Fort Mason Center for Arts & Culture

I recently attended the conference that was held at the Gateway Pavilion location in the National Historic Landmark on the San Francisco waterfront — the Fort Mason Center for Arts & Culture that offers venues unlike any other, with spectacular views of Alcatraz and the Golden Gate Bridge, complemented by a maritime atmosphere, water, and birds, which add serenity and peace.

I started my walk at Van Ness Avenue and Bay Street (Buses 19, 30, 49 and 29) and walked along Van Ness Avenue towards the water. Eventually you will end at the trail that leads into Fort Mason and exit where Safeway is (about .5 walk semi flat trail). Along the walk, there are markers that provide historical information of what you see and where you are at. This walk gives you an entire view of Fort Mason and its surrounding areas. The walk was tranquil and peaceful - an easy walk. Views of Ghirardelli Square, Golden Gate Bridge, Aquatic Cove, Pier 4 (original Alcatraz pier), Alcatraz Island, Fort Mason Park, Community Garden, and Aquatic Park can be seen on this walk. I saw two statues: Madonna and Philp Burton in Fort Mason Park. When you reach Safeway, turn right and you will be at Fort Mason Center (that is the aerial view you got from the walk). The Center doesn't have much except for the theatre and two restaurants. However, some buildings are occupied by businesses. Parking is not free - there are ticket machines to purchase a parking pass. Fort Mason Security (they work for the non-profit that manages this area) do patrol frequently so make sure you pay. Security tells me that that the parking lot isn't full even with large events.

This is really great place. We had a great view of ocean . Must visit places

Fort Mason Center for Arts & Culture is a vibrant spot with galleries, performances, and great waterfront views. It offers plenty of parking and tasty food options like Greens Restaurant, Radhaus, and Equator Coffee. Can get lively during events, but it’s a perfect mix of art, food, and scenery.

Great very awesome place best views in the World Golden Gate Bridge

Great views and there is parking although you have to pay for it. $25 all day during my conference. Great views of the golden gate bridge and Alcatraz.

Fort Mason Center for Arts & Culture's mission is to engage and connect people with arts and culture on a historic waterfront campus. Once the gateway to the Pacific for many soldiers from the late 19th century through WWII, in its modern incarnation Fort Mason Center is home to many non-profit programs including museums, theater groups, centers for the arts and food places.

Wonderful revitalization of this port depots area. The views of the bay and the Golden Gate are great anytime of the day or night. Plenty of food options and cultural activities. Highly recommend.

On Feb. 4, 2023, we attended the BAAITS (Bay Area American Indian Two Spirits). It was a well-attended event. This place was clean and very spacious. Since, we were still under the pandemic, it was comforting to be there, as it had high ceilings and several doors accessible all around. There was also ample parking. This was a great venue to have and host citywide events in the future.

***This review is for Fort Mason FLIX*** Heartbroken that this is the last month for Fort Mason FLIX. As an SF native born and raised in the city, I really wish that Fort Mason FLIX was around when I was growing up, and I reallllly wish it was here to stay. I'm not sure why it has to come to an end, but I am really hoping that something changes and their lease gets extended bc there's no reason why they shouldn't operate year-round. People love it and it gives San Franciscans a safe way to go to the movies again. Please don't go, Fort Mason Flix :( s/o and tysm to Jun who handles Customer Service. There was an issue with my experience at the first showing I went to, and Jun immediately provided a really wonderful solution/fix after I reached out. Thank you soooo much, Jun. You're the best. And PLEASE DON'T GO, Fort Mason Flix :( :( :(

** The following review reflects my experience prior to the shelter-in-place order currently in effect. ** Much like the Presidio or Golden Gate Park, Fort Mason is a space that ungrateful residents like me take for granted because you know it's there but you just don't find the time to appreciate it. With shelter-in-place in full effect now, I certainly appreciate these spaces more since they're only memories now given they all exceed the five-mile radius from my home in SoMa. Oh sure, I've been to Greens for a birthday dinner before, and the annual flower & garden show a couple of times, and there was the occasional Friday foray into Off the Grid. This last time, Jamie W. and I were able to explore it a bit more as part of our Marina walkabout. We went to Equator for coffee, shopped at FLAX, and browsed the used books at Friends. The military history makes it an important landmark, and its panoramic bayside setting makes it ideal as a congregation area for performing arts, dining, and selective shopping. I also think it may be one of the few places in the city where safe distancing could work on non-event days. Somehow we'll all survive this, and I can appreciate places like Fort Mason a lot more. RELATED - Looking for the city's landmarks? Here's a collection of places I've visited and reviewed: https://bit.ly/2FrlWQl

