The Presidio is a national park in San Francisco that receives millions of visitors a year. There are many fun, affordable ways to enjoy the Presidio.
To help you get started on your journey, we've chosen eight free activities to introduce you to all the Presidio has in store for you.
1 - Plan your day at the Presidio Visitor Center
Start your day in the park by visiting the Presidio Visitor Center. As you walk through the front door, you will see a huge map to help you plan your adventure. A series of digital displays and videos give you ideas about the various trails to hike, places to visit, and places to eat; from
food trucks to restaurants. Proceed to the next room to learn about the four main regions of the Presidio, from the shoreline at Crissy Field to the wilderness found in the south of the Presidio. The Presidio Visitor Center is open daily.
2 - Take a photo on the Golden Gate Bridge
El Presidio ofrece las mejores vistas panorámicas del
Puente Golden Gate, y usted puede tomar fotografías desde múltiples ángulos, incluyendo desde el
Centro de bienvenida al Puente Golden Gate, el sitio histórico nacional de Fort Point, el muelle Torpedo Wharf en Crissy Field, y la playa en
Baker Beach. ¡Incluso puede cruzar el puente a pie si lo desea!
3 - Visite la playa
The Presidio has some of the most famous beaches in San Francisco, including
Baker Beach (pictured above),
Marshall's Beach, or
East Beach at Crissy Field . Baker Beach and East Beach are great picnic spots and offer wonderful views of
the Golden Gate Bridge .
4 - See outdoor art
Famous artist Andy Goldsworthy has four impressive sculptures at the Presidio, and you can see them all on a walking tour of less than 3 miles. Artwork includes Spire (illustrated above),
Wood Line, Earth Wall, and Tree Fall .
5 - Observe the diversity of birds
Located along the Pacific Flyway, the Presidio attracts many migratory birds. Some popular birding spots in the park include
El Polin Spring , where you can see Allen's hummingbirds, and
Crissy Marsh . In both places, you will find picnic tables and public restrooms.
6 - Walk a trail that everyone loves
The Presidio has 24 miles (about 38 kilometers) of trails; some great for walking, biking, rollerblading or strolling; some easy and some more difficult. Choose yours! A 2.7 mile route (a little over 4 kilometers) is easy for everyone; no matter if you walk, bike, wheelchair or baby chair. It offers four scenic overlooks, the Presidio forest, and views of the San Francisco Bay.
7 - Take a picnic
Pack a lunch and experience one of the Presidio's six picnic spots. These include
West Bluff at Crissy Field,
El Polin Spring, and
Baker Beach , where you can enjoy views of the Pacific Ocean. For lunch on the lawn, visit the
Main Parade Ground near the Presidio Visitor Center. Many picnic areas offer barbecue grills.
8 - Enjoy nature
The Presidio is a 1,500-acre (a little more than 600 hectares) natural oasis, with native plants of the region, birds, streams and swamps, as well as a beautiful forest. The ideal first visit includes admiring
Mountain Lake , located along the southern border of the Presidio. In that place, you can enjoy the choruses of the Pacific frogs, see damselflies and even see a Pacific tortoise resting on a rock.