The 12 Best Things to do in Presidio San Francisco -

There are so many great things to do in Presidio San Francisco from biking, picnics, food trucks, and nature walks. There is something for everyone here.

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The Presidio in San Francisco is the city’s giant nature playground. The Presidio has something for everyone with miles of walking trails, great views of the Golden Gate Bridge, and multiple beaches and parks. It’s a great destination for families with kids, solo travelers, couples looking for a staycation, or out-of-town visitors to SF.

The Presidio is a massive state park in the north of the city of San Francisco. You can find great eateries, luxurious hotels, museums, and more. It is one of my favorite places to come when I come into San Francisco. I have spent many days strolling along its paths, admiring the Japanese gardens, and having picnics with friends.

In this post, I’ll share where to stay, the best viewing spots for the Golden Gate Bridge, and all the best things to do in the Presidio San Francisco.

San Francisco: Golden Gate Bridge and Sausalito Cycling Tour

Bike across the Golden Gate Bridge on a 3-hour guided tour from SF to Sausalito. Enjoy scenic stops at iconic landmarks and breathtaking views of the Bay Area.

What is the Presidio San Francisco

To quote the Presidio website, “The land at the Golden Gate was the traditional territory of the Yelamu, a local tribe of the Ramaytush Ohlone peoples of the San Francisco Peninsula.

It then served as a military outpost for the Spanish Empire, the Mexican Republic, and the United States Army. Today, it’s a national park site and a National Historic Landmark District.”

In Spanish, “presidio” means military fort. It was at the Presidio’s location in 1776 where the Spanish first built their fort. From 1822-1846 it was a Mexican military outpost. After winning the Mexican-American war, the US military took over the area.

The Presidio became a national park in 1972. The army base in the park closed in 1989, after which it became a public park.

Where is the Presidio in San Francisco?

The Presidio is the green area on the map at the very north of San Francisco, just before crossing over the Golden Gate Bridge towards Sausalito. It has been declared a National State Park. It is the largest park in the city of San Francisco.

What is the vibe of Presidio San Francisco?

The vibe in the Presidio is very fun. Everyone seems to be in a good mood, especially on a sunny day. There are people walking and biking all over. Families at the playground with their kids. Dog owners throwing balls at the beach. Friends having picnics. Travelers coming for views of the famous bridge. It’s a great atmosphere here.

Is Presidio San Francisco safe?

Yes! The Presidio is very safe. It is very well taken care of. There is even someone who comes every day to clean the bird poop off the rocks next to the Japanese Garden. The Presidio is clean and safe.

What to see in Presidio San Francisco

There are a ton of great things to do in the Presidio National Park in San Francisco.

1. Hang out at Baker Beach

This beach offers you one of the more unique views of the Golden Gate Bridge. Most people come to take their photos on the other side, at Golden Gate Beach and the viewpoints. But if you want to spend the day at a less crowded beach with great views, this is for you.

This is where you can find the sand ladder, which is a long path and staircase made of sand that goes between Baker Beach and Lincoln Road.

Nicki is at Baker Beach in the Presidio San Francisco

2. Relax at the Golden Gate Beach

The Golden Gate Beach is the beach that will bring you the closest to the Golden Gate Bridge. You can get a great view of the bridge on one side and the skyline of San Francisco on the other. It can get a bit windy here, so come prepared.

If you’re looking for less crowded beaches, consider heading further south down to Pacifica or Half Moon Bay along the west coast of the Peninsula.

A view of the Golden Gate Bridge from the Presidio Golden Gate Bridge Beach

3. Get a Sweet View of the Golden Gate Bridge

The Presidio is where you’ll get the best views of the country’s most famous bridge, and there are several places to do just that.

Fort Point View Point

The very northern point of the Presidio is where you’ll find great views of the Bridge, starting with the Fort Point Historical Site near the wharf. From the wharf near Sports Basement, there is a narrow staircase that goes up. Along the staircase, you’ll find another viewpoint amongst the trees and bushes.

A view of the Golden Gate Bridge from the Presidio National Park San Francisco

Nicki sits on a ledge in front of the Golden Gate Bridge in San Francisco Presidio

View Golden Gate Bridge

If you keep following the stairs and the path to the very top, you’ll find a wider area where many people are taking photos with the bridge. You may even see a line forming on a particular piece of concrete that sticks out, offering great views. It’s a great way to get a higher viewing spot than down below at Fort Point.

Nicki and Meagan pose in front of the Golden Gate Bridge in the Presidio San Francisco

Golden Gate Postcard Viewpoint

The Golden Gate Postcard viewpoint is in the parking lot down below from the Golden Gate view up above. If you have a car you can easily drive there. Otherwise, you can follow the path down to the parking lot area.

A view of the Golden Gate Bridge from the Presidio National Park San Francisco. You can see the parking lot down below.

4. Walk out on the Torpedo Wharf

The Torpedo Wharf sticks out between the Golden Gate Beach and the Fort Point viewing spot. It gives you the chance to walk out over the water and get unique views of the bridge.

The Torpedo Wharf in the Presidio San Francisco

5. Have a Picnic at the Presidio Tunnel Tops

The Presidio Tunnel Tops is a large grassy area full of playgrounds, cafes, and picnic spots. On a sunny day, it is full of friends and families hanging out with their dogs, babies, and picnic lunches.

