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.
Photo: NPS Photo
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.
- LocationMartinez, CA
- Entrance No fee listed
- HoursOpen 24 hours, daily
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Weather now71°F Overcast
- Alerts No active alerts
Overview
Topics
- African American Heritage
- Civil Rights
- Explosions
- Military
- Social Movements
- Tragic Events
- US Navy
- Wars and Conflicts
1 more topics
- World War II
Things to Do
1 experience from the National Park Service, plus every activity offered in the park. Check details on NPS.gov before you go.
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Port Chicago Memorial Tour
Reservation required
The Port Chicago Naval Magazine National Memorial is on an active military base and requires advance reservations. Please contact the park for more information.
Learn more about Port Chicago Memorial Tour on NPS.gov (opens in a new tab)
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Facilities & Services
Find visitor centers and other services available in the park. Check current hours and availability before you go.
Visitor Centers
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Temporary Port Chicago Visitor Center
Visitor Center
Important: The Port Chicago Naval Magazine National Memorial shuttle picks up visitors with reservations at the John Muir National Historic Site. Please know that all…
Details
Important: The Port Chicago Naval Magazine National Memorial 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 in order to visit the Port Chicago Naval Magazine Memorial. Directions to the John Muir NHS can be found below.
Plan Your Visit
Hours
Open 24 hours, daily · Port Chicago Naval Magazine National Memorial
Hours details
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Port Chicago Naval Magazine National MemorialOpen 24 hours, daily
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.
Entrance fees
No entrance fees listed.
Address
4202 Alhambra AveMartinez, CA 94553
Contact the park
Weather & conditions
71°F
Overcast · feels like 68°
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Today
89° 58°
Overcast8% rain
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Tomorrow
95° 71°
Sunny1% rain -
Sunday
93° 75°
Overcast4% rain
Updated 4 hr ago
What to expect by season
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.
Photos
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Historic train car at the memorial site. — NPS photo, Luther Bailey -
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Getting There
Martinez, CA 94553
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.
Full directions
Please know that all visitors for the memorial must have a reservation. Please visit our website for information on how to obtain reservations.
Mailing address: 4202 Alhambra Ave, Martinez, CA 94553
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