Around the Presidio

I haven’t gotten around to mentioning it yet, but I’ve spent the summer in San Francisco. I’m taking a class one day a week and interning at an advertising agency the other four. My new favorite pastime is exploring the winding (and hilly) streets, diverse restaurant scene, and awe-inspiring views of the Cool Gray City of Love.

One of my favorite spots in the city is the Presidio, because it makes me feel like I’ve escaped the city. The Presidio is a former military fort turned national park. It offers 1,500 acres of historic Spanish architecture, scenic snapshots of the Golden Gate, and miles of wonderland trails.

The Presidio’s offerings go beyond the greenery. I could spend hours walking around the Walt Disney Museum, sipping a hot chocolate on Crissy Field, or wandering around the historic buildings. And when you’re hungry, grab lunch at the weekly Presidio Picnic or one of the park’s many restaurants.

The surrounding Presidio Heights is just as stunning. Since I (usually) try to walk most places in the city, I spend a lot of time daydreaming about the houses – er, castles – in the area.

Since the Presidio used to be a military outpost, a short stroll will turn you into a history buff. Every building in the park has a story, so it’s easy to spend hours getting lost in the old officers’ homes and stately inns.

Of course, the trails offer covetable panoramic views of the bay. The Crissy Field Overlook offers one of my favorite landscapes of the city.

I love ending my walks in the area with a stop with a coffee or hot chocolate from The Warming Hut. I wrap up in a cozy sweater, sip on a warm nightcap coffee, and enjoy the sound of seagulls and waves from the boardwalk.

I like to round out my Presidio adventures with a stroll on the beach – but since my apartment is almost a two hour walk away, I tend to take an Uber back. If I’m not careful, too much walking could turn into “exercise.” And we wouldn’t want that.