Overview
With some of the most beautiful scenery and intact natural environments in the city, the Golden Gate area is the spectacular northern tip of the San Francisco peninsula. The city's most famous landmark, the Golden Gate Bridge, connects this district with Marin County across the Bay. The area is made up of two National Historic Landmarks — The Presidio and Fort Mason — as well as several upscale neighborhoods famed for their Victorian architecture and views of the city, including Pacific Heights, Cow Hollow, and the Marina District. The district is roughly bounded by the San Francisco Bay to the north and west, Lake St and California St to the south, and Van Ness Ave to the east.
55 sights · 14 things to do · 18 places to eat · 9 bars & cafés · 17 places to stay
Updated from Wikivoyage on 1 October 2026 · Something wrong or missing? Improve it on Wikivoyage
Best things about Golden Gate
Wave Organ
Designed by George Gonzales and Peter Richards in 1986, the Wave Organ is a system of PVC pipes that harness the power of the ocean to create music... or at least what can be interpreted as music! There is a unique space…
Golden Gate Yacht Club
Founded in 1939, this club is both a popular destination for pleasure cruises and for competitive regatta racing. It's plainer than its neighbor the SFYC, however it got a major boost of late when Larry Ellison and the O…
St Francis Yacht Club
Founded in 1927, this club has over 2,400 members and is also popular as both a cruise and regatta venue. It is reputedly the most exclusive yacht club in San Francisco and there are some serious vessels docked here.
The Six Gallery
On Friday, October 7, 1955, the "Six Gallery reading" took place here. It was a seminal moment in the Beat Generation movement and attracted such poets and writers as Alan Ginsberg, Gary Snyder, Philip Lamantia, Michael …
Alta Plaza Park
A charming and immaculately manicured Pacific Heights park with great vistas over the Bay. It has tennis courts and a playground, and is a pretty good place for a picnic, or even just a rest if you've just scaled the hil…
Lafayette Park
Another little oasis park in the heart of Pacific Heights — like its neighbor Alta Plaza Park, it is pristinely kept by local residents and it also has excellent views over the Bay.
Plan your trip
Best time to visit & weather
Most comfortable: Mar–Nov. Summer highs reach about 72°F; winter lows dip to about 44°F. Wettest: Dec and Jan. (climate data from nearby San Francisco)
Blue bars: average daily high and low (°F). Purple columns: average monthly rain and melted snow (inches).
Getting there
- From you: to see whether to drive or fly, and how long it takes.
- SFO San Francisco International Airport, San Francisco — 15 mi away (major hub). Directions
- OAK Oakland San Francisco Bay Airport, Oakland — 16 mi away (major hub). Directions
The main entryways are Van Ness Ave from the south and Bay St from the east. From the north and west, take Highway 101 through the Presidio to Lombard St. Chestnut St, one of the main shopping and restaurant streets, is one block north of Lombard St — parking is scarce and can sometimes take up to an hour to find. The best choice for parking may be the free area in Fort Mason, at Beach and Buchanan Sts, another 4 short blocks north of Chestnut. Union St, being Cow Hollow's main street, is three blocks south of Lombard St.
Full “Get in” guide ↓Budget & where to stay
- Places to stay listed here: about $60–$189 a night (typical $82), from 18 listed prices.
- Typical meal: about $14 per person at listed restaurants.
- Estimated daily budget per person (room, two meals, local transport and an activity): budget ~$90, mid-range ~$140, comfortable ~$330.
Options are grouped as Budget, Mid-range, Splurge in the Sleep guide ↓.
Sample 3-day itinerary
Day 1
- Morning The Six Gallery, Vedanta Temple, Images of the North
- Lunch Perry's
- Afternoon San Francisco Public Library — Golden Gate Valley Branch, The Octagon House
- Dinner Brazen Head
- Evening Blue Light
Day 2
- Morning Battery Chamberlin, Fort Point National Historic Site, Greater Farallones National Marine Sanctuary
- Lunch A16
- Afternoon Walt Disney Family Museum, William Penn Mott, Jr. Visitor Center
- Dinner Pluto's Fresh Food for a Hungry Universe
- Evening Monaghan's
Day 3
- Morning Wave Organ, Golden Gate Yacht Club, St Francis Yacht Club
- Lunch Dragon Well Restaurant
- Afternoon Crissy Field Center, Museo ItaloAmericano
- Dinner Izzy's Steaks & Chops
- Evening California Wine Merchant
Stops are grouped by area so each day needs little backtracking. Check opening hours before you go.
Food for you
There is an excellent selection of restaurants in this area; everything from regional Chinese restaurants to Tapas bars, and from Japanese sushi houses to American steakhouses, romantic French bistros, and Italian restaurants. A lot of the food plated here is of the healthier variety — a reflection of the heightened overall health consciousness of residents in this area. Therefore, many of the restaurants serve up food that's organic, vegetarian, or produced from locally sourced ingredients... is there any other way!? Like most other businesses in the area, most restaurants are on Chestnut St, Union St, and Fillmore St; or indeed, one of the side streets leading off them.
Cuisine (tap to filter)
What to ask about, for your diet
Diet labels come from each listing's description and cuisine; “likely” means the cuisine usually has good choices, not a promise. Check with the restaurant. Open the food finder
Photos
Map
Every listing with a location. Tap a pin for its Google Maps link.
Understand
Nobody from San Francisco ever calls this region "Golden Gate." Should you try to use this term with a local, they'll think you're talking about Golden Gate Park.
