Fort Point Light, San Francisco

Fort Point Light is an 8.2-meter cast iron tower that sits atop the thick stone walls of the fortress at the entrance to San Francisco Bay. The slender structure rises above the massive walls and creates a striking contrast between the historic fort and the bridge that now towers above it.

The lighthouse was built in 1855 as the third beacon constructed at this strategic location. Earlier structures had been destroyed, and this tower served ships approaching the bay for many decades.

The lighthouse is part of Fort Point National Historic Site and reflects how important this location was for shipping and coastal defense in the 1800s. Visitors can still sense the daily work that sailors and soldiers once performed to watch over the bay.

Fort Point National Historic Site is open throughout the year and offers guided tours of the fort and lighthouse. The best views of the structure come from within the fort itself, where visitors can walk close to the tower.

The lighthouse stands directly beneath the southern pylon of the Golden Gate Bridge, creating a rare overlap of maritime heritage and modern engineering. Visitors are often struck by how this small historic tower sits under the massive steel structure above.

Location: San Francisco

Inception: 1855

Height: 8.2 m

Made from material: cast iron

Part of: Fort Point

GPS coordinates: 37.81083,-122.47694

Latest update: December 14, 2025 20:04