Presidio of San Francisco


For 218 years, the Presidio served as an army post for three nations. World and local events, from military campaigns to World Fairs and earthquakes, left their mark. Come enjoy the history and the natural beauty of the Presidio. Explore centuries of architecture. Reflect in a national cemetery. Walk along an historic airfield, through forests or to beaches, and admire spectacular vistas.

The Presidio lies at the north end of San Francisco at the south end of the Golden Gate Bridge. It can be reached from the north by crossing the Golden Gate Bridge and taking the first exit from Highways 1 and 101; from the east by way of Lombard Street (Highway 101); and from the south via Highway 1 and exiting just before the bridge.

  • Arts and Culture
  • Biking
  • Golfing
  • Guided Tours
  • Self-Guided Tours - Walking
  • Hiking
  • Front-Country Hiking
  • Wildlife Watching
  • Birdwatching
  • Museum Exhibits

  • Architecture and Building
  • African American Heritage
  • Archeology
  • Aviation
  • Burial, Cemetery and Gravesite
  • National Cemetery
  • Explorers and Expeditions
  • Forts
  • Incarceration
  • Japanese-American Internment
  • Maritime
  • Coastal Defenses
  • Military
  • Infantry and Militia
  • Artillery
  • Cavalry
  • US Army
  • US Coast Guard
  • US Air Force (Army Air Corps)
  • Indigenous and Native Warrior
  • Wars and Conflicts
  • Colonial/European Contact Conflicts
  • Mexican War
  • Indian and Frontier Wars
  • Civil War
  • Spanish-American War
  • World War II
  • Vietnam War
  • Cold War
  • Dunes
  • Geology
  • Grasslands
  • Prairies
  • Thickets and Shrublands
  • Unique Species
  • Rare
  • Endangered
  • Wetlands

San Francisco National Cemetery

Rows of grave markers in the green grass of the cemetery as light shafts through misty trees.

San Francisco National Cemetery in the Presidio offers a place to contemplate service to your country.

Coastal Bluffs

Rocky bluffs above the blue ocean covered with yellow flowers in the foreground and and trees.

The coastal bluffs of the Presidio still retain a wild feeling within the city.

Montgomery Street Barracks

A long row of red brick barracks with green lawns in front extends into the distance.

The brick barracks on Montgomery Street showcase military architecture from the late 1800s.

Historic Forest

Scattered Monterey Cypress trunks with green grass and fern cover at their bases.

The planted historic forests offer tranquil places to walk.

Wind Surfers at Crissy Field

A kite boarder with yellow kite on beach with wind surfers behind on the blue bay.

On windy days, Crissy Field is a popular wind surfing and Kite boarding location.

Crissy Field

White building with red roofs on Crissy Field with blue bay and orange bridge with fog behind.

Crissy Field is a popular spot to wak and run while viewing the bay and changing fog conditions.l