Presidio of San Francisco

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Quick Facts

Presidio of San Francisco

California

(415) 561-4323

Map Directions

Things To Do

Overview

The Presidio preserves an astonishingly complex cultural and natural heritage within its 1480 acres. Today, visitors enjoy the history and beauty of the Presidio. Within its boundaries are more than 500 historic buildings, a collection of coastal defense fortifications, a national cemetery, an historic airfield, a saltwater marsh, forests, beaches, native plant habitats, coastal bluffs, miles of hiking and biking, and some of the most spectacular vistas in the world. A great place to start your trip is at the Visitor Center. The Presidio Visitor Center is temporarily located in Building 105 Montgomery Street. A permanent visitor center is set to open in 2014. In addition to rotating exhibits, the Visitor Center houses a bookstore. They are open daily from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. except for Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Years days. For thousands of years, the Ohlone, American Indian inhabitants managed and harvested the natural bounty of what is now the Presidio. In 1776, Spanish soldiers and missionaries arrived, forever disrupting Ohlone culture and beginning 218 years of military use of the area just south of the Golden Gate. The Presidio served as a military post under the flags of Spain (1776-1822), Mexico (1822-48), and the United States (1848-1994). As a U.S. Army post, the Presidio protected commerce and trade, and played a logistical role in every major U.S. military conflict from 1848 until closure. International military campaigns, the rise of aviation, World Fairs and natural disasters left their mark here. On October 1, 1994, the Presidio became part of the Golden Gate National Recreation Area. Since 1998, the Presidio has been jointly managed by the National Park Service and the Presidio Trust. The Presidio Trust is a special public-private governmental agency tasked with managing most of the buildings of the Presidio and making the park financially self-sufficient by 2013.

Map of Presidio of San Francisco

Latitude, Longitude: 37.786519, -122.472330

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Activities

  • Boating

    Boating may be available; please contact park services for more information.

  • Bicycling

    Cyclists can explore the area on 14 miles of paved roads and along some unpaved parts of the Bay Area Ridge Trail.

  • Auto/Motorcycle

    Please contact park services for more information.

  • Fishing

    Fishing and crabbing opportunities abound from the nearby rocks and pier.

  • Golfing

    The park also contains numerous sports facilities, including a golf course, bowling alley, tennis courts and athletic fields. Of special notice is the opportunity for photography of scenic views of the Bay Area and the Presidio's historic architecture.

  • Hiking

    The Presidio contains over 25 miles of hiking trails, including the Golden Gate Promenade, Presidio Promenade, Coastal Trail, Ecology Trail, and portions of the Bay Area Ridge Trail, the Bay Trail, and the Anza National Historic Trail.

  • Picnicking

    Picnic sites are available.

  • Water Sports

    A world-class board-sailing area borders Crissy Field.

Seasonality/Weather

The climate tends to be windy and cool throughout much of the year. Summers are foggy, with the best weather in spring and fall. Dressing in layers is advised.

Park Partners

Golden Gate National Parks Conservancy

Muir Woods. Crissy Field. Alcatraz. The Marin Headlands. Stinson Beach. Lands End. The Presidio. There's only one nonprofit that supports Muir Woods, Crissy Field, Alcatraz, The Marin Headlands, Stinson Beach, Lands End and The Presidio, The Golden Gate National Parks Conservancy. Their mission is to preserve the Golden Gate National Parks, enhance the park visitor experience, and build a community dedicated to conserving the parks for the future.

(415) 561-3000

Directions

Driving

The Presidio can be reached from the north by crossing the Golden Gate Bridge (Highways 1 and 101); from the east by way of Lombard Street (Highway 101); and from the south via Highway 1. Note: Detours and delays are possible due to construction on Doyle Drive and the Golden Gate Bridge approach. Check out www.presidioparkway.org for the latest updates.

Flying

San Francisco, Oakland and San Jose International Airports service the San Francisco Bay area.

Public Transportation

San Francisco Municipal Railway (MUNI) buses serve the Presidio via the 28, 29 and 43 lines. Bus service from the North Bay to the Golden Gate Bridge toll plaza is available through Golden Gate Transit.

Phone Numbers

Primary

(415) 561-4323

Links