U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Bay Model

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Bay Model is a hydraulic engineering museum in Sausalito that occupies two acres and holds a physical reproduction of San Francisco Bay and the Sacramento-San Joaquin River Delta. The facility demonstrates in detail how water moves through the region's waterways and river systems.

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers built this facility in 1957 to study water flow patterns and test proposed development projects for the region. It became an important tool for planning how the growing area would manage its water resources.

The place reflects how people have learned to live with water and tidal changes in this region. Visitors can see how locals depend on understanding these natural systems for their daily lives.

The museum is located in Sausalito near the waterfront and has free admission for all visitors. It is a good idea to allow several hours to explore the models and learn from the displays at your own pace.

The model features 286 concrete slabs arranged in a precise configuration that shows how tides and currents move at a reduced scale. This level of accuracy allows visitors to see water movements that would be impossible to observe in the real bay.

Location: California

Inception: January 1, 1942

Fee: No

Address: Bridgeway

Opening Hours: Tuesday-Friday 09:00-15:00; Saturday 09:00-16:00

Website: https://spn.usace.army.mil/Missions/Recreation/Bay-Model-Visitor-Center

GPS coordinates: 37.86330,-122.49500

Latest update: December 7, 2025 19:28