The pandemic made it necessary for the Bay to step up its outdoor-entertainment game as evidenced by the al fresco restaurant seating & drive-in theaters that've cropped up as of late. I've gone to drive-in movies sporadically in my life & they're always a blast, & bonus for the new normal -- they're naturally socially distanced. Fort Mason Flix is putting on movies til April 18th & tickets are $49 per car (plus Eventbrite's ~$9 fee.) I couldn't resist dragging my household to see mischievous, precocious "Madeline." We piled up in the truck with snacks in tow (although there are several restaurants at Fort Mason if you are so inclined to pre-plan a meal) & had a cozy evening of movie magic. Now that you know the 411, you & those in your bubble can have a superb evening together by the waterfront, too.

Nice selection of restaurants and cafes. Great place for refreshments or a hearty meal when enjoying Marina Green or Chrissy Field. Windy - bring a jacket!

Events/ Art Gallery space surrounded by ocean & harbor, across from the biker-friendly Great meadow park. Relaxing, peaceful, spacious, breezy environment w/ simply furnished old buildings. A place for performing arts & art exhibits. Nothing too glamorous or unconventional. Everything cultural & traditional. A few Community college classrooms & traditional art supply shops, including CCSF culinary & design workshops, Flex Art & design, and Readers bookstore. Building's upstairs contains non-profit organizational offices & galleries. Visited the Fumiyo Fushikawa's gallery exhibit at the visitor's center. Elegant & embroidered. I'd say this place is great for special events, like craft fairs, festivals, and ballet shows. For a regular visit, there isnt' much going on. Simply enjoy the nature surrounding here.

Not bad for holding conventions. This building is pretty open and by the glorious sea. It is a great location for photos and get-to-together's. I came here for J-POP Summit and had a nice experience. I have no real complaints so keep it up :)

A variety of events held at Fort Mason Center. There are cultural, food, art, music, cool talks, performance...so many things you can't think of happening.

What a pleasant day to stroll through this urban kind of market! From botanical plants, tea, sea salt truffle and other flavors, accessories and to handcrafted miscellaneous items, this place is quite remarkable. It's like a people's market. Their chocolate fudge ice cream on a stick from the ice cream cart, was delightful when covering the other half of the market. The outside fort, had an amazing view of the ocean and Golden Gate Bridge, if weather permits! An enjoyable outing!

This review is for the FLIX event series during the pandemic. I just went to see the Minions movie, part of the FLIX event series at Fort Mason, and wow, this is awesome! First, I'm so glad they are doing these drive-in movies! Finally, an outing that is actually safe! I'd looked into drive-ins in the East Bay where I live, but they are at night, and I have a young kid, so it's after bedtime. But these movies are at 5:30pm, and no, it's not a problem that it isn't dark out. You can easily see the screen no problem. Everyone stays in their car, so it is a totally safe outing, but an outing all the same. We went tonight and it felt so good to get out of the house and go somewhere for a change! I'm also really impressed with how the event is organized. There are plenty of staff in reflective vests (with masks on) to tell you where to go, check you in with your ticket, and show you exactly where to park your car. Every staff member was gracious and helpful. They also give you a flyer with information and a phone number you can call if you have any problems. This is a very family friendly event (when the movie is a kids movie). And everyone has to stay in their cars except for going to the bathroom, so you don't have to worry about people getting into your space. Masks are required if you need to leave your vehicle, and everyone was good about obeying the rules. We really wondered how it would work, but it worked just fine. It's hard to see the top of the screen from the backseat, so our son sat on the hump on the floor in the middle of the back and leaned into the center console. I saw people in their cars with toddlers on their lap in the front seat. People with hatchbacks or SUVs can open the back of their vehicles and cuddle in the back with blankets, as long as they park at the back and stay completely inside the vehicle. I think if you have a regular car and multiple not tiny kids it might be hard for everyone to see well. But tiny kids just popped into the front with their parents, and other kids can do what mine did. We tuned into the FM radio station to listen, and it worked really well. We came with water bottles and PB&J sandwiches and popcorn we made at home, plus a few toys/games to occupy us until the movie started (the event opens one hour before the movie begins, and so you may have up to a one hour wait). It is good to be prepared! I highly recommend this event!

