Picnic Place and East Meadow at Presidio Tunnel Tops
Enjoy the only reservable picnic spots in the park.
Two Reservable Spaces at Presidio Tunnel Tops
There are now two reservable spaces for picnics at Presidio Tunnel Tops – Picnic Place and a portion of the East Meadow Lawn.
Picnic Place
Picnic Place has nine wheelchair accessible tables (16’ to 23’) that seat 18 to 36 people and are reserved in pairs. Each table comes with an assigned charcoal grill. It’s shaded by Torrey Pines and offers amazing Golden Gate Bridge views.
Tables and grills can be reserved at recreation.gov. Tables that aren’t reserved are open to all on a first come, first served basis.
New! Reserve a Portion of the Nearby East Meadow Lawn
You can now rent a portion of the East Meadow Lawn, located right next to Picnic Place. Approximately 8,600 square feet of lawn space is reservable for gatherings of up to 40 people. It’s ideal for casual picnicking and lawn games. The rental area is segmented off from the remainder of the East Meadow, giving guests privacy to take in the 180-degree view of San Francisco Bay and Golden Gate Bridge.
East Meadow can be reserved on its own or in combination with a reservation at the nearby Picnic Place.
Picnic Place and East Meadow feature nearby parking and bike racks and are a short walk from Presidio Transit Center. They are also a short walk from the Outpost playground and Field Station.
Please email picnic@presidiotrust.gov with questions about Picnic Place and East Meadow Lawn.
Why We Love Picnic Place
If you like to plan ahead, this is the best place to have a picnic at the Presidio. Enjoy the nearby lush lawns at Presidio Tunnel Tops and take in the sweeping Golden Gate Bridge views. If you need extra space for your group, you can also reserve a portion of the East Meadow Lawn, right next to Picnic Place.
Accessibility at Picnic Place
Picnic Place has nine picnic tables with companion seating. There are accessible parking spaces nearby for visitors in the large lot located at 201 Halleck Street and the lot near Presidio Visitor Center. There is a loading zone adjacent to Picnic Place for convenient drop off.
Insider Tip
If the tables at Picnic Place have been reserved, you can also use the first-come, first-served community picnic tables at Picnic at Transit and the tables on the wind-sheltered patio at Presidio Transit Center.
Frequently Asked Questions
You’re not required to make a reservation, but it’s recommended if you want to guarantee a space, especially on Saturdays and Sundays which tend to book up in advance. If a site hasn’t been reserved, it’s open to all on a first-come, first-served basis. Tables that have been reserved will be marked in the morning with a sign.
Reservations are available two months in advance via Recreation.gov at the following links:.
Reservations can also be made by calling (877) 444-6777 daily from 7 am to 9 pm PST (except Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Day, New Year’s Day).
These are the maximum capacities at Picnic Place. Groups are allowed to book up to one site at a time.
- Tables 1 (16 ft) and 2 (23 ft): 30 people
- Tables 3 (16 ft) and 4 (23 ft): 30 people
- Tables 5 (16 ft) and 6 (16 ft): 24 people
- Table 7 (23 ft): 18 people
- Tables 8 (23 ft) and 9 (23 ft): 36 people
The maximum capacity at the East Meadow partial rental space is 40 people.
Each site at Picnic Place has a different rate for weekdays and weekends:
- Tables 1 (16 ft) and 2 (23 ft): $130 M-F, $170 Sat/Sun
- Tables 3 (16 ft) and 4 (23 ft): $130 M-F, $170 Sat/Sun
- Tables 5 (16 ft) and 6 (16 ft): $100 M-F, $140 Sat/Sun
- Table 7 (23 ft): $80 M-F, $100 Sat/Sun
- Tables 8 (23 ft) and 9 (23 ft): $160 M-F, $200 Sat/Sun
At East Meadow, reservations are $450 Friday through Sunday.
Most of the sites at Picnic Place are organized into pairs so that two different groups will not have to share one grill. Table 7 (23 ft) is the exception and can be booked by itself.
Yes, on leash dogs are allowed.
No, vendors of any kind (including caterers, food trucks/carts, hired entertainers, etc.) are not allowed at Picnic Place or East Meadow. You may have a caterer or restaurant drop off food trays or party platters, but they may not stay to prepare, cook, heat, or serve the food.
Yes, alcohol is allowed in accordance with 36 CFR § 1002.35.
Pop up tents are not allowed at Picnic Place or East Meadow. At Picnic place you are allowed up to four (4) folding chairs or lawn chairs and one small table no larger than 4ft by 4 ft. At East Meadow, shade structures smaller than 5 feet wide and 5 feet tall are acceptable as well as five (5) tables no larger than 6 feet by 30 inches and lawn chairs.
You may decorate your picnic tables and should tape, weigh, or tie down any decorations. Tacking, nailing, and stapling of decorations to the tables is prohibited. Decorations on trees or other surrounding surfaces or vegetation is not allowed. Balloons, confetti, streamers, glitter, piñatas, water balloons, and other similar items are not allowed as they may harm wildlife.
Yes, bring your own charcoal; it’s not provided.
The nearest parking lot is located on French Court, and there is a short-term loading zone available next to Picnic Place. Note that the parking next to Picnic Place and East Meadow is extremely limited. However, there are several other parking lots nearby, including near the Presidio Visitor Center.
Wheelchair accessible restrooms are located inside Presidio Transit Center, just south of Picnic Place.
Picnic Place is available Monday to Thursday and on a case-by-case bases for corporate events. The space is for casual picnicking and no third party vendors are allowed. To learn more, please email picnic@presidiotrust.gov.
Yes, please review the Picnic Place Terms and Conditions of Use.
Yes, please review the East Meadow Partial Lawn Reservation Terms and Conditions of Use.
Getting to Picnic Place
210 Lincoln Boulevard, San Francisco, CA 94129
Parking
There is a paid parking lot near 220 Halleck Street, located at the intersection of Halleck Street and French Court. There is also a large parking lot next to the nearby Presidio Visitor Center.
Coming in 2025: Outpost Meadow
We’re expanding Presidio Tunnel Tops to offer more of what you’ve told us you need – picnic and gathering space for family and friends.
