The Hotel: Cavallo Point—the Lodge at the Golden Gate, Fort Baker, California

For much of the 20th century, the spectacular string of promontories known as the Marin Headlands remained undeveloped because it was of great strategic value to the military. Today this glorious coastal landscape is dotted with decommissioned gun batteries and missile installations. Fort Baker, for example, in the shadow of the Golden Gate Bridge at the south end of Sausalito, was a depot for the minefields that kept enemy submarines out of the bay during World War II. In July, this historic site was reborn as Cavallo Point, a luxurious lodge, spa, and center for environmentally themed conferences and lectures. The former officers’ quarters have been carefully restored, and newly constructed, modern rooms look out over the bay from the hillside. Where soldiers once assembled explosive devices, guests can sleep soundly on organic linens, indulge in an herbal hot-stone massage, or linger at the Tea Bar. More ambitious visitors will notice that the lodge is still of great strategic value: it’s the perfect base for hikes, bike rides, and kayak trips.

Must See Green American Landmarks