I’ve only ever walked along the actual beach at Baker Beach. This time I parked in a different spot and wandered through a grove of trees that had hidden several abandoned wartime bunkers. Now covered in graffiti and derelict, there they were.
My brain went immediately to holy crap! These are left over war relics! Actual people used to get inside these and do whatever it was they did then. Naturally from there, I thought, how can I get inside? I wanted to touch history. The best I could accomplish was with my camera, shooting what’s left, the earthly remains, and imagine.
Upon inquiry, I found out that these bunkers were and are still part of the Presidio, now preserved for historic reasons. The Battery Chamberlin still conducts demonstrations the first weekend of every month, without the actual firing, of course.
This huge “disappearing” gun was designed with a range of nine miles and could fire two rounds per minute with a crew of twenty-five men working brigade style to get all the necessary rounds, gun powder, equipment, etc., needed to fire each round. After firing, it would go back down into the ground, disappearing from sight. No ear protection was worn, so hearing damage was not uncommon.
If you get a chance to get to Baker Beach and wander through the bunkers, stop and think about why they’re there and how they protected our coast and helped us maintain the lifestyle we currently enjoy. You will be awed.
Find your way with 157 Insider Tips from our Local Spotters
It's an easy hike with trees, ferns, and other bits of nature surrounding the trail. If you stop and listen, you will hear… nothing.
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The building of the City Hall itself is an architectural wonder. Stand below the dome and wander through the main floor, which is open to the public!
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I love coming to Alamo Square in San Francisco and getting a yummy park coffee from Lady Falcon Coffee Club and their converted 1940s bread truck!
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"Saint Frank Coffee" in San Francisco feels like an airy museum on the inside. I always leave with a few bags of coffee and an iced latte in hand...
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I've never been to a cafe that made me feel as if I had been teleported to another place than "Stable Cafe" in San Francisco... Felt like I was in Italy!
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"The Mill SF" with its red brick exterior gets one curious straight away! I come here for their awesome toast, especially the cinnamon sugar toast!
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TIme has almost forgotten the "Presidio Pet Cemetery" in San Francisco, with pet hedge stones & names from when this was an active Army base...
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What makes "SPRO Coffee Lab" in San Francisco and its food truck special is their specialty crafted coffee drinks & artisanal goods. It's a gem of a spot!
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"Park Life" in San Francisco is an art gallery space with fun arts & crafts supplies and home décor that will jazz up your home! So much to enjoy here...
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"Pearl 6161" is a restaurant in San Francisco in an old laundromat. Its Mediterranean-meets-California vibe, the high ceiling and the tiles... I'm in love!
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