Pacific Heights
Pacific Heights, located 370 feet above sea-level and overlooking the Bay, was little more than a sandy hill until 1870, when the Cable Car line was extended and connected the area to downtown. Considered today to be the home of "old money" families, young urban professionals and politicians, it was first settled by the "nouveau riche" of the late 1800s. The neighborhood is predominantly peaceful and residential with most of its activities centered around Fillmore St. It was also the backdrop for the 1990 movie "Pacific Heights" starring Melanie Griffith.
While not particularly welcoming unless you're made of money, today it's favored by visitors for its impressive panoramic views of the San Francisco Bay and the Presidio, its abundance of opulent Victorian mansions, historic chateaus, foreign consulates, and finally its many upscale restaurants. The three blocks on Broadway St between Lyon St and Divisadero St have particularly good vistas and are known as the "Gold Coast." Some of the buildings date back as far as 1853, with the majority being constructed after the 1906 earthquake.
Cow Hollow
Cow Hollow is something of a transition zone between Pacific Heights and The Marina. The district derived its name from the many dairy farms that were established there in the mid-1800s. However, with the advent of the Gold Rush, the neighborhood flourished. Prominent San Franciscans began to settle the area and erected grandiose well-appointed Victorian, and then later Edwardian mansions. By 1891, the area had become so popular that all the dairy farms were closed down. Today, this once luscious grazing land is more renowned for its impressive mansions and its eclectic mix of antique stores, art galleries, bars, and restaurants. Union St is the main drag, where the Union St. Festival is held annually.
The Marina District
The Marina district was built on landfill — some of it wreckage of the 1906 earthquake — in the early 20th century to provide a fairgrounds for the 1915 World's Fair (also called the Panama-Pacific Exhibition). Consequently, its poor foundation made it the focus of most of the damage (and media attention) in the Loma Prieta Earthquake of 1989, and the next earthquake will likely be similarly damaging.
Today it is an affluent, residential neighborhood with well trimmed hedges and colorful flower window boxes. By the 1980s, the Marina was—and is—stereotyped as the district for yuppies that are unashamed to be yuppies. Bounded by the Bay, the neighborhood actually has an impressive marina, which is home to a couple of prestigious yacht clubs. Marina Green, an 8 block stretch of grass running along the edge of the bay, is a favorite place for jogging, strolling, picnicking, and kite flying. Only a few blocks away, Chestnut St. is where shoppers can peruse boutiques or people watch while sipping on a latte.
Fort Mason and the Presidio
Fort Mason and the Presidio are two former military posts on the northern tip of the San Francisco peninsula that were closed down and returned to civilian control in the 1990s. Today, both are national historic landmarks and come under the remit of the Golden Gate National Recreation Area. Fort Mason is smaller and has a world class youth hostel as well as several museums and theaters, and the converted piers often host conventions, trade shows, and the annual library book sale. The Presidio is huge, with 1,480 acres of rolling hills, forests, hiking trails, historic buildings, architecture, beaches, and marsh lands. It has one of the most intact natural environments you will find on the peninsula and is a must for every itinerary.
Get in
By car
The main entryways are Van Ness Ave from the south and Bay St from the east. From the north and west, take Highway 101 through the Presidio to Lombard St. Chestnut St, one of the main shopping and restaurant streets, is one block north of Lombard St — parking is scarce and can sometimes take up to an hour to find. The best choice for parking may be the free area in Fort Mason, at Beach and Buchanan Sts, another 4 short blocks north of Chestnut. Union St, being Cow Hollow's main street, is three blocks south of Lombard St.
By bus
Public transportation, provided by MUNI, is plentiful and frequent.
- Cross town routes: The 28-19th Avenue bus travels along Lombard St to Fisherman's Wharf from the Daly City BART station, traveling first a long way up 19th Ave and stopping at the Golden Gate Bridge. Buses 29-Sunset and 43-Masonic traverse much of the western part of San Francisco before terminating in the area, with the 29 stopping at Baker Beach and the 43 running through the Presidio before stopping in the Marina district. The 22-Fillmore bus (24-hour service) from the 16th St BART Station goes north on Fillmore St all the way to the Marina Green.
- From Downtown: From the Caltrain station, traveling through Downtown past the Montgomery St BART station (outbound) or the Powell St BART station (inbound), the 30-Stockton bus (which runs about every 6 minutes during the day, until 1AM) gets you to Chestnut St and near the Palace of Fine Arts. You can also take the 41-Union or 45-Union/Stockton, which both serve Union St. Routes 1-California and 2-Clement serve Pacific Heights and Lower Pacific Heights.
In addition to the many MUNI routes, there is also the free Presidio Go shuttle service.
Go Presidio Go Shuttle (PresidiGo Shuttle)
The Presidio Go Shuttle has two main routes: a Downtown route that runs directly between Transbay Terminal in Downtown to the Presidio and a South Hills Route that runs from the Presidio Transit Center to Baker Beach. Rides are generally free and open to all, but some trips on the Downtown route during weekday commute times are restricted to Presidio residents and employees.
On foot
If you enjoy walking, you can take the Historic F-line streetcar from downtown along the Embarcadero to Fisherman's Wharf, and walk along San Francisco Bay past Fort Mason — it's a bit of hill — to the Marina Green. If you're downtown, simply follow Van Ness Ave all the way north and take a left anywhere from California St to Lombard St.
