PRESIDIO KIDS: Six Food Options in the Presidio for the Picky Eater

If you’re bringing the kids to the park and wondering how to find fuel for your picky eater, don’t panic – you’ll find plenty of options in the Presidio. From fun snacks on the run to delicious sit-down meals, the Presidio has great family-friendly dining options that cater to a range of tastes. Here are six of our favorites.

1. The Warming Hut

As locals know – and tourists quickly learn – when the wind picks up, it can get pretty chilly around the Golden Gate. A great place to grab some grub, take a break, and cozy up is at the Warming Hut Park Store near Torpedo Wharf. On a mild, sunny day, this is a great destination for families looking for a picnic spot. You’ll find restrooms, a collection of great gifts, and affordable sandwiches and baked goods. On foggy days, this is the place for a cup of hot chocolate or hot soup to be enjoyed in their indoor seating. The Warming Hut is accessible by bike and foot from the Golden Gate Promenade and Bay Trails, and a parking lot is nearby.

2. General Store at the Presidio Golf Course

 

Built to serve the needs of golfers making their rounds on the historic Presidio Golf Course, the General Store is also a destination for non-golfers in the know. Located where the Park Trail meets Washington Boulevard, there’s a small playground across the street, and the restored Mountain Lake Playground is within walking distance. This is a great place to stop with the kids for a bathroom break and a snack – you’ll find hot dogs, cold beverages, and chips inside. During summer months, they offer up delicious grilled items, like tri-tip, marinated chicken sandwiches, and jumbo sausages.

3. Presidio Bowling Center Café

Here’s a spot where inside voices are definitely not required. Open all day, every day, the cafe in the Presidio Bowl is a hidden treasure for a casual meal in the park with the family. It’s also close to the Walt Disney Family Museum and the Presidio Officers’ Club and other park attractions. The menu features classic kid favorites and guilty pleasures, like corn dogs, cheese sticks, and crispy old-school tater tots. But it’s probably most famous for its curly fries, served in an enormous – and very delicious – mound and perfect for sharing. The Presidio Bowl has a small parking lot, and is located just a short walk or shuttle ride from the Transit Center.

4. “House of Snacks” at House of Air

Crissy Field is a paradise for active families. Whether you’re biking, strolling, flying kites, swimming or climbing, House of Snacks, located in the lobby of the House of Air indoor trampoline park, is a convenient refueling station. Their gooey grilled cheese sandwiches and fresh paninis are a big hit with the kids, and the counter is loaded with healthy and not-too-unhealthy snacks to please a multitude of tastes. There’s also a fridge stocked with cold drinks, and they offer espressos for parents in need of a midday pick-me-up. Order from the counter, then head to the Crissy Field West Bluff picnic area close by, or stay inside and watch as amateur aerialists perfect their breathtaking feats on the trampolines.

6. Presidio Social Club

This spot – with its beautiful, old-school interiors, and classic San Francisco cuisine – may seem purely for adults, but the Presidio Social Club is a surprisingly family-friendly restaurant just inside the Lombard Gate. The kids will love the baked macaroni and cheese or the grilled cheese toast while the parents can indulge and order the special of the day with an artisanal cocktail. The host also keeps a stash of crayons and paper and Presidio Social Club is conveniently located close to the Letterman Digital Arts Center, making for an easy stop at the Yoda Fountain for a dose of “the force” from the master.