What's New in the Presidio of SF (March – May 2016)
Presidio of San Francisco (February 26, 2016) — Rich in history and beauty, the 1500 acre Presidio offers unique experiences, free programs and special events, 24 miles of scenic trails and overlooks, and unforgettable meals at award-winning restaurants. The park is home to museums and food trucks, art and archaeological sites, recreation facilities and San Francisco’s most historic building. Spring is a wonderful time to visit the park to enjoy its many offerings. Below is a summary of what’s new and planned in the coming months.
New Exhibits
March 25 – April 17
“Women: New Portraits” by Annie Leibovitz
The Presidio’s Crissy Field, 649 Old Mason Street
Monday – Sunday, 10AM – 6PM
Friday, 10 AM – 8 PM
The Presidio is proud to host the only west coast appearance of Annie Leibovitz’s latest internationally touring exhibition. “Women: NEW PORTRAITS” continues a project that began more than fifteen years ago by the world-renowned photographer, and it remains her most enduringly popular series of photographs. The new portraits, commissioned by UBS, reflect the changing roles of women today. Access to the exhibition is free and open to the public.
April 21 – Dec 31, 2016
“Presidio Nature Lab”
The Officers’ Club Heritage Gallery
The newest exhibit in The Officers’ Club Heritage Gallery is opening to coincide with Earth Day. The “Presidio Nature Lab” is a family-friendly exhibition focused on the Presidio’s ever-changing landscape. Kids and adults will be lead to discover how we understand the world around us and our place in it.
Upcoming Events
Saturday, March 26
Family Special Event: “Hamlet – Prince of Denmark”
The Presidio Officers’ Club
2PM – 4PM
Enjoy the San Francisco Shakespeare Festival’s touring production of “Hamlet” – the ghostly tale of a prince whose royal family is disrupted by revenge and corruption. After the performance audience members of all ages are invited to stay for PLAYSHOP, a one-hour, hands-on experience with the cast members. This participatory event will deepen appreciation of the performance and the play. This event is free.
Thursday, April 21
Presidio Dialogues – “Exploring the Presidio’s Evolving Landscape”
The Presidio
Officers’ Club
6PM – 7PM
With the Bay Area as their focus, panelists explore diverse perspectives on ecology and our complex relationship with the natural world. Presidio Trust curator Liz Clevenger moderates. This special program marks the opening of the new Presidio Officers’ Club special exhibition “Presidio Nature Lab” opening in April.
Family Movie Nights
Grab a blanket and enjoy a fun, free outdoor movie under the stars, complete with free popcorn and It’s It ice-cream. Sponsored by Supervisor Mark Farrell, in partnership with the Presidio Trust and the Presidio Y. Program begins at 6 pm, movie is shown at 7 pm.
- Friday, March 11: Cars 2, indoors at the Presidio Y Gymnasium, 63 Funston Ave
- Friday, April 15: The Sandlot, outdoors on the Civil War Parade Ground Lawn, Main Post
- Friday, May 6: The Good Dinosaur, outdoors on the Civil War Parade Ground Lawn, Main Post
Concerts at the Presidio
Cosi Fan Tutte
Thursday + Friday, April 14 + 15, 7.30 pm
Golden Gate Club, 135 Fisher Loop
The soaring arias and luminous ensemble pieces of Così Fan Tutte are presented by six operatic voices in a compact, fully narrated adaptation of Mozart’s enduring masterpiece. Co-sponsored by Bryant McOmber and the Presidio Trust. Free admission.
Ongoing Events
Creative Family Fun
Saturdays & Sundays, 11 AM – 4 PM
The Presidio Officers’ Club
Drop in for imaginative craft-making based on the Presidio’s natural and cultural heritage. Featuring different crafts every weekend!
Presidio Dialogues
Thursday Evenings, 6 PM
The Presidio Officers’ Club
Notable authors, artists, and conversation starters explore themes from ancient history to current events through interactive dialogues, stimulating talks, panels, performances and films.
Presidio Sessions
Friday Evenings, 6PM
The Presidio Officers’ Club
Performances are held in the intimate atmosphere of a house concert, experience jazz, contemporary, and classical music, and enjoy opportunities to converse with performers and each other. Offered in partnership with the San Francisco Friends of Chamber Music.
Astrolecture Series
One Tuesday Per Month, 7:30 PM
The San Francisco Amateur Astronomers hosts a monthly talk featuring distinguished speakers in the fields of astronomy, physics, and related disciplines who present developments from cutting-edge scientific programs. The series is co-sponsored by the Presidio Trust. Check out the Stargazing Party on Thursday, April 14, 7 – 9:30 PM when the SF Amateur Astronomers bring the telescopes and help guests see the night sky’s most interesting astronomical beauties. All ages.