Get around
With six lanes, going east-west, Lombard St is the main road and considered (along with north-south Van Ness) to be part of Highway 101. The winding section of Lombard St is due east, on Russian Hill.
This is a fantastic area to either walk or cycle through as it is predominantly flat (with the obvious exception of Pacific Heights), and also because it's a very safe area. Given the area's popularity with joggers, walkers, power-walkers, and cyclists, you will definitely not be alone. Chestnut St is the business section of the Marina and considered among the poshest of San Francisco's streets. Union St and Fillmore St are the other two main shopping areas in this district. To the north, along San Francisco Bay, runs the 74 acre stretch of Marina Green. Your walk can continue along the bay to the west, through the Presidio, along the restored Crissy Field marshes, all the way to the Golden Gate Bridge; or to the east, a short climb through Fort Mason and down into Fisherman's Wharf.
If you are interested in biking around the area — "biking the bridge" is very popular activity — there are several companies that rent bikes out to tourists by the hour or for the day, including Bay City Bike, Bike and Roll, and Blazing Saddles Bike Rentals.
See
There are lots of things to see in this district ranging from the pristine natural landscapes of the Presidio, to man-made marinas, Victorian architecture, and the Golden Gate Bridge. In places like the Presidio and Fort Mason you'll find an interesting blend of both, with modern offices, historical buildings, and museums making their home alongside sandpipers, coyotes, and fox squirrel. "City slickers" should be more at home further inland where they'll find galleries and museums, architecture, and urban parks. Naturalists will be more at home along the coast line, from Fort Mason all the way along into the Presidio.\
See Wave Organ
Designed by George Gonzales and Peter Richards in 1986, the Wave Organ is a system of PVC pipes that harness the power of the ocean to create music... or at least what can be interpreted as music! There is a unique space at the end of a spit of land where you can sit and enjoy the sounds, and even if it's not your kind of music, there are some excellent views and it's also a great place to relax and have a picnic.
See Yacht Clubs
You can't come to the Marina district without actually seeing, well... the marina! Here where you will find an impressive flotilla of vessels — both sail and power. There are various "small craft" harbors located at either end of Marina Green, but the two main yacht clubs are:
See Golden Gate Yacht Club
Founded in 1939, this club is both a popular destination for pleasure cruises and for competitive regatta racing. It's plainer than its neighbor the SFYC, however it got a major boost of late when Larry Ellison and the Oracle guys signed up and the club became the challenge club of record for the America's Cup.
See The Six Gallery
On Friday, October 7, 1955, the "Six Gallery reading" took place here. It was a seminal moment in the Beat Generation movement and attracted such poets and writers as Alan Ginsberg, Gary Snyder, Philip Lamantia, Michael McClure, Philip Whalen, and Jack Kerouac. The gallery has since closed but there is a plaque at the site where this event took place.
Parks
The two largest parks in this area are listed separately under the Fort Mason section and The Presidio section below. The Marina Green Park is listed under the Do section below as it's primarily used as a recreational area. Other parks include:
Galleries and museums
Many of the galleries and museums are listed separately under the Fort Mason section and The Presidio section below. Here are some others:
Architecture
Architecture buffs will definitely enjoy taking a stroll through the Pacific Heights and Cow Hollow neighborhoods, where ornate (and huge!) Edwardian and Victorian mansions are on display. Most are privately owned and inhabited so be respectful, but some are open to the public. If you are a fan of the Spanish Colonial Revival-style, continue your tour through The Presidio section below where you will find many fine examples.
See The Leale House
This house was built in 1853 and as such it is one of the city's oldest residences. A ferry-boat captain known as Captain Leale bought the house three decades later and remodeled it in the popular "Italianate" style.
See The Octagon House
Dating from 1861, this eight-sided house with its cupola top, dormer windows, and roof lanterns was built in the belief that such octagonally shaped houses promote healthier living. Today, the building is an American Colonial museum. It has many artifacts on display including antique furniture and historical documents. It is run by the National Society of the Colonial Dames.
See Spreckles Mansion
This white "Beaux-Arts" limestone mansion was built in 1913 by sugar baron Adolph Spreckles. It has 55 rooms including a Louis XVI Ballroom. The mansion is a private residence which is owned by the famous romance-novelist, Danielle Steele.
See Vedanta Temple
This temple was built in 1905 by architect Joseph Leonard. Architecturally the building reflects the Vedantic philosophy that all roads lead to one God; hence the building has a mix of architectural styles like Edwardian, Moorish, Queen Anne, Colonial, and Oriental among others. It has five different towers on the top including a Russian-style onion dome and a European-style castle turret. The extraordinary temple was the first Hindu temple built in the West.
Fort Mason
Fort Mason was a U.S. Military coastal defense post and port for over 100 years. In 1985, it was ordained as a National Historic Landmark, primarily for its vital logistical role during World War II and then later the Korean War. Today, it is part of the Golden Gate National Recreation Area and is under the remit of the National Park Service. Situated on a headland, Upper Fort Mason has great views of the Golden Gate Bridge and of Alcatraz. Lower Fort Mason, which comprises approximately 13 acres, is the site of the former military port and today houses the Fort Mason Center, which is committed to nonprofit and cultural activities with an emphasis on entertainment, recreation, and education in the fields of; the visual/performing arts, humanities, and ecology/environment. It has three museums and six theaters and hosts nearly 20,000 events each year. Most of the activities are provided at nominal or sometimes no cost to the public. The small, specialized museums in Fort Mason include:
See Arion Press
Arion Press is considered the best publisher of fine press books in the nation. A gallery on-site has a large collection of limited edition books and prints, and they occasionally offer tours of their production facility, including the pressroom and the type foundry that contains the oldest hot metal type foundry in the country.
