Things to Do in the Presidio of San Francisco (Trails, Views, Beaches & Tunnel Tops Guide)
There are so many things to do in the Presidio of San Francisco, it’s hard to know where to begin.
Wrapping around the city’s northern edge, at the southern end of the Golden Gate Bridge, the Presidio is one of my favorite places to spend a day outdoors—and one of the best places to visit if you’re traveling to San Francisco with kids.
Once a U.S. Army post and now part of the Golden Gate National Recreation Area, this 1,491-acre National Park blends wooded hiking trails, historic architecture, breezy beaches, public art, Golden Gate Bridge views, and some of the city’s newest restaurants and gathering spaces, including the Presidio Tunnel Tops.
It’s also one of the easiest neighborhoods in San Francisco to build an itinerary around: you can walk the waterfront at Crissy Field, stop for lunch in a converted officers’ club or food trucks near the Tunnel Tops, and still have time to stroll along Clement Street or Sacramento Street before the late afternoon fog rolls in.
Where is the Presido
The Presidio sits at the northwest corner of San Francisco and at the southern end of the Golden Gate Bridge. Once a U.S. Army base, the nearly 1500-acre park is now part of the Golden Gate National Recreation Area and home to scenic trails, historic architecture, beaches, and some of the city’s best views of the bay and bridge.
How to Get to The Presidio
The Presidio is easy to reach from several parts of San Francisco. Visitors arriving by car can park near Crissy Field or the Main Post areas, both of which have parking lots.
The free PresidioGO Shuttle connects key areas of the park and the Transit Center in downtown San Francisco, making it one of the easiest and budget-friendly ways to explore San Francisco and the Presidio without a car.
Who Should Visit the Presidio
The Presidio is especially appealing for:
• families visiting the Tunnel Tops playground and daily food trucks
• hikers and walkers looking for scenic coastal and wooded trails
• photographers chasing Golden Gate Bridge viewpoints and sunsets
• history lovers interested in San Francisco’s military past
• travelers who want to pair the Presidio with visits to neighborhoods like Presidio Heights and the Inner Richmond
Best Golden Gate Views in the Presidio
Clear fall mornings and late afternoons often offer the best Golden Gate Bridge views before the coastal fog rolls in. Some great places to find them:
- Presidio Tunnel Tops
- Battery Bluffs Park
- Crissy Field
- Baker Beach
Best Things to do in The Presidio
Baker Beach
Baker Beach at Sunset
Southwest of the Golden Gate Bridge at the mouth of the San Francisco Bay, Baker Beach offers one of the Presidio’s most dramatic shoreline settings with sweeping views of the bridge, the Marin Headlands, and the Pacific Ocean.
FYI: the north end of the beach is clothing-optional, but the southern stretch is popular with walkers and photographers. Lots of people come to watch the sunset, and picnicking is allowed on Baker Beach, though glass and bonfires are not.
Crissy Field
Not a week goes by that I don’t take a stroll on Crissy Field.
Located on the Presidio’s northeast edge, Crissy Field evolved from a tidal marsh into a premier military airfield in 1921, acting as the West Coast’s center for air defense. It was decommissioned in 1994 and transformed into one of San Francisco’s most popular waterfront destinations.
There are wide paths for rolling and biking, a sandy beach on the bay that draws sunbathers, windsurfers, and dog walkers, and it has, hand’s down, one of the best views of the Golden Gate Bridge in San Francisco.
📍If you rent an e-bike to cross the Golden Gate Bridge, many tours stop here to snap some photos. Once you see the entire span of the iconic symbol of San Francisco, you’ll understand why.
Presidio Tunnel Tops
Opened in 2022, Presidio Tunnel Tops has become one of San Francisco’s most popular gathering places, especially for families and walkers looking for an easy and scenic place to hang out in the Presidio.
Built on top of the Presidio Parkway tunnels, the 14-acre park has Golden Gate Bridge and San Francisco Bay views along with thoughtfully designed spaces for families, including the two-acre playground for kids ages 2–12 and the Field Station curiosity lab filled with hands-on science and nature exhibits.
