Facilities
Crissy Field Center
Open
Crissy Field Center is open to program participants. The Beach Hut Café is open daily, 9 am to 5 pm
Phone
(415) 561-7690
Location
Crissy Field Center
1199 Each Beach
Presidio
Special Programs
The Center acknowledges the interdependence of peoples, cultures and environments and therefore encourages socially and ecologically responsible actions that respect the earth and its natural and urban communities. The physical and social landscape of the Crissy Field area has taken on many different faces, from the Native Americans to today's National Park. At each phase in history, the environment was impacted in a significant way. The Crissy Field Center seeks to recognize this history in an innovative approach to environmental education, using the resources of our National Park. The new interim facility was built using sustainable materials. Today, the Center includes a media lab, arts workshop, urban ecology lab, and gathering room providing fun, provocative and educational experiences for people of all ages. To learn more or to sign up for programs, visit the Crissy Field Center website.
Available Facilities
Administration Phones (all phone numbers are in area code 415): General 561-7690 Administrative Offices 561-7752 Fax 561-7695 Café 561-7761 Program Phones (all phone numbers are in area code 415): Community Partner Projects 561-7751 Weekend Workshops & Classes 561-7768 School Programs 561-7755 Parks to People 561-2818
Visitor Centers
Alcatraz Island
Open All Year
Phone
(415) 561-4900
Location
Alcatraz Island is located in the middle of the San Francisco Bay. A ferry, located at Piers 31–33 (cross streets of Embarcadero & Bay Street) will take you to the island. Just remember to make your reservation in advance since this popular attraction tends to sell out up to a week in advance.
Closures
Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year's Day. There are various locations on the island that are closed off to the general public certain times of the year, due to the nesting of a variety of sea birds.
Special Programs
There are various ranger-led programs on a daily basis on Alcatraz. Be sure to check out the ranger programs at the dock as soon as you get off the boat for any of the popular programs on the island. For more information on ticket reservation call (415) 981-ROCK [415.981.7625] or go to .
Exhibits
Available Facilities
There are limited bathroom facilities on the island. They are located at the dock and at the top of the island. Food service is available on the ferry - there is no food service on the island. Picnic areas are designated only at the dock.
Smoking is only allowed in designated areas on the dock.
Fort Point
Open
Friday to Sunday, 10 AM to 5 PM
Phone
(415) 556-1693
Location
Underneath the south anchorage of the Golden Gate Bridge, on the northernmost part of the Presidio.
Closures
Monday to Thursday, Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year's Day.
Special Programs
There is a cannon loading demonstration, where visitors get a "hands-on" opportunity to learn about the firing of Civil War artillery. There is also a tour of the fort led by one of the staff on a daily basis.
Exhibits
There are various exhibits within the fort itself, where the Fort Point Bookstore is also located. On the first floor there is an exhibit about the construction and Civil War soldier responsibilities. On the second floor there are two photo exhibits. One depiciting the roles of women in the military. The other is about the lives of African-American soldiers and their struggle for acceptance. On the third floor there is an exhibit about the construction of the Golden Gate Bridge.
Available Facilities
The Fort Point Bookstore is located inside the fort and is open 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. For more information call (415) 673-5642. An accessible restroom is located outside the fort; south approximately 100 yards.
Marin Headlands Visitor Center
Open
Open All Year 9:30 AM to 4:30 PM
Phone
(415) 331-1540
Location
The Marin Headlands Visitor Center is located in the historic Fort Barry Chapel, at the intersection of Field and Bunker Roads. The Visitor Center is approximately 3 miles from either entrance to the Marin Headlands.
Closures
Thanksgiving and Christmas Day.
Special Programs
Rangers answer questions and lead scheduled interpretive walks and programs.
Exhibits
The Center's exhibits introduce the Headland's natural history and trace the area's human history from the days of the Miwoks through modern times. You can see how a hawk flies and look through a microscope at the hidden life of local ponds. A Miwok shelter invites you inside to listen as present-day Coast Miwok people talk about their lives. A shop carries a good selection of books and field guides about the area.
Available Facilities
Bathroom facilities are located on the west end of the Marin Headlands Visitor Center parking lot.
Muir Woods Visitor Center
Open
Open All Year 8:00 AM to sunset
Phone
(415) 388-7368
Location
Muir Woods Visitor Center is located at the entrance to Muir Woods, approximately 12 miles north of the Golden Gate Bridge. The visitor center is located at the main entrance.
Closures
- Last Sunday of January 6 pm
(collect fees until 4:30 pm, Visitor Center closes at 5:30 pm)
- Second Sunday of March 8 pm
(collect fees until 6 pm, Visitor Center closes at 7:30 pm)
note: this is also the start of Daylight Savings Time
- Third Sunday of of September 7 pm
(collect fees until 6 pm, Visitor Center closes at 6:30 pm)
- Second Sunday of October 6 pm
(collect fees until 4:30 pm, Visitor Center closes at 5:30 pm)
- First Sunday of November 5 pm
(collect fees until 4:30 pm, Visitor Center closes at 4:30 pm)
note: this is also the end of Daylight Savings Time
Exhibits
Special Programs
Pacific West Regional Information Center
Open
Open All Year Monday to Friday, 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM
Phone
(415) 561-4700
Location
The Pacific West Region Information Center is located on the corner of the Argonaut Hotel at 495 Jefferson Street, San Francisco, CA (at the cross streets of Jefferson & Hyde Streets).
Closures
The information center is closed on holidays and weekends.
Exhibits
Information about all of the National Parks located in the Pacific West Region can be found in this office. Pamphlets and other visitor information can be found in the room across from the information center. Volunteers are also available to answer questions.
Presidio Visitor Center
Open
Thursday to Sunday, 10:00 AM to 4:00 PM
Phone
(415) 561-4323 seven days a week from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. for more information and to reserve space in scheduled programs
Location
Building 105 Montgomery Street - on the Main Post Parade Ground, corner of Lincoln Blvd.
Exhibits
Panels explaining Presidio projects, Presidio slideshow, rotating history exhibit panels. Pamphlets and other visitor information available.