The Presidio
The Presidio was founded in 1776 and was the longest-running military post in the U.S. before closing as a base in 1994. It is now a part of the Golden Gate National Recreation Area and Congress has designated it a National Historic Landmark District, which is the highest historic designation that can be given in the U.S. The park is a beautiful 3 square miles of mostly hilly and wooded areas.
The Presidio has around 800 buildings within its perimeter, many of which are of historical significance. Some of the buildings have residential tenants, others commercial ones. At the end of 2005, about 2,500 people lived in the Presidio and it is home to the headquarters of Lucasfilm (owned by George Lucas, the creator of "Star Wars"), a unique situation for a national park. Part of their drinking water comes from Lobos Creek (Rio de los Lobos), the last free-flowing creek in San Francisco. The Presidio Trust, that manages the majority of the park, is renovating the remainder of the buildings, with a view to increasing its list of residents to 5,000.
The Presidio contains 11 miles of hiking trails, including the Golden Gate Promenade, the Coastal Trail, an ecology trail, and portions of the Bay Area Ridge Trail, the Bay Trail, and the Anza National Historic Trail. Cyclists can explore the area on 14 miles of paved roads and along some unpaved parts of the Bay Area Ridge Trail. A world-class board-sailing area borders Crissy Field, while fishing and crabbing opportunities abound from the nearby rocks and pier. Along the way there are also many historical and architectural points of interest as well as some fantastic vistas and natural scenery.
Visitor centers and museums
See Battery Chamberlin
Battery Chamberlin, built near Baker Beach in 1904, was constructed as part of a modernization effort to accommodate the lighter, stronger, more powerful coastal defense weapons developed in the 1880s. Today Battery Chamberlin holds the last 6-inch "disappearing gun" of its type on the West Coast.
See Crissy Field Center
The Crissy Field Center includes an activity area, learning and computer labs, a teaching kitchen, library, and an information area and bookstore. The center offers a rich array of education programs that serve the entire San Francisco community. Focusing on the convergence of Urban and Natural Environments, educational programs and activities promote multicultural perspectives, environmental stewardship, and community service. They also have a small cafe inside the premises serving up organic, locally sourced food.
See Fort Point National Historic Site
From its vantage point overlooking the spectacular Golden Gate, Fort Point protected San Francisco harbor from Confederate and foreign attack during and after the U.S. Civil War. Its beautifully arched casemates display the art of the master brick masons of the Civil War period. It is best approached from the Marina District along the water through the kites and bay-views of the connected Crissy Field Park.
See Greater Farallones National Marine Sanctuary
The Greater Farallones National Marine Sanctuary Visitor Center provides information on the sanctuary and features hands-on educational exhibits on local marine life. The visitor center is housed in the historic Coast Guard Station at the west end of Crissy Field. The Life Saving Service and Coast Guard were housed here from 1890 to 1990, providing a variety of services ranging from search and rescue operations to navigational assistance.
See Walt Disney Family Museum
Opened in 2009, this museum focuses on the life of Walt Disney and his accomplishments. The museum is not run by The Walt Disney Company, meaning that while it views Walt Disney in a favorable light, it doesn't come off as corporate propaganda. The collections have some fascinating Disneyana, including the Oscar awarded to Disney for Snow White, a multiplane camera used prominently in Disney animated films, and a number of posters promoting early Disneyland rides. This is an absolute must-see for Disney enthusiasts, but even casual Disney fans will be impressed by the material here, which does a very good job of showing how a man with a gift for cartooning built what would become a modern media empire.
Historical points of interest
See Battery East
This fortification was built in the 1870s, to withstand newer and heavier ordinance. You can view the earthen works and brick-lined magazines built to protect large Rodman guns and their ammunition.
See Cavalry Stables and Pet Cemetery
Five brick cavalry stables were built in 1914. Each stable could house 102 horses, enough for a cavalry company. A paddock stood between the stables and the cavalry barracks on the hill behind, and a blacksmith shop was in front. After the cavalry left the stables, they were adapted to other uses — the Pet Cemetery was started and also a veterinary hospital.
See Crissy Airfield
From 1921 to 1936 Crissy Army Airfield was the center of West Coast military aviation. During these years of explosive advances in air power, pilots from Crissy performed maneuvers and mock battles, flew endurance flights, surveyed the west by air, and scouted for forest fires.
See Fort Winfield Scott
Situated near the gun batteries of the coastal bluffs, Fort Scott was established in 1912 to serve as headquarters for the Coastal Artillery Corps of the San Francisco Bay area. Spanish Revival style buildings, the first of this style to be built on the Presidio, characterize the post, and the U-shaped parade ground breaks from traditional quadrangular design. The post was eventually converted to an Army Education Center.
See Infantry Row
Buildings 101 through 105, known as "Infantry Row," were constructed to accommodate troops consolidated at the Presidio after the Indian Wars. These were some of the first brick barracks constructed in the west, showing that the Presidio was to be a permanent post. Built in the late 1890s, these barracks display Colonial Revival style architecture with Romanesque elements.
See Letterman Complex
Established in 1898 to care for sick and wounded soldiers, it is the Army's oldest named general hospital and during WWII it became the largest Army hospital in the country. Today the complex is home to Lucasfilm and lots of Star Wars fans make the pilgrimage there each year. You won't get inside unless you know someone.
