Guest Author - Terri L Griffin

Treasure Island, located mid-span of the Oakland Bay Bridge, was a mystery to me for years. I had a vague idea that at one time it had been a military base, but I knew nothing else. I had never dared to exit the bridge on that pile of landfill in the bay, for fear of trespassing on some secret territory of the government. But recently, when my Dad was visiting from Washington State, we went on a driving tour around the bay.

We found much more than just a great view of San Francisco when my husband took us onto Treasure Island. Palm tree lined streets, historical monuments and buildings, and yes, beautiful views, greeted us.

Our first stop was at a narrow parking lot along the water, just outside the main gate of the former Naval Station. The view was outstanding, despite the overcast day. Dramatic clouds cast the cityscape into shadow as the sun began to lower beyond the Golden Gate Bridge. We took some quick photos as a light rain began to fall, and then hurried across the street for a few shots of a large sailboat in the marina and the eastern span of the Bay Bridge.

Once back in the van, and out of the rain, we decided to drive around the island. We found historic sites, the remains of the Naval Station and a large neighborhood of townhouses, complete with children riding their bikes and playing basketball. We continued through the narrow, palm lined streets to Yerba Buena Island and more breathtaking views from the top of the hill that overlooks the western span of the Bay Bridge.

The island is not entirely made of landfill. Yerba Buena Island, named by the Spanish in 1775 and still home to an active Coast Guard installation, is a natural island. The U.S. Army used it as a base beginning in 1867, and the Navy took it over in 1898. Work began in 1936 to build Treasure Island, named for the presence of gold, washed down from the Sierras, in the 29 million cubic yards of fill dirt that was dredged from San Francisco Bay and the Sacramento River Delta to form the island.

For much of 1939 and 1940, Treasure Island housed the Golden Gate International Expo, a celebration of the emergence of the Bay Area as a force in politics, commerce and culture, as well as the completion of the Bay Bridge and the Golden Gate Bridge.

In 1941, the island became Naval Station Treasure Island and the headquarters of the 12th Naval District. Hundreds of naval personnel were trained and housed on the island during World War II. Many of the Expo buildings were re-tooled for use as personnel offices, staff and family housing, and training facilities. Some of these structures, including the historic "Building One" remain in use today, and many are available for hosting weddings and special events.

The base was closed in 1993 and the Treasure Island Development Authority took over converting the base to civilian uses. Besides housing, the island provides opportunities for office space, unique dining experiences and is a key element in the effort to revitalize the San Francisco film industry.

Treasure Island has much to offer anyone visiting the San Francisco Bay area. It is a location of much historical significance as well as a great spot to photograph San Francisco and the East Bay. I was delighted by all that I found on this once mysterious piece of the Bay.

See some of the shots we got from Treasure Island! Views of San Francisco