October 28 and 30, 2024

Oct 28 and 30, 2024. Spent a couple days walking the trails of the Presidio (San Francisco) and marveling at the views and sites.

Spanish colonists created the Presidio, then a sand-dune landscape, on native Yelamu territory in 1776 to keep other Europeans away from their newly claimed land. It became a Mexican territory after Mexico gained independence from Spain in 1881. The US Army took over the Presidio during the Mexican-American War and continued to use it as an Army base/post until 1994. The Presidio has since joined the NPS while at the same time keeping zones clear for residential and commercial housing/businesses (Industrial Light and Magic being one such business). Trees were planted by various Presidio occupiers in the 1800s and beyond to ward off erosion, hence the present-day abundance of woods and greenery.

The Presidio is now a giant space filled with well-maintained multi-use trails, gorgeous landscaping, preserved natural areas, historic structures, and art. It was hard to choose photos for this post as there is so much to do and see. I walked 18 miles during those two days. I have to keep reminding myself to not overdo it while I am healing.

Photos include: views along the Batteries to Bluffs Trail, entrance to Visitor Center, Lovers Lane (the oldest trail – established in the late 1700s as a shortcut for colonists to get between the Presidio and Mission Dolores, later used by soldiers to get from their army housing to their wives/girlfriends outside the gates), the original spring used by all occupiers of this land stretching back into Yelamu times, views along the Upper Ecology Trail, Andy Goldsworthy “The Spire” (made from fallen Monterey cyprus trees, the 100-foot sculpture symbolizes rebirth – cyprus saplings were planted around the sculpture so that the work will eventually be obscured by new growth), views on the Bay Area Ridge Trail, National Cemetery Overlook, views along the Juan Bautista de Anza NHT, Pacific Overlook, Industrial Light & Magic, Palace of Fine Arts (concrete and steel, built for the 1915 Panama-Pacific Exposition, now used for galas, large-scale performances, events, and trade shows).

There is a lot to see here. So much more than my photos depict. Loved my two days walking all over the place.

A note about the free Presidio shuttles. Forget the schedule, it comes when it wants. Use the online tracker (on the Presidio website) instead.