See Yoda Fountain
You can practice your "Jedi" skills outside the Letterman Complex with this statue of Yoda on a fountain.
See Pershing Square
The flagpole in Pershing Square (at the Main Post) marks the site of a disastrous 1915 fire that destroyed the residence and killed the wife and three daughters of General John "Black Jack" Pershing of World War I fame. Just east lies the site of the original Spanish presidio, built in 1776 on this windswept slope. A boulder by the sidewalk approximates the northwest corner of the original Presidio, which formed a square about 300 feet (100 m) on each side. Two bronze cannons at this site, forged in the 1600s, used to be mounted at Castillo de San Joaquin, a fort built at the point overlooking the Golden Gate. They are among the oldest cannon in North America.
See Public Health Service Hospital
Built in 1875, the Public Health Service Hospital tended the needs of merchant seamen. Eventually the hospital also cared for members of the U.S. Coast Guard and other governmental agencies, Native Americans and Vietnam refugees. In addition, important research on plague diseases was conducted here. A new hospital replaced the old in 1932, and two wings were added in the 1950s. The hospital closed in 1981 and was transformed into apartments.
See West Coast Memorial to the Missing of World War II
One of three memorials on U.S. soil dedicated to missing service members of World War II, the West Coast Memorial is a curved wall of California granite set in a grove of Monterey pine and cypress. Overlooking the Pacific Ocean, it bears the names of 413 members of the Armed Forces who lost their lives or were buried at sea in the offshore Pacific coastal waters.
Architecture
See Palace of Fine Arts
The only structure remaining from the 1915 World's Fair, it features a classical Roman rotunda (1,100 feet wide, 162 feet high) with curved colonnades (30 Corinthian columns frame a wide walkway in the colonnade) situated in an idyllic park setting with a classical European-Style lagoon. It's a great place to unwind, have a picnic, and watch the swans float elegantly by. It also has a theater offering a variety of shows, musical and cultural events.
See The Golden Gate Club
With its beautiful Spanish Colonial Revival-style exterior, it was dedicated in 1949 as a first-class service club for enlisted men and women and was the site of several historic treaty signings during the early days of the Korean War. Stylishly remodeled, the club is now a full-service conference and events center.
See Old Post Hospital
Built in 1864, it displays Italianate and Greek Revival architectural styles. Constructed during the Civil War, it is one of the oldest standing buildings on the Presidio. The original structure was modified by adding wings and enclosing the porches. In 1897, an octagonal surgical tower with windows on all sides was added to provide a well-lit operating room.
See Interfaith Center at the Presidio
Built in the early 1930s, this cruciform-shaped sanctuary is a fine example of Spanish Colonial Revival style architecture, with features that embellished early mission churches. Stained glass windows depict virtues of military character, and a large wall mural by Victor Arnautoff (famed Coit Tower muralist) depicts the peacetime activities of the Army.
Nature and recreation
Nature lovers will adore the Presidio. Its geology, climate, and geography — combined with the Army's decision not to overdevelop the Park — mean that it has some of the most intact natural habitats on the San Francisco peninsula. It is home to many rare species of flowers including Raven's Manzanita and Franciscan thistle as well as mammals like the coyote, gray fox, and the Fox Squirrel. Bird lovers will be pleased to know that there are a great variety of birds milling about including Gulls, Sandpipers, Plovers, Ducks, Herons, Loons, Pelicans, and Kingfishers.
See Baker Beach
A beautiful, immaculately kept 1-mile stretch of beach, set just behind the Golden Gate Bridge. Unfortunately, due to strong currents, the beach is not very safe for swimming, but for "land-lovers" it does have many outdoor barbeques and designated picnic areas to eat and relax at. Toward the northern end of the beach there is also an unofficial nude section that mainly seems to attract gay men. It has free parking and clean restrooms.
See Coastal Bluffs
Beaches and rocky shoreline lie at the base of the coastal bluffs, while their tops provide expansive views of the Pacific coastline. The Coastal Trail extends along the wind-swept coastal bluffs, where some of the most intact natural habitat in the Presidio harbors rare plants adapted to serpentine soil and cool foggy conditions.
See Crissy Field Marsh and Beach
Known by many names — "The city's front yard" and "The Golden Gate promenade" — this used to be one of the country's most active and strategic military airstrips. Today, under the care the Golden Gate National Parks Association, the 28 acre site has been transformed into recreational space for joggers, cyclists, walkers, and picnickers. There is also a significant project underway to return 18 acres back to its original tidal marshlands. With this effort, Crissy Field is fast becoming a great place to see local wildlife such as migrating long-billed curlews, semipalmated plovers and western sandpipers.
See El Polin Spring
El Polin spring water bubbles from a rock wall at the head of this riparian valley. The spring provided a source of fresh water for the Spanish Presidio, and Spanish and Mexican families built their homes in this sheltered valley. Today, you can picnic in the bucolic meadows near the spring or explore the surrounding forest and grasslands.
See Mountain Lake
The campsite of the Anza settlement party in 1776, it became a source of fresh water for San Francisco during the early years. Ducks and waterfowl make their home among the tule reeds. Mountain Lake today fronts a popular neighborhood park with playground equipment, tennis courts and a Par Course.
See Presidio Forest
A mature forest of pine, cypress, eucalyptus and other non-native trees covers the higher areas of the Presidio. The army planted these trees from the 1880s through the 1940s in order to make the area appear larger with more relief, to limit visibility within the Presidio, and to beautify the post.
