San Francisco: The Best Family Day in The Presidio

Families in the San Francisco Bay Area understand how a simple outing can easily transform into a full day of smiles, exploration, and fresh air. In this post, I’ll share our favorite loop, from Marina Green, through Presidio Tunnel Tops, to Crissy Field, ideal for young children.

You can join at any point, skip stops if naptime beckons, and adjust the pace to match your little one’s rhythm. Whether you’re a local or visiting, I hope this guide helps you create lasting memories on one of San Francisco’s most scenic, family-friendly routes.

All of the places below have been saved in our Curated Map of San Francisco; check it out.

Why I Love This Route with My Kids

I always look forward to a day that starts at Marina Green and winds through Presidio Tunnel Tops before ending at Crissy Field because it feels like three adventures in one. Watching my children run free on the grassy lawns, explore hands on play areas, and splash by the bay with the Golden Gate Bridge in view never gets old. This loop is suitable for strollers and reachable without a car by using rideshares or the free Presidio GO shuttle, which saves me from parking headaches so I can focus entirely on making memories with my little ones.

What I Pack for a Smooth Day

San Francisco weather can switch from warm sunshine to cool fog in minutes, so I always bring lightweight hoodies and windbreakers to keep my kids comfortable. A change of clothes and a quick dry towel are must haves since nobody can resist splashing in Crissy Field’s chilly water, and having these items on hand prevents meltdowns. I carry a portable changing pad to handle diaper changes in any restroom or single stall, ensuring we keep moving without hunting for the right facilities.

Snacks like granola bars and fruit pouches plus refillable water bottles that I top up at drinking fountains along the way keep energy and hydration levels up. I apply sunscreen before we leave and again around lunchtime. To avoid circling for street parking, I rely on the Waymo app for robotaxi pickups or the Presidio GO shuttle that stops at the Transit Center so I can relax instead of worrying about meters.

My Go-To Presidio of San Francisco Itinerary

Early Morning 8:30–10:00 AM
I aim to arrive at Marina Green around 8:30 AM when the lawn is quiet and perfect for kite flying, scooter rides, or chasing bubbles while sailboats drift by. By 10:00 AM we leave the Green and follow the Bay Trail up Mason Street toward the Presidio Transit Center. This short stroll gives everyone a chance to spot birds and watch the Blue and Gold ferries depart the dock.

Mid Morning 10:00–11:30 AM
At the Transit Center my kids race to the Outpost nature play area to climb over logs and explore sand tables. If a breeze picks up we head inside the Field Station to warm up and try the interactive science exhibits. A midmorning snack at the café helps restore energy. I order coffee and focaccia for myself and cheese toasties for the kids at the same spot with private stalls and changing tables.

Lunch 11:30 AM–1:30 PM
Lunch happens on the East Meadow just beyond Tunnel Tops. Sometimes we spread a picnic blanket under a shady tree and other days we sample rotating food trucks that serve everything from tacos to mini donuts. The diverse options keep picky eaters happy and the grassy lawn is perfect for little ones to sit and rest.

Early Afternoon 1:30–3:00 PM
Around 1:30 PM we head downhill to Crissy Field and follow the path that hugs the water’s edge. Kids explore tide pools and hunt for seaweed treasures while we say hello to friendly off leash dogs. We stop at the Warming Hut Park Store for hot cocoa and a quick snack in its cozy seating before continuing under the Golden Gate Bridge if energy allows.

Late Afternoon 3:00–5:00 PM
If we still have energy we walk under the bridge to Fort Point where my kids marvel at the cannon batteries. On the way back we sometimes visit the Palace of Fine Arts to feed swans in the lagoon and use the rotunda restroom one last time. Finally I call a Waymo ride or catch the Muni 30 bus back to our starting point. If we drove I return to the Sports Basement lot or find metered parking along Marina Boulevard.

Flexibility Note

Feel free to join this route at any point or wrap up early if your child is still napping. I use this itinerary as a general guide and adapt it to our family’s rhythm, adding or skipping stops based on my little ones’ mood.

Bathroom & Diaper-Change Map

• The small restroom hut at the Marina Green playground has a changing table for quick stops.
• The Presidio Transit Center offers some of the cleanest restrooms with private stalls and changing pads, making it a great spot to regroup between activities. Truly some of the nicest bathrooms in all of San Francisco.
• The Outpost play area has an accessible restroom block steps away for hand washing or quick changes. We’ve used this a ton and there are always some stalls available for use.
• Sports Basement near the Transit Center provides indoor bathrooms and emergency gear if anything was forgotten.
• Crissy Field’s East Beach facility sits right off the sand with multiple stalls to minimize wait times.
• The Warming Hut Park Store restroom is covered and accessible, which makes windy afternoons much more pleasant.

Final Tips for a Stress Free Day

I always check the Waymo and Presidio GO schedules before heading out since service can change during special events. If we drive, arriving early to park at Sports Basement guarantees a spot. Otherwise I count on rideshares or the shuttle to avoid circling blocks.

Planning bathroom breaks every hour keeps my kids happy and comfortable and setting a reminder to reapply sunscreen around lunchtime protects their young skin from midday rays. Bringing a spirit of flexibility and adventure turns every stop into a special discovery whether we explore a new play area or chase seagulls along the bay. At the end of the day, the best part is watching my children learn, explore, and laugh together against one of the most beautiful backdrops in the world.

Want to have all of these places available in your maps app? Check out our Curated Map of San Francisco. We’ve also got some guides on some of the best group dining experiences in SF along with casual dining spots in San Francisco as well.