Presidio of San Francisco in San Francisco City and County, California — The American West (Pacific Coastal)

Guarding the Golden Gate

A defense priority on the West Coast

Photographed by Adam Margolis, May 30, 2016

1. Guarding the Golden Gate Marker

Inscription. The West Coast's most important harbor was a defense priority for three nations. Beginning in 1776, Spanish, then Mexican, and finally American troops guarded the narrow, highly defensible Golden Gate Strait for two centuries.

From the 1849 Gold Rush through World War II, San Francisco Bay ports played a key role in the United States' growth and rise to World Power. Gold Seekers, soldiers, entrepreneurs, immigrants, raw materials, commercial goods and gold came and went through the Golden Gate. Increasingly powerful weapons positions above the strait defended this critical passage as troop ships carried soldiers to and from wars around the world.

Erected by Golden Gate National Recreation Area / National Park Service.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Forts and Castles • Parks & Recreational Areas. A significant historical year for this entry is 1776.

Location. 37° 48.226′ N, 122° 28.621′ W. Marker is in San Francisco, California, in San Francisco City and County. It is in Presidio of San Francisco. It can be reached from Lincoln Boulevard. Marker is located on the trail off of the

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Langdon Court Parking Lot. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: San Francisco CA 94129, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is on California’s Coast Ranges.

It is also on the American Pacific Coast.

Globally, it is in North America,

on the Ring of Fire,

in the Pacific Rim,

in the Western Hemisphere,

in the Western World,

and in the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once New Spain

and also Mexico’s Alta California.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Exploring the San Francisco Headlands (a few steps from this marker); Explosive Military Advances (within shouting distance of this marker); The Golden Gate Bridge (approx. 0.3 miles away); Types of Bridges (approx. 0.3 miles away); Facts & Figures About the Bridge (approx. 0.3 miles away); Joseph Strauss Legacy Circle (approx. 0.3 miles away); Steel, Fog, Salt, Rust, and Paint (approx. 0.3 miles away); Tall and Strong (approx. 0.3 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in San Francisco.

Photographed by Adam Margolis, May 30, 2016

2. Guarding the Golden Gate Marker

Credits. This page was last revised on February 7, 2023. It was originally submitted on April 16, 2022, by Adam Margolis of Mission Viejo, California. This page has been viewed 142 times since then and 7 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on April 16, 2022, by Adam Margolis of Mission Viejo, California. • Syd Whittle was the editor who published this page.