Nicki stands in front of the Tunnel Tops lawn and playground with a view of the Golden Gate Bridge in the background

Many people sit on the lawn at the Tunnel Tops in the Presidio

6. Relax at the Main Parade Lawn (Main Post)

The Main Parade Lawn is a long and slender area of grass that slopes slightly uphill. Like the Tunnel Tops, you’ll find a ton of people hanging out here. In the parking lot next to the field, you can find great food trucks on weekends.

Many people hang out on the lawn at the Main Post in the Presidio near the food trucks. You can see a hotel and a Disney museum.

Several people stand around near the food trucks in the Presidio

7. Walt Disney Family Museum

The Walt Disney Family Museum was opened in 2009 by Walt’s daughter. It is fairly large and has fun and interactive displays to learn about the life of Walt Disney.

8. Enter the free Presidio Museum

Inside the Presidio Officer’s Club, you can find a free museum that shows the history of the Presidio, as well as a section about the Japanese internment camps, with beautiful photography.

The Presidio free museum from the outside

9. Stroll along the Wood Line

The Wood Line was created by the artist Andy Goldsworthy. It runs parallel to Lover’s Lane. It is a zig-zag nature path amongst the tall trees of the area. There is even a small fort at the end of the path that has been built.

If you’re interested in more of Goldsworthy’s work, you can find a few more of his pieces in the Presidio such as the Earth Wall and the Spire.

The very tall trees along the Wood Line Path in the Presidio San Francisco

Nicki stands in front of the tall trees in the Wood Line in the Presidio San Francisco

The path of the Lovers Lane in the Presidio San Francisco

10. Admire the old National Cemetery

This is an old military cemetery, reminiscent of the Arlington Cemetery, with its perfectly neat rows of white headstones.

11. Take a long walk

The Presidio contains miles and miles of trails. It would take several returns to this park to be able to see all of them. But you can certainly take your daily steps and see a ton of great beaches, art installations, and parks along the way. Check this list for the 12 best trails in the park.

A view of the Presidio from up above. You can see Chrissy Field and the Bay.

12. Go on a GeoCache hunt

GeoCaching is one of the many self-guided Presidio tours. A GeoCache hunt is like a treasure hunt. There are 18 boxes hidden around the park that you can find using clues. You can get the cards at the Field Station or you can find the clues on the GeoCaching website (search for “Presidio of SF”).

Where to eat in Presidio San Francisco

Côte Ouest Bistro

This cafe is technically not inside The Presidio, but just a few steps from the main gate, so I still want to include it. They have a fantastic brunch menu with authentic French cuisine. The French onion soup is one of the best I’ve ever had.

Address on Google Maps: 2953 Baker St, San Francisco, CA 94123

Nicki holds out her food at the french bistrot near the Presidio

Food Trucks in the Main Post

You can catch the food trucks every weekend afternoon in the Main Post area, next to the massive lawn. They have dozens of nationalities represented, plus coffee and beer carts.

Address on Google Maps: 105 Montgomery St, San Francisco, CA 94129

Cafe RX

Cafe RX is one of the several cafes located inside the Presidio. Various lunch options are on offer. If you’re in the mood for Mexican, head over to the Colibri Grill inside the Presidio Officer’s Club.

Address on Google Maps: Thoreau Center, 1013 Torney Ave, SF, CA 94129

Where to stay in Presidio San Francisco

There are only two official lodgings inside of the Presidio, but several more in the city outside of the Presidio boundaries.

Inn at the Presidio

This is a beautiful hotel with a lot of history. It was once a home for bachelors in the US Army during WWII. It is now a stunning hotel in the middle of the park.

BOOK NOW to stay in this luxurious Presidio Hotel

Lodge at the Presidio

This is a great brick hotel right in the center of the Presidio, next to the Main Post lawn and the food trucks. It is the closest hotel in the city to the Golden Gate Bridge.

Reserve your stay NOW at the closest hotel to the Golden Gate Bridge

Travelodge by Wyndham Presidio San Francisco

This is the closest hotel to the Presidio without actually being inside of the park borders. It is close to several great restaurants in a safe neighborhood.

Stay in the Travelodge by Wndham, BOOK NOW

How to get to the Presidio (and around)

The Presidio is a very large place, so there are several options for getting around.

Presidio Go Shuttle

There is a free shuttle that travels between the Presidio and downtown called the Presidio Go. It operates daily and goes from 6 am to 7 pm on weekdays and 9 am to 6 pm on weekends. There are two main routes: Go Downtown Route and Go South Hills Route. The main stop in the Presidio is at the Presidio Transit Center.

Go Downtown Route

The stops along this route are at the Salesforce Transit Center , Embarcadero BART, and the Van Ness Avenue/Union Street.

Go South Hills Route

The stops along this route are all inside the Presidio Park at Inspiration Point, Baker Beach, Rob Hill Campground, and the Inn at the Presidio.

Walk

The Presidio is one of the best places to walk in the city. There are dozens of trails to get in your daily steps. Some of them have great beach views, Golden Gate bridge views, and forest views.

Bike

You can rent a bicycle at the Sports Basement to ride around the park or to Sausalito. You can also rent a bike at one of the five Bay Wheels bike share stations.

If you’re planning to bring your own bike to ride around the Presidio, you can easily attach it to the front of the free Go Shuttle.

Final Thoughts on Presidio San Francisco

If you’re looking for a park day while visiting San Francisco, or even if you live in the city and want an escape, the Presidio is the perfect place to go. It offers you everything you need to have a great day in nature, while still staying within the city limits. You can bike, walk, run, or drink a craft beer in the sunshine with your friends.

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