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    Rebellion stronghold waiting for the evil empire and Storm Troopers to attack.
    John G.

    Keepin' the enemy at bay. The San Francisco Bay Area has a rich military history since it's littered with so many forts, batteries and bunkers along the coast dating back to the Civil War era. Battery Mendell was the first of many batteries built in Fort Barry named after a decorated Corps of Engineers Colonel George H. Mendell, who had a long and distinguished career planning and designing military structures. He died in 1902, the same year this battery was completed. The structure is made of reinforced concrete that was equipped with two massive disappearing gun carriages that had an 8 mile range that fired an 1,100 pound projectile into enemy ships. Even though the guns were surpassed by better technology and weapons with subsequent bunkers, batteries and eventually missile silos, the battery remained active until it was decommissioned in 1943. It fell into disrepair as the guns were sold for scraps and forgotten like one's favorite toy. It became a target for vandals (to this day) until it was restored by the National Parks Service and became part of the Golden Gate National Recreation Area. Now you can explore the structure and imagine what it was like manning and taking care of the guns as part of the defense force protecting the region from potential outside threats and invaders. There are other bunkers and batteries located everywhere in the area you can reach by dozens of trails if your'e feeling more adventurous. On the north part of the bunker is Rodeo Beach and Marin Headlands and the south part is a view of the Golden Gate Bridge and the city. In the middle of the structure is an observation tower that provides you with these gorgeous sweeping views. You can begin to imagine what the soldiers felt like sitting in those bunkers as they had to be manned 24-7. At least they had wonderful million dollar views of the bay and Mt. Tam behind them. Speaking of views, walk up a few clicks on the northern part of the battery and there you can see Point Bonita Lighthouse in the distance on the left and Bird Island on the right. Also, always be aware and careful when exploring this place since it's a long way down the cliff and good rule of thumb is to stay inside the fence and barricades; they are there for a reason. Warning: Don't bother flying your drone here or it will get confiscated.

    Kelly K.

    This old battery site is great fun for kids to climb on. Schools and daycare bring kids here to wander the ruins.

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    Nike Missile Site SF-88

    Nike Missile Site SF-88

    4.8(28 reviews)
    0.7 mi

    Yesterday we did a nice day trip to the Golden Gate national recreation area, where we visited the…read morehistoric site for the Nike missile silo number 88L. as of April 2026, the site is only opened on the last Saturday of the month between 12 and 3 PM. There is a free parking, but the lot is small so if it is full, you can park at one of the other parking lot that are located either below the side or past the site. However, you would have to walk either uphill or downhill from the other parking lot and that is roughly about 1/3 of a mile. This was a very interesting visit and we were able to see several radars, equipment, and missiles from the Cold War in a guided tour by several elderly military volunteers who maintain and run the tours. Some of them who worked at that same site between 1950s and 1970s. Due to the current political administration, they have lost most funding and it was very shocking to hear that the site opens once a month and that it is staffed completely by all volunteers. They told us that one ranger visits for two hours every month due to budget cuts to the park system. Volunteers are in their 80s and 90s, and after talking to them, they feel sad that their history and experiences will be lost due to lack a funding since it is very likely that the site will close completely as the volunteers become unable to keep these going due to their age and lack of parks personnel and national parks funding. The site has multiple things to see, they have a very small area where they show a movie and have some artifacts to see, then you move over to another area where you can see some missiles and lastly you walk over to the site where they store some of the missiles and you get a chance to observe how they bring one up and down (and also go underneath where you can see where they have them stored and their communications area.

    This was the first place our 11 year old truly made a comment about how cool something like was…read more We were the first tour of the day, so when they opened the doors to lift the missile; the water from the rain dumped down making a huge dramatic effect to add. This was one of the most interesting and cool places we've gone too. Having been at White Sands too, it was cool to see it all "put together". I can't recommend this stop enough. Junior Ranger program was short too, which my son loved.

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    Nike Missile Site SF-88
    Nike Missile Site SF-88
    Nike Missile Site SF-88

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    Battery Townsley

    Battery Townsley

    5.0(1 review)
    1.2 mi

    Hiking leads you to discover so many interesting areas that are natural and man-made. Mother Nature…read moreprovides so many places with wonderful views and man makes structures that are significant and have historical importance; Battery Townsley has both. There are so many batteries built along the California coast that I've explored during my hikes and this is one of my favorites. It's located on a side of the hill in Marin Headlands heading towards Hill 88. The one huge difference between this battery compared to the rest is the size of its guns...and they were big. Even the barrel of the gun is on display outside the battery for everyone to admire. Most of the batteries that were constructed along the coast were WWI era, this one was constructed during WWII. Construction started in January 1938, completed in July 1, 1940 and transferred to the Coast Artillery for use on July 24, 1940. It is a reinforced concrete, casemated battery with two gun emplacements mounted with 16" guns that was part of Fort Cronkhite. It's named after WWI veteran and superintendent of the United States Military Academy, Major General Clarence P. Townsley. The two massive 16" guns were mounted on steel carriage on heavy-duty rollers that enabled the guns to pivot 140 degrees. The whole assembly weighed over a million pounds, which required lots of practice to ensure it operated smoothly, which the crew drilled repetitively. Each gun was capable of shooting a 2,100 pound, armor-piercing projectile with a range of 25 miles. That's as far as the Farallon Islands with that range. One of the guns eventually made it to the U.S.S. Missouri, which is now permanently docked at Pearl Harbor. This is the battleship where Japan officially surrendered to end WWII. The size of this battery was also massive that included bunk room for 150 soldiers, 2 powder rooms, 2 shell rooms, 2 powder service rooms, 4 storerooms, power room, radiator room, latrines, a shop and storeroom. A large reserve magazine room was also built in about 2500 feet southeast of the gun emplacement # 1 on the reverse slope that is not visible as it was surely heavily fortified. There's also a long tunnel from the entrance leading to the gun emplacement # 1 that is very cool to walk through. It reminded me of 'Walking Dead' every time I walk through this cool tunnel. On a nice clear day, the views from this battery provides a gorgeous backdrop of Rodeo Beach and Marin Headlands nearby, as well as the Golden Gate Bridge, the city and the Peninsula Coast in the distance. But Karl visits this area a lot, especially in the early mornings. He tends to dissipate in the afternoon and you're rewarded with clear skies. Next time you're hiking towards Hill 88, stop by this battery and check out the big gun. #YelpChallenge2020 review No. 84