Golden Gate Bridge
Vehicular traffic in both directions share a single deck; a movable barrier (operated on by a zipper machine) used to allot lanes to one direction or the other depending on traffic conditions. Observation areas and parking lots are provided on both the north and south sides of the bridge; the best way to enjoy the bridge is to park and walk across, not least because you don't have to pay a toll. Winds are high and it can be cold and foggy; dress appropriately. Bikes can also be difficult to navigate in the high winds and narrow pathway.
The Golden Gate Bridge is one of the most iconic bridges in the United States, and has been called one of the Seven Wonders of the Modern World. The bridge spans the Golden Gate, a strait between San Francisco and Marin County to the north, and is one of the major road routes into and out of the city.
The masterwork of architect Joseph B. Strauss, whose statue graces the southern observation deck, the bridge took four years to build, and was completed on May 27, 1937. It managed to survive a major earthquake in 1989. The bridge is painted a deep red-orange color known as "International Orange," also known as "Orange Vermillion," which was specifically chosen to make the bridge more easily visible through the thick fog that frequently shrouds the bridge. Erroneous legend has it that the bridge is continuously painted, with crews starting at one end and, on getting to the other end, turning around and starting over again. In fact, the bridge is only painted once every few years, but touch up work is done continuously by a team of 40 painters.
See Joseph Strauss Legacy Circle (Joseph B. Strauss Memorial)
Sculpture of bridge architect Joseph B. Strauss.
The San Francisco end of the bridge is accessible by the Muni 28 bus line from Fisherman's Wharf. The fastest way to reach it from downtown is to take the 38 or 38R up Geary to "Park Presidio" (after 12th Ave) and transfer to a Fisherman's Wharf bound 28. Golden Gate Transit buses serve the bridge on request, but buses are very infrequent and unpredictable except at afternoon commute times, when they are crowded.
Toll collection on the Golden Gate Bridge is entirely electronic (no cash accepted) and done by license plate recognition. As you pass through the former tollbooth plaza, reduce your speed but do not stop. If you are driving a rental car, you have 48 hours to pay your toll by going to bayareafastrak.org and following the link for Golden Gate Bridge Toll. From there, you may make a one-time payment of your toll by providing the license plate of your rental vehicle, the date and time of your crossing, and your credit card information. Failing to do so will result in your rental car company being charged the toll, and they will usually pass the charge on to you with additional fees.
Do
Due to the "outdoorsy" nature of the area, many of the activities here are centered around nature, exercise, and recreation. If you feel like catching a show, there are also many theaters here of all descriptions.
Do Marina Green
Marina Green is a long, flat strip of grass at the front of the Marina that runs along the Bay, equidistant between the Presidio and Fort Mason. The "Green" teems with joggers, cyclists, dog walkers, kite flyers, volleyball players, frisbee throwers, and rollerbladers — all getting their health kick exercising in an iconic location. The activities continue all the way through Crissy Fields ("The City's Front Yard") to the foot of the Golden Gate Bridge where you will find surfers patiently waiting for that next "big one."
Do Farallon Islands Whale Watching
Learn about the importance of preserving our natural environment on an 8 hour cruise to this National Wildlife Refuge, 27 miles off the coast of San Francisco in the Gulf of the Farallons. The islands' 211 acres of rocks and surrounding waters are home to Sea Lions, Tufted Puffins, Pigeon Guillemots, and Rhinoceros Auklets among other species. In total, twenty three species of marine mammals, including 18 species of whales and dolphins reside in these waters.
Do Steps at Broadway and Lyon
If you climb these steps you can get a breathtaking view of the Palace of Fine Arts, the Marina, and the Bay. The Steps are known locally as the "San Francisco Stair Master"... and with good reason!
Do Heritage Walks
These architectural tours of Pacific Heights and Cow Hollow are given by the San Francisco Architectural Heritage Foundation and focus mainly on its abundance of "Painted Ladies" (no... not grandma! — it refers to Edwardian and Victorian mansions) as well as the historical underpinnings of the area. They offer several different tours of varying lengths so check their website for specific details.
Theater and performing arts
Do Clay Theater
The Art Deco/Neo-Classical Clay Theater was built in 1910 and is one of the oldest movie theaters in the city. It specializes in indie and international films. It's a small little theater, with smallish seats and an even smaller screen; but its got a cozy atmosphere, its popcorn comes laden with butter, and overall it's a great place to catch an art house film. The Clay was closed in 2020, shortly before COVID, but the local community rallied to preserve the theater, with it being designated as a city landmark in 2022. As of 2026, the theater has not yet reopened, but an investor has purchased the building with the intention to reopen it.
Events and festivals
Do Escape from Alcatraz Triathlon
Ok, hands up who can swim 1.5 miles through chilly waters, jump on a bike and cycle 18 miles, and then polish it all off with a mere 8 mile run... any takers? Well every year this event attracts 2,000 people who can, including world champions and Olympic medalists. The course winds its way through Fort Mason, along Marina Green and through the demanding trails of the Presidio and beyond. Anywhere along the route is good from a spectators point of view, but the transition area and the finish is at Marina Green.
