RV Expert Center

Getaway idea: Port Chicago Naval Magazine National Memorial

February 2010 RV Destinations by Rich Howard

The Port Chicago Naval Magazine National Memorial is the country's newest national park. It commemorates the 320 African American men who lost their lives when a mysterious explosion occurred while they were loading ammunition onto ships for the Pacific theatre troops during World War II.

The park, which is located 30 miles east of San Francisco, occupies the site of the Port Chicago explosion. The July 17, 1944 event was the United States' largest homeland disaster of World War II and accounted for 15 percent of the country's African American causalities during the war.

The park is part of the Army's Military Ocean Terminal Concord base and has restricted access. This means that all visitors to the site need to be cleared with the U.S. Army and that only U.S citizens and permanent residents will be granted clearance. Reservations are required and officials say they need at least two weeks to complete the necessary background checks for each visitor.

This destination comes from the National Park Getaways series, which helps people find new places to reconnect with nature, history, family and friends.

Each Wednesday, the National Park Service posts a new getaway idea on its website, nps.gov/getaways. There's a new park idea every week and most of the activities listed are free, so they're good, budget-friendly vacation options.
ADNFCR-2712-ID-19609503-ADNFCR

Class A	Fifth Wheel	Pop-Up Campers
Class B	Travel Trailer	Boat Trailer
Class C

Shop Our Top Brands in Appliances

Shop Our Top Brands in Awnings & Shade

Shop Our Top Brands in Bikes, Boats & ATV

Shop Our Top Brands in Books, Games & Magazines

Shop Our Top Brands in Camping & Tailgating

Shop Our Top Brands in Chairs, Tables & Mats

Shop Our Top Brands in Covers & Storage

Shop Our Top Brands in Electrical

Shop Our Top Brands in Electronics

Shop Our Top Brands in Grills & Picnic

Shop Our Top Brands in Hardware & Maintenance

Shop Our Top Brands in Home & Garden

Shop Our Top Brands in Indoor Living

Shop Our Top Brands in Pet

Shop Our Top Brands in Plumbing

Shop Our Top Brands in Towing & Automotive

RV Expert Center

Getaway idea: Port Chicago Naval Magazine National Memorial

You may also be interested in:

Related Articles

Archives

Archive Categories

RV Accessories		888-615-6187

View Store Hours