Can't Top This

San Francisco’s Presidio was already a fantastic place to hang out for the afternoon, a beautiful site within the largest urban national park in the United States (the Golden Gate National Recreation Area). And the Presidio Tunnel Tops is like a cherry on top.

Make that two cherries on top, with the newly opened (July 2025) Outpost Meadow, a 1.5-acre green space located at Old Mason Street across from the Crissy Field Marsh in the Presidio. That's more picnic and bbq tables (including wheelchair accessible options) in addition to many of Tunnel Tops' other outstanding features, including a campfire circle and impressive lookouts with seating for taking in a San Francisco sunset over the Golden Gate.

Tunnel Tops is just as it sounds: a park on top of tunnels! Presidio Parkway tunnels to be precise.

It’s a beautifully laid-out park designed for the community, with picnic tables and benches, reservable barbecue pits, expansive lawns, lush gardens, and playgrounds for kids. There's also the beautifully curated and informative Presidio Visitor Center.

And that view?! Pure San Francisco gold … as in the Golden Gate Bridge and the bay.

The short and easy Cliff Walk is a great way to see the park. Take a seat on one of the comfy giant benches carved from Presidio trees. And if that chilly summer weather rolls in, don’t worry! There’s a gas firepit carved into big boulders where you can warm up while admiring those marvelous bay views.

BONUS: Time your visit for a Presidio Pop Up Food + Beverage. Pick up some delicious eats from a selection of food trucks parked along the Main Parade Lawn.

CAMPFIRE TALKS: Drop in for a complimentary 30-minute campfire talk at Tunnel Tops' Campfire Circle, every Friday to Sunday at 4:00 p.m. National Park Service rangers share stories of people who have been an important and vital part of the Presidio's story, including Buffalo Soldiers, indigenous history, and Japanese Americans interned during World War II.

STAY: Lodge at the Presidio is worth a splurge for an overnight escape in the heart of the Presidio, and directly across the street from Tunnel Tops. Quiet, with plenty of outdoor patio space for relaxing, including around a firepit, the Lodge is registered under Historic Hotels of America. It's modern, with a nice complimentary wine & cheese reception in the evening, along with a morning breakfast. It's also dog-friendly!