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A broad view of Presidio Tunnel Tops with the Golden Gate Bridge. Photo by Rachel Styer.

Presidio Tunnel Tops

Nature, picnic sites, a playground, food vendors, and free family fun – in one easy-to-access spot.

Region

Main Post Region

Type

Scenic Overlook, Food & Drink, Public Lawn, Recreation & Wellness

Interests

Education, Kids & Family, Food, Art & Culture, Nature & Sustainability, Presidio Tunnel Tops

Top Amenities

Accessible Restrooms, Accessible Parking, Wheelchair-accessible Picnic Tables, Reservable Picnic Tables, Reservable BBQ Grills

Your Gateway to the Presidio

Presidio Tunnel Tops is the front door to the Presidio — where national park adventures begin!

 

Made by the community, for the community, it offers unforgettable Golden Gate Bridge views, the Presidio Visitor Center, the Outpost playground and Field Station curiosity lab, trails and public lawns, Presidio Pop Up food celebrating diverse cultures, and some of the best places to picnic in the Presidio.

 

It’s built on and around the Presidio Parkway tunnels (hence Tunnel Tops!), making it easy and fun to walk from the center of the Presidio to the park’s beautiful waterfront at Crissy Field.

 

Presidio Tunnel Tops is free to all and open every day. It’s one of the very best things to do in San Francisco with family and friends.

Three children playing on a lawn at Presidio Tunnel Tops. Photo by Rachel Styer.Photo by Rachel Styer.
A large group of people having a picnic on a lawn at Presidio Tunnel Tops.
Picnic on a lawn or at a nearby table or bench. Photo by Rachel Styer.
Children playing at the Outpost playground at Presidio Tunnel Tops.
The Outpost playground is the place for kids to have fun. Photo by Dan Friedman.
People grilling food at Presidio Tunnel Tops.
Reserve a grill and picnic table at Picnic Place. Photo by Rachel Styer.

Kids & Family

Here kids can have adventures in nature and let their imaginations run wild - all for free!

Kids running and playing at the Presidio Tunnel Tops Outpost playground. Photo by Rachel Styer.

Outpost Nature Playground

Climb and crawl on play structures inspired by nature and history.

Learn more
Group of children exploring the Field Station. Photo by Bruce Davidson.

Field Station

Use your senses to discover the great outdoors.

Learn more

Getting to Presidio Tunnel Tops

210 Lincoln Boulevard, San Francisco, CA 94129

Google Map of the Presidio

By Public Transit

Muni Route: 43 Masonic

Stop: Presidio Transit Center

Muni Route: 30 Stockton

Stop: Sports Basement Parking Lot

By Presidio GO Shuttle

Route: Downtown Route

Stop: Presidio Transit Center

Parking

There are paid parking areas at the south end near the Presidio Visitor Center and the Presidio Transit Center. At the north end near Crissy Field, there is a large parking lot near Sports Basement in easy walking distance to the Outpost nature playground. Accessible parking is available.

Upcoming Events

Join us for concerts, dances, park ranger talks, and more.

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Food & Picnic Areas

Presidio Tunnel Tops is a hub for delicious food that can be enjoyed on picnic tables with a view.

Explore Presidio Tunnel Tops

Illustrated Presidio Tunnel Tops map, showing the site from above.

Interactive Map

Explore the top places at Presidio Tunnel Tops with this interactive map.

Map & Discovery Guide

This illustrated guide offers fun ideas for exploring Presidio Tunnel Tops. 

Community Art: Iconic Visions by Felicia Gabaldon

See large-scale ground murals featuring Presidio creatures like coyotes, quail, and Monarch butterflies right outside the Outpost playground.

Image of Felicia Gabalon installing murals at the Outpost.

From the Blog

Check out what's happening at Presidio Tunnel Tops.

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Access and Inclusion

Learn how visitors with a range of abilities can experience and enjoy Presidio Tunnel Tops.  

