THE PRESIDIO

Golden Gate National Recreation Area Headquarters
Fort Mason, Building 201
Presidio Visitor Information Center
(415) 561-4323
www.presidiotrust.gov

The Presidio of San Francisco, run by the national
park system, is part of the Golden Gate National
Recreation Area (GGNRA) which is the largest urban
national park in the world spanning 76,500 acres of
land - nearly two and one-half times the size of San
Francisco. The Presidio alone covers 1,480 acres from the Pacific Ocean to the San Francisco Bay and boasts spectacular views, a diverse ecosystem, a dynamic shoreline and is a National Historic Landmark District, the highest level of historic designation.  The Presidio Trust, which anages the park in partnership with the National Park Service, has jurisdiction over the interior 80 percent of the
Presidio, including nearly all of its historic
structures.

The Presidio has a rich history that is central to its
status as a national park. More than 200 years ago the Presidio was established as a military post by a
Spanish expedition that arrived from Sonora, Mexico.
When Mexico gained its independence from Spain in
1821, Mexican troops occupied the Presidio.

After the United States won the Mexican-American War in 1848, the U.S. Army took the helm and remained in control of the Presidio until 1994, when, as a result of the Base Closure and Realignment Act, the Presidio was transferred to the National Park Service. Two years later, the U.S. Congress established the Presidio Trust to preserve and enhance the park while becoming financially self-sufficient by 2013.

The Presidio is a natural playground for the outdoor
enthusiast, offering a variety of recreational
activities from biking to hiking, windsurfing to
fishing, swimming to golf. The Presidio boasts eight
miles of hiking trails and bike routes meandering
along 14 miles of existing corridors. The ongoing
Presidio-wide recreational trail planning effort will
greatly increase visitors' hiking and biking
enjoyment.

The Presidio Museum is open Wednesday through
Sunday,12 noon to 4 pm, except for Holidays, (415)
561-4331

OPERATING HOURS:
Access to the recreation area is possible daily and
year-round. Hours for individual facilities vary, but
the most common hours of operation are 10:00am. to
5:00pm. All visitor centers are open daily except for
Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year's Day, with the exception of Fort Point Visitor Center, which is open only Wednesday through Sunday.