My idea of a perfect Sunday afternoon almost always involves alcohol. When we saw a deeply discounted offer for tickets at the SF vintner's market, we jumped at the opportunity: 4 hours of wine tasting? Yes please! With over 40+ wineries in attendance, tequila tasting, a cigar vendor, gourmet specialty stores selling top quality olive oils, truffles etc. Bites from the Sandwich Shop and Kara's cupcakes for dessert, whoa. We didn't know where to start. Actually? We did. We paid extra so we can get into the reserve tasting area. We did leisurely sips of J winery's sparkling rose and Pinot, Veeder Crest's cabernet and Townley's Chardonnay. Then we spotted a throng of people at Chateau Montelena and we immediately abandoned all others and stayed there for awhile! the Sauvignon Blanc had a fragrant bouquet and their Cab is always top notch. Verve winery's gewurtztraminer was pleasantly sweet on the palate with notes of honey and apricots. Cloud's Rest 2009 Pinot Noir is so sublime, I'll just go ahead and say it's worth the $97/bottle price tag. (no, I don't have my head stuck in the clouds either) Fort Mason is a massive venue that's perfect for events like this and with an even more perfect view of the bay and Alcatraz, you'd be hard pressed not to have a great time here.

We came here to attend a festival through Intel. This place has several buildings and they have different galleries. Great place to start is the visitor center. And they have a great view of the bay.

Tonight's event was the Dewar's scotch whiskey free tasting with free appetizers and free cocktails. They even handed out free flasks afterward. It was a fun & classy event and we even got to blend our own whiskey! I was here a few months ago for a Johnny Walker tasting and between the two, JW is a much better blend of whiskey. Dewar's had us trying unfinished, harsh blends until we got to their 12 & 18 year malts. Not cool. The free swag at the end was very cool though. Dewar's also seemed to be rushing people out instead of enjoying our Scotch Whiskey blend. One female employee even attempted to lecture us about drinking and driving, it was comical. Free booze, free food & a free flask... Definitely a 5 star event with a three star product.

Great time @ the Fort Mason Center tonight. The fourth pavilion hosted the 33rd Annual International Beer Festival! Hundreds of people gathered for the festival which had a premium brewers lounge, 8 zoned areas for beer tasting and lots of free food (nachos, meatballs, pizza, bacon and more). Fort Mason is on the water and you can easily see Alcatraz and the Golden Gate Bridge! Great place to visit!

