Outpost Playground
Spark your imagination and have fun at San Francisco's biggest playground.
Your family will want to visit the Outpost again and again. This unique San Francisco playground at Presidio Tunnel Tops is unlike any other in the city. Kids can explore the inside of a giant fallen tree, scale the Woodland Wall, and play with water features inspired by historic water channels. Physical challenges increase gradually, letting kids pick the level that feels right for them.
The Outpost is free and open 9:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. April to October, and 9:30 a.m to 5 p.m. November to March.
Getting to the Outpost Playground
Presidio Tunnel Tops, 210 Lincoln Boulevard, San Francisco, CA 94129
Parking
Hourly and daily paid parking is available at large lots near the Presidio Visitor Center. There is also a Crissy Field parking lot next to Sports Basement on Mason Street.
Why We Love the Outpost Playground
With two acres for kids to explore, the Outpost, sometimes referred to as the Presidio Playground, is the biggest and most adventurous play space of its kind in the Bay Area, and it’s surrounded by one of the best parks in San Francisco for family fun.
Accessibility at the Outpost
The Outpost Playground is designed so that every child can experience the play structures. The primary pathways are wheelchair accessible. There are all-gender wheelchair accessible restrooms near the Field Station.
Insider Tip
The Outpost Playground has fun water features for kids to play in, inspired by historic Presidio water channels that helped quench the thirst of early San Franciscans (the water then irrigates the nearby landscape). You might want to bring a towel or a change of clothes.
A San Francisco Playground Inspired by Nature and History
If you’re looking for unique fun and free things to do in San Francisco with kids, you’ve found it. Located at the base of Presidio Tunnel Tops near Crissy Field, the Outpost lets kids test boundaries, improve their physical skills, and build independence.
Play Surrounded by Nature
Natural materials like wood, stone, water, and sand are the key ingredients of the Outpost’s play features that mimic park rock formations, downed trees, and creek beds. Its landscape contains more than 30 species of trees and wildflowers that are habitat for birds and butterflies.
Lots of Activities for Kids
The Outpost has a discovery area for young children, two art and science spaces with activities for kids from Wednesdays through Sundays, and a place where kids can build with natural materials from the park. Right next door to this Presidio playground, you can also visit the Field Station, a curiosity lab where kids of all ages can use their senses to investigate real things from around the park.
Meet the Adventure Guides
When you visit, keep an eye out for Adventure Guides. These young adults are here to welcome and assist kids and families to learn and participate in activities that connect them to the park in fun ways. Many are graduates of Crissy Field Center youth leadership programs.
Frequently Asked Questions
The Outpost appeals most to children ages 2 to 12. With many different levels of physical challenges to explore, it’s one of the best playgrounds in San Francisco where kids of different ages can have fun together.
There are all-gender wheelchair accessible restrooms right next to the Outpost at the Field Station building.
Parties and group gatherings are not allowed at the Outpost, but you can find plenty of nearby outdoor event space at Presidio Tunnel Tops. There are also other outdoor and indoor venues to rent at the Presidio.
Yes! We highly recommend you schedule your visit to the Outpost Playground and Field Station so we can be prepared to support a great experience. For details, visit the Youth Group Visits to Presidio Tunnel Tops page.
Yes, Presidio Pop Up food trucks and carts are typically right nearby on Mason Street, and you can find them elsewhere around Presidio Tunnel Tops as well.
No, dogs are not allowed in the Outpost playground.
Nature Notes
It’s our goal to make sure people can enjoy the Presidio’s natural beauty for generations to come. We work to protect native plants and animals while reducing our impact on the environment.
Find the Pacific Chorus Frogs
Habitat restoration projects have allowed many wildlife species to return to the Presidio, including the Pacific Chorus Frog. Tiny life-size replicas of these little green creatures are now hidden around the Outpost Playground — challenge your kids to see how many they can find.