A group of visitors, including a man in a wheelchair, enjoy the view from Presidio Tunnel Tops. Photo by Dan Friedman.Photo by Dan Friedman.

Rent a Lawn at Presidio Tunnel Tops

Host a group event at one of the outdoor gathering spaces at or near Presidio Tunnel Tops, including the East Meadow, the West Lawn, and the Main Post Lawns. We also have details on how to get permits for private events and organized activities.

Two big lawns at Presidio Tunnel Tops, with the Golden Gate Bridge in the background. Photo by Plus M Productions.Photo by Plus M Productions.

By the Community, For the Community

Opened in July 2022, Presidio Tunnel Tops was shaped by the imagination and input from our diverse community. Learn how Presidio Tunnel Tops was created to be an inclusive, equitable, and relevant national park site for all.

A boy draws a sketch of what he would like to do at Presidio Tunnel Tops, with two women in the background.

Park Itineraries

Need help planning your day at the Presidio? We’ve put together some itinerary ideas for things to see and do in the park. Whether you’re planning to spend a few hours or an entire day, there’s something for everyone at the Presidio. 
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Frequently Asked Questions

General

The Presidio is open daily, year-round. Presidio Tunnel Tops is an outdoor space that’s open like the rest of the park. However, some experiences are open during specific hours: Presidio Visitor Center, the Outpost playground, and the Field Station. Presidio Pop Up food and beverage vendors are open daily with hours that change seasonally.

Presidio Tunnel Tops is free and open to all. No tickets or reservations are needed.

Large, gender-inclusive restrooms are located at Presidio Transit Center  and near the Outpost playground. There are also private family restrooms at both locations.

Well behaved pets on leash are permitted in most outdoor areas of the Presidio. However, as with other parks in San Francisco, they’re not permitted in playgrounds, including at the Outpost. Only service animals are allowed inside indoor facilities.

Smoking of any substance is not permitted at Presidio Tunnel Tops, the Main Post Lawns, or within 25 feet of buildings.

Small shade tents with a maximum size of 5’x5’ are allowed on the lawns. Staking in the ground is not allowed. No umbrellas or pop-up structures are allowed. You may be asked to take down a tent by a staff member if winds create a potential safety hazard.

Transportation

Paid parking lots with accessible parking spaces are located around Presidio Tunnel Tops, including next to Presidio Visitor Center.

 

Bay Wheels classic and electric bicycles are available to rent in the Presidio using the Lyft app. There are stations near Presidio Transit Center and Crissy Field Center. Classic and electric bicycles are also available to rent at Sports Basement. Walk your bikes, skateboards, and scooters while visiting Presidio Tunnel Tops. Bike racks are available near the Presidio Transit Center, Outpost playground, and Sports Basement entrances. Do not bring bikes into the Outpost playground.

Food, Picnics, and Grilling

Presidio Pop Up  mobile food and beverage vendors offer delicious food representing the Bay Area’s cultures and cuisines. Pop Up food is available at Presidio Tunnel Tops and near the Main Parade Lawn every day. Il Parco restaurant will open inside Presidio Transit Center in late 2023. You can also find a variety of restaurants in the Presidio.

Yes, you can reserve a picnic site at Picnic Place, which has nine wheelchair accessible tables (16’ to 23’) and 10 grills. Additionally, community picnic tables near at Picnic at Transit are available to everyone on a first-come, first-served, basis (not reservable, no grills). You can also picnic on the lawns, benches, Presidio Steps, and movable tables. 

Yes, you can use one of the 10 grills at Picnic Place that can be reserved in advance. Bringing your own grill to Presidio Tunnel Tops is strictly prohibited; Picnic Place is the only place where cooking is permitted.

Outdoor Events 

Yes, there are outdoor spaces to rent at Presidio Tunnel Tops for large gatherings and special events including Picnic Place and Presidio Lawns.

Presidio Tunnel Tops Logo
We thank ALL community members, leaders, community partners, and supporters for helping bring the Presidio Tunnel Tops vision to life.