Presidio National Park San Francisco
Presidio National Park San Francisco Map
History of Presidio National Park San Francisco
The Presidio is a National Park located in San Francisco at the Golden Gate Bridge.
First established by Spain in 1776 it was a military reservation of Spain until 1821. Of note, the Presidio marked the point of the northern most outpost of colonial power in the New World. This makes it one of the oldest in Western United States and one of the longest-garrisoned posts in the United States.
Prior to the arrival of the Spanish the Ohlone and Costanoan Native Americans frequented the area seasonally to collect shellfish dating back to at least 740 A.D.
After the Spanish, the Presidio was part of the Mexican Frontier from 1822 to 1846.
1847 to 1994 the United States Army occupied the Presidio Post. As part of the Mexican-American War the 1st New York Volunteer Regiment occupied the Presidio in 1847. Eventually, it became the most important army base on the Pacific Coast.
Transferring the Presidio to the National Park Service occurred on October 1, 1994. In conjunction with the National Park Service the Presidio Trust oversees the natural, cultural, scenic, and recreational resources of the Presidio as a federal agency.
Founded as a military base to guard the San Francisco Bay entrance it is now a recreational paradise. In fact, as a respite from the city, hiking the Presidio National Park is an off the grid experience.
Presidio Hiking
Hike or walk in the Presidio National Park San Francisco along miles of trails. Furthermore, The trails lead through forests, along the beach and its cliffs, and are a jumping off point to walk across the Golden Gate Bridge. Hikes in Presidio Park included a variety of trails and scenic overlooks at varying difficulty levels.
Presidio National Park Trail Map
Presidio of San Francisco Things to Do
Noteworthy when planning a trip is the Presidio National Park in San Francisco is divided into four key areas.
First, is Golden Gate which includes the western coastline and the area around the Golden Gate Bridge along the Pacific Ocean.
Second, is Crissy Field to the north which offers bay front walking paths. Also, views of the San Francisco skyline, Bay and Golden Gate Bridges are here.
Third, is the Main Post where you will find most of the historical structures from when the Presidio was a fort and then a military base. Near the southern border of Crissy Field, the Main Post is near the center of Presidio National Park.
The Presidio Visitor Center is located at the Main Post. Parking is available.
Lastly, the largest area is the Southern Wilds located on the southern end of the park with miles of trails.
Golden Gate Section of Presidio National Park San Francisco
Golden Gate is the area that hugs the western coastline up to the Golden Gate Bridge. Hiking in the Golden Gate area of the Presidio offers easy, flat ocean walks and more strenuous coastal cliff hikes.
Best of all, you can take a walk across the Golden Gate Bridge. Or, capture quintessential images of the bridge from Baker Beach.
Crissy Field in Presidio National Park
The walking paths at Crissy Field in the Presidio National Park San Francisco hug the San Francisco Bay.
Walks in this area are primarily flat and easy. In addition, there are picnic areas and beaches to enjoy at Crissy Field.
Take in a view of the Golden Gate Bridge.
Also, see the skyline of San Francisco.
In the distance you can even see the Bay Bridge.
Southern Wilds, Presidio National Park San Francisco
Exploring the Southern Wilds in the Presidio National Park San Francisco is where you will find forest trails, natural areas, and creeks. In this area, trails vary in length and difficulty level. Most trails in the Southern Wilds offer shade for sunny days.
Main Post, Presidio National Park San Francisco
Accordingly, the Main Post of the Presidio National Park San Francisco is the center of the Presidio National Park. For this reason, you will find museums, restaurants, and historical buildings at the Main Post.
Notably, there are often concerts and events located in the Main Post area on the central green. Not to mention, the beautiful views of the bay from this area.
Baker Beach Ocean Front Walk
Start your walk on Baker Beach at the Baker Beach public parking lot. Once there, first explore the gun batteries that protected the coast during war. Next, stroll north along the beach.
Truly one of the most picturesque views in the Presidio National Park is the walk along Baker Beach. Enjoy the sound of the Pacific Ocean lapping or crashing against the sand. Highlighting the walk is the view of the Golden Gate Bridge.
Sand Ladder, Baker Beach
Prior to returning to the Baker Beach parking lot, take the personal challenge and walk up the Sand Ladder at Baker Beach. Although the stroll along the beach is flat and only challenging due to walking in sand, climbing up the Sand Ladder will certainly increase the day’s hike difficulty level.
Golden Gate Overlook
Discover the Golden Gate Overlook driving on the scenic highway through Presidio National Park. While heading north on Lincoln Boulevard towards the Golden Gate you will find a turnout for the Golden Gate Overlook.
Stop here to take pictures of the Golden Gate Bridge and views of the Pacific Ocean. Specifically, it is from the Golden Gate Overlook that you can see both of the twin towers of the bridge. Conveniently, there are also benches at the overlook.
Together with driving to the overlook, three of the hiking trails in the Presidio cross the path of the Golden Gate Overlook. First, is the California Coastal Trail. Next, is the Bay Area Ridge Trail. Lastly, is the Juan Bautista de Anza National Historic Trail.
California Coastal Trail
Hiking in the Presidio National Park along the California Coastal Trail is a favorite walk for many living and visiting the Bay Area.
The trail is about two and a half miles long and rated easy to moderate. In fact, the trail can be accessed by bikes or pedestrians.
Overall, the total length of the California Coastal Trail is 1,200 miles. However, the segment in the Presidio is an achievable 2.4 miles.
Along the way marvel in the Pacific Ocean vistas along the rocky coastal cliffs. Follow the bluffs to see iconic Monterey Cypress windswept trees. Furthermore, capture the scents of the native shrubs and plants.
Notably, the California Coast Trail offers the best access to the gun batteries located along the west coast including Battery Chamberlin.
California Coast Trailhead
Start the trail at the 25th Avenue Gate by Baker Beach. Next, head north towards the end point of the Golden Gate Bridge. There is a pedestrian and bike friendly bridge that connects the trail to the Golden Gate Bridge.
Note that restrooms are available at Baker Beach and the Golden Gate Bridge.
De Anza Connector Trail
The De Anza Connector Trail enables hiking between the Presidio trails.
From the staircase you can access the Anza Trail and Coastal Trail.
Likewise, you can use the De Anza Connector Trail to get to Immigrant Point Lookout.
Marine Cemetery in Presidio National Park San Francisco
As part of the Southern Wilds area, a Marine Cemetery is found in the Presidio National Park. A walking path behind the Presidio Landmark takes you past the graveyard.
Originally a hospital, the Presidio Landmark was built for seafarers that found themselves stranded in San Francisco due to health or disability. The historic building was built in 1875.
Behind the Presidio Landmark is the Marine Cemetery of unmarked graves that once supported the hospital from 1881 to 1912 when seamen’s remains could not be returned to their home country.
Interestingly, when the Presidio became a National Park there were not the funds available to support a new National Park. Therefore, repurposing of the buildings in the park into apartments, offices, and restaurants was done to generate income. Rental fees help support the Presidio National Park to this day.
Getting to the Marine Cemetery
Mountain Lake Trail takes you to the vista overlooking the Marine Cemetery. The area has been restored to natural sand dunes.
In order to reach the Marine Cemetery take the Presidio National Park San Francisco shuttle bus or park in the paid lot off of Wedemeyer Street.
Inspiration Point
Inspiration Point is a viewpoint turnout to see Alcatraz and Angel Island in the San Francisco Bay. Notable as one of the best viewpoints in the park, in the forefront are eucalyptus groves, grasslands, the Park Presidio’s largest watershed, and distant historic buildings.
Parking at Inspiration Point also offers access to the Andy Goldsworthy Spire, the Bay Area Ridge Trail, and the Ecology Trail.
Taking the Ecology Trail brings you closer to the Presidio National Park’s watershed.
Bay Area Ridge Trail Presidio National Park
The Bay Area Ridge Trail is an easy to moderate 2.5 mile walk. Cyclists are allowed on part of the trail.
Overall the Bay Area Ridge Trail is a 550 mile loop and incorporates part of the most scenic viewpoints in San Francisco.
