Nike Missile Site SF-59 Launch AreaStop on Fort Funston Historic & Scenic Tour, a free self-guided tour.Fort Funston served as one of twelve Nike missile sites that formed a defensive ring around San Francisco Bay during the Cold War era. Site SF-59 was activated in 1956 and remained operational until March 1963. The Nike Ajax missiles stored here were surface-to-air weapons designed to intercept Soviet bombers carrying atomic bombs. The launch site featured underground storage rooms where missiles were kept on elevators that would raise them to surface launchers. While most of the original structures have been removed or repurposed, the site's strategic importance is evident from its commanding position overlooking the Pacific. The Nike missile program represented a significant shift in air defense strategy, relying on guided missiles rather than traditional anti-aircraft guns. Information about this fascinating Cold War installation helps visitors understand the tension and preparation that defined this era. The current parking lot occupies what was once the missile launch area.Stops on this tourMain Parking Area and Hang Gliding Viewing DeckBattery Davis - The 16-Inch Gun EmplacementsNike Missile Site SF-59 Launch AreaSunset Trail - Coastal Bluff WalkBank Swallow Nesting CliffsSand Ladder Beach AccessHorse Trail and Equestrian AreaHistoric Battery Howe SiteSand Dune Ecosystem PreserveChip Trail and Northern ViewpointsFort Funston Native Plant NurseryCoastal Trail Connection - California Coastal TrailOff-Leash Dog Recreation AreaGeological Formations and White Ash LayerLake Merced Connection and John Muir Drive Trailhead