I am a social creature but I also love quiet moments by myself. It is a challenge to find a place of solitude nowadays when I-Pods abound and people just cannot seem to stop talking! Rainy but cozy, I found a perfect place to hide, eat healthy and "green," be surrounded by nature, arts and books. And it is free. I attended a training at Fort Mason yesterday and in between classes I was able to walk around and discover hidden treasures: http://www.yelp.com/biz_photos/NSFauaZbxHI0K2BiQaOVuA?select=trqfYYgm1j4fgBurj1a40A - Spend a rainy afternoon browsing at the BOOK BAY and buy a $1 book: A second-hand bookstore selling $1 and discounted second hand books benefiting the San Francisco Public Libraries. It is cute, quaint and sells used and even old books from the late 19th century. Browsing old books just few yards away from the San Francisco Bay just made the bookstore more special! - Indulge your inner artist at the SFMOMA ARTIST STUDIO. - Get some culture at the MUSEO which is an Italian-American Center: Part-museum, part store with unique products from Italy. They also hold free travel classes for those who are contemplating to visit Umbria, Florence, Rome, etc. http://www.yelp.com/biz_photos/NSFauaZbxHI0K2BiQaOVuA?select=j3l4yeeY3sisLUOc1_2-3g - Hungry? Grab a healthy and "green" food at GREENS. Yes, pun intended. Greens is a delightful upscale vegetarian restaurant at Fort Mason. They have a takeout cafe as well. (FYI--Greens is pricey.) - Already tired of walking and dying to read that new novel you just bought from Book Bay? Then sit on one of the benches, eat your healthy but yummy lunch, read your book and admire the BEAUTIFUL VIEW of San Francisco Bay around you. http://www.yelp.com/biz_photos/NSFauaZbxHI0K2BiQaOVuA?select=pvk3OB3WBinNEo8W64irOQ - Don't forget to peep into that TELESCOPE to look at some passing ships up close. http://www.yelp.com/biz_photos/NSFauaZbxHI0K2BiQaOVuA?select=8W_ofWlTCXCQj8OgbA7GYw http://www.yelp.com/biz_photos/NSFauaZbxHI0K2BiQaOVuA?select=tja_u7vl2b_VHiCo7q2t4Q http://www.yelp.com/biz_photos/NSFauaZbxHI0K2BiQaOVuA?select=CvXiyLzgQmB8QIcls_pDFg Parking is plenty and free outside of the gates of Fort Mason by the Marina. Otherwise, parking is expensive at Fort Mason. You don't have to spend any money (except lunch and book) to enjoy these precious moments. It is all free. Or just bring your own. You don't have to spend a dime! There are a lot more treasures to be found at each building at Fort Mason. I'll let you discover them (like this charming Cowell Theatre where improvs are held.) http://www.yelp.com/biz_photos/NSFauaZbxHI0K2BiQaOVuA?select=aDZT1sZKKAYRDJUYd2Yqpg Before you leave the area, take a walk at the Marina and remember to appreciate our very own Golden Gate Bridge. Despite the rain, I went for a walk in my work clothes. The clouds over the Golden Gate Bridge were dramatic. http://www.yelp.com/biz_photos/NSFauaZbxHI0K2BiQaOVuA?select=foJPPH8Mu1zvNHkkfRDXcA The rain was refreshing and the wind was very fresh. And most of all, I found my peace that I was craving. Now I know where to go for more..........

meh, Fort Mason Center is NOT a good place for a Convention, especially Walker Stalker Con First, it is rather difficult to navigate, park, and locate the area; depending on which direction you come from, we came from Fisherman's Wharf and got lost in the Fort Mason housing area, as there were no clear signs or directions of where each part was second, the parking scenario is a nightmare, one small parking lot for 20k people? i know it is not good planning on the convention organizers but even then the center shouldn't be promoting a large scale event to host and then lastly, the set up of the area isn't the best and not a good place for these events

Fort Mason has always been a spectacular spot to host an event, but this massive historic area, has also steadily been developing it's personality and charm. Outside of large scale events, which it hosts in it's many big warehouse size spaces, Fort Mason houses a wealth of organizations and businesses. From a small bookstore, to outstanding non-profits, to theater and much more. They've even begun hosting their own Farmer's Market and Off the Grid. I've always enjoyed all events which I've attended at Fort Mason. Though it can be tricky to cab back from Fort Mason Center - it's worth it. Gazing at the water, as the sun peeks above the clouds always makes for a divine San Francisco kissed weekend. Trust.

Excellent venue for events. The American Craft Show has great mix of items from jewelry, scarves, clothing, wood crafts, metal work and ceramics . Demo area - Mendocino Art Center is great spot to check out. Food vendors element as well. Little strange but it is there.

Fort Mason is a former United States Army post located in the northern Marina District. Fort Mason served as an Army post for more than 100 years, initially as a coastal defense site, and subsequently as a military port facility. During World War II, it handled most of the cargo for the Pacific campaign. Today it is part of the Golden Gate National Recreation Area and the site of several cultural facilities. It is a National Historic Landmark District with over 49 buildings of historic significance, spread over 1,200 acres. Fort Mason can be split into two distinct areas. The upper area, sometimes called Fort Mason, is situated on a headland and was the site of the original coastal fortifications. The lower area, Fort Mason Center , is situated close to water level to the west of Upper Fort Mason, and is the site of the former military port, with its piers and warehouses. The Marina Green lies to the west of Fort Mason, while Aquatic Park is to the east. I have attended various events at the Fort Mason over the years, including book fairs, wine tastings, private events, and dinner at Greens. I've also walked on the harbor edge path from Aquatic Park, over the headlands, and above yet another picture perfect Bay view. We enjoy an embarrassment of riches here within this City of St. Francis, and sometimes I lose sight of that we're living in paradise. Fort Mason and similar sights remind me.

