Hopper’s Hands
The Verdict
"On the trail behind Fort Point, under the Golden Gate Bridge. Metal hands bolted to a fence by a bridge ironworker. Give them a high-five as you walk by. Easy to miss if you're not looking for them."
What you need to know
A High-Five at the Base of the Golden Gate Bridge
At the back of Fort Point, a pair of yellow and black metal hands are bolted to a chain-link fence. They were made by Ken Hopper, an ironworker who spent years working on the Golden Gate Bridge. He welded them as a greeting for the joggers and walkers who pass through the fort’s perimeter on the Bay Trail. A smaller set of paws sits a few inches off the ground for dogs.
What Makes It Worth It
Hopper’s Hands is one of those details that rewards people who actually walk the Presidio instead of driving through it. The hands face the trail at the rear of Fort Point’s brick structure, easy to miss if you don’t know they’re there. Most visitors to Fort Point stay on the front side, looking up at the bridge. The hands are around back, on the fence facing the water.
The tradition is simple: give the hands a high-five or a “high ten” as you pass. Hopper has replaced and updated the hands several times over the years, so the version you see may differ from photos online.
It’s a 30-second stop, not a destination. But if you’re already walking the Batteries to Bluffs trail, running the Crissy Field path, or visiting Fort Point, the detour is worth it.
Skip this if you’re not already in the Fort Point area. It’s a chain-link fence with metal hands. The charm is in the context, not the spectacle.
Visiting
Address: Fort Point National Historic Site, Marine Dr, Presidio
Neighborhood: Presidio
Cost: Free
Hours: The trail is always accessible. Fort Point itself is open Friday-Sunday, 10am-5pm.
Best time to go: Morning, when fog often sits low under the bridge for a dramatic backdrop.
What to know: The hands are on the chain-link fence at the rear of Fort Point, facing the Bay Trail. Walk around the back of the brick fort to find them.
Getting There
Transit: Muni 28-19th Ave to the Golden Gate Bridge toll plaza, then walk down to Fort Point (15 minutes downhill). Or PresidiGo shuttle from downtown.
Parking: Small lot at Fort Point (fills early on weekends). Additional parking at the Golden Gate Bridge Welcome Center.
Walking: Part of the Batteries to Bluffs trail and the Crissy Field waterfront path. Combine with Fort Point, the bridge walk, and Warming Hut.
📍 Location: This activity is in Marina District. Explore the neighborhood →
