Destinations
The Presidio
Great views, interesting history, and great recreation areas accent the adventure of visiting The Presidio.Golden Gate National Recreation Area Building 201, Fort Mason San Francisco,CA 94123 (415) 561-4323
Presidio National Park Website
Location
The Presidio website has basic directions. The best way to visit the Presidio is with a car. I hate saying that but it's a little tricky getting there and once you are there it's a big place. More than can be comfortably walked.
The signs for entering the Presidio are remarkably small and unobtrusive. Somehow this seems counter-intuitive for what a sign is supposed to be. Nontheless keep your eyes open and you will see little brown colored signs directing you onto the base.
If you have the legs and lungs for it taking bikes to the Presidio is allot of fun. Again I recommend a car and parking at Crissy field from there you can bike all over the base. If you have no car at all you can put a bike on MUNI buses. Look for the 28, 29, 43 and 82X bus lines to take you right to the base.
If you decide to bike the entire way onto the base you can. The only trouble will be biking down Lombard street. Yikes! If you live through that the Presidio will be a car free pleasure-land. But, you have to bike home at some point...
What It's All About
The Presidio is an old Army base that was turned over to the National Park service when the Army moved out about 20 years ago. The base was originally built by the Spanish and was turned over to the Untied States in 1848. Since then it it has been the longest continually functioning Army base in the United States. Over that time the Presidio has witnessed some of the most passionate chapters in American history.
Why Should You Go
Out at the National Cemetery you'll find the grave of the first female commissioned combat officer in US history. Pauline Cuchman Fryer was a spy during the American Civil War and was nearly hung when she was discovered by the Confederates. She came to rest in San Francisco after many years and a curious relationship with PT Barnum; the infamous promoter.
Just down the hill from the cemetery are the horse stables. The stables are still in use today by the National Park Service, although, they occupy haunted halls. During the Western expansion of the United States, the Buffalo Soldiers were stationed here. The stables definitely invokes an eerie sense of forgotten history. There is nothing to inform vistors of it's history other than a tiny plaque a few meters away.
Further down the hill from the horse stables you will arrive at Crissy Field. Back in the day Crissy Field was the first military airfield in California. If you squint your eyes you can almost see the old runway. Some of the first military by-planes took flight from this field. Oddly enough they were used predominantly to carry mail. The combat usefulness of airplanes took a while to be accepted within the military imagination.
Today Crissy Filed has been completely restored by the Park Service. The fresh water lagoon and costal grass are a breathtaking slice of nature framed by the Golden Gate and City-scape. There is a small visitor's center there that describes the project.
Don't Forget
Comfortable shoes! The Presidio is great for walking and big enough to kill your feet if you're not careful. If you are off to Crissy Field you can dip your toes in the water, so a pair of sandals and a towel would be good to have in your bag. Crissy Field does have clean water for washing the sand off your toes or filling up a bowl for your dog.
Sunscreen and a jacket! If the wind and fog start blasting through the Golden Gate you might want a parka.
Lastly, consider taking some other mode of human transportation. Your bike will serve you well here as there are endless trails and roads fairly devoid of cars. Or if you skateboard, grab your longboard and head out on the smooth paved trails.
Kids and dogs will love it here. There is plenty of space to run free and comfortable places to sit and watch.
Help! I Forgot Stuff
On Marina Blvd. there is the world's swankiest Safeway. Head east from Crissy Field and just continue around the bend at the end of the marina and you are there.
Alert!
There are no restaurants or grocery stores on the Presidio. You need to bring your lunch with you or consider eating at one of the many restaurants around the entrances to the base.