************************** 517 **************************** I don't like the drive here, because of traffic, but love the Festival Pavilion where held so many good events and concerts here. If come early, you can still get good parking, only $8, this is so cheap compare to other places in San Francisco. I was here for the Charity Fashion Show, the Summer Salt Concert, Vintners Wines events, and many more. Also a great place to watch the Blue Angels. Got plenty of stalls for ladies. Definitely a better venue in SF. PS. If you wear 5" heels like me, the uneven pavement from the parking lot to the Festival Pavilion is surely a challenge!

We went to the Fort Mason Center to check out the Outdoor Exploratorium. It's Great because it's FREE and outdoors. They said there will be 20 exhibits, but only 13 were available, and one was an Audio Post & we couldn't hear it because we didn't have a radio. It's all along the Fort Mason Center so get a map from Building A. We saw: Window Arrows - ok House of Days - ok Bridge Thermometer - ok Fracture Mapping - kinda neat Lift - neat Architectural Mirage - didn't see it Portable Observatories - what was this about? Ship Constellations - ok Speed of Sound - ok Rust Wedge - ok Pier Piling Pivot - not that interesting Tasting the Tides - Not Ready! Wave Tracing - cool, the tide stick thing creates waves. Nice to bring your family - kids, everyone and take lots of pics and maybe learn something. Afterwards we went to some Craft Fair since A. picked up a postcard w/ 2 FREE entrance. Normally $7pp just to enter. Lots of crafts: glass, jewelry, clothes, etc. Just ok for me. Glad we didn't have to pay. A Used Bookstore was kinda neat. Didn't buy anything. Chocolate Salon coming up Sat 3/21/09 at Herbst Pavilion. website: http://www.fortmason.org/index.shtml

This place is amazing and picturesque. I came for Off the Grid and really enjoyed it. I'm really thankful this place was preserved, and not torn down to make some touristy area or some other kind of development.

I've been to Fort Mason on many occasions ... for art exhibits, for work related functions, for a gathering of many women to drink and shop and most recently a wedding. The pure versatility of the space earns it 3 stars. The usually available parking (in SF) earns it another star and finally, located by the water - with some hidden nooks with gorgeous views of the bay earns it one more.

This review is for Fort Mason Flix, although FMCAC is also worthy of 5 stars. Flix has been a real savior throughout the pandemic. It was a fun, communal cultural event when many indoor cultural experiences were closed to us: museums, galleries, concerts, etc. It made me feel like I was getting out in the world, and it was also my first drive-in experience. The staff has always been super friendly, welcoming, and accommodating. The size of the drive-in is great, not too big, not too small. The surrounding scenery is world class, can't be beat! I'm so, so sad Flix is ending its run at Fort Mason. I would have continued to see movies there, even with theaters re-opening. I was introduced to some great movies, through Flix: Night of the Hunter, Sing Street, The Thomas Crown Affair, Rita Moreno's documentary (of which she was in attendance!!!). And I was able to re-visit some of my favorite oldies like Big Night and The Outsiders. It almost brings me to tears that Flix will be ending. Thank you, Flix, you are very much appreciated.

The Renegade Craft Fair is at Fort Mason this weekend. 300 Creative crafters, food trucks in front of the pavilion., food booths , etc inside. Free entry. Beautiful day in San Francisco

Wishing I could cut/paste Nicole L's review. Exactly my thoughts. 1. Parking can be a challenge if you arrive right before the event but there is free parking nearby. 2. OTG was crazy busy but the buildings were interesting to look at prior to the opening. 3. WINDY WINDY WINDY and cold....and we were there in summer. I'm not new to SF as I live nearby but even for me, I was surprised how windy it was.

I didn't see Alcatraz but there was a view of the Golden Gate at sunset. I want to go back for the piers. If you've never been here before, its hard to know to keep walking to find the buildings. Watch out for bikers as you walk the street. You can also see kayakers and sailboats on the water.

I have been to Fort Mason twice for events. The first one was an alternative dance show held in the auditorium next to the Herbst Pavillion. I liked how the area was isolated and parking was very cheap. It was nice to know that the money I paid for parking was going directly back to this historical center to manage the upkeep. The second event I went to was a few weeks ago, it was a Shecky's event, complete with complimentary cocktails and fashion samples for sale. This was held in the Herbst Pavillion and I loved how spacious the venue was. Not only is this a great place to attend events, they also have shops and the famous veggie restaurant here.

I was here last weekend for the Rebecca Minkoff Sample Sale and they held it in one of their empty rooms. While I wasn't able to really walk around and see much of the place, it was a great place to hold a sale-- lots of space and it was really clean. Walking back to our cars, it was nice to see all the boats in the marina and enjoy the SF view. I'd love to come back here one day and explore!

I'm a little confused about my review. The location at least. Is the Fort Mason Center something different from the Fort Mason Center's Festival Pavilion? I guess it is. Is the Fort Mason Center the entire area? Well that is how I am going to review it. FMC is located off of the East Harbor. There are several buildings, some with shops that looked permanent and others with space for events like the West Coast Craft. That is why I was here. The area is nice with bay breezes and great views.

I came here with some friends to see Pride and Prejudice the musical. The theater itself was pretty small and the sound quality wasn't that good but the seats were comfortable. There is really fun little coffee shop around the corner. We managed to find parking on the street at 6:30 pm on a Saturday so look around before you pull into the paid lot.

We came here for an art and craft venue event at Fort Mason. We had the opportunity to look at many vendors and their products which ranged from ceramic houseware, leather goods, jewelry, homemade soap, and clothing. Thoroughly enjoyed the overall ambiance and vibe of the place. There were many vendors there, probably over 200 vendors! It was nice going from booth to booth looking at their homemade goods! All the vendors were extremely helpful and very nice in giving us an introduction to what their goods are. We got to see many different things that I really wanted to buy, but unfortunately, given they were all homemade, they were all very very expensive and out of my budget. Definitely would recommend going to this venue if it happens again in this city. It is great for those who like to check out personal vendors and see their homemade stuff!

Been coming here from time to time because it is a great getaway area. The place has a historic background and yet minutes away from the Ocean. There are occasionally festivals that I love coming to. What I would hate that the newspapers were talking about, is putting parking meters in the lot. This would kill the tourism here.

Our first time, attended the 34th SF Blues Festival past Saturday. Mr & I had an awesome time. Since we were newbies, we weren't sure what we can bring. First, I purchased our tickets to Goldstar for $17.50 + $5 fee. Regular tickets to the event is $35.00 + $5 fee so we save $35.00, not bad for a whole day cool event for 2, $45.00 total. Stop by Dateway (Safeway by the Marina) purchased ice for our bottle H2O's & gatorade. I started seeing people attending the event carrying 24 pack of beers, since were typical Asian & felt that (1) we don't want to lose our beers & (2) we don't want to break any laws coz were chicken sh*t ^_^, we didn't get any. Then lo & behold found a parking space right away across Dateway. Armed with our lawnchairs, mat & coolers we proceeded to find our spot. I asked the volunteers if we were allowed to bring alcoholic beverages, they said yes except for bottle only cans. Too late....No In's & Out Grrhh anyways.... Our spot was in the middle of Great Meadow, just behind the VIP fence. I was happy coz I can see the musicians. After their performance, there's a Tower Tent that the Artists sign for cd authograph. So glad we got there before 11 AM. For Brunch, we had 3 orders of big bbq oysters $7 each), fried zuchini, fried calamari, beef on the steaks & beef sandwich. (note: bring your own dipping sauce coz they do not have that much selection) For a pitcher of beer it's $25 refill is $18, so expensive & yeah their bloody mary sucks!, (most def. next time, were going to bring our own beer). We brought our snacks like fruit salad, chips & our very own bbq corn so we don't have to spend that much $$$. The concert was awesome, backdrop is the Golden Gate Bridge, people were great, they just got up & dance, it was hot but the breeze from the bay def. helps, during breaks we played poker. Overall awesome time on a Saturday!

I hosted a meet up here. I had never visited or even seen this venue in person. It was easy to book, the staff was quick and responsive, it was easy for my guests to find. The place was also clean and very reasonably priced. I would host another event here.

I was impressed by this place! Fort mason is an amazing destination. There is the famous restaurant, Greens, that attracts people from all over the world. For a good reason. There are Myriad social events there-many winetasting events and the famous annual Orchid show. The SF Public library has fabulous book sales there, too. it's worth a walk around ...the views are fabulous...

I absolutely love Fort Mason- not only are many of the events hosted there top-notch, but the location is tranquil and relaxing. Ain't nothin' better than a sunny day at Fort Mason- the stunning views of the Golden Gate Bridge and Alcatraz, the seagulls singing, and the blue water always sets me at ease. I find Fort Mason really creepy at night, though. The sound of ships I can't see out at sea freaks me the f**** out. It is a calm, dark night, and all the sudden you hear the jarring "WHHHHHAAAAAA" of a big ship. Eeek! And don't get me started on expanses of ocean that I can't see...

I LOVE this venue. I love going to see performances here, but too bad they started charging for parking (booo!), And I love to perform here. You can see the sunset from backstage. You can see out into the ocean. It is surreal. It is a small venue, but it is precious. There are so many dressing rooms to choose from! Unless the boys snagged theirs first. Then, no ladies allowed. I love the cushy red-orange seats. The only thing is the cold lobby. But it does sport new art regularly. ART. Me like. Me LOVE. It is near Greens. It is near a Park. It is beautiful. Janice Garrett + Dancers performs here: March 9 - 10, 15 - 18!!!

If you have the money and love antiques this is your places. Every end of October our clients do a show here. Every year is better and more art is showed off. I love looking out on the bay and seeing what's out there :-)

I am a huge fan of Fort Mason. I've been here several times in the past several years, once for a really awesome NYE party (DJ Steve Aoki in the house!!) and another time for a more tame orchid expo. Yes, it is not the most accessible event venue, but parking is cheap, and the views are gorgeous!! When I came here recently to see really pretty orchids, I went outside and saw all on one side: the Bay Bridge, Alcatraz, and Treasure island. Fabulous!! I can't wait to come back for the next huge party :)

The Firehouse at Fort Mason Center is a beautiful venue with a path along the water with benches, an amazing view of Alcatraz and a fun and funky, truly San Francisco building. It is converted from an actual old Firehouse with the outside, and even the garage door, all still intact (and operable if you so desire). This is where we held our April wedding earlier this year. The price is right, you can have it on a weekend, the standard window goes until midnight so you likely won't need to pay for extra time like at a lot of other venues we looked at. Tables and chairs come with your rental including their staff setting it all up for you however you specify in a layout drawing you submit beforehand. You can rent all kinds of equipment and linens from them if you so choose. There is all kinds of lighting so you can change it up in part of the room or put in whatever kind of mood lighting you like (though I'd suggest playing around with it beforehand so your guests don't feel like there at a disco during dinner like mine did for a couple of minutes). At the Firehouse there are two additional rooms, one we used for coats, beverages and appetizers and one we used for the caterers and where I hid out before the ceremony. There's a nice restroom and molding all the way around the room part way up the wall so you can easily hang things, which is what we did. There were also plenty of people around so we could get last minute items like an extra table cloth and things like that. We decided to have the dance floor set up on one end and the tables set up on the other. We began the evening with all the chairs in rows on the dance floor and used a square accent on the back wall as the focal point for the ceremony. After the ceremony the caterers moved all the chairs from the dance floor to the tables while all the guests greeted us. Then we were able to serve appetizers while we did photographs and then have dinner, cake and eventually dancing all at our leasure. It was a perfect space for us with easy access to outdoors with a view. It was an everything in one spot spot. And now, everytime I'm at an event at Fort Mason I get to drop that I was married right there in that little firehouse. It was lovely. (photos posted)

When I'm happy, I can be very forgiving. Of people, of situations, of chance and of the laws of physics and even of dumb dumb dumb bad luck. I have a confession to make: I recently learned that I have been tying my shoes incorrectly for at least twenty-five years. I was frustrated by my own stupidity at first, but then I thought about it, and I'm a little bit less touchy now. Just slightly so. When I'm unhappy, I can be very angry. Most people don't know how angry I can get (or how angry I am), but they see the results of it without knowing what those results look like or where they come from. I'm not talking about slashed tires or keyed paint jobs or even angry, passive-aggressive texts. I don't do any of those things; and, God willing, I never will. Never ever ever ever. How I think of Fort Mason Center depends on how I'm feeling. If I'm happy, it's a neatish place with fun things to see. If I'm unhappy, it's a ridiculous place that's hard to get to, confusingly laid out, and just plain underwhelming. Which version is true? You expect me to say both, but I'm not that kind of person. It's definitely overrated, underutilized, and really confusingly laid out. I think they do that on purpose, actually. When I was in my late twenties, I wanted to spend time at places like this. Now, I want to avoid them, unless I know exactly where I'm going. I never say life is too short, because I don't know what we're comparing it to, and if we're comparing it to the lifespans of other animals or even our not-that-far-removed ancestors, it's actually very long. Some would say too long, but I digress. I mention it at all because I'm tired of wasting my time. I'll gladly waste time on sports and women and peevish friends, because while the lows can be low, the highs can be quite high. But I'm done with wasting my time on the Fort Mason Centers of the world. It's like traveling; it either appeals to you or it makes you nervous. Well, it makes me nervous.

There are a few places in San Francisco which I absolutely love to visit - Fort Mason is one of those places. Besides its historic significance, Fort Mason provides spectacular views of the waterfront, Alcatraz Island, and the Golden Gate Bridge. It's definitely an ideal place to take beautiful photographs of the splendid views! You can as well find an array of things to do here - food and wine events, galleries, museums, bookstore, restaurant, and performing arts. The surrounding area around Fort Mason is also great for a walk or a picnic. Parking is also relatively easy to find at Fort Mason. There is low cost parking at Fort Mason Center and free parking nearby. The first hour of parking is always free. Weekday rates are $1.00/hour with a $7.00 maximum. Weekend rates are slightly higher with an $8.00 maximum. A cashier is on duty from 8 a.m. to midnight and the exit gates accept credit/debit cards.

Ahhh... if only I could live here. Oh wait. I do. Liveit, loveit, it's the fort. **Edit. This is an example of what happens when you come home drunk and decide it's a great idea to write a yelp review. Smooth. The park is pretty kickass, it's essentially my backyard, so treat it nicely guys.

I have been to various events here and also poured at a lot of events here. The place is spacious and the staff is organized. Great place to host an event, right on the bay with tons of parking. I always enjoy myself here.

When I used to work in catering, a lot of clients always chose this place for parties and what not. Ive been here for asian art shows, chocolate salons, wine shows, parties for big corporations, etc. Its right off the water so a night it looks pretty nice...especially on clear warm summer nights.. In the center itself there are a bunch of art galleries, the restaurant Greens, and some museums. There is a good amount of parking and the 28 bus stop stops pretty much in front so thats pretty convenient too.

I came here recently for day 1 of the Wintersalt Festival. I mainly went for Zedd and the concert was AMAZING! I highly recommend anyone who is a fan of Zedd to go out and see him live, he's great, but that's besides the point. The reason I really really enjoy this venue is because it's "cool". When I say cool I'm talking temperature wise. It's a giant warehouse-like venue which seems great for a festival like Wintersalt with only 2 stages. I recommend that you bring somewhat of a light jacket to the venue. I wore TWO jackets to see Zedd and I was in the middle of the crowd and I wasn't sweating like crazy. Don't think to yourself that because you're going to a show and that you'll be in the crowd you'll be super warm. I highly recommend bringing a light jacket, I promise you won't regret it because I didn't regret wearing a jacket amidst the half-naked girls at Wintersalt. Parking is $10 on weekend after 4pm (as long as it's not overnight) and $8 on weekdays. I definitely think paying for parking is worth it (at least in my opinion), it's in a gated parking lot for those who are a bit skeptical about parking on the streets in San Francisco.

Great location for anyone looking for a Place to host an event. I'm only able to speak from the attendees position and not from the host side but as an attendee I really enjoyed that place. There are a lot of option in terms of designing this place. Only your imagination is the limit. Restrooms are clean and the staff is friendly.

Every Friday, Fort Mason likes to host a bunch of food trucks gathering to provide food-hungry city dwellers with the perfect answer to their soul-searching appetites. With their recession friendly prices, you can try many different foods from different food trucks as long as you come early. The good stuff seems to run out towards the end of the night. It's a nice setting with live music, few chairs to lounge on, and just huge crowds gathered for the sole purpose of enjoying unique food served from a truck. One word of advice: bring your own six-pack. The alcohol is on the pricey end and the selection is not as unique as the food that they have. And bring lots of friends so you can mooch off of each other. Nom nom nom nom. Oh, and since this is a review of the place, outside of Friday nights, the center is a nice place to walk around in. Nice quiet view of the bay in a lonely warehouse setting. Bring a jacket and a loved one. Enjoy.