Battery Bluff
Battery Bluff is great spot to enjoy a picnic while experiencing Presidio history and bay views.
This spot along the Presidio Promenade is built on top of the western set of Presidio Parkway tunnels that connect drivers to the Golden Gate Bridge. Its big sister park, Presidio Tunnel Tops, is just down the street,
What’s makes Battery Bluff really special is the four recently repaired historic gun batteries that defended San Francisco Bay when the Presidio was a U.S. Army post. The result is a site that perfectly blends history, nature, and recreation.
Getting to Battery Bluff
Lincoln Blvd, San Francisco, CA 94129
By Presidio GO Shuttle
Route: Downtown Shuttle
Stop: Presidio Transit Center (nine-minute walk to Battery Bluff)
Parking
There are six paid parking spaces on Lincoln Boulevard next to Battery Bluff, including one for people with mobility limitations.
Why We Love Battery Bluff
Located roughly halfway along the multi-use Presidio Promenade trail that connects the Lombard Gate to the Golden Gate Bridge, Battery Bluff is a near perfect resting place to enjoy history, nature, and fun.
Accessibility at Battery Bluff
There is one parking space next to Battery Bluff for people with mobility limitations. The 16 picnic tables have companion seating. The closest wheelchair–accessible restrooms are at Presidio Transit Center.
Insider Tip
Are you ready to say “I do?” The Golden Gate overlook at Battery Bluff is etched with the motto “Parks for All Forever.” Savvy couples stage their engagement photos to feature “Forever” with the iconic bridge in the background.
Best Place to See the Golden Gate Bridge
Whether you’re just stopping along the trail or planning a picnic with friends and family, the Golden Gate views from Battery Bluff will not disappoint.
Scenic Overlooks
Battery Bluff has three scenic vantage points with breathtaking views. One is a Golden Gate Bridge overlook, one points to Alcatraz, and another takes in the historic battery view.
Pack a Lunch
Battery Bluff has a whopping 16 picnic tables with companion seating. Note that there are no BBQ grills. If you need those, reserve a spot down the street at Picnic Place.
Experience the History of the Presidio
Battery Bluff’s name nods to the historic gun batteries nestled in the hillside above Crissy Field – Blaney, Baldwin, Slaughter, and Sherwood. Built by the U.S. Army between 1899-1902, they defended San Francisco Bay. The guns could hit targets 12 miles out to sea, thought there were never any shots fired in battle. Recently cleaned and repaired in a painstaking historic preservation process the batteries are accessible to visitors for the very first time.
Keep the Kids Busy
During construction, a raccoon left paw prints in the still drying asphalt of a pathway at Battery Bluff. See if the kids can find them.
Presidio Pet Cemetery
If you walk west from Battery Bluff along the Presidio Promenade trail toward the Golden Gate Bridge, you’ll encounter the Presidio Pet Cemetery, a beloved resting place for the companions of Army families.
Frequently Asked Questions
Battery Bluff is along the multi-purpose Presidio Promenade trail. It’s next to Lincoln Boulevard across from San Francisco National Cemetery at the Presidio.
There are six parking spots nearby. The closest restrooms are at the Presidio Transit Center.
The closest food is Presidio Pop Up food trucks on the Main Post. There is also a restaurant at Presidio Transit Center.
From 2009 through 2015, Caltrans replaced the seismically unsafe Doyle Drive with the Presidio Parkway, which placed parts of the roadway into two sets of tunnels. The land above these tunnels became a new park area. Battery Bluff is built on top of the western tunnels, and Presidio Tunnel Tops is built on the eastern tunnels. The opening of the new parkland in 2022 marked the end of a 30+ year, multi-agency effort to replace the freeway while making more beautiful open space in the Presidio.
Nature Notes
It’s our goal to make sure people can enjoy the Presidio’s natural beauty for generations to come. We work to protect native plants and animals while reducing our impact on the environment.
Plants at Battery Bluff
More than 60,000 plants – most grown at Presidio Nursery – bring seasonal color and life. About 90% of the plants are native, including purple needle grass and California lilac.
