California's Former Army Base Is Now A 335-Acre Coastal Park With License-Free Fishing

Millions of visitors flock to San Francisco every year for a peek at the dazzling Golden Gate Bridge, but few take the time to venture beyond it. Just north of the bridge sits the historic Fort Baker, a 335-acre former military base that offers some of the most picturesque views of San Francisco Bay, along with license-free fishing and over 25 historic Army buildings.

Fort Baker's waterfront location isn't random. After gold was first found in California in 1848, the U.S. military began strengthening San Francisco Bay's defenses as the port grew in importance. The area where Fort Baker sits was designated a military reservation and later became the site of gun battery construction, with housing provided for the soldiers who manned them. During World War II, Fort Baker was part of the Harbor Defenses of San Francisco, which, along with other coastal defenses, protected the bay from potential enemy attacks.

After World War II, Fort Baker served several purposes, including as a regional air defense headquarters overseeing missile sites around the Bay Area and later as a training post for the Army Reserve, before the National Park Service acquired it around the turn of the 21st century. Along with the Presidio, a nearby park that's a must-visit for history buffs, Fort Baker underwent a post-to-park conversion and now serves as a recreational area for both locals and visitors alike.

California has several public piers where fishing is permitted without a license, and Fort Baker's pier is one of them. Here, fishing and crabbing are popular year-round, with potential catches including salmon, red crabs, different perch varieties, and even larger fish like leopard sharks. However, anglers should check California's fishing regulations for seasonal restrictions and catch limits before heading out. Nature enthusiasts can also find the endangered Mission Blue butterfly fluttering around the park, coastal birds flying along the shore, and sea lions and harbor seals resting near Horseshoe Cove. At the cove, you can also rent a boat or learn how to sail at the fort's small harbor.

Hiking in the area around Fort Baker offers incredible vantage points over San Francisco Bay. From both the 1.17-mile Drown Road Trail and the quarter-mile-long Chapel Steps Trail, you can catch a glimpse of the Golden Gate Bridge, much like at beautiful Baker Beach on the San Francisco side. As you pass historic sites along the Drown Road Trail, you can tune into a self-guided cell phone tour to learn about Fort Baker's military legacy and the remaining landmarks throughout the park. Afterward, you can relax on the Parade Grounds where soldiers used to perform their daily drills.

The Bay Area Discovery Museum is full of interactive exhibits just for kids. With indoor and outdoor exhibits, children up to 8 years old can explore over 10 Discovery Zones, featuring activities ranging from the River Run obstacle course to messy, creative play at the Mud Kitchen. The museum is open Wednesday to Sunday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., except Saturdays, when it opens at 9 a.m. Tickets are $25 for visitors ages 1 to 64.

Fort Baker is located in Sausalito, California, directly across the Golden Gate Bridge from San Francisco, meaning it's very accessible from downtown. If you're interested in walking the Golden Gate Bridge from its southern base in the Presidio, the 4.2-mile route will take you around an hour and a half to reach Fort Baker. You can also hop on the regional 120 bus towards Strawberry Village in Marin County for $7.20 with Clipper or contactless payment, and reach the park within an hour, though you'll have to walk about 30 minutes from Alexander Ave and East Road to Fort Baker.

You also have the option of staying at the former Army post in Fort Baker. According to reviews, Cavallo Point – The Lodge at Fort Baker is San Francisco's best wellness retreat, offering massages, facials, and even a meditation pool. Some of the fort's Colonial Revival buildings have been converted into guest accommodations. The property is also home to two restaurants, Farley and Sula, in restored early-1900s military structures, each with spectacular views of San Francisco Bay. Among Cavallo Point's amenities are a cooking school for guests, fort tours, painting classes, and morning yoga. Average weekend rates for the 4.5-star hotel are around $777 per night as of this writing.