Fort Baker, the 9th and final "Post-to-Park" conversion in the Golden Gate National Parks, is a 335 acre former 1905 U.S. Army post located immediately north of the Golden Gate Bridge. This hidden gem of a site consists of over 25 historic army buildings clustered around a main parade ground, a sheltered harbor protected by a jetty, a number of historic gun emplacements, and trails and forested areas climbing gently up from San Francisco Bay.
Tips and Highlights
- Go fishing and crabbing off the pier at Horseshoe Cove; no fishing license required.
- Launch your kayak or sailboat at the at the boat ramp in Horseshoe Cove. Sailing lessons and boat rentals are available at the small yacht harbor.
- Hike Drown Road and the Chapel Steps Trail for a moderate 1 mile loop.
- There are easy walks along the waterfront and along the bluffs-all have spectacular views of the Golden Gate Bridge and San Francisco Bay.
- Explore seacoast fortifications at Battery Yates on the eastern bluffs.
- Look out for the variety of wildlife and plant species at Fort Baker, including the endangered Mission Blue butterfly and its host plant, the silver lupine. At Horseshoe Cove and the fishing pier one can spot shorebirds, sea lions and harbor seals.
- Please park along the waterfront at Horseshoe Cove or at the trailhead at Drown Road, located off of East Road.
- Many cyclists approach Fort Baker on Conzelman Road from the Golden Gate Bridge. There are relatively flat routes around Murray Circle and along the waterfront. A short but steep climb takes you to the access road to Sausalito.
