Hike San Francisco Presidio's largest watershed

Watershed Moment

Take an easy 2-mile hike that traces the Presidio's largest watershed, Tennessee Hollow

Woman wearing a white backpack walks down a winding path

Part old military command post, part national park, and wholly San Francisco: The Presidio is an amalgamation of the city’s past with an eye to the future. And it offers some of the best urban hiking in California—dare we say in the country! The new marsh bridges going under Presidio Parkway offer more habitat for plants, fish, and bird life … and trails for us!

Take an easy 2-mile hike that traces the Presidio’s largest watershed, Tennessee Hollow. From the gentle beach breaks at Crissy Field up to the panoramic Inspiration Point Overlook, enjoy several highlights along the route. Starting from East Beach you’ll pass over the Crissy Field Marsh, favored by great blue herons and other spear-fishing birds. The bridge here is a great vantage for viewing the Golden Gate Bridge.

Continue, picking up the path underneath Presidio Parkway, and the Quartermaster Reach Marsh—7 acres of newly completed marshland that was once wasteland. Today it’s a wetland ecosystem, with fresh water flowing into saltwater, creating a biodiverse habitat of plants, fish, birdlife, even an effort to revitalize the native Olympia oyster.

Follow signage and your map to highlights including the historic brick Lovers’ Lane Bridge, El Polin Spring and adobe wall ruins, and up alongside a beautiful redwood grove to Inspiration Point Overlook.

Follow the Ecology Trail to descend into the heart of the park, along Funston Avenue and Halleck Street, returning to the Quartermaster Reach Marsh and Crissy Field.

Bonus points if you time your hike for sunset viewing on the beach!

LISTEN TO THE PODCAST: In the episode “Happy New… Trails!” Weekend Sherpa co-founders Brad and Holly discuss hiking the Tennessee Hollow Trail in the Presidio.

Park at Crissy Field’s East Lot. Here’s a map of the Tennessee Hollow Trail in the Presidio. Dog-friendly!

Trending Stories NorCal

View all Stories
  1. Afternoon on the Island

    What is it about tiny islands in the middle of lakes? There’s something that just draws you in. It’s even more fun when getting there is half the adventure because you have to reach it by canoe, kayak, paddleboat, or a ranger-guided boat tour!

    View
  2. Golden Gate's Blue Heron

    Golden Gate Park’s Blue Heron Lake is home to birds of many feathers, turtles lounging on rocks, visitors from afar, and locals who love this urban oasis in San Francisco. Try the "Boats and Breakfast" rowboat or pedal boat deal.

    View
  3. This Is Paradise

    Granite mountain-scape, superb sunset views, crystal lakes, and shoreline campsites … the trip to Paradise Lake in Tahoe National Forest lives up to its idyllic name.

    View
  4. Aloha from California

    Say Aloha without leaving California with a 7-mile out-and-back hiking adventure to Lake Aloha in El Dorado National Forest. You can also camp here, a premier place for stargazing.

    View

Trending Stories SoCal

View all Stories
  1. Walking the Los Angeles River Trail Through Frogtown

    Frogtown Strutter’s Stroll

    Don’t go dismissing the Los Angeles River as merely a 51-mile concrete channel. It’s a genuine urban artery that links real neighborhoods, and its riverside bike/ped paths endear i

    View
  2. Coming Up Roses

    Looking to spice up your hiking life? Give your partner a rose—Mount Rose! The 10-mile out-and-back peak hike goes up to one of the grandest views in all of Lake Tahoe. Get ready f

    View
  3. Underground Garden

    Looking to escape the summer heat? Head to Fresno and discover its cool secret: the Forestiere Underground Gardens–an enchanting garden and architecture oasis like no other.

    View
  4. Sequoia Re-opens Crystal Cave

    Step inside Sequoia & Kings Canyon National Park's hidden world by visiting the newly re-opened Crystal Cave—the only cave in the parks open to the public. Closed for four years, this rare marble karst cavern is welcoming visitors once again, but only through the summer season!

    View