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groups of people sitting an picnic tables at Presidio Tunnel Tops eating.

Jul 1, 2021

Picnic Like a Pro in the Presidio

We’ve got tips to help you plan the perfect picnic during your next visit to the Presidio!

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With sweeping views, wide-open lawns, and food options that range from grab-and-go to sit-down meals, the Presidio offers something for every style of picnic. Whether you’re meeting friends, planning a family outing, or simply looking for a peaceful lunch spot, you’ll find great places to spread out a blanket and savor the day throughout the park.

Find the Perfect Spot

Mother and daughter sitting at picnic table at the Outpost Meadow Picnic Area with the Golden Gate Bridge in the background

From oceanside views at Baker Beach and Crissy Field to quieter escapes like El PolÍn Spring or Immigrant Point Overlook, the Presidio has a spot for every kind of gathering. Battery Bluff offers tables with sweeping bay views, while Presidio Tunnel Tops features Picnic at Transit, Picnic Place (reservable), and the new Outpost Meadow Picnic Area (pictured), which includes 1.5 acres with tables, BBQs, and a Golden Gate Bridge backdrop. 

Pack the Perfect Picnic (or Let Someone Else Do It)

two women sitting at picnic table eating food on the main parade lawn

What’s a picnic without tasty snacks?! The Presidio is home to some wonderful restaurants and cafés, and grab-and-go spots that make it easy to curate the perfect picnic in the park. Inside the Presidio Transit Center, Il Parco serves Italian-inspired meals all day long – from morning pastries and coffee to focaccia-style pizzas and paninis with a refreshing aperitivo. At Presidio Pop Up, a rotating line-up of food trucks, carts, and tents brings global flavors to Presidio Tunnel Tops. Down at Crissy Field, Sports Basement now stocks fresh grab-and-go meals from beloved local restaurants, perfect fuel for a picnic or adventure. You’ll also find long-time favorites across the park: Café RX for casual dining at the Tides Converge Campus, Piccino Presidio for take-out near the Yoda Fountain, the Warming Hut for impromptu snacks by the water, and Ironwoods Bar & Grill for casual bites before heading to Inspiration Point or Presidio Wall Playground. Wherever you’re headed, delicious fixings are never far away.

Let the Games Begin

Visitors picnicking on lawn with tall trees in the background

No picnic would be complete without classic lawn games such as cornhole, ladder toss, badminton, and frisbee. Pick up these games at Presidio Sports Basement. Looking to get active before or after your picnic? Try Movement’s epic climbing wall and House of Air’s trampolines. All are located in the historic warehouses at the Presidio’s  Crissy Fi​eld.

Leave No Trace

Visitors at Baker Beach with Golden Gate Bridge in background

Keep the park beautiful by practicing the “Leave No Trace” Golden Rules! For starters, pack out what you bring in, recycle and compost when you can, and leave the park even better than you found it.