Welcome back to National Parks and other public lands with T!

After exploring the Marin Headlands on the other side of the Golden Gate Bridge (you can see my post on the Marin Headlands by clicking here,) we drove across the famous bridge to visit Fort Point nestled under its southern side.

The United States Army built Fort Point during the Gold Rush to defend San Francisco Bay against foreign attacks. They completed it just before the start of the Civil War, but it never saw battle.

Renowned for its fine masonry, it was saved from demolition in the 1930s . The Golden Gate Bridge architect designed the span to arch over the fort instead of razing it.

President Nixon designated the fort as Fort Point National Historic Site in 1970. The National Park Service now protects and administers it as part of the Golden Gate National Recreation Area.

We tagged on to the end of a ranger-led tour and explored the three levels where there are historical artifacts on display. There are great views of San Francisco and Alcatraz from the roof. And this view of the Golden Gate is quite a different perspective from the usual bridge vista.

Location: Long Ave & Marine Dr, San Francisco, California
Designation: National Historic Site
Date designated/established: October 16, 1970
Date of my visit: August 18, 2012