The Presidio Pop Up area has rotating food trucks each day around lunchtime. And keep your eyes open —a large food hall called the Mess Hall is expected to open near Tunnel Tops in 2026!
📍Guided walking tours are one of the easiest ways to explore the Presidio’s scenic overlooks and trails, such as Presidio Tunnel Tops, without worrying about navigating between viewpoints or parking (though parking is relatively easy midweek).
Battery Bluff Park
Not far from the Tunnel Tops, this six-acre bluff along the Presidio Promenade trail near San Francisco National Cemetery blends military history and incredible wide-open Golden Gate Bridge, Alcatraz, and Marin Headlands views.
Travel Tip: Pack a picnic. The site includes tables and benches for visitors to hang out and enjoy one of the Presidio’s most scenic viewpoints.
Presidio Trails & Nature Walks
One of the best things about the Presidio is how easy it is to walk and hike. Trails weave through eucalyptus groves, restored marshland, historic buildings, beaches, and blufftop overlooks, and are well-marked with signs.
Even a short walk here can take you past coastal habitats, centuries-old military buildings, and some of the best Golden Gate Bridge views in the city. For an easy introduction, start near Presidio Tunnel Tops and follow the path west toward Battery Bluff Park for its wide-open viewpoints overlooking the bridge and the bay.
The Batteries to Bluffs Trail is one of the most scenic short hikes in the Presidio. You can also add the climb down to Marshall Beach—470 stairs down and back UP!
Another short route is the walk through the Quartermaster Reach Marsh, a restored wetland area with an elevated pedestrian bridge where you can spot shorebirds, crabs, oysters, and native plants.
Drop by the Presidio Visitor Center near the Tunnel Tops for info, or check out the detailed trail maps online. Some are harder and steeper than others, but there really is something for every level in the Presidio.
Presidio Golf Course
That’s right, golf fans—tucked into the Presidio’s wooded interior near the Arguello Gate, the Presidio Golf Course is one of the oldest public courses on the West Coast and a surprisingly peaceful place to spend a few hours beneath towering eucalyptus trees.
Even if you’re not planning to play a round, the indoor/outdoor Ironwoods Grill behind the clubhouse is something of a hidden gem and a relaxed spot for a drink or casual bite before a walk on nearby trails or a visit to Clement Street, a 10 minute walk away.
Where to Eat in the Presidio
The Presidio isn’t just about trails and viewpoints, though that’s certainly a top reason to visit.
It’s also also a unique place to book a table and sit down for a meal. Several historic military buildings have been thoughtfully converted into restaurants, making it easy to combine a walk through the park with lunch, dinner, or a relaxed drink.
Dalida
Dalida brings an acclaimed Eastern Mediterranean menu to the Presidio with shareable plates inspired by flavors from Turkey, Greece, and the Middle East. Set inside a historic building near the Main Parade Lawn, it’s a delicious lunch or dinner stop after a day of hiking or wandering. Reservations are recommended.
Piccino Presidio
Located just inside the Presidio’s Chestnut Street gate, Piccino Presidio is a relaxed yet polished Italian spot known for seasonal California-Italian wood-fired pizzas and handmade pastas. This is the second location of Piccino—the beloved original is in San Francisco’s Dogpatch neighborhood—and I can declare that the sequel is just as good.
Colibri Mexican Bistro
Located in a beautifully restored historic barracks near the Main Post, Colibri Mexican Bistro offers traditional Mexican dishes in one of the Presidio’s most atmospheric dining spaces. Open for lunch, dinner, with a happy hour Monday through Friday, it’s an easy place to stop between museum visits or after exploring nearby trails.
Museums & Cultural Attractions in the Presidio
The Presidio is also one of San Francisco’s most interesting places to explore the city’s cultural and military history.
Several former Army buildings have been carefully restored into museums and public spaces that highlight everything from Walt Disney’s legacy to the Presidio’s role in shaping the American West.
Presidio Officers’ Club
The small adobe building that would become the Officers’ Club served military officers of three nations. Today it is a museum and cultural center that’s free and open to all, with exhibits tracing the Presidio’s past and present, free live music and talks, weekend crafts for kids, and school field trips.
