- Hours: Opening days and hours vary, but
- Cost: Parking fee - some activities require separate tickets
- Location: San Francisco waterfront between Aquatic Park and the Golden Gate Bridge
- How Long: Varies with what you're going to do
- Best Time to Visit: Daytime for great views, evenings for performances or dinner
What do you do with an abandoned military complex? San Francisco turned this one into an arts complex. You'll find musuems, art galleries, theatres and a legendary restaurant humming along in the old buildings from the military era. Covering 13 acres, Fort Mason has lots of rental spaces that host all kinds of fun events.
A few of the things you'll find here are:
- Greens Restaurant: Their vegetarian creations are good enough to satisfy even the most ardent meat-eaters - and the Golden Gate Bridge views from the dining room are unparalleled. Reservations are highly recommended for weekend brunch and dinner any time, but if you're in a hurry or have a more limited budget, they have a nice takeout counter, too.
- Mexican Museum: The first museum in the United States to focus on the work of Mexican and Mexican-American artists is still a leader in the field of Latino arts and art education.
- Museo ItaloAmericano: Dedicated to exhibiting the works of Italian and Italian-American artists and to fostering a public appreciation for Italian art, culture, and history.
- Magic Theatre: Sam Shepard was writer in residence here for many years and he still stages plays here, along with a variety of innovative writers and performers.
- BATS Improv: A comedy group that has been named named the Bay Area's best comedy troupe and best first date spot.
- Long Now Museum & Gallery: Possibly the most unique museum at Fort Mason, this one is dedicated to promoting long-term thinking, their creations all serve as icons to prompt us to think about the distant future, including an all-mechnical clock designed to run for 10,000 years.
- Outdoor Exploratorium: 15 outdoor science exhibits highlight the natural world. They're located in Fort Mason Center and adjoining Upper Fort Mason and you can get a map in the main office or download it before you go.
- Events held at Fort Mason include jewelry sales, craft shows, performing arts, wine and food festivals. Check the upcoming schedule.
Fort Mason Tips
- Located in the Golden Gate National Recreation Area, Fort Mason is a good starting point for a walk or bike ride along a less-touristy part of the San Francisco waterfront. Fom the park area above it, you can get a great view of the Fort, the bay, and the Golden Gate Bridge.
- Just above Fort Mason is the San Francisco International San Francisco Fisherman's Wharf Hostel, which despite its name is actually at Fort Mason. They have private rooms and are very affordable.
- Fort Mason residents offers all kinds of classes in the arts. Check the Fort Mason website for more information.
Where is Fort Mason?
Fort Mason
San Francisco, CA
(415) 345-7500
Fort Mason website
Fort Mason is located on the San Francisco waterfront between Aquatic Park and the Golden Gate Bridge in the Golden Gate National Recreation Area, near the intersection of Bay and
By automobile, you can park in the Fort Mason Center parking lot, accessible from Marina Blvd. at Buchanan. There is a small but reasonable parking fee.
Muni bus route number 28 takes you directly to Fort Mason.