    Photos
    Battery Townsley
    Battery Townsley
    Battery Townsley

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    Battery Wallace - View of Battery Mendell and Rodeo Beach

    Battery Wallace

    4.0(1 review)
    0.2 mi

    Living in the Bay Area is unique since there are so many places to get away from the concrete…read morejungle we call cities by simply getting in our cars and driving to these places. You can be downtown one minute, cross the bridge and go through a tunnel and voila...you're out in open space, but you can still see the city from a distance. I love going to the Marin Headlands as it looks so far, but it's actually a lot closer than you think. There are so many trails and points of interests that you can explore, or you can head down to Rodeo Beach. Head up to Point Bonita to check the lighthouse if you're feeling adventurous. In this same area, there's an old military battery on top of this hill that has a vantage view of everything I just mentioned. Battery Wallace was named after Colonel Elmer J. Wallace, a Coast Artillery Officer who died in battle in Somlly, France in 1918. It's a WWI-era reinforced concrete with two 12 inch guns on each side. Construction started in 1917 and completed in 1921 which was then transferred to the Coast Artillery for use as part of the coastal defense. Initially, the design of the gun placements did not include overhead protection from potential bombers. These were added later on both sides that included 5' of earth for extra protection and it would blend in and act as a camouflage from aerial spotters. The Battery was casemated during WWII and decommissioned in 1948, three years after the war. From below, the two gun emplacements looks ominous as you are looking up at them, and the first thing that comes to mind is fortified bunker. It must have been quite a sight the see both guns on each end just like an old gunslinger waiting to fire his guns at a moment's notice. This is one, cool looking battery as it just looks buff, beefy and manly. *Insert Tim Allen grunting sound here.* There are two separate tunnels leading to each gun emplacement, and you just feel secure walking through them. But the best feature of this battery is the gorgeous views that it provides from the front, topside and backend of the battery. You can see Battery Mendell down below as well the the beach and the ocean from the front and top and a great view of the Golden Gate Bridge and the city from the rear. There's even a picnic area in the back, but that is another story to be told at a later time. The next time you're in Point Bonita, just look up the hill from the parking lot and you'll see this gorgeous-looking battery and it'll be waiting for you to be explored. #YelpChallenge2020 review No. 83

    Photos
    Battery Wallace
    Battery Wallace - Air vents on top of the Battery

    Air vents on top of the Battery

    Battery Wallace - Gun Emplacement

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    Gun Emplacement

    Battery Kirby

    Battery Kirby

    4.0(2 reviews)
    2.2 mi

    Really fun to explore abandoned war relics in San Francisco. Battery Kirby was built and used…read morearound World War II when Pearl Harbor was invaded. The battery is just a relic but adds wonder. Kirby was a Civil War lieutenant. Walk up the stairs and go to the top and wander. Take in the views.

    Battery Kirby, obviously in Kirby Cove, was part of the Harbor Defense of San Francisco. It's a…read morereinforced concrete Endicot Period 12" battery guns that was part of Fort Baker. An interesting fact is that it shares a history with the Philippines during WWII. I'll get to that later. The battery was constructed in 1899 and completed in 1900. It had its own power plant with two 25 KW gasoline motor-generator sets. Named after 1st Lieutenant Edmund Kirby, who served as a Brigadier General of Volunteers during the Civil War, who died in battle. It was mounted with two 12" guns on disappearing carriages and was in service from 1900 and decommissioned in 1941. Its first gun was dismounted September 21, 1933 and was subsequently shipped to the Philippines and mounted on Battery Cheney, Fort Mills, Corregidor. That's the same island where General Douglas MacArthur escaped on March 11, 1942 and made his famous quote, "I shall return." The second gun was dismounted on August 28, 1941 and was also shipped to the same fort and battery in Corregidor, Philippines. No wonder when I first saw this battery I was immediately drawn to it. Unlike most of the batteries constructed along the coast, this one is laid flat behind the beach. From the front, it's hardly visible and camouflaged by the land with only the observation deck visible. It was probably designed this way to blend in with the natural surroundings. Now, it's a cool place to explore and part of the rich military history of San Francisco. At least it has a great view of the Golden Gate Bridge. #YelpChallenge2020 review No. 72

    Photos
    Battery Kirby
    Battery Kirby - Emplacement # 2

    Emplacement # 2

    Battery Kirby - Rear of battery

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    Rear of battery

    Battery Mendell - landmarks - Updated May 2026

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