Summer at the Presidio (June – August 2018)

Presidio of San Francisco (April 27, 2018) – The long days of summer invite outdoor adventures and a chance to enjoy all that San Francisco’s urban national park has to offer. Explore the park’s 25 miles of bikeways and 24 miles of hiking trails, picnicking with San Francisco’s best views and kicking a ball or relaxing on a “share chair” on the Main Parade lawn. Learning about ecology, history, art or archaeology is fun through the park’s interpretive walks, exhibitions, or museums. Additionally, the Presidio and its partners offer a multitude of family-friendly activities for the school break, such as climbing, swimming, trampoline jumping, bowling, and golfing, plus free programs both indoors and out.

Outdoor Events

Through the summer, Presidio archeologists provide an inside look into El Presidio de San Francisco to visitors at the Live Archaeology Dig every Friday and Saturday June 29 through October 20. At the neighboring state-of-the-art Archaeology Lab, tours are offered every Wednesday at 1 pm, followed by open lab hours for exploration and the chance to speak with the archeologists about their processes. The annual Presidio Kite Festival returns on Saturday June 16 from noon to 5 pm, with partner Highline Kites. The free all-day event features a free build your own kite booth, hands-on learning from kite experts, a kite art exhibition, giant kites, mega team flying, Taiko drummers, and food trucks. More family fun comes with the YMCA’s YBike Learn to Ride programs, Family-Friendly Bike Rides, and Family Movie Night in the Park sponsored by District 2 supervisor Catharine Stefani, screening Paddington 2 on June 8.

Cultural Celebrations

Pasados del Presidio, June 29-30, marks San Francisco’s Birthday by honoring the heritage of early American cultures at the Presidio—Ohlone, Spanish, and Mexican—and the founding of El Presidio de San Francisco in 1776.

Afternoon Fun For Kids on Friday June 29, from noon to 3 pm offers hands-on activities like tortilla-making, adobe brick-making, music and dance by Ballet Folklórico Mexicano and more, with our partners at the National Park Service. That evening at 7 pm it’s all about the grownups with the Pasados del Presidio Dance Party celebrating Mexican-American musical heritage with the award winning Dr. Loco’s Rockin’ Jalapen᷉o Band. Learn traditional dance moves from Yismari Ramos of Calidance, and indulge in cocktails available for purchase from Arguello Restaurant (cash bar).​

On Saturday June 30 at 10:30 am, Los Californianos, descendants of the original founding families of the Juan Bautista de Anza Expedition (1775-76), return to the Presidio to recognize the journey of their ancestors for San Francisco’s Birthday. The public program includes formal remarks, a procession by the Amigos de Anza horse mounted riders, and a roll call of the people who made the original 1200+ mile trek from Sonora/Mexico.

Two 60-minute Guided History Tours (June 30 from 1 pm and 3 pm) focus on the park’s rich Spanish and Mexican heritage. Learn about the early expeditions of people and animals to this area of California and the indigenous world they encountered; the adobe walls of the Spanish fort; Spanish cannons; and the foundations of the original Presidio. Meet at the Welcome Desk at the Presidio Officers’ Club.

Cultural Dance Performances at Presidio Picnic

San Francisco’s favorite family picnic, Presidio Picnic, offers the ultimate Sunday spread: blending the national park setting with the international cuisine reflective of our diverse Bay Area cultures. New this season, Picnic celebrates a different cultural heritage each month, with ethnic dance performances on the 4th Sunday of the month. Complementing Juneteenth Independence Day’s commemoration of the ending of slavery on United States soil, the Alafia Dance Ensemble will demonstrate the beauty of African Haitian dance on June 24, 2018.

China Dance Theatre will celebrate Chinese ethnic and folk dance on July 22, and on August 26, the Parangal Dance Company will perform Philippine regional dances in traditional attire honoring Phillipines’ National Heroes Day. Presidio Picnic runs each Sunday from 11 am – 4 pm through October 21. On Thursday evenings, Presidio Twilight will light up the main post with fire-pits, cabanas, delicious selections from mobile food vendors, live music, lawn games, and sweeping views of the sun setting over the Golden Gate Bridge. Presidio Picnic and Presidio Twilight are offered by the Presidio Trust in a partnership with Off the Grid.

Free Programs at the Presidio Officers’ Club

On Saturday, June 9 at 7 pm, the Presidio Trust and InterMusic SF will present a special signature concert featuring internationally renowned violinist, composer, and Grammy Award-winner Mads Tolling, who brings the music of the 1960s Mad Men Era to the Presidio with his own innovative flair. The program features esteemed vocalist Paula West and will highlight jazz standards, ​famous movie themes, and classic hits. The intimate Presidio Book Club continues to meet at the Officers’ Club on Saturdays from 1 pm – 3 pm in June and July, offering an inclusive public discussion that anyone can take part in—whether or not they’ve read the book. Drop in for Creative Family Fun activities and crafts based on the Presidio’s natural and cultural heritage, with a different theme every week. For kids of all ages, Saturdays from 11 am to 3 pm.

Special Exhibition: Exclusion: The Presidio’s Role in World War II Japanese American Incarceration, has been extended through spring of 2019. Since its opening in April 2017, Exclusion has seen record visitation from over 50,000 visitors, investigating the choices—both personal and political—that led to this dark chapter in American history.

Guided Tours from the Presidio Officers’ Club include the Presidio Officers’ Club itself, the neighboring Archaeology Lab, Andy Goldsworthy Art Walk, and Tours of General DeWitt’s Office. The Presidio Experience Tour leaves from the Presidio Visitor Center and National Park Rangers also offer education tours there.

Please see the calendar listings below and our website for the most up-to-date information: www.presidio.gov/events