Presidio
A former Army post turned national park with lawns, forest trails, beaches and front-row Golden Gate Bridge views.
About Presidio
The Presidio is not really a neighborhood, it is a 1,500-acre national park inside the city that happens to have houses, restaurants and a bowling alley in it. It was a Spanish fort in 1776, a U.S. Army post until 1994, and is now run by the Presidio Trust, which is why it feels tended rather than wild.
There is no main street here. There are destinations connected by forest trails, coastal bluffs and a free shuttle: the Golden Gate Bridge at one end, Crissy Field along the water, Baker Beach on the ocean side and a new park built on the roof of a highway tunnel in the middle.
It is the foggiest and windiest place on this list, and also the best single day out with kids in San Francisco.
How far is it?
- Golden Gate Bridge1 mi · under 5 minutes
- Fisherman's Wharf3 mi · 10–15 min drive
- Union Square4 mi · 25 min on the free downtown shuttle
- Golden Gate Park4.5 mi · 15–20 min drive
- SFO airport17 mi · 30–45 min drive
Getting here: The free PresidiGo shuttle runs a downtown route to the Salesforce Transit Center and Embarcadero BART, and a South Hills route around the park itself, which needs no pass. Muni 43, 30 and 28 also serve it. Parking is paid by licence plate, roughly two to three dollars an hour or ten to fifteen a day.
What to see
Presidio Tunnel Tops
Twenty-five acres of new parkland on the roof of the highway tunnels, with the bridge straight ahead and food trucks most days.
Fort Point
A brick Civil War fort tucked directly under the south end of the bridge. Open Thursday to Monday, 10am to 5pm.
Walt Disney Family Museum
The story of Disney the man, told in original art and early animation. Open Thursday to Sunday. Best for ages six and up.
Baker Beach
The bridge view everyone photographs, with free parking and restrooms. Strong currents, so it is a sand beach rather than a swimming one; the far north end is clothing optional.
Andy Goldsworthy’s sculptures
Spire near the Arguello Gate, a 90-foot tower of cypress trunks, and Wood Line along Lovers’ Lane, a long serpentine branch sculpture kids walk the length of.
The Officers’ Club
The oldest building in San Francisco hides inside these adobe walls, with free history exhibits Friday to Sunday.
Things to do
The Outpost playground
Two acres of nature play for roughly ages two to twelve: a hollow fallen tree to climb through, a climbing wall and water channels. Open 9:30am–6pm in summer, to 5pm in winter.
Crissy Field and the marsh
A flat paved promenade, a tidal marsh with a boardwalk and more than a hundred bird species, and East Beach for digging.
Presidio Bowl
A real bowling alley in a national park, and the rainy-Saturday answer. Hours vary, so call.
Mountain Lake Park
A renovated playground and a flat loop around one of the city’s few natural lakes.
Ride the free shuttle
The South Hills route loops past Baker Beach and the overlooks and needs no pass. Kids like it and it saves the parking fee.
Where to eat
Presidio Pop Up food trucks
Rotating trucks at Tunnel Tops most days, with picnic tables and the bridge in view.
The Warming Hut
Coffee, hot chocolate and snacks at the far end of the Crissy Field walk. The reward at the turnaround.
The Mess Hall
A new food hall at Tunnel Tops with several counters under one roof. It opened in August 2026, so check hours.
Colibri Mexican Bistro
Sit-down Mexican in the historic Officers’ Club.
Presidio Bowl
Burgers and bar food, and somewhere to sit down indoors.
Upcoming in Presidio
Access to Adventure Day
Observe the Moon Night
Bay Area Chuseok Festival
Awaking Beauty: The Art of Eyvind Earle
Family favorites in Presidio
Crissy Field East Beach
Presidio Tunnel Tops & Outpost Playground
Presidio Wall Playground
The Walt Disney Family Museum
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