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 the munitions ships they were loading with ammunition for the Pacific theatre troops mysteriously blew up.
The Basics
Hours:
Public access to the Memorial is by advance reservation only, Wednesdays-Saturdays at 10:00 a.m. and 1:30 p.m. (allow 1 and a half hours).
No access Sundays, Mondays, Tuesdays, Thanksgiving, Christmas, New Year’‘s Day, and during Concord Naval Weapons Station operations.
Address:
PO Box 280
Danville, CA 94526
Phone:
925-838-0249
Directions
Reservations are required to visit the Memorial. All visitors are shuttled to the Memorial on National Park Service vehicles from the Concord Naval Weapons Station Identity (ID) Office.
From San Francisco, take Interstate 80 (Bay Bridge) to Hwy 4 East...from Berkeley & Oakland, take Interstate 80 West to Hwy 4 East...from San Jose or Walnut Creek, take Interstate 680 north to Hwy 242. Exit at Port Chicago Hwy North. First stop sign, turn right. First building is ID Office.
Climate
The Memorial is along the Carquinez Straits waterway and is often windy. From April to October is it mostly dry with mild to warm temperatures (65-100° F). From November to March there can be periods of rain with cool to mild temperatures (45-65° F). There are no indoor facilities. Dressing in layers and comfortable footwear is suggested.
