In some places at Fort Funston the dunes reach heights of 200 feet or more. At the foot of these rugged dunes and cliffs is a wild and windy beach suitable for walking or horseback riding.

These great sandy bluffs, combined with the steady ocean breeze, make Fort Funston one of the premier hang-gliding spots in the nation—especially between the months of March and October. Fort Funston is a Hang-III (intermediate) site with a launch area and wheelchair-accessible viewing deck. For those interested in learning more about this daring sport, several hang-gliding shops in the Fort Funston area offer instruction, sales, and repairs.

VISIT FORT FUNSTON: TIPS AND HIGHLIGHTS

• Park in the lot off Skyline Boulevard.
• Keep a close eye on the kids, as the surf and undertow are extremely dangerous. It’s a steep, strenuous hike down to the beach and back up, so be ready to haul small ones or take only the sure-footed.
• The Fort Funston Native Plant Nursery welcomes volunteers.
• The loop trails at Fort Funston are paved and wheelchair-accessible; the trails down to the beach are not.
• Click here for updates on dog management policies at Fort Funston.

Sand Dunes
Plants with deep roots and a tolerance for harsh conditions are uniquely adapted to growing on a constantly shifting sand-dune landscape. The San Francisco peninsula was once covered with sand dunes, and today the peninsula’s largest remaining dune field can be found at Fort Funston.

Soldiers to Students
When the first flag went up over Fort Funston’s parade ground in the early 1900s, the San Francisco Chronicle remarked that it looked more like a frontier post than one near a heavily populated city. Later, this unassuming place became a base for some heavy weaponry: first, the 16-inch guns of Battery Davis, and later, Nike missiles. Today, the barracks have more friendly occupants—the schoolchildren attending programs at the Fort Funston’s environmental education center.