Battery East Vista
This scenic spot thrills with views of the Golden Gate Bridge, the Bay, and the Marin Headlands.
Built in 2015, this overlook offers fantastic views and is home to historic brick and earthen batteries constructed in the 1870’s to defend the bay when the Presidio was a U.S. Army post.
Its design recreates the historic path that once linked the batteries. Today, this lovely trail invites bikers and walkers to make their way to the Golden Gate Bridge Welcome Center.
The centerpiece is a plaza with amphitheater-like seating where visitors enjoy panoramic Golden Gate Bridge views with sailboats and surfers floating beneath.
Getting to Battery East Vista
Battery East Vista
By Muni Public Transit
Muni Route: 43 Masonic
Stop: Presidio Transit Center (31-minute walk)
Muni Route: 28 19th Avenue
Stop: Golden Gate Bridge Welcome Center (15-minute walk)
Battery East Parking
There is a paid parking lot off Lincoln Boulevard next to Battery East Vista.
Why We Love Battery East Vista
The Golden Gate Bridge is the star of the show. And it’s a wonderful place to relax and people watch as visitors from all over the world discover the remarkable span.
Accessibility at Battery East Vista
Battery East Vista connects to an accessible segment of the California Coastal Trail near the Golden Gate Bridge. The nearby parking lot has spaces for those with mobility limitations.
Insider Tip
You can enjoy the view from Battery East and then take a short walk to the Golden Gate Bridge Welcome Center to watch a short video and check out the 12-foot “test tower” that was used in 1933 to evaluate the bridge’s design.
One of the Best Golden Gate Bridge View Vista Points
Battery East Vista offers one of the best unobstructed views of the Golden Gate Bridge in the Presidio.
Experience the History of the Presidio
Battery East was built in the 1870s after the Civil War when the Army concluded that Fort Point was vulnerable to the latest advances in weaponry. Learn more about the history of Battery East on the National Park Service website. And learn about the Presidio’s past as an Army post in the History section.
A View through the Ages
At the vista, there’s a photograph taken in 1936 of two soldiers watching the construction of the Golden Gate Bridge. Today, there is still no better place to stand in awe of this engineering marvel.
Connect to Presidio Trails
From Battery East Vista, you can easily walk to the bridge’s Welcome Center and connect to two breathtaking hiking trails in San Francisco – the California Coastal Trail above the Presidio’s western shoreline and the Bay Area Ridge Trail at Crissy Field.
Grab a Coffee and Enjoy the View
After an early morning walk, there’s nothing like enjoying a warm cup of coffee from the Round House Café and heading down to Battery East Vista to watch the boats come in.
Homes in the Presidio at Pilots’ Row
Directly across Lincoln Boulevard, you’ll see 13 charming white houses. They were built as officers’ quarters for the pilots at Crissy Field during the 1920s and are available for rent today. Learn more about living in the Presidio.
