Spectacular Presidio Tunnel Tops Has Something for the Whole Family

The new Presidio Tunnel Tops is now open! This spectacular addition to San Francisco's Presidio national park, Tunnel Tops was years in the making — with large amounts of community input — and was finally unveiled to the public last weekend, with breathtaking views of the Golden Gate and the Bay and tons of fun features for families.
As the name implies, Tunnel Tops was built on top of the tunnels for Presidio Parkway, the highway that runs from the Golden Gate Bridge to Lombard Street. With its completion, park visitors can now walk or bike from the Presidio Main Post to Crissy Field and the beach.
Tunnel Tops is a must-visit destination for Bay Area families and there's a lot to do here for families with children of all ages. Families can:
Have a picnic with a view!
You'll find expansive lawn areas and picnic tables througout Tunnel Tops. Picnic Place has grills and tables you can reserve; it's shaded by Torrey pines and has bistro lights for evening dining, all with a view of the Golden Gate Bridge.
Grab some lunch from a food truck!
The Presidio Pop Up program presents a rotating selection of fabulous food trucks, carts, and tents offering anything from coffee and cocktails to empanadas and Indian street food. Food vendors will be on-site daily from 9 am to 6 pm.
Play with a view of the Bay!
At two acres, Tunnel Tops' Outpost play space is the largest in the Bay Area. Kids can have a blast playing on structures created from natural materials like fallen trees and giant boulders, reflecting the Presdio's natural environment. Best for children ages 2 to 12, the Outpost is open daily from 9:30 am–6 pm April–October and 9:30 am–4:30 pm November–March.
Become a scientist at the Field Station!
At the hands-on Field Station, kids can identify Presidio plants, give scientific tools like microscopes a try, and create their own maps for adventures in the park. Kids can also check out fields kits for use in the Presidio and learn about more self-guided experiences in the park. The Field Station is open Tuesday–Friday 11 am–4 pm and weekends 10 am–5 pm.
Get inspired by local artists!
Tunnel Tops hosts public artwork by local artists, such as the colorful opening mural installation Ancestral Futurism: Looking Back to Repair the Future by Favianna Rodriguez. Her installation honors the interconnectedness and diversity of the people, land, flora, and fauna that have been part of the Presidio's ecosystem for centuries. Discover murals by the Outpost and the Presidio Visitor Center.
Chat with a ranger by the campfire!
At the Tunnel Tops Campfire Circle, National Park Service rangers will hold free 30-minute campfire talks every Friday through Monday at 4 pm (through Labor Day). Talks topics will include history of the indigenous inhabitants, stories of the soldiers who once called the Presidio home, and more. Drop-in, no reservations necessary.
You can really spend the whole day at Tunnel Tops and the Presidio. There's so much to do here, from playing at the Outpost and having your own self-guided adventures to just sitting on one of the amazing handcrafted benches and watching the fog roll through the Golden Gate. We're so excited to have this amazing new resource right in our own backyard. The Presidio is one of our favorite places to visit in the Bay Area and it's just gotten better!
To learn more about Tunnel Tops, visit www.presidiotunneltops.gov.
If you go
Presidio Tunnel Tops is located adjacent to the Presidio Visitor Center at 210 Lincoln Boulevard, San Francisco 94129. To get there from Marin, take Highway 101 south over the Golden Gate Bridge and onto Presido Parkway. Take the Presidio exit (exit 437). Bear right onto Girard Road, then turn right onto Lincoln Boulevard. Paid parking is available at spots throughout the Presidio Main Post.
Tunnel Tops is also directly serviced by the PresidiGo Shuttle and the Muni 43 bus. The Muni 30 also provides service to Crissy Field near Tunnel Tops.
Water bottle filling stations and restrooms are available throughout the park. In addition to the Presidio Pop Up food trucks and booths, additional dining can be found at restaurants on the Presidio Main Post. You can purchase souvenirs, sweatshirts, blankets, hats, water bottles, and more at the Presidio Visitor Center.
Weather here can change rapidly, so make sure you dress in layers. Hats and sunscreen are a must, too.