Port Chicago Naval Magazine National Memorial
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Port Chicago Naval Magazine National Memorial at a glance
- Best time
- March–May, October–November
- Trip length
- 2–4 hours to 1 day
- Don't miss
- Port Chicago Memorial Tour
- Nearby city
- Martinez, CA
Explore this park
About Port Chicago Naval Magazine National Memorial
On July 17, 1944, a massive explosion jolted the San Francisco East Bay area, shattering windows and lighting up the night sky. At Port Chicago Naval Magazine, 320 men were killed instantly when two ships loading ammunition for Pacific troops exploded, resulting in the worst home front disaster of WWII. The aftermath illuminated the issues of segregation and racial inequality in the military.
No current NPS alerts
The National Park Service has no active alerts listed for Port Chicago Naval Magazine National Memorial. Conditions change quickly — check again before you go.
Source: National Park Service (as of Nov 11, 2026). Official Port Chicago Naval Magazine National Memorial page on nps.gov
Weather Information
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.
Operating Hours
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 12:30 PM. No access Sundays, Mondays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and during Military Ocean Terminal Concord (MOTCO) operations.
- MondayAll Day
- TuesdayAll Day
- WednesdayAll Day
- ThursdayAll Day
- FridayAll Day
- SaturdayAll Day
- SundayAll Day
Common questions
Planning Port Chicago Naval Magazine National Memorial
The summary above covers timing and highlights. These go deeper on reservations, crowds, and logistics.
Reservation rules vary by season and activity for Port Chicago Naval Magazine National Memorial. See Overview on this page for fees, timed entry, and campground details before you travel.
