Crissy Field

Crissy Field is a waterfront area in the Presidio featuring sandy shores, grassy meadows, and flat trails that stretch nearly two miles (three kilometers) along the bay. The site includes open lawns, restored wetlands, and several small beaches facing Alcatraz and the bridge.

The military used the site as an airfield from 1919 for early aviation missions, including transcontinental flights and formation drills. After the base closed, workers removed runways and buildings in the late 1990s to restore the shoreline.

The name comes from Major Dana H. Crissy, an Army pilot who died in an airplane crash in 1919. Today families fly kites, dogs run along the beach, and joggers use the flat paths with views toward the Golden Gate Bridge.

Wind can be strong in the afternoon, so bring warmer clothes even in summer. Paths are mostly flat and wide, making them accessible for wheelchairs and strollers.

The wetlands provide habitat for plovers and other shorebirds, best spotted during low tide. In