Meandering Elsewhere in Marin: The Cold War Revived in the GGNRA

On April 21st we hiked up to Hill 88 above Rodeo Lagoon in the GGNRA. The Integrated Fire Control SF-88 Nike Missile installation in the Marin Headlands was located here. It part of one of several Nike installations ringing the San Francisco Bay Area.

Today, hawks and Turkey Vultures rather than Nike ground-to-air guided missiles soar over this part of the Golden Gate National Recreation Area. But you can learn about those Cold War era missiles at a spot just beyond the Marin Headlands Visitor Center.

Nike site SF-88 is open for visiting from Wednesday to Friday of every week as well as the first Saturday of every month. Visiting hours are from 12:30 to 3:30 p.m. During the week, site manager John leads periodic tours of the RADAR vans, the fueling area and the missile magazine. An open house with volunteers and Nike Veterans interpreting each of the areas on the base is offered the first Saturday of every month. (The next open house will be Saturday, June 6th; there will be no open house in July; click here for more information).