Fort Point National Historic Site

Stop on San Francisco Waterfront Tour, a free self-guided tour.

Nestled directly beneath the south tower of the Golden Gate Bridge, this Civil War-era brick fortress offers a unique perspective on both military history and the bridge's construction. Built between 1853 and 1861, Fort Point was designed to defend San Francisco Bay from naval attack during the Gold Rush era when the city was booming. The fort's distinctive red brick construction and classic seacoast fortification design make it architecturally significant. When the Golden Gate Bridge was designed, engineers specifically created an arch to preserve this historic structure rather than demolishing it. Inside, you can explore multiple levels of the fort, see cannons that once guarded the bay, and learn about the soldiers who were stationed here during the Civil War and both World Wars. The fort also served as an important construction base during the bridge building. The views from Fort Point are extraordinary - looking up at the bridge's massive south tower from directly beneath creates a dizzying perspective on its scale. The fort occasionally hosts Civil War reenactments and ranger programs. This stop beautifully connects San Francisco's military heritage with its engineering achievements.