FYI: It’s only open from Friday through Sunday, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Walt Disney Family Museum
Located along the Presidio’s Main Parade Lawn, The Walt Disney Family Museum explores the life and creative legacy of Walt Disney through original artwork, early animation drawings, film clips, and interactive exhibits that trace the story behind some of the world’s most recognizable characters.
Letterman Digital Arts Center
Part of the Lucasfilm campus, the Letterman Digital Arts Center is home to one of the Presidio’s most photographed hidden gems—a Yoda Fountain statue tucked inside the courtyard. While the buildings themselves are not open to visitors, Star Wars fans will appreciate the reference to the iconic and adorable Jedi Master.
Fort Point National Historic Site
Built between 1853 and 1861 to defend the entrance to San Francisco Bay, Fort Point sits directly beneath the southern approach of the Golden Gate Bridge and is one of the most dramatic historic sites in the Presidio.
Walk along Crissy Field to the end (there is a small parking lot, and rideshares can get you close too), then step inside to explore vaulted corridors and cannon batteries while learning about the fort’s role in protecting the bay.
Even if you don’t tour the interior exhibits, the location alone makes it worth visiting. The perspective of the Golden Gate Bridge directly overhead is one of the most memorable viewpoints in San Francisco.
Family-Friendly Indoor Activities in the Presidio
While the Presidio is admittedly at its very best when you can be outdoors enjoying the trails, beaches, and bluffs, but yes, sometimes it rains in San Francisco and you shouldn’t miss out on this beautiful park.
Luckily, there are also a few fun indoor stops that make the park an easy choice even on wet San Francisco days.
House of Air
Built inside a former airplane hangar on Crissy Field, House of Air is one of the Presidio’s most unexpected attractions. The indoor trampoline park offers open jump sessions, obstacle courses, and climbing areas that are especially popular with kids. but it’s just as fun for adults.
It’s also a great backup plan when San Francisco’s weather shifts suddenly, which is known to happen, especially during summer months when fog rolls in fast and thick.
Presidio Bowl
Presidio Bowl brings classic bowling-alley nostalgia to the middle of the park with updated lanes, arcade games, and a casual restaurant that makes it easy to turn a rainy day into a fun afternoon outing.
Where to Stay in the Prisido
Staying inside the Presidio is one of the most memorable ways to experience San Francisco, especially if you want to stay close to the Golden Gate Bridge, have easy access to hiking trails, and prefer quieter evenings away from Union Square and Fisherman’s Wharf.
The Presidio is also super close to local neighborhoods like Presidio Heights and Sacramento Street, and Clement Street in the Inner Richmond, giving you easy access to authentic San Francisco neighborhoods.
Honestly, I think the Presidio is one of the best areas to stay with families, or for romantic getaways to San Francisco.
Two historic former military buildings have been thoughtfully converted into small boutique-style hotels overlooking the Main Parade Lawn and the bay.
Inn at the Presidio
Set in restored officers’ quarters surrounded by eucalyptus trees, the Inn at the Presidio is 22-room boutique hotel that feels tucked into the park itself.
Most accommodations are spacious suites with fireplaces, and the quiet forested setting makes it especially appealing if you want a relaxed stay within walking distance of Presidio Tunnel Tops and nearby trailheads.
Lodge at the Presidio
Overlooking the Main Parade Lawn, the Lodge at the Presidio has 42-rooms in its historic setting, with some of the best Golden Gate Bridge views from any hotel in San Francisco. Its location across from Presidio Tunnel Tops, Presidio Bowl, and Disney Family Museum makes it an ideal base for families.
Because these hotels are on the smaller side and in the Presidio, it’s a good idea to check availability ahead of time to avoid disappointment.
Why Visit the Presidio of San Francisco
With coastal trails, Golden Gate Bridge views, historic landmarks, family-friendly playgrounds, and some of San Francisco’s best hidden gems and outdoor life, the Presidio is a rewarding place to experience in the city.
It also pairs easily with nearby stops like Sacramento Street, located just outside the Presidio Gate, making it a natural addition to almost any San Francisco itinerary.
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