The Presidio was a military post for more than two centuries, first Spanish, then Mexican, then American, until the army left in 1994. It became part of a national park, and its barracks, officers' houses and hangars were turned into homes, offices, museums and restaurants. It covers a large green corner of the city between the Marina and the Golden Gate Bridge.

What to see

  • Presidio Tunnel Tops: a park opened in 2022 on top of the highway tunnels, with lawns, a children's play area and a sweeping view over the bay to Alcatraz and the bridge. Free.
  • Crissy Field: a former airfield restored to beach and marsh, with a flat path along the bay to the bridge. Popular with walkers, runners and windsurfers.
  • The Main Post: the old parade ground, now a lawn surrounded by brick barracks, including the Walt Disney Family Museum and the Presidio visitor center.
  • Andy Goldsworthy's artworks: four works by the British artist, including a tall spire of tree trunks and a long line of logs laid through the forest.
  • Trails and lookouts: through eucalyptus and cypress forest to overlooks above the ocean and Baker Beach.

Practical notes

A free shuttle bus runs around the Presidio and to downtown connections. Allow half a day; the area is larger than it looks. Continue east to the Palace of Fine Arts, or north across the bridge on foot.

A short history

Spanish soldiers established the Presidio in 1776 to guard the entrance to the bay, at the same time as the mission was founded. It passed to Mexico and then, in 1846, to the United States Army, which made it one of its most important western posts for nearly 150 years. Soldiers based here fought in wars from the Mexican-American War to the World War II; the army planted many of its forests, built its barracks and hospitals, and buried its dead in the national cemetery. After the post closed in 1994, it became part of the Golden Gate National Recreation Area, managed by the Presidio Trust, which has restored its buildings and landscapes.

A walking route

  1. Start at the Main Post and the Presidio visitor center.
  2. Walk across Presidio Tunnel Tops to the overlook above the bay.
  3. Descend to Crissy Field and walk west along the bay.
  4. Visit the Warming Hut café near the end of Crissy Field.
  5. Continue to Fort Point, under the southern end of the Golden Gate Bridge.
  6. Climb back up through the forest on the trails to the Andy Goldsworthy Spire and Wood Line.

The full loop is about five miles; shorten it by taking the free shuttle.

More to explore

  • Baker Beach, with views of the bridge.
  • Inspiration Point, an overlook above the bay.
  • The San Francisco National Cemetery, the oldest national cemetery on the West Coast.
  • The Yoda fountain outside the Lucasfilm offices at the Letterman Digital Arts Center.

Frequently asked questions

Is the Presidio free?

Yes. There is no entrance fee, and the shuttle is free.

How do I get there?

By the free Presidio shuttle from downtown, by city bus or by car; parking is paid.

Can I combine the Presidio with the Golden Gate Bridge?

Yes, the bridge is at the north-west corner of the Presidio, a walk from Crissy Field.