Places

A “place” can be defined in a number of ways. It can be a spot on a map, a building, a structure, or anywhere that is filled with human meaning. History is written on the landscape through human structures and cultural landscapes. Golden Gate National Recreation Area is an International Site of Conscience and the guardian of five National Historic Landmarks.

 

What is a Historic Property?

In general, a historic property can be any structure, group of structures (called a district), or a cultural landscape that is more than fifty years old. Many of GGNRA’s historic structures are former military forts and designed on Quartermaster Corps plans that changed over the centuries. Other structures are more eclectic, not done in the traditional military style these structures model the popular architectual styles and trends of their period.

 

Unique Sites & Recreational Areas

• 

  Lands End History

  A scenic area at the edge of San Francisco which once offered an elegant hotel, public baths and extensive gardens

• 

  Muir Woods

  The World's only old-growth Coastal Redwood Forest, a National Monument.

• 

  SF Bay "Discovery Site"

  A National Historic Landmark site in Pacifica where Spain's Gaspar de Portola first saw the San Francisco Bay.

• 

  China Beach

  A beach with a mysterious past named for the contributions of Chinese American immigrants who lived and worked there.

 

Former Military Forts in GGNRA

• 

  Fort Baker

  A 1905 Endicott-period army post that provided seacoast fortifications inside the Golden Gate straits.

• 

  Fort Barry

  A 1908 Endicott-period army post that provided seacoast fortifications outside the Golden Gate straits.

• 

  Fort Cronkhite

  A World War II army cantonment that serviced Battery Townsley, one of the army's two giant 16" guns

• 

  Alcatraz Island

  A National Historic Landmark with a Civil War citadel, an army prison and a federal penitentiary

• 

  Fort Point NHS

  A National Historic Landmark Civil War fort that guards the Golden Gate straits.

• 

  Presidio of San Francisco

  A National Historic Landmark that was first established by the Spanish in 1776.

• 

  Fort Mason

  A Civil War fort that later became the headquarters for the San Francisco Port of Embarkation