Buy
The three main shopping thoroughfares are Union St (Cow Hollow), Fillmore St (Pacific Heights) and Chestnut St (The Marina). Most stores here are of the small specialist boutique variety — a mix of unique and trendy chain shops reflecting the upscale nature of the neighborhoods. Union St is unquestionably one of the best streets in the city to window shop on (and hey, that costs nothing!), so take a slow stroll down Union St and enjoy the vibrancy and atmosphere of the shops, galleries, eateries, cafes and passers-by. With a friendly neighborhood feel, Fillmore St displays its charm through eclectic Victorian buildings that the stores are housed in. The street has a relaxed vibe, shopping here is a leisurely activity — many stores don't open until 11AM, some are closed on Mondays and most are closed on holidays. Chestnut St in the Marina is the one-stop street for anything you could need. Word to the wise — watch out for all the double-wide and double-decker baby strollers... they'll run you down.
Eat
There is an excellent selection of restaurants in this area; everything from regional Chinese restaurants to Tapas bars, and from Japanese sushi houses to American steakhouses, romantic French bistros, and Italian restaurants. A lot of the food plated here is of the healthier variety — a reflection of the heightened overall health consciousness of residents in this area. Therefore, many of the restaurants serve up food that's organic, vegetarian, or produced from locally sourced ingredients... is there any other way!? Like most other businesses in the area, most restaurants are on Chestnut St, Union St, and Fillmore St; or indeed, one of the side streets leading off them.
Budget
Eat Ace Wasabi's Rock-N-Roll Sushi
This sushi place is popular with the locals, offering good sushi with a rock and roll theme. Quirky and a bit of fun.
Eat Home Plate
Wonderful breakfast/brunch place on Lombard St. It's always busy on weekends and it can feel a tad cramped but the food is worth it — delicious homemade scones with homemade jam and preserves, omelettes, pancakes/waffles, and eggs benedict. This is certainly one of the best breakfast places in the city.
Eat Pluto's Fresh Food for a Hungry Universe
Fun American restaurant that's part of a chain. It's mostly green salads and sandwiches here — custom made to your discerning specifications!
Mid-range
Eat Alegrias
Alegrias is a colorful, friendly, and romantic little Tapas bar in the Marina. Like many other Tapas bars, it's a great place to go if you want to sample many flavors and tastes from small plates. If you're still hungry after that, they have a more substantial main menu with plates like grilled lamb, paellas, and stewed rabbit.
Eat Dragon Well Restaurant
Light but satisfying modern Chinese food — not your typical oily dishes here!
Eat Greens Restaurant
Located in Fort Mason, Greens organic vegetarian restaurant is a firm favorite among veggies and the health conscious. They have fresh, tasty international food that appeases all appetites (except for carnivorous ones of course!). Over the years it has become a bit of a local institution as its views over the water are hard to beat.
Eat La Mediterranee
Serving up affordable Middle Eastern classics like quiche, hummos, pita bread, and kebabs.
Eat Pacific Catch
There isn't much seating in this place, but that doesn't seem to matter for the patrons that come here to taste Asian/Pacific cuisine. The tuna bowl comes highly recommended.
Splurge
Eat A16
This is part wine bar part restaurant; they serve simple Italian favorites (pizza, pastas, salumi) from the Campania region of Italy. They also have traditional wood-burning ovens to perfect your pizza.
Eat Boboquivari's
Popular steakhouse in the Marina, Bobo's is a "surf-n-turfers" dream. The menu boasts excellent steaks (porterhouse, fillet mignon, New York bone-in) combined with mussels, shrimp, lobster, and Dungeness crab... yummy! Bobo's is a colorful, if upscale restaurant, that is very popular and almost always busy.
Eat Brazen Head
Serving wholesome American cuisine including their signature dish "Certified Angus Beef NY Pepper Steak" — this restaurant is a very well kept local secret.
Eat Capannina
An Italian restaurant that focuses on the familiar and tempting classics of Italian cuisine. They have a "prix-fixe" as well as an "à la carte" menu.
Eat Eastside West Restaurant and Raw Bar
They have excellent seafood here — shrimp, mussels, crabs, lobsters, and oysters. It's perfect for appetizers and drinks on a weekend afternoon; or how about their happy hour M-F 4PM-7PM, with $1 oysters and $2 draft beers... the perfect combination!
Eat Isa
Comfortable environment with an innovative fusion menu made up of small plates that blend French style with Asian flavors. Owner Luke Sung is one of San Francisco's most celebrated young chefs.
Eat Izzy's Steaks & Chops
Classic steak restaurant with wood floors, saw dust, comfortable booths, steak sauces, and the requisite cowboy hat to boot! Their pricing is affordable and their steaks big and tasty.
Eat Jackson Fillmore Trattoria
This 3 star trattoria serves up old-style southern Italian food and wine from the region. The food is excellent and affordable (given the quality) and the place is usually crowded as a result.
Eat Perry's
Over 40 years old, this restaurant is another Cow Hollow tradition. It is known for its classic American cuisine.
Eat Rose's Café
Features Italian and Californian fare created using fresh organic and local produce; this is certainly a restaurant for the more environmentally conscious. It's a very romantic spot and a favorite among locals.
Drink
The area is not particularly well known for its cutting edge nightlife; it's more residential vis-à-vis downtown, and it does not have the cool cachet of trendy hotspot SoMa, nor the hipster popularity of North Beach and The Mission. So, if you're looking for a progressive clubbing scene, you probably won't find it here. What the area does offer though is many upscale bars, wine bars, sleek lounges, and clubs, often full of singles attempting to mingle. The scene here can be pricey and many people deliberately avoid the bars and clubs here feeling that they are too pretentious, and consequently sterile. However, this can be a mistake as there are also plenty of cheaper options where you can get equally raucous and debaucherous on your nights out... thank God for that!
