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The Presidio is located on the northern tip of the San Francisco Peninsula and occupies over 1,433 acres. It is bounded by the spectacular San Francisco Bay to the north, the expansive Pacific Ocean to the west and the beautiful City of San Francisco to the east and south. Forty-five acres along the northern beach, as well as 100 acres along the Pacific Ocean, are part of the Golden Gate National Recreation Area. |
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For over 148 years from 1846 to 1994 the Presidio was a U.S. Army base. The army took it over from Mexico who had occupied it for 24 years. The discovery of gold in California in 1848 prompted the federal government to make the Presidio a military reservation. The Presido's long occupation by the army resulted in extensive construction, much of which remains and holds much historical interest. |
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Fort Point, a four-tiered brick and granite fort which resides under the southern end of the Golden Gate Bridge was built by the Army Corps of Engineers to protect the San Francisco Bay entrance from any possible invasion by water. Large cannon were emplaced in the fort which could target any intruding ships. The fort is a great place to visit and is reminiscent of the Civil War era when the rich mining lands of northern California made the San Francisco Bay a militarily significant area to protect. |