Within the Presidio National Park San Francisco the Bay Area Ridge Trail begins at Arguello Gate. Passing the Presidio Golf Course through strands of eucalyptus trees it ends at the Golden Gate Bridge. Part of the trail intertwines with the Juan Bautista de Anza National Historic Trail as well as the California Coastal Trail.
Encompassing three scenic overlooks and the Spire Presidio it offers some of the highest viewpoints in the Presidio Park and trails through the Presidio forest.
One of the scenic overlooks is the National Cemetery Overlook. The overlook includes benches and inscribed stone walls. From the overlook is a sea of white gravestones with the tops of the Golden Gate Bridge in the distance. The National Cemetery Overlook can be reached by wheelchair using a connector trail.
Restrooms are at the Golden Gate Bridge and the Presidio Golf Course Clubhouse along the trail.
Andy Goldsworthy Spire Presidio
A installation sculpture by Andy Goldsworthy titled “Spire” can be viewed off one of the trails in the Southern Wilds of Presidio National Park. Inspired by the Presidio, the tapering peak stands one hundred feet tall.
Using fallen Monterey Cypress trees first planted in the 1880s by the Army, Goldsworthy sculpted the fallen trees into his towering Spire Presidio.
Reach the Andy Goldsworthy Spire along the Bay Area Ridge Trail. First, park at Inspiration Point. Across the street, near the Presidio Golf and Concordia Club parking lot is the trailhead.
Three sculptures are within the park boundaries by the artist. Andy Goldsworthy Presidio installations are a Presidio of San Francisco thing to do.
To reach the Spire, hike a short walk to until you see the top of the Spire. Alongside the Bay Area Ridge Trail is a turnoff to reach the base of the Spire.
Continue on the Bay Area Ridge Trail through a grove of eucalyptus trees that back the golf course. Once under the eucalyptus trees you can smell the scent of the trees.
Double back through the relaxing smell of the eucalyptus trees to return to the Inspiration Point parking lot.
Presidio Golf Course
Nearby is the Presidio Cafe for lunch or coffee at the Presidio Golf Course clubhouse.
The Presidio Golf Course houses a driving range, golf course, restaurant, and shop. Altogether, the Presidio Golf Course includes challenging play surrounded by the beauty of the forest in the Presidio National Park San Francisco.
As Presidio Golf is now open to the public and no longer restricted to military officers and private club members anyone can book tees times.
Lover’s Lane Trail
Originally used by the Spanish soldiers to walk the few miles from the Presidio to Mission Dolores the trail eventually adopted the name Lover’s Lane. As the oldest path in the Presidio National Park it is a highlight walking trail.
Rumor has it that at one time the Lover’s Lane was used by military men to stroll through the base with their loves they met at the Presidio Gate. Now everyone has access to the Presidio Park and Lover’s Lane.
As a trail a bit over a half mile it is a nice walk rated easy to moderate. All of the trail is paved or boardwalk surface. However, bikes are not allowed.
Along with Andy Goldsworthy’s Spire is a second art installation, ‘Wood Line‘. Accessed to the east of the trail within the eucalyptus forest is Wood Line by Andy Goldsworthy. You are allowed to walk on the zigzagging tree art.
Start on Lover’s Lane at the Presidio Gate and walk down to the Main Post area of the Presidio Park. Heading downhill and north you will pass a footbridge built in 1885.
Lover’s Lane trail is a shaded walk in the Presidio Park. Additionally, you can catch glimpses of historic homes.
End your trail walk at the Presidio Officer’s Club. Here you can have lunch and take in historic exhibits.
Lover’s Lane Trail connects to Mountain Lake Trail and Tennessee Hollow Trial.
Packing for Presidio National Park San Francisco
Use our Packing List for Travel as a starter list for your California trip.
Also, when visiting the Presidio National Park San Francisco include hiking shoes, a lightweight windbreaker or rain coat, and water bottle.
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Further California Travels
Additional details on Presidio National Park can be found on the Presidio‘s official site.
Traveling through California to the top tourist destinations and natural beauty of the state often includes Yosemite. View our Things to Do in Yosemite post for inspiration.