Bars
Drink Black Horse London Pub
They advertise this place as the smallest bar in San Francisco... "Small Pub, Big Heart." It is exactly 7 wide and 19 foot long... not for the claustrophobic! It may be small but this is a fun little bar with a list of "Tenets" on the wall; including "Thou Shall give priority seating to all Women in the Bar. (If you need further explication, please see "Exit.")" and "Thou Shall have one pub and one pub only. (Ours...)."
Drink Blue Light
Their "Taco Tuesday" is a long standing favorite among locals and features $3 margaritas for the ladies. Guys are equally well served with $2 Coronas, and with $1.50 tacos, who could go hungry?
Drink Bus Stop
The Bus Stop has a comfortable "homey" atmosphere with 17 TVs and sports memorabilia on the walls. It attracts a twenty-something/thirty-something crowd.
Drink Mauna Loa Club
Pretty cool little Hawaiian bar decked out in island regalia. They have a nice circular bar, open windows that peer out over Fillmore St, and lots of games inside to keep you occupied. They have a pretty decent happy hour M-F 4PM-7PM, to get your night started.
Drink Monaghan's
Another Irish bar turned sports bar in the Marina district which draws an eclectic crowd. They have a long happy hour that runs M-F 4PM-7PM; and nightly specials including "Ladies Night" on Thursdays where cocktails are half price.
Wine bars
Drink California Wine Merchant
Formerly just a wine retail shop, the California Wine Merchant is now a hip little spot where you can enjoy a few glasses of wine, watch people walk by on Chestnut St, or pick up a few bottles to bring home.
Clubs
Drink The Comet Club
Good place to go if you like to boogie-on-down to the sounds of the 70s and 80s! It's a bit of a cramped space though and can get crowded as a result.
Coffee
This area has a great "cafe culture," with lots of good Americana-style cafes. It's a great place to sit down and unwind at a curbside table, sipping away on latte, after a hard day trekking around. Not listed here are the more ubiquitous coffee chains like Starbucks, The Coffee Bean and Tea Leaf, and Peet's Coffee; although these are very well represented here too, particularly along Union St, Chestnut St, and Fillmore St.
Drink La Boulangerie de San Francisco
Traditional French bakery and cafe. The owner was born in Bordeaux France and has a lifetime of baking experience. The cafe sells bread made of organic flour from their very own wheat mill.
Drink Union Street Coffee Roastery
Decent coffee, an excellent location, plenty of seating, and very friendly staff are what attract patrons here.
Sleep
The neighborhoods in this district are really just that — neighborhoods; as such, you won't find many of the larger luxury chain-hotels here. Many of the areas accommodations are located on Lombard St, which runs east from Russian Hill to the Presidio in the West, and actually forms an informal boundary between the Marina and Cow Hollow. Most of the accommodations along Lombard range from run down motor lodges to slightly more respectable bed and breakfasts. Thankfully, as the area is not as congested as downtown, many of the hotels/motels offer free parking.
Budget
Stay Hostelling International-Fisherman's Wharf Hostel
Even if you're unsure about hostels, you should still consider this place; the location alone makes it worth your while, as it is in a park-like setting with great views of the Golden Gate Bridge and Alcatraz and is within easy walking distance of Fisherman's Wharf. It has a total of 150 Beds in dormitory style rooms. Quite clean and safe, with wi-fi, laundry facilities, lockers, free breakfast, and a cafe.
Mid-range
Stay Cow Hollow Motor Inn & Suites
Centrally located in the Cow Hollow neighborhood, this motel offers 112 standard and reasonably priced rooms. The decor is definitely dated and will not suit everyone — they have floral wallpaper that might just keep you up at night! However, the rooms are comfortable and they do offer free parking.
Stay Hotel del Sol
Voted CitySearch San Francisco's "Best Budget Hotel", "Best Family-Friendly Hotel," and "Best Hotel Pool" in 2006. Part of the fancy Joie de Vivre hotel group, this formerly nondescript motor lodge was rejuvenated with some cool colors, interior design, and upgraded management.
Stay Motel Capri
This is a small family run motel with just 46 guest rooms. Thankfully, this one is set back one block from the noisy Lombard St in a quieter residential area. This is definitely an older, slightly jaded motel, but the rooms are clean and the staff are extremely friendly. It's close to the shopping on Union St as well.
Stay Travelodge at the Presidio
Standard Travelodge, but set in an excellent location right on the cusp of the Presidio. If you like having the natural world close to your doorstep, then this is the place for you. With its proximity to the Palace of Fine Arts and the historic buildings of the Presidio, it's also a good place to come if you are a fan of architecture.
Splurge
Stay safe
Fort Mason and the Presidio are federal land under the Golden Gate National Recreation Area, rather than directly controlled by San Francisco. As such, law enforcement works differently there than in other parts of the city. While cannabis is legal under California law, it remains illegal under federal law, and as such possession or consumption may carry a hefty penalty if caught by federal park service while in The Presidio.
Go next
Golden Gate Park — If you're a fan of either Fort Mason or the Presidio, why not continue your tour into the enormous Golden Gate Park, where you'll find many more museums set in a natural park environment.
Fisherman's Wharf — If you like everything nautical and would like some more, you should check out the flotilla of fishing vessels at the Wharf.
Marin Headlands — Just north of the Golden Gate Bridge, you can find beaches, hiking, history, and spectacular views of the California coast.
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