Presidio (West Side) 2016-01-20

Presidio, located at the northern tip of San Francisco was an army post for more than two centuries. Today, it is a national park open to public with rich history, miles of hiking and biking trails with several impressive vista points overlooking the bay and San Francisco. Parking within the park is not expensive (by San Francisco standards) and is capped at $7. Free parking is also available in the streets outside of the park with posted restrictions.

Lobos Valley Overlook

We entered Presidio from the 14th Ave gate. We took the Anza trail, heading west, crossing 15th Ave and quickly coming upon Lobos Valley Overlook. From here, we continued on Anza trail to the Immigrant Point Overlook. For a while, this trail shares the sidewalk of Battery Caulfield Rd before becoming a dirt trail.

Immigrant Pt. Overlook

Immigrant Point Overlook has great views of the ocean and Marin coast, although today, visibility was low with fog. From Immigrant Point, we took the Connector trail - a long flight of steps that descends more than 200 feet to the Coastal trail.

Pacific Overlook

Coastal trail is a dirt trail and runs along the Pacific coast. In a short distance, it passes by Rob Hill on the right which has a World War II Memorial before coming to the next vista point, Pacific Overlook. You will have excellent views of Golden Gate Bridge from here as well as the next vista point.

GG Overlook

Continuing further by the Coastal trail, we came to Golden Gate Overlook with the best views of the historic bridge yet. All through, the trails pass by several erstwhile army battery buildings and other buildings that are actively used within the Presidio today.

Crissy Field

The trail goes under the GG Bridge & Toll Plaza to get us to the Welcome Center on the other side of Hwy 101. It is easy to access Crissy Field and the beach from here. We, however, stayed on Presidio Promenade and skirted by Crissy field from an elevation to come to yet another vista point, Crissy Field Overlook. 

From here, Presidio Promenade heads in a southerly direction, leaving the coast behind. All through, there are plenty of informational boards present. I was attracted to the one on Buffalo Soldiers by the Cavalry stables. It is easy to get completely absorbed in the two centuries of history in Presidio!

Cemetery Overlook

Leaving Presidio Promenade, we took the Park trail to wrap up our hike. The scenery also changes from an urban, multi-use trail to a rugged, hiking only dirt trail that goes through a thick forest. The trail also runs by the National Cemetery on the left. A short detour from the Park trail allowed us to stop by the last vista point for the day, National Cemetery Overlook. 

From here, we took the connector to the Bay Ridge trail, turning right to connect back with the Park trail at Park Blvd & Amatury Loop. Our home stretch on the Park trail passes through the Presidio Golf course before becoming somewhat non-descriptive and reaching the 14th Ave gate.

We covered the trails on the west side of the park with several impressive vista points. The park is very well directed. I have highlighted in bright yellow the trails we covered today. Feel free to print this map if you want. We will visit the Presidio to cover the east side one of these days.

More pictures from our 5.4 mile hike.
#Hiking #HikingWithDogs #Presidio #PresidioSanFrancisco #GGNRA #CoastalTrail