The Presidio, S.F.
Part of the Golden Gate National Recreation Area and a national park, this 1,491-acre former military post was established by the Spanish in 1776 and operated by the Army for nearly 150 years.
Explore and discover its history, architecture, culture and nature, set against sweeping vistas from the San Francisco Bay to the Pacific Ocean.
Step inside this barnlike structure, home to a park information center, bookstore and cafe operated by the nonprofit Golden Gate National Parks Conservancy.
Warm up with a cup of Fair Trade coffee, grab a light snack to go or munch on a delicious sandwich.
West Bluffs Picnic Area and Torpedo Wharf
Marine Drive (next to the Warming Hut Cafe): Pack a lunch, settle in at one of the picnic tables and take in views of the Golden Gate Bridge, Marin Headlands and the city skyline.
[...] take a walk along the San Francisco Bay Trail nearby or to Torpedo Wharf, a popular fishing spot.
The visitor center includes the Golden Gate Bridge Pavilion, which offers interpretive panels and exhibits about the bridge.
Through interactive displays, listening stations, photographs, mementos and home movies, visitors follow his journey from his youth to a career as an animator and filmmaker to his creation of Disneyland.
From a colonial adobe during the late 18th and early 19th century to serving as an officers’ club from the 1930s to the 1970s, the Presidio Officers’ Club possesses a rich history.
Today it hosts social events and presents exhibitions. 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Tuesday-Sunday.
Relax on the front porch, or enjoy a wine and cheese reception and a fire pit on the back patio.
Off the Grid, which operates dozens of weekly markets throughout the Bay Area, hosts two events weekly in the Presidio.
Picnic at the Presidio runs 11 a.m.-4 p.m. Sundays, and Twilight at the Presidio takes place Thursdays from 5 to 9 p.m. Both events include food trucks, live music and more. www.offthegridsf.com.