Exploring The Presidio in San Francisco

The Presidio in San Francisco is an urban park with rich history. The 1500 acre park boasts miles of trails, historic buildings, scenic overlooks, beaches, museums and more!

The Presidio in San Francisco is an enormous urban park with rich history. The 1,500-acre park began as a military fortress for New Spain in 1776 and in turn passed to the United States military and finally to the National Park Service in 1994. It’s a rare gem in the heart of the city. You’ll find miles of trails, forests, historic buildings that outdate the city itself, scenic overlooks, beaches, museums and family-friendly activities.

We spent a day exploring The Presidio and had so much fun, but we barely scratched the surface of things to do. There are so many neat activities, hikes and places to explore. It would take ages to do everything! Here’s a brief run down of just a few of the many highlights.

:: Presidio Visitor’s Center

One of our favorite places in the Presidio in San Francisco was actually the brand new Presidio Visitor’s Center. It opened in 2017 and features exhibits and activities to jump start your adventure. The staff was so friendly and sent my kids on a scavenger hunt within the building. The boys learned so much about the history of the Presidio while my husband and I checked out the maps, videos and artifacts telling the history of the area and the park.

The Presidio Visitor’s Center also has really neat backpacks that kids can check out for the day. My kids thought these were incredibly cool. The backpack included a park map and all kinds of things you’ll need to go on an amazing adventure within the park. My boys had so much fun with the compass, binoculars and magnifying glass. They could have spent hours with this backpack exploring the trails.

:: Crissy Field

If you’ve ever been to San Francisco, you’ve likely seen or been to Crissy Field. It’s a huge grassy area near the Palace of Fine Arts thats great for picnics and popular location for events. The field has spectacular Golden Gate Bridge views and is excellent for an afternoon run or bike ride. Crissy Field is also home to some a nice beach. The water may be too cold for swimming but the beach is the perfect spot for an afternoon stroll through the sand. I’ve seen dolphins playing in the water just off the shore and the sunsets beautiful.

:: Main Post

The oldest buildings in The Presidio in San Francisco are located within the Main Post. The heart of The Presidio features historic red-brick buildings which surround the Parade Ground and Pershing Square in impressive lines. The Officer’s Club is the oldest of all the Presidio buildings. The adobe walls were built in 1776 and the iconic building served as a gathering place for officers and their families. The Officer’s Club reopened in 2014 as a free, public museum featuring exhibits showcasing the Presidio’s rich past.

Some of the other notable historic buildings in the Main Post include the Walt Disney Family Museum. This impressive museum, which showcases the life and legacy of Walt Disney, was once military barracks built in 1895. Another, Pershing Hall was built in 1903 and housed unmarried officers. The hall is now home to The Inn at the Presidio, a beautiful boutique hotel featuring memorabilia and decor highlighting the hotel’s rich past. {Read about our stay!} The Society of California Pioneers is also housed on the Main Post in former military barracks. This museum is free to the public and tells the story of the area’s earliest settlers.

The Main Post is also home to the Main Parade ground, a large green gathering space perfect for an afternoon picnic or experiencing one of the Presidio’s popular events: Picnic at the Presidio, Twilight at the Presidio, Presidio Kite Expo and stargazing parties. There’s even more in-store for the Main Parade Ground. The New Presidio Parklands Projects will eventually connect the Main Post to the northern waterfront!

:: Fort Point National Historic Site

Located directly under the Golden Gate Bridge, Fort Point defended the San Francisco Bay following California’s Gold Rush through World War II. You can walk throughout the old fort and see some fascinating exhibits. One of my favorites was about the lighthouses that have stood at Fort Point. The roof of Fort Point also boasts stunning views of the Golden Gate bridge and the coast. We even spotted dolphins playing in the water nearby. Added bonus….admission into Fort Point is free.

:: National Cemetery Overlook and Hiking Trails

There are miles and miles of hiking trails throughout the Presidio in San Francisco. Hike along Marshall’s Beach or take an inland route and see Mountain Lake Park. The possibilities are endless. However, the hike we took was simply breathtaking. We explored a path that took us to the National Cemetery Overlook. It was a foggy morning as you can tell from the photo. It was a beautiful view with the headstones in rows across the hillside an the Golden Gate Bridge peaking through the fog. I’m sure on a clear day it would be even more spectacular and you’d be able to see the Golden Gate Bridge in full view as well as the Marin Headlands in the distance.

:: Other Interesting Finds

What really makes The Presidio in San Francisco unique is that it’s not just a park for recreation. Inside it’s grounds you’ll also find residences, restaurants and businesses. So there really is so much to explore. We took a trip to one of the businesses in The Presidio: The Letterman Digital Arts Center, which is the headquarters for Lucasfilm. You can’t go inside the building but out front is a cute little Yoda Fountain that’s a must see for any Star Wars fan. You’ll also find a golf course and cafes, a rock climbing gym near Crissy Field. There’s even a Pet Cemetery for the hundreds pets who lived at the Presidio when it was an Army post. There are just so many activities and things to see in The Presidio!

:: Getting Around

It’s so easy to get to, from and around the Presidio in San Francisco. They offer a free PresidiGo shuttle that offers service from the Financial District to the Presidio as well as several routes within the park. The boys and I rode it alone with ease from the Embarcadero all the way back to the Visitor’s Center during rush hour. It was perfect. There are also plenty of biking paths and if you must drive, you’ll find a few parking options near the visitors destinations.

Next time you visit San Francisco, set aside some time to explore The Presidio. You’ll be so glad you did! And don’t miss some of the other fun things we experienced on our San Francisco trip: