Point Cavallo

Across the shimmering waters of San Francisco Bay, Point Cavallo beckons. It’s a place where wild horses once roamed freely. Point Cavallo has witnessed centuries of change. It has seen the native Miwok tribes, the arrival of Spanish explorers, and the rise of a bustling city across the bay. Point Cavallo itself takes its name from these majestic creatures. “Punta de Caballo,” the Spanish called it, meaning “Horse Point”. The name evolved over time to the Point Cavallo we know today. This point, jutting out into the bay near Fort Baker, holds a unique place in San Francisco’s history. In 1775, a Spanish ship’s commander, upon seeing the wild horses, christened the rocky point “Punta de Caballo.” Point Cavallo wasn’t always a tranquil spot for visitors. For a time, it played a vital role in the defense of San Francisco. Fort Baker, established in 1866 and developed over the following decades, encompassed Point Cavallo. The fort housed the U.S. Army, protecting the northern entrance to the Golden Gate. During World War II, Point Cavallo and Fort Baker became a strategic center for harbor defense. Soldiers prepared mines loaded with hundreds of pounds of dynamite, ready to protect the bay from enemy ships. Today, Point Cavallo is a peaceful haven within the Golden Gate National Recreation Area. The former military buildings of Fort Baker have been transformed into Cavallo Point Lodge. This award-winning lodge offers breathtaking views of the Golden Gate Bridge, San Francisco Bay, and the city skyline. Visitors can explore the area’s rich history. They can enjoy refined Northern California cuisine at the lodge’s restaurants. Or they can simply relax and soak in the natural beauty of this historic landmark. Point Cavallo stands as a testament to the enduring power of nature and a reminder of the layers of history that shape our world.