1-2-3 Things -- A day out at Fort Point
Quick inspiration for a day out with the kids around the SF Bay Area
From kiddiewalks.com
- Visit Fort Point
- Walk the old Torpedo Wharf and see what people are fishing for. Grab a drink at the Warming Hut
- Fly a kite or have a picnic at Crissy Field
Fort Point
This civil war era fort predates the Golden Gate Bridge, and was luckily saved from the wrecking ball during the bridges construction. Park Rangers often put on demonstrations around the site so you can go learn how to load a cannon and pretend to fire it.
This Saturday August 15th is also Living History day (https://www.smore.com/mw3v7). Flag raising at 10AM kicks off infantry drills, artillery discussions, and various demonstrations throughout the site. What a great opportunity for photos at this iconic site with people dressed in period costumes.
Cost: free (donation appreciated)
Parking: in the Presidio can cost up to around $7 for a day pass (park by the Warming Hut for a nice central location)
Weather: it can get pretty windy, cool, and damp here - layers would be a good idea
Torpedo Wharf & The Warming Hut
The Torpedo Wharf is a great spot for bridge pictures and it’s just a short walk from Fort Point. Be careful walking along the pier, there are no guard rails, but you will often find many people fishing and crabbing and it’s really interesting to see what they have caught. The Warming Hut offers a decent cafe and a nice place to step out of the wind and has some limited seating. There is a gift shop here too, and your kids are bound to find something interesting. You will also find clean (but heavily used) bathrooms just outside of the Warming Hut.
All the programs are currently booked, but rangers will offer crabbing lessons on the pier here for those who sign up ahead of time and supply you with all the gear. (http://www.nps.gov/fopo/planyourvisit/guidedtours.htm and scroll down to seasonal programs).
Cost: Free + any drinks or souvenirs you might purchase
Bathrooms: Outside the Warming Hut
Crissy Field - Fly a kite or have a picnic
Bring a kite to fly, or just have a nice walk around this picturesque spot. Throw down a blanket and have a picnic in a wind break. Look for iconic views of the Palace of Fine Arts and the skyline downtown over the Marina. This is also a great spot for a shot of the Golden Gate Bridge. There is also beach access here to go dip your toes or just admire the view out to Alcatraz and Angel Island.
Did you know that the Crissy Field marsh was only recently restored and served as a small air field for the Presidio when it was an Army Base in the last century. It was a very minor air field servicing only smaller planes and helicopters, but recent improvements have made this a fantastic spot to visit.
Tips
- Get there early - the convenient parking can fill up up the weekends if the weather is nice
- http://www.waltdisney.org/ The Walt Disney museum is a fun stop just up the road a little at the main post
- http://www.presidioofficersclub.com/ The Presidio Officers club also has some wonderful family programs (http://www.presidioofficersclub.com/events/category/creative-family-fun/) and free admission, also on the main post
- The Beach Hut and Warming Hut offer decent affordable food, the Arguello Restaurant on the main post is a nice spot to visit too and you can see Andy Goldsworthy’s Earth Wall there too (http://www.presidioofficersclub.com/exhibits/earth-wall/).
- If you are there on Sunday, Off the Grid has food trucks out on the main post too (http://offthegridsf.com/markets/picnic#about)
Feeling Adventurous?
- When was the last time you walked up to and over the Golden Gate Bridge? Something we take for granted living here.
- http://www.houseofair.com/ Go spend an hour at the House of Air bouncing around their warehouse filled with trampolines
- http://www.planetgranite.com/locations/sanfrancisco/sf_faq.php Take the kids rock climbing at Planet Granite (they also offer intro courses in case you need to learn). It’s fun to go in and look around too!