Historic California Forts

Fortifications at the Golden Gate, California by Louis K. Harlow, 1895.

Fortifications at the Golden Gate, California by Louis K. Harlow, 1895.

From old Spanish presidios to trading post fortresses, and military establishments created for the Civil War and to fight the Indians, California has numerous forts that continue to stand today.

The Beneicia Historical Museum, courtesy  California Military Museum.

The Benicia Historical Museum, courtesy  California Military Museum.

Benicia Arsenal

Camp Yerba Buena Island

Drum Barracks

El Presidio De Santa Barbara

Fort Alcatraz

Fort Baker

Fort Barry

Fort Bidwell

Alcatraz Citadel 1908

Alcatraz Citadel 1908

Fort Bragg

Fort Cronkhite

Fort Crook

Fort Funston

Fort Guijarros

Fort Humboldt

Fort Independence

Fort MacArthur

Fort Mason

Fort McDowell, Angel Island, California by James Rosenthal

Fort McDowell, Angel Island, California by James Rosenthal

Fort McDowell (Angel Island)

Fort Ord

Fort Point

Fort Reading

Fort Rosecrans

Fort Ross

Fort San Bernardino

Fort Tejon

Fort Winfield Scott

Fort Yuma

Presidio of Monterey, California

Presidio of Monterey, California

Presidio of Monterey

Presidio of San Diego

Presidio de San Francisco

Presidio Of Sonoma

Sutter’s Fort

© Kathy Weiser-Alexander/Legends of America, updated November 2021.

Also See:

American Forts Photo Gallery

California Forts Photo Gallery

California Main Page

Forts Across America

War & Military in American History