Surrounded by a park-like setting right next to the Golden Gate Bridge and the San Francisco Bay, the Presidio is arguably one of the most picturesque former military bases ever constructed.
Once a military installation from 1776 until 1994, the Presidio saw duty for Spain, Mexico, and the U.S. and is now a historic landmark and national park with almost 1,500 acres.
Hiking and biking trails offer sweeping views of the bay and Golden Gate Bridge. The peace of the Presidio provides the perfect spot within the city to make visitors feel like they are a million miles away.
Presidio’s points of interest
With so much to do, seeing all of Presidio’s points of interest will take a full day. Upon arriving, visitors will want to visit the old Officers’ Club, which houses the Presidio Visitor Center. Inside are exhibits and a reception area where visitors can obtain maps and directions.
The center also hosts a variety of community and special events and public programs related to the Presidio’s archeology and history. The visitor center is open from 10 am to 4 pm on Thursday to Sunday.
With a map, guests can embark on several historical and interactive journeys. Two of the favorites are a guided tour of the Presidio’s historic architecture and a visit to the Walt Disney Family Museum.
A pure delight for any Disney fan, this place is devoted to the life of Walt Disney, not Disney, the company, but the stories are somewhat intertwined.
Walt Disney Family Museum Presidio
The 40,000-square-foot museum displays the life story of a great man with state-of-the-art technology, telling the history and explaining the workings of Walt’s dreams and the birth of Imagineering.
From the museum, visitors can walk the Presidio Promenade passed the old military cemetery to the hill down to Fort Point, where they can enjoy a majestic view from right under the Golden Gate Bridge, with the Pacific on one side and the Bay on the other.
Baker- Marshall Beach
On a clear day, visitors can see the coastline to the south and the “City by The Bay” to the east. After a quick stop at Fort Point, visitors will be well-rested to make the trek to Rob Hill, which sits atop the Presidio’s highest point in a grove of eucalyptus trees overlooking Baker Beach and the Pacific Ocean.
On Rob Hill are a rustic family campground featuring individual and four group campsites that can accommodate 30 people each, restrooms, a large stone campfire circle, and an indoor “Great Room” for educational programs.
A campground is a fantastic place for families to experience a little piece of the wilderness just a stone’s throw away from big city life. Along the trail are three Andy Goldsworthy public art pieces, two of which are outdoors and accessible anytime.
“The Spire” is the most well-known because it is in a prominent place in the park, just above the inspiration point, while the second is “Tree Line,” which is just east of the Lover’s Lane hiking trail. The final piece is in the old powder magazine on the parade grounds.
Tree Line Presidio
All three pieces are worth seeing and worth the trip to the Presidio alone. Finally, the park provides numerous amenities, including multiple sports facilities, a golf course, a bowling alley, tennis courts, and athletic fields.
Getting to the Presidio
A free PresidiGo Around the Park Shuttle runs around the Park in 30-minute loops. We suggest you take advantage of the shuttle; the Presidio covers a vast area.
The Presidio is perhaps the cheapest place to spend a day in San Francisco. Admission is free, and parking is paid by the hour at meters. All pay stations accept credit and debit cards, and many accept coins.
Hundreds of historical buildings, beaches, hiking trails, picnic areas, and the Walt Disney Family Museum exist. If you are looking for a fun and affordable place to spend a day in San Francisco, then the Presidio should be at the top of your list.
The Presidio can be reached from the north by crossing the Golden Gate Bridge from the east through Lombard Street and from the south via Highway 1.
One of the best free things to do in San Francisco. Hiking and biking trails offer sweeping views of the Golden Gate Bridge. Not bad 🙂