exploration and settlement
by Europeans. Wetlands, marshes and
streams provided the Indigenous peoples
resources for daily life. The adjacent land
often served as seasonal encampments
or villages. The area’s recorded history
began in 1775, when the Spanish vessel
San Carlos, under the command of Juan
Manuel de Ayala, entered San Francisco
Bay. At the end of the Mexican War in
1848, this area—part of William Antonio
Richardson’s vast Rancho Sausalito—
began to be sold to real estate speculators.
The Military Years
In 1866, the United States government
acquired this site and created a military
reservation along the Marin Headlands to
safeguard San Francisco Bay. Relatively
simple earthwork gun batteries were
constructed in the 1870s. One of these,
Battery Cavallo, is a fine example of
seacoast fortifications of that period.
In the 1890’s, Fort Baker was formally
established and massive concrete
batteries with the latest in long range
guns were built along the bluffs. By 1910,
the post was essentially completed. The
fort included eleven Colonial Revivalstyle officer’s homes, barracks, and
community buildings for the troops, laid
out in a curve around a grassy parade
ground with plantings of pepper, elm and
eucalyptus trees to reduce wind and dust.
After World War I, most of the long-range
guns were removed, and the post became
inactive. But as world tensions increased
in the 1930s, Fort Baker was reactivated
as a underwater mine depot. Over three
hundred mines guarded the bay entrance
during World War II, tended by the
Army’s “navy” of mine vessels berthed
at Fort Baker. The guns of Battery Yates
were manned against surprise raids.
In the Cold War years, Fort Baker was
used to train Army Reserve troops, and
served as headquarters for the antiaircraft missile units that defended the
Bay Area. With the end of the Cold War
in the 1970s, the Army’s presence at the
historic post was significantly reduced.
(rev. 5/21)
Fort Baker is named for Edward Dickenson
Baker, a former U.S. Senator from Oregon active
in California politics in the 1850s. Baker lost his
life while leading a regiment of Union troops in
the Civil War. He and his wife are buried in the
San Francisco National Cemetery at the Presidio.
To
Sausalito
Hiking and Biking
(use bike lane when
next to paved road)
Ea
st
Hiking Only
To Marin
Ro
ad
Tunnel to
Marin Headlands
Dogs on Leash Allowed
Dogs on Leash or Under
Voice Control (current
status, October 2010)
ad
le r Ro
Seit
ra
i
601
Healing
Arts
Center
d
STAY ON TRAIL
Sensitive Habitat
yC
le
Murray Circ
o ad
ircle
er R
PARADE
GROUND
Ro
ad
er
nd
ex
a
Closed Area
STAY ON TRAIL
Sensitive Habitat
Dr
ow
n
615
513
557
New
R
d
oa
k
un
Sausalito Exit
GGNRA Lands
Battery
Duncan
rra
Mu
Cavallo Point—
The Lodge at
the Golden Gate
B
Alexander
Avenue
Exit
Merril
l Stree
t
McR
eyn
o ld
sR
oa
t
Eas
Parking
Bay Area
Discovery
Museum
Breit
ung
R
Accessible Parking
Battery
Cavallo
d
Food
Road
l
rai
Picnic Area
U.S. Coast Guard
No Public Access
Cavallo
Point
l
To
San Francisco
E BRID
GAT
Conz
elma
n
N
LDE
GO
y
Ba
T
Public Fishing Pier
GE
To Battery Spencer
and Kirby Cove
This former Army site has been reborn
as part of a national park; the last of the
dramatic “post to park” conversions that
have created the Golden Gate National
Parks. Hiking, fishing, wildlife viewing,
and spectacular vistas of the Golden Gate
and the Marin Headlands await visitors
to Fort Baker.
Several partners also provide recreational
and educational opportunities, and
visitor amenities at Fort Baker.
A self-guided cell phone tour and walking
tours of the historic parade ground and
Horseshoe Cove are available at the
Marin Headlands Visitor Center, the Bay
Area Discovery Museum, and at Cavallo
Point—the Lodge at the Golden Gate.
They are also available online at:
www.nps.gov/goga/planyourvisit /
fort-baker.htm
EXPERIENCE YOUR AMERICA
S A N
C I S
F R A N
North
0
0
Since 1991, the Bay Area Discovery
Museum has provided outstanding
educational programs and activities for
children 6 months to 8 years old.
Information 415-339-3900
www.badm.org
Printed on recycled paper.
Boat Launch
Dogs on Leash
MARIN
HEADLANDS
Fort Baker Today
Battery
Yates
ra
i
as
Vista Point
Travis Sailing
Center
HORSESHOE
COVE
Moore Rd
Co
T
Fishing Pier
679
lle Road
mervi
S om
tal
Restroom
AREA CLOSED
Sensitive Natural and
Cultural Resources
U.S. Coast
Guard Station
Employee
Parking
Yellow
Bluff
ad
et
546
Al
Fence
Ro
rS
tre
1
Tr
ai
l
Chapel
Ko
be
101
y
STAY ON TRAIL
Sensitive Habitat
l
Ce
nte
r
Aven
u
Ro
ad
Paved Road
n Ro
ad
Ba
er
Dro
w
el
ap s T
Chtep
S
Bu
nk
e
STAY ON TRAIL
Sensitive Habitat
C O
B A Y
600 FEET
200 METERS
The Travis Sailing Center located on
the east side of Horseshoe Cove, offers
sailing instruction and boat rentals.
Information 415-332-2319
The most dramatic recent change is
evident in the historic and contemporary
buildings surrounding and overlooking
Murray Circle and the historic parade
ground. Cavallo Point—The Lodge at
the Golden Gate, the newest lodge in
the National Park System, welcomes
visitors for a unique overnight stay in one
of 68 historic and 74 contemporary guest
rooms. The Lodge also has a restaurant,
bar, meeting rooms and Healing Arts
Center. The Lodge was constructed to
the highest standards of environmental
sustainability.
Information 415-339-4700
www.cavallopoint.com
Download the NPS mobile
app. Take a tour of Fort Baker
or learn about the park.
www.nps.gov/goga/gogaapp.htm
www.nps.gov/goga/planyourvisit/fort-baker.htm