Port Chicago Naval Magazine National Memorial
Martinez, CA Hours and Location

Learn and Explore

Since 1916, the National Park Service has been entrusted with the care of our national parks. With the help of volunteers and partners, we safeguard these special places and share their stories with more than 275 million visitors every year. But our work doesn’t stop there.

We are proud that tribes, local governments, nonprofit organizations, businesses, and individual citizens ask for our help in revitalizing their communities, preserving local history, celebrating local heritage, and creating close to home opportunities for kids and families to get outside, be active, and have fun.

Taking care of the national parks and helping Americans take care of their communities is a job we love, and we need—and welcome—your help and support.

Our Mission

The National Park Service preserves unimpaired the natural and cultural resources and values of the National Park System for the enjoyment, education, and inspiration of this and future generations. The Park Service cooperates with partners to extend the benefits of natural and cultural resource conservation and outdoor recreation throughout this country and the world.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I obtain a park entrance pass?

Only 118 of your 417 park sites charge entrance fees. You can obtain park entrance passes by visiting a park site that charges an entrance fee. Entrance fee sites have passes available; we recommend calling a park prior to your visit. (See the park search to locate a specific park.) There are a number of entrance passes available, including park-specific passes as well as passes that offer entrance to more than 2,000 federal recreation sites in addition to the national parks (Annual, Military, Senior, 4th Grade, Access, and Volunteer passes). Learn more about the America the Beautiful – The National Parks and Federal Recreational Lands Pass.

… more

About this location:

National Memorial

Operating Hours & Seasons

Port Chicago Naval Magazine National Memorial

The Port Chicago Naval Magazine National Memorial is located on Military Ocean Terminal Concord (MOTCO) and is an active base. Due to its location, tours are only available with reservations on a ranger-guided tour. Public access to the memorial is through a two-week advance reservation process and only on Thursdays, Fridays or Saturdays. Allow for 1.5 hours beginning at 12:45 PM. No access Sundays, Mondays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and during Military Ocean Terminal Concord (MOTCO) operations.

Standard Hours

• Sunday:12:00 AM-12:00 AM
• Monday:12:00 AM-12:00 AM
• Tuesday:12:00 AM-12:00 AM
• Wednesday:12:00 AM-12:00 AM
• Thursday:12:00 AM-12:00 AM
• Friday:12:00 AM-12:00 AM
• Saturday:12:00 AM-12:00 AM

Fees & Passes

Entrance Fees:

• $0.00 – Port Chicago Naval Magazine National Memorial
  Reservations are free. No park fee required.

Entrance Passes:

• $0.00 – Port Chicago Naval Magazine National Memorial
  Park passes are not sold or required for reservations. Reservations are free.

About

320 Americans Killed in WWII Naval Magazine Accident

On the evening of July 17, 1944, residents in the San Francisco east bay area were jolted awake by a massive explosion that cracked windows and lit up the night sky. At Port Chicago Naval Magazine, 320 men were instantly killed when two ships being loaded with ammunition for the Pacific theater troops blew up. It was WWII’s worst home front disaster.

Directions

The Port Chicago Naval Magazine National Memorial is on an active military base, so it is only accessible by reservation. The shuttle picks up visitors with reservations at the John Muir National Historic Site. Please know that all visitors for the memorial must have a reservation. Please visit our website for information on how to obtain reservations.

Weather

The Port Chicago Naval Magazine National Memorial is on a base and sits on the waterfront. There is no shelter at the memorial, aside from the shuttle. It can be windy and cold during any season. Many people prefer to at least bring a light jacket during the summer, or coat during the other seasons.