Rediscover Sundays With Presidio Picnic Starting March 19
Sponsored by The Presidio Trust and Off the Grid
San Francisco, CA (March 6, 2017) — Presidio Picnic, San Francisco’s largest community picnic is back for the fifth season, Sunday, March 19. Sponsored by The Presidio Trust and Off the Grid, Presidio Picnic brings together the best of the Bay Area international food scene surrounded by the iconic beauty of the Presidio. Held on the vast seven-acre Main Parade Ground every Sunday from March 19 through October from 11:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., the family-friendly Presidio Picnic features diverse ethnic and American cuisines from celebrated local chefs with lawn games, yoga classes, music, and nature-based arts and crafts for kids – offering a little something for everyone.
Presidio Picnic welcomes one and all, locals and tourists, to come to the park on Sundays to enjoy the sunshine, diverse food and beverage options and a safe, fun place to bring the kids. Visitors are welcome and encouraged to further explore the Presidio’s miles of hiking and biking trails, iconic Golden Gate views and a myriad of recreational opportunities.
“We are excited for the 2017 Presidio Picnic season and the occasion to welcome so many people to enjoy their national park at the Golden Gate,” says Allison Stone, Director of Park Programs for the Presidio Trust. “This year, we are so pleased that the new Presidio Visitor Center is open and we hope that Picnic goers will take advantage of this state-of-the-art center to find other ways to plug in and explore their Presidio.” “Off the Grid is proud to work closely with the Presidio Trust,” says Off the Grid Founder Matt Cohen. “We appreciate the opportunity to bring visitors and locals alike to such a quintessential San Francisco destination.”
Food Vendors
New to Presidio Picnic this year are Arepa, Belgian Frites, BiRite, Farm Stand Lemonade, Hookt Mini Doughnuts, Jackrabbit, Falcon, Marla Bakery, Ocean Oyster Company, Senor Sesig and True Jerky. Returning vendors for the 2017 season of Presidio Picnic include: Ceviche & Co., Cochon Volant, Del Poppolo, DUM Truck, Early Bird Tacos, El Sur Empanadas, Fine & Rare, Grilled Cheez Guy, Little Green Cyclo, Nopalito, Sam’s Chowder, Slightly Skewed, Tex Mex, The Whole Beast, and Wings Wings.
Presidio Picnic will also have four retail tents including Happy Moose Juice selling cold-pressed juices and nut milk, True Jerky, Farm Stand Lemonade serving freshly squeezed lemonade, and Beach Coffee Company selling their hydrating coffee brewed in coconut water. Guests can purchase Off the Grid merchandise at Off the Grid’s Mobile Retail Marketplace and Presidio merchandise at the new Presidio Visitor Center including sweatshirts, picnic blankets, reusable water bottles and more.
Activities
Unique to the city, Presidio Picnic offers a safe space for kids to run and play and many of the food vendors provide kid-friendly menus with options for even the pickiest eaters. Rotating complimentary activities such as free yoga classes, a Green Screen photo booth for “selfies” in front of one of the Presidio’s many beautiful landscapes; nature-based crafts for kids, games that provide fun for people of all ages. On the first Sunday of the month between April and September, the Presidio YMCA will provide free bike safety lessons and helmets via the Y Bike Learn to Ride program. New Wheel will also be hosting free bike valet. Additionally, new custom lawn seating the “Presidio Share Chairs” will also be available to enhance the picnic experience.
Sustainability
Picnics strive to be a zero waste event. All food containers are 100% compostable, and a free water refilling station is available in lieu of the sale of bottled water. Last season 43 tons of waste was diverted for a diversion rate of 81%. As a national park, the Presidio encourages visitors to participate in the “leave no trace” ethos, including access to the park by trail, bike or transit. Presidio Picnic is located on the Presidio’s Main Parade Ground, bordered by Montgomery Street, at Lincoln Boulevard and easily accessed from via MUNI or the free natural gas powered PresidiGo Downtown Shuttle. Regional trails and bikeways provide access to the Presidio and free Bike Valet is offered every Sunday.
Pre-ordering for Groups at Picnics
This season, groups over 10 people have the option to Pre-Order food and beverages in advance from select vendors. “We can’t think of a better way to simplify Picnic for larger groups who want to celebrate a birthday, bring a large group together for brunch in the Presidio, or just to reduce time in lines,” says Off the Grid Founder, Matt Cohen. To learn more about Pre-Order, visit www.presidiopicnic.com.
Presidio Picnic
Dates: Every Sunday beginning March 19, 2017
Time: 11:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
Location: Main Parade Ground at The Presidio
ABOUT OFF THE GRID
Off the Grid Markets are founded on the idea of bringing communities together through amazing shared food experiences. Started in 2010, Off the Grid currently operates over 50 weekly public markets throughout the San Francisco Bay Area and Sacramento. Off the Grid seeks to maintain a shared sense of space by collaborating with local businesses and communities to activate novel public spaces with truly unique experiences. To learn more please visit www.offthegrid.com.
ABOUT THE PRESIDIO TRUST
The Presidio Trust is an innovative federal agency created to save the Presidio and employ a partnership approach to transform it into a new kind of national park. Spanning 1,500 acres in a spectacular setting at the Golden Gate, the Presidio now operates without federal appropriations, is home to a community of residents and commercial tenants, and offers unique recreation, hospitality, and educational opportunities to people throughout the San Francisco Bay Area and the world. To learn more please visit www.presidio.gov.