San Francisco, CA (December 18, 2025) – The Presidio of San Francisco, one of America’s most treasured national park sites, is gearing up for an exciting 2026, offering new restaurants, engaging museum exhibitions, and endless opportunities for outdoor adventures. In addition, the list of evergreen amenities and activities is long, so check the website for complete details.
El Presidio Turns 250
In 2026, the Presidio of San Francisco commemorates its 250th anniversary – a milestone that marks the founding of El Presidio de San Francisco on September 17, 1776. This defining moment in the history of the American West unfolded at the very same time the Declaration of Independence was being signed on the east coast.
The Presidio’s story spans millennia and multiple cultures – from the Ramaytush Ohlone people who lived on this land for thousands of years, to Spanish and Mexican colonists, to the U.S. Army, and now to the millions of visitors who explore it as a national park site. As the nation reflects on America 250 (a multi-year initiative to commemorate the 250th anniversary of the founding of the United States) the Presidio offers a rare window into the earliest chapters of westward expansion and the complex, interwoven histories that shaped the region.
Today, visitors can experience this history firsthand. Self-guided walks, interpretive landscapes like Battery Bluff and El Polín Spring, and free exhibitions at the Presidio Officers’ Club and Presidio Visitor Center bring centuries of stories to life, inviting visitors to step into the past and learn more about the land at the Golden Gate. Partners across the Presidio and the Golden Gate National Recreation Area will host special programs and events that honor this extraordinary legacy throughout the park’s anniversary year. Check the website for updates.
I Am An American: First Stop Kicks Off National Tour
I Am An American: The Nisei Soldier Experience, a provocative national exhibit about World War II Nisei Soldiers opens at the Presidio Military Intelligence School Historic Learning Center in San Francisco on February 23, running through July 31. This is the first stop on what will be an 11-city tour over five years. The exhibit highlights the patriotism, courage, and selfless service of the Japanese American World War II Nisei Soldiers who served courageously in the European and Pacific Theater while their families battled discrimination at home. Exploring six thematic areas, the 1,500 square foot exhibit will feature 41 wartime objects to illuminate the service of the United States Army’s 100th Infantry Battalion, 442nd Regimental Combat team, and Military Intelligence Service. Themes include the historical context of life in Hawaii and Wartime Relocation Authority camps.
I Am An American is hosted in San Francisco by the National Japanese American Historical Society with the Presidio Trust. The exhibit is presented by the National Veterans Network (NVN) with the National Museum of the United States Army and supported by The Army Historical Foundation. See the website for tickets and information.
For a complementary experience, visit the related, award-winning exhibition in the Presidio Officers’ Club, EXCLUSION: The Presidio’s Role in World War II Japanese American Incarceration, open Fridays to Sundays, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. (free), through July.
Happiest Place on Earth: The Disneyland Story
The Walt Disney Family Museum in the Presidio presents a special exhibition, Happiest Place on Earth: The Disneyland Story. Very popular since its November opening, this exhibition will be on view through May 2026. Visit the website for more information.
Mess Hall at the Presidio Opens Summer 2026
Set to open in summer 2026, Mess Hall at the Presidio will introduce an exciting food and beverage destination adjacent to the iconic Presidio Tunnel Tops. Designed as an all-day eatery, it will feature an inviting café (proudly serving Wrecking Ball Coffee), a full cocktail–wine–beer bar showcasing standout selections from California and beyond, a three-concept all-day food hall, and a retail market – all housed within a historic building with sweeping views of the San Francisco Bay.
James Beard Award–winning chef and author Peter Serpico is leading the development of the food concepts and culinary offerings, bringing some of San Francisco’s favorite flavors to the Presidio with his own refined, personal approach.
For updates on the Mess Hall’s opening – including soon-to-be-released design sneak peeks, team member announcements, career opportunities and more – visit messhallpresidio.com and follow @messhallpresidio on Instagram.
Summer Event Season Begins in June
Each year, the Presidio offers a new season of community gatherings, festivals, and special cultural events that enliven the park on weekends from June through September. We do this in partnership with community organizations. Watch the website in May for the 2026 lineup.
A More Comfortable, Green Ride to the Park
The Presidio offers a free shuttle providing rides from downtown San Francisco to and around the park. In spring of 2026, we’ll welcome four new electric, low-floor buses to the fleet, making it easier for people of all ages and abilities to board. With this new addition, the Presidio GO Shuttle fleet will become 60% electric, making transportation much more efficient. New battery-electric shuttle buses will pick-up from stops in downtown San Francisco, providing visitors more options to come enjoy the park. Along with Muni bus routes, Lyft Bay Wheels bike shares, found at multiple Presidio stations, are also an alternative to driving, providing an easy way to get up the hills to discover the park’s far-reaching treasures.
Ongoing Adventures and Playtime for All Ages
The Presidio remains a hub for free family-friendly playtime and outdoor adventures:
- The Outpost and Field Station at Presidio Tunnel Tops provide hours of nature-play and ecological discovery. Kids can climb, build, and explore two acres of innovative terrain, and enjoy self-guided activities including the Explorer Backpack toolkits at the Field Station discovery lab.
- The Presidio offers miles of trails, gardens, beaches, and scenic overlooks throughout the park. View self-guided itineraries to help plan the day or stop by the Presidio Visitor Center to talk with knowledgeable National Park Service Rangers or pick up a map.
- Picnicking in the park is a breeze with many “first-come-first-served” sites, and a few reservable areas that offer grills and space for a crowd.
- Camping season at Rob Hill Campground, one of only two campgrounds in San Francisco, opens April 1 and runs through October. Book a picnic or camping spot on https://www.recreation.gov/.
- Other options for recreational fun include bowling, spa, theatre, restaurants, food trucks, museums, and more. Book a tee time at the public 18-hole Presidio Golf Course—one of the most historic on the west coast.
Stay in the Presidio
It’s no wonder Presidio Lodging was named by Trip Advisor’s 2025 Traveler’s Choice Best of the Best. The two boutique hotels, Inn at the Presidio and Lodge at the Presidio, housed in historic buildings continue to attract savvy, adventurous, and eco-conscious travelers who seek a city experience, but with the relaxing atmosphere of being in a national park. Ample European-style breakfast buffets and complimentary afternoon wine and cheese receptions by flickering firepits enhance the visitor experience, which is also pet and family-friendly.