Goldsworthy in the Presidio
Tours of “Tree Fall”
Every Weekend, 10 AM to 4 PM and First Fridays 11 AM – 2 PM
95 Anza Avenue on the Main Post
This installation juxtaposes nature and history inside the former “Powder Magazine,” a petite structure constructed by the Army during the Civil War to house gun powder and munitions in its protective, four-foot-thick stone walls. Today, it is home to renowned artist Andy Goldsworthy’s third Presidio installation – the first that he created indoors.
Tour of “Earth Wall”
Saturdays at Noon
Meet inside the Presidio Officers’ Club and enjoy a short tour describing the making of Andy Goldsworthy’s most recent addition to the Presidio.
Guided Art Hikes
Second Saturdays, 10:30 AM – 1 PM
Meet at the Main Post for a three mile moderate hike. Goldsworthy’s four Presidio pieces – Spire, Wood Line, Tree Fall, and
Earth Wall – can be visited individually or explored together via a three-mile hiking loop.
Guided Shuttle Tours of the Presidio
Every First Wednesday of the Month
Noon to 1 PM
Explore the Presidio’s historic areas, wild open spaces, and hidden nooks, and learn about projects around the park. Space is limited. Registration is required.
Culinary News
The Presidio offers the best of the Bay Area’s culinary scene, from restaurants, to seasonal food events, to picnic sites with Golden Gate Bridge views. Whether it’s a foodie adventure or a rustic meal in the great outdoors, the Presidio has it covered. From wine seminars to outdoor festivals and special holiday menus, the Presidio offers a wide range of restaurants and food events.
Off the Grid Returns!
“Picnic at the Presidio” begins April 3 on Sunday afternoons at the Main Post Lawn from 11 AM – 4 PM. Throw out a blanket and enjoy a culinary extravaganza featuring food trucks offering local and artisanal fare, wine and beer, games, retail and yoga.
“Twilight in the Presidio” occurs on Thursday nights beginning May 12 from 5 PM – 9 PM. The evening includes cabanas, food, drink and fire pits to keep warm. Come early to ensure parking and bring a blanket or chairs for comfort while enjoying the views and tastes of the Presidio.
Happy Hour at Arguello Restaurant
Wednesdays to Saturdays
3 PM – 5 PM
Arguello, located inside the Presidio Officers’ Club, is now offering a regular happy hour! Daily taco specials are only $2.50 each; margaritas are $7.
Spring Brunches at The Commissary:
- Easter Brunch on Sunday, March 27
- Mother’s Day Brunch on Sunday, May 8
Make The Commissary your culinary destination for celebrating the holidays this spring. Reservations:
www.thecommissarysf.com.
Wine Seminars at the Presidio Golf Course
March 16, April 20, and May 18
Wine seminars are hosted by Michael Perry, a certified instructor who holds a diploma with the London-based Wine and Spirit Education Trust and a certified sommelier from the Court of Master Sommeliers. $25. Register at: www.presidiocafe.com.
Presidio Dialogues – “San Francisco and Her Historic Cocktails”
The Presidio Officers’ Club
Thursday, May 12
6 PM – 7 PM
Culinary anthropologist Duggan McDonnell, author of Drinking the Devil’s Acre: A Love Letter from San Francisco and Her Cocktails, takes us on a delightful tour of the city’s bibulous history via tales of the Barbary Coast saloons, trademark libations, and iconic cocktails, and Bartender’s Secret Formulas. Cocktails will be available for purchase courtesy of Arguello restaurant. Copies of Drinking the Devil’s Acre will be available for purchase and signing courtesy of Books, Inc.
Thursday, May 19
Presidio Dialogues – Traci’s Kitchen: The Harbinger of Spring
The Presidio Officers’ Club
6PM – 7PM
As the bounty of spring explodes from farm to table, Robbie Lewis, culinary director of Traci Des Jardins’ three restaurants in the Presidio, offers a live cooking demonstration using such key seasonal ingredients as fava beans and artichokes in a variety of delectable dishes. Presented in association with Arguello restaurant. This event is free, but pre-registration is required.
About the Presidio Trust: The Presidio Trust, a federal agency, is an innovation in the management of a treasured American place. The Trust was created to save the Presidio and transform it for a new national purpose. The Trust’s vision is that the Presidio will be forever a public place: vital to the Bay Area, important to all Americans, and recognized for achieving broad benefits for the nation. Today, the Presidio welcomes visitors, is home to a vibrant community of residents and tenants, and inspires greater good through programs that draw on its history and natural resources. The Presidio Trust serves the public with events, lodging, venues, and recreational opportunities.