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View of the Presidio’s Main Post looking south across the Main Parade Lawn, with visitors enjoying the park. Photo by Paul Myers.

Main Post

Experience the park’s historic and cultural center, now home to Presidio Tunnel Tops.

Region

Main Post Region

Interests

Education, Kids & Family, History, Food, Art & Culture, Recreation

Top Amenities

Accessible Restrooms, Accessible Parking, Paid Parking, Bike Parking, Reservable Picnic Tables

The Main Post is the park's beating heart. It’s where the Presidio was founded as a military post – and where today national park adventures begin.

The Main Post features an incredible mix of history, architecture, nature, and Golden Gate Bridge views. It’s home to the Presidio Visitor Center, the park’s new gateway at Presidio Tunnel Tops, and the Presidio Officers’ Club, the park’s oldest building with free history exhibitions. Both hotels and many restaurants are on the Main Post, as well as picnic sites and public lawns where you can enjoy the sun. 

The Main Post will keep you coming back to visit the museums, catch a performance at Presidio Theatre, or walk on the Presidio Promenade Trail.

Map of the Presidio

By Public Transit

Muni Route: 43 Masonic  

Stop: Presidio Transit Center 

 

Muni Route: 30 Stockton 

Stop: Mason Street & Halleck Street

By Presidio GO Shuttle

Route: Downtown Route

Stop: Presidio Transit Center

Main Post Parking

There are paid parking lots all around the Main Post, including directly in front of Presidio Visitor Center and across from the Presidio Officers’ Club. You’ll also find paid street parking in front of many destinations. 

Why We Love the Main Post

The Main Post was the headquarters for the U.S. Army in military days. Today, it offers a dizzying array of fun things to for people of all ages and interests, from picnicking, to bowling, to playing with the kids at one of San Francisco’s best playgrounds, the Outpost.

Accessibility at the Main Post

The Presidio’s Main Post features multiple parking lots with wheelchair-accessible spaces. Accessible bathrooms are also available at Presidio Transit Center, the Presidio Officers’ Club, and across from the Outpost playground.

Insider Tip

Here’s a perfect first day at the Main Post. First, talk with a ranger at Presidio Visitor Center. Then take a walk at Presidio Tunnel Tops to sample nature, history, and views. Finally, buy lunch from the Presidio Pop Up food trucks and carts and enjoy it while people watching on the Main Parade Lawn.

A large group picnicking at Presidio Tunnel Tops.Photo source:
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Frequently Asked Questions

Public restrooms at the Main Post can be found at Presidio Transit Center, the Presidio Officers’ Club, and across from the Outpost playground.

Most of the Presidio’s restaurants are on the Main Post. This includes Colibri Mexican Bistro, Presidio Social Club, Dalida, Sessions at the Presidio, and laid back choices like the Presidio Bowl bar and grill, Café RX, and Starbucks. And every day a rotating line up of Presidio Pop Up food trucks and carts can be found near Presidio Visitor Center.

Family fun highlights include the Outpost playground, the Field Station, frames and fries at Presidio Bowl, and the Walt Disney Family Museum.

Take your pick between the Inn at the Presidio and the Lodge at the Presidio. Both are registered Historic Hotels of America.

Visit the free public history exhibitions in the Presidio Officers’ Club (check the website for hours) or try one of the great music, dance, or theatre performances at Presidio Theatre.

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.

Native Plants at Presidio Tunnel Tops

About half of the 200,000 plants that populate Presidio Tunnel Tops’ gardens are species native to the Presidio that were grown in the Presidio Nursery from seeds collected in the park.

Native plants at Presidio Tunnel Tops.