Best (free) Park in the World
If you live in Northern California or are planning a trip to SF, I MUST insist you visit Presidio Tunnel Tops.
It is important to mention that you need to put Sports Basement into your GPS, next to the Golden Gate Bridge… we learned this the hard way. It’s basically one of the last exits before the Golden Gate Bridge. Stay in the right lane with sharp eyes so you don’t miss it!
The Chronicle calls "the spectacular Presidio Tunnel Tops," a triumph of imagination and generosity of Bay Area donors. I like to think of it as if Anthropologie x Disney’s California Adventure made a baby. Tunnel Tops cost $118 million to create but admission is free!
My number one tip is to park in the Sports Basement lot which cost $5 or 6. You are now next to the entrance to the Outpost playground. There are 15 different “pods” within the playground for kids ranging ages 2-12. There is sorting, nature play and climbing. So much climbing.
The water feature brought many heart eyes from my sensory seeking 4 year old. My #2 tip is to bring a change of clothing and a towel for your kid if you are planning to let them fly their freak flag.
At the end of the park is one big restroom (ALL genders, which we can have a separate chat about.. I think I’m actually a fan!), and the CURSE WORD fantastic Field station, which is open Weds-Sunday (closed Monday and Tuesday. Inside… NO WORDS! Tons of different activities for kids (and adults) to draw, smell, engage with and explore (I just really wanted my family to leave me alone so I could have a Me Moment in there but alas… maybe next time).
If you ascend the stairs or ramp to the top of the park, incredible panoramic views of the Golden Gate Bridge, Alcatraz and the Palace of Fine arts await, along with plenty of grass for a picnic.
There is a V bougie cafe called Il Parco at the top where you can tuck in for a glass of wine or cocktail to go. They also have food options and out of everything we tried the lasagna was the best but in terms of lunch or dinner, YOU ARE IN SAN FRANCISCO! I must direct you to Little Italy for Tony’s Pizza Napoletana, home of 13-time World Pizza Champion, Tony Gemignani. The La Regina pizza made both my husband and I weak in the knees and we are hard to please!
Hours for the INCREDIBLE and free “Field Station,” where you can go inside for different AMAZING nature activities and interactive stations. Think: the Jungle Cruise station but you can touch everything!
