Institute at the Golden Gate

Who We Are
The Institute is a home for leaders across all sectors who strongly believe it will take a fundamental shift in behavior, and a new kind of partnership, to advance environmental sustainability.

The Institute is a program of the Golden Gate National Parks Conservancy in partnership with the National Park Service, created to serve as a catalyst to connect, collaborate, inspire, and act on behalf of our planet.

What We Do
We convene and collaborate with nonprofit, for-profit, and government groups to broker long-term relationships that drive positive environmental change. Our signature conference, Turning the Tide, gathers hundreds of eco-innovators for meetings, panel discussions, working groups, and spotlight lectures.

Who We Serve
We bring together environmentalists, business executives, philanthropists, inventors, venture capitalists, scientists, social entrepreneurs, youth activists, and engaged leaders from across all sectors committed to advancing global sustainability.

We create opportunities for nonprofit and government entities to join this network by providing affordable green meeting space, and connecting emerging leaders and organizations through their shared vision.

Where We Are
The Institute is based at historic Fort Baker in the Golden Gate National Parks. Nestled beneath the world-famous Golden Gate Bridge in Sausalito, Calif., we offer an inspiring backdrop for learning, contemplation, and collaborative dialogue and action to address environmental challenges.

Cavallo Point—the Lodge at the Golden Gate offers the largest green meeting space in the San Francisco Bay Area. With more than 29,000 square feet of meeting space and outdoor gathering places, 68 historic rooms and 74 contemporary rooms built to LEED standards, Cavallo Point is perfect for a range of conferences, retreats and other events that are in keeping with the Institute’s mission. Learn more about Cavallo Point's meeting spaces.

Accommodations at Cavallo Point blend historic charm with 21st-century comfort and “green” features. All 68 historic rooms have high pressed-tin ceilings, wood floors, sitting rooms, and well-appointed, contemporary bathrooms. Most of the 74 contemporary units enjoy commanding views of the Golden Gate Bridge and San Francisco, and all are designed or renovated to LEED standards. All guest rooms feature windows that open and most rooms have a fireplace, terrace, balcony or porch. Lodging configurations will accommodate a range of guests, from couples to families to groups.

Details and Amenities

• 142 inviting and well-appointed guest rooms and suites.
• More than 26,000 square feet of event space for groups of 10-300, including 14,000 square feet of flexible indoor event space and 12,500 square feet of outdoor event space.
• Environmentally friendly building design and maintenance.
• State-of-the-art technology: high-speed Internet, drop-down screens and built-in sound.
• Fine dining restaurant and lounge.
• 11,000 square foot spa with 11 treatment rooms, fitness center and Healing Arts Center.
• 7 miles to downtown San Francisco and 21 miles to San Francisco International Airport.

Program Partners

The Institute works with a variety of organizations to design and deliver programs. Current program partners include Conservation International, the Aspen Institute, the National Park Service, and the WELL Network.

Fort Baker: A Project Built on Partnership

The Institute at the Golden Gate was established through a collaboration of nonprofit, government, and private organizations, including the Golden Gate National Parks Conservancy, National Park Service and the Fort Baker Retreat Group LLC. The Institute is operated as a program of the Golden Gate National Parks Conservancy in partnership with the National Park Service. The Institute is managed by a team of Conservancy staff, with oversight by Conservancy managers and trustees.  

The partnership at Fort Baker is comprised of:

The Golden Gate National Parks Conservancy is the nonprofit membership organization created to preserve the Golden Gate National Parks, enhance the experience of its park visitors, and build a community dedicated to conserving the parks for the future.

The National Park Service (NPS) manages the Golden Gate National Parks as well as 390 other park sites across the United States. Established in 1916, the mission of the NPS is to conserve the scenery, natural and historic resources, and wildlife within these parklands and to provide for their enjoyment for future generations.

Cavallo Point—The Lodge at the Golden Gate has been developed by the Fort Baker Retreat Group LLC, which consists of Equity Community Builders LLC, Passport Resorts LLC, and Ajax Capital LLC. Cavallo Point is managed by Passport Resorts, the owners and/or operators of the award winning Post Ranch Inn, Hotel Hana-Maui and Honua Spa, and the Jean-Michel Cousteau Fiji Islands Resort. For information and reservations, phone (415) 339-4700 or visit www.cavallopoint.com