Welcome to the Presidio! This inspiring setting at the Golden Gate has a remarkable history and a fascinating present as a unique national park site that welcomes all. Please come visit!
About the Presidio
The Presidio is where San Francisco began.
This inspiring setting at the Golden Gate was home to native peoples for thousands of years. In 1776, Spain established a military fort on this land. After winning its independence from Spain in 1821, Mexico controlled the post and established a new pueblo nearby called
Yerba Buena (later known as the city of San Francisco).
In 1846 the Presidio became a U.S. Army post. Generations of soldiers passed through its gates, serving our nation around the world.
The Army departed in 1994, and the Presidio became a national park site. Today, the Presidio welcomes all with its beauty, nature, history, recreation, and family activities.
Discover and Enjoy Your Park
While the Presidio Visitor Center and Presidio Officers' Club are currently closed, you can still check out our digital map or visit the Golden Gate Welcome Center or the Warming Hut Park Store and Café.
Then head outside for a hike on a
trail through the forest; see native wildflowes at
Crissy Marsh; toss a Frisbee with the kids on the
Main Parade Ground; enjoy a
picnic; or watch the sunset from a
scenic overlook. Visit the
events calendar to see if there are any events taking place in the park.
It's easy to get to the park on the
free PresidiGo Shuttle or on
public transit.
Learn more about transportation >>
A Partnership Park
The Presidio is part of the Golden Gate National Recreation Area and is managed through a unique partnership approach with the Presidio managed by the Presidio Trust,in partnership with the
National Park Service. The park also receive tremendous support from the non-profit
Golden Gate National Parks Conservancy.
