Getting Started
What is the Presidio of San Francisco?
The Presidio was once one of the oldest continuously operating military posts in the nation. Today it is a distinct public park site within the 75,500-acre Golden Gate National Recreation Area (GGNRA), the world’s largest national park in an urban area. It is also a National Historic Landmark, with 780 contributing historic features. The Presidio is renowned for its remarkable history, its architecture and archaeology, its rare natural features, its beautiful vistas, and its recreational opportunities. It is unusual among parks because people live and work here as well as visit.
How big is the Presidio?
Total Acreage - 1,491 acres
Total Acres of Open Space - 991 acres
Who manages the Presidio?
The Presidio is managed by the Presidio Trust, a federal agency established by Congress in 1996. The Presidio Trust board of directors has seven members (six appointed by the President of the United States and one by the Secretary of the Interior). The Trust works in partnership with the National Park Service. The Trust manages the interior 80 percent of lands (known as Area B); the National Park Service manages coastal areas (known as Area A). The agencies work together to preserve open spaces, improve the Presidio trail system, and provide visitor programs. The Presidio also benefits from the support of the Golden Gate National Parks Conservancy, the non-profit partner of the GGNRA.
When is the Presidio open?
The Presidio is open 24 hours a day year-round. No fees are required to enter the park.
How do I get to the Presidio?
The Presidio is served by the San Francisco MUNI and Golden Gate Transit bus systems. It has also been designated a “Bicycle Friendly Community.” PresidiGo, a free internal shuttle system sponsored by the Presidio Trust, makes stops at more than 40 destinations within the park. Parking is available for those arriving by car. Complete details are available in the Directions & Shuttle section.
Does the Presidio have a Visitor Center?
There are several Visitor Centers within the park. Many guests begin their outing at the Presidio Visitor Center, temporarily located inside the Presidio Officers’ Club on the Main Post (50 Moraga Avenue). The Center offers free publications and maps, and sells topical books, videos, and other merchandise. Guided programs often begin at the Presidio Visitor Center. Contact the Presidio Visitor Center at (415) 561-4323.
Is there lodging within the Presidio?
No indoor lodging is currently available within the Presidio. Accommodations can be found just outside the gates and throughout San Francisco. The Presidio is home to one overnight group camping facility, the Rob Hill Campground. Rob Hill is open from April to October. Reservations are required and can be made by contacting the Presidio Trust Special Events Office at (415) 561-5444.
Are there restaurants?
Several restaurants as well as a bank and post office are located within the Presidio. For a complete listing by category of organizations located in the park, view the Tenant Directory.
Can I buy books, guides, or videos about the Presidio?
The Presidio is part of the Golden Gate National Recreation Area (GGNRA), the world’s largest urban national park. The Golden Gate National Parks Conservancy publishes tour books, guides, and videos which are available online at the Parks Conservancy website.
Living and Working
How many people work in the Presidio?
There are approximately 225 organizations located in the Presidio, and the number of employees is approximately 2,500.
How many people live in the Presidio?
As of April 2006, approximately 2,700 people live in the Presidio. The park features 1,147 housing units in 21 distinct neighborhoods. Nearly all homes have been rehabilitated and occupied.
Who gets to live here? Can I rent a home?
Once a military post where soldiers and their families lived, today the Presidio is a public park with homes and apartments available for lease to the general public. The Presidio features 21 distinct neighborhoods built from the 1860s through the 1970s. For a complete description of housing options, visit the Leasing section or call Presidio Residences at (415) 561-5454. Homes and apartments are leased but not sold.
Architecture
How many buildings are in the Presidio?
There are 768 structures, 469 of which are historic.
How many different styles of architecture can be found at the Presidio?
The Presidio is home to one of the finest collections of military architecture in the United States, representing two centuries of use under three flags. Nine prevalent architectural styles can be found on the Presidio, and examples of most of them exist on the Main Post. Many Presidio buildings are hard to categorize because include elements of different architectural styles.
Nature and Wildlife
How many species of birds use the Presidio?
About 200 species of birds either reside in the Presidio year-round or visit the park seasonally along the Pacific Flyway. Birds include the California quail, Great-horned owls, and snowy egrets.
How many native plants are there?
The park shelters 13 distinctive plant communities featuring 280 native plant species, 16 of which are rare or endangered, such as the Raven’s Manzanita.
How many trees are in the Presidio?
The Presidio features a 300-acre planted historic forest. The primary tree species include Monterey cypress, Monterey pine, and blue gum eucalyptus. There are about 60,000 trees in the park today. For more, visit the Historic Forest section.
What wildlife can be found in the park?
In addition to birdlife, the Presidio is home to a variety of mammals, reptiles and aquatic species. These include native gray fox, coyote, the San Francisco alligator lizard, and the three-spined stickleback fish, among countless others. For more, visit the Nature in the City section.
Fun, Fun, Fun
How many trails and overlooks are in the park? Can I get a map?
The Presidio currently features nine major trails and two vista points overlooks. The Presidio’s network of trails and bikeways will nearly double and a total of eight vista points will be created within the next few years. More trails (and sections of trail) and overlooks are added continually. Purchase a Presidio Map and Hiking Guide online at the Presidio Visitor Center, the Warming Hut, or Crissy Field Center.
What other recreational opportunities are here?
In addition to trails, the Presidio features a golf course, a bowling alley, picnic areas, a group camp site (reservation and permit required), playing fields, and indoor swimming and gymnasium facilities. Visitors also enjoy windsurfing, bird watching, habitat restoration, events, and much more. For details, visit the Experiences section, and be sure to check out other areas of this website.
Can I bring my pet to the park?
Pets are welcome in nearly all areas of the Presidio but must be on leash.
Are there opportunities to volunteer?
Volunteering is one of the most popular ways to enjoy the Presidio. Volunteers plant native plants, work in the archaeology lab, and support public events.
Can I rent space for a wedding or an event?
Intimate chapels, elegant reception sites, and conference facilities are a beautiful backdrop for weddings, celebrations, meetings, and retreats. For more information, visit the Event Space section or call (415) 561-5444.
What activities require a permit, and how do I get one?
The Presidio offers venues for special activities such as group camping, organized play on athletic fields, and large sporting or cultural events. Some activities require a permit issued by the Presidio Trust Special Events Office. For more information, call the Special Events Office at (415) 561-5444.
Park Management and Planning
Where can I learn more about major park projects?
Information about park enhancements and activities can be found throughout the website. Details about select major activities can be found in the Major Projects section. Additional information can be found in the Public Documents section.
Can I get a job at the Presidio?
For a listing of employment opportunities with the Presidio Trust, visit the Jobs section.