Background

Airmail Navigation Arrow: A Relic of Aviation History

Explore a relic of early aviation history at the Airmail Navigation Arrow in Walnut Creek, a key part of the transcontinental airmail system.

4.7

Discover a unique piece of aviation history at the Airmail Navigation Arrow in Walnut Creek. This concrete arrow, part of the Transcontinental Airway System, guided airmail pilots across the country in the 1920s and 1930s, before the advent of modern navigation technology.

A brief summary to Airmail Navigation Arrow

  • 173 Oakvale Rd, Walnut Creek, Overlook, California, 94597, US

Local tips

  • Wear comfortable shoes for the uphill hike to the arrow.
  • Bring water, especially on warm days, as the trail can be strenuous.
  • Consider visiting during sunset for panoramic views of the surrounding area.
widget icon

Getting There

  • Walking

    The Airmail Navigation Arrow is accessible via a hiking trail from the end of Bacon Way in Walnut Creek. Park near the entrance to the open space on Bacon Way and follow the footpath uphill. The hike takes approximately 20 minutes. Be prepared for a moderately strenuous uphill walk.

  • Public Transport

    From Walnut Creek BART station, take the County Connection Route 4 to Walnut Avenue and Bacon Way. From there, walk to the end of Bacon Way and follow the hiking trail uphill to the Airmail Navigation Arrow. A single ride on County Connection is around $2.50.

Unlock the Best of Airmail Navigation Arrow

Buy tickets

    No tickets available

Book tours with entry

    No tours available

Book tours without entry

    No tours available

Discover more about Airmail Navigation Arrow

Nestled atop Acalanes Ridge in Walnut Creek, the Airmail Navigation Arrow stands as a silent sentinel from the pioneering days of aviation. This concrete arrow played a vital role in the development of airmail service and transcontinental flight in the United States during the 1920s and 1930s. In an era before sophisticated navigational tools like radar and GPS, pilots relied on visual landmarks to guide them across the country. Night flying was particularly challenging, if not impossible, until the U.S. Postal Service conceived a revolutionary idea: a network of lighted beacons and concrete arrows to guide airmail pilots across the nation. This system, known as the Transcontinental Airway System, stretched from New York to San Francisco, creating a literal 'highway of light' for aviators. The Airmail Navigation Arrow in Walnut Creek was one of approximately 1,500 such markers placed strategically across the country. These arrows, typically 50 to 70 feet in length and painted a bright chrome yellow for maximum visibility, were spaced about 10 miles apart. At the center of each arrow stood a 51-foot steel tower topped with two rotating lights, boasting an estimated 1.25 to 5 million candlepower. These powerful lights could be seen for up to 40 miles in clear weather, providing a crucial navigational aid for pilots flying at night. The Walnut Creek arrow is unique because it is a 'double arrow' configuration, with two arrowheads pointing in slightly different directions, each with its own tail. This indicates that it served as a junction for two different airmail routes. One arrow pointed towards a beacon on Vine Hill (now the Concord Naval Weapons Station), while the other pointed towards the Concord Air Mail Field. The Acalanes Ridge location was chosen for its high elevation and clear visibility, offering pilots a commanding view of the surrounding landscape. Today, only a few hundred of these beacon sites remain, scattered across the American landscape. Many have fallen into disrepair, succumbing to the elements and vandalism. The Walnut Creek arrow, while still intact, bears the marks of time and graffiti. Despite its weathered condition, the Airmail Navigation Arrow in Walnut Creek remains a powerful symbol of early aviation and a testament to the ingenuity of those who dared to dream of flying across the country at night.

Popular Experiences near Airmail Navigation Arrow

Popular Hotels near Airmail Navigation Arrow

Select Currency