Presidio of San Diego

The Presidio of San Diego is a former Spanish colonial fort on a hillside overlooking the historic Old Town district and the river valley below. The grounds cover a wide green area with walking paths, picnic spots, and a museum housed in a towerlike building from the early 20th century.

Gaspar de Portolá founded the fort in 1769 as the first permanent European outpost on the Pacific coast of what is now the United States. The buildings were abandoned in the 1840s after years of neglect and their materials sold, though the site later became a public park.

The fort takes its name from the Spanish military term for a garrison and administrative center, while today visitors come to walk the grounds and enjoy the hilltop setting. Local families use the area for picnics and short walks, taking advantage of the elevated position above the river valley.

The park opens daily from 6 AM to 10 PM and offers green space, viewpoints, and educational programs on California's colonial period. Visitors should wear sturdy shoes for the uphill walk, as some paths are steep and uneven.

Between 1825 and 1829 the site served as residence for Mexican governors of the region before the structures fell into decay. The current towerlike museum building was erected in the early 20th century and does not stand on the original fort structures.

Location: San Diego

GPS coordinates: 32.75861,-117.19333

Latest update: December 5, 2025 22:29