Fort Baker — Attraction in Sausalito

Fort Baker was originally a 19th Century Coastal Artillery Defense Post. During WWI it became the Head Quarters (HQ) and training camp for what would become the 91st Infantry Division. The division fought in the trenches of WWI and had the honor of several soldiers being awarded The Medal of Honor "For service above and beyond the call of duty.” most awards are made post-posthumusly meaning the soldier died while doing his duty. The division became known as the Wild West Division because its soldiers were raised from the Wild West states. Because of this, and the US Army's history in "Injun Fighting" along the Powder River in the Dakota Territories it became customary for a soldier, when saluting a superior to say, "Powder River!" and the officer returning the salute said, "Let her buck!" meaning that 91st Div soldiers are ready for war.

After WWI the division was deactivated but was later reactivated with the start of WWII where the division fought in the Italian Campaign bringing along with them the traditional salute words which were carried into the 21st Century.

I was assigned to the 91st Div HQ and HQ Company (US Army Reserves) after demobilization from Gulf War I when I moved to the San Francisco area. So I joined hundreds of other soldiers, past and present, who ran and trained on the fort's grounds and I know I would sweat out 1 gallon per day of field training.

With the collapse of the USSR in the early 1990s the unit's mission was changed from that of an infantry division to becoming a combat training unit which put on field and computer based field exercises for army reserve combat units. If there was one thing our Commanding General (CG) held us to it was that we had better stay in shape so that we would be able to keep up with the soldiers we trained at nearby Camp Parks.

Later the 91st Training Division was moved to Camp Parks so that the fort could become part of a national park. Although I wonder how many hikers and joggers realize just how many thousands of gallons of sweat were poured out on these training ground for God and Country.

There were also times of great beauty, such as when we would be standing in parade formation facing the mountain to the west when a low cloud from the Pacific would begin to appear over the crest of the ridge and it was so thick and heavy that it looked like an apparition was actually beginning to fall over the top of the mountain and down into the valley towards us. The cloud was so thick it looked like something from a horror movie that would slowly fall and move towards hundreds of soldiers standing at attention or parade rest -- that would swallow all of us. And we were paid to watch these beautiful manifestations of nature!

There were so many time when I loved being a soldier -- but there were other times in the horror of war that scared the Hell out of me! So we learned how to function and fight as a team in the midst of nearly...

We have visited this fort on previous visits to the San Francisco area and walked among the old "batteries" which still sits here.  Walking on these grounds gave you a sense of what it was like back in the 1900s, when these forts were active around the San Francisco Bay Area.

The old parade ground still exist but a "Children's Museum" (East Road) of sorts has been built on the grounds which we visited while our kids were small.  From the pier, you can see the Presidio, the Golden Gate Bridge, and the rest of the Bay Area when it's not "fogged in."

We also stopped into the "The Marine Mammal Center" which is located off of Bunker Road and along the coast.  This whole area which falls under the Golden Gate National Recreation Area is a wonderful place to take your family to...

This is a very good area for photographing the Golden Gate Bridge, San Francisco, and the Bay. The views on a clear day are incredible! It is easy to spend some time here walking around and exploring nearby attractions – The Bay Area Discovery Museum for chidlren, Battery Yates, and Fort Baker. Parking is plentiful: some at the pier, and there is a huge parking area next to the Discovery Museum. Quite a few people were fishing and crabbing when we visited. Another good fact – this area is not crowded as many other GG/SF vista points. If you will walk an appetite during your visit there is Bean sprout café next the Discovery Museum where you can get juice, coffee, burgers, sandwiches, pizza, ice cream, etc. And for amore elevated experience you may choose Sula, just check...