Crissy Field

Crissy Field, located at 1199 East Beach, San Francisco, CA, was originally an airfield on the Presidio Army Base. Once the base closed, the Presidio and Crissy Field became part of the Golden Gate National Recreation Area.

In 1994, Crissy Field was transformed from a military airport into an open space for public use that features: 22 acres of sand dunes and a tidal marsh, as well as scores of repopulated native plants. The restoration has lured several species of birds and fish back into the area.

The East Beach section of the park is a popular and challenging spot for windsurfers and kite surfers. March through October provide the best winds for these activities. The park also features unobstructed views of the Golden Gate, Alcatraz and the San Francisco Bay area, and provides picnic areas, museums, cafés, shops and pedestrian/bike promenades.

Some tips for visitors include: bring a sweatshirt and a friendly dog attitude, the wind usually picks up by mid-day so arrive early for quiet walks, and park in the beachfront lots just west of the Marina gate.

Other notable areas maintained by the Golden Gate National Recreation Area include Muir Woods, Alcatraz, the Marin Headlands, Stinson Beach, Lands End and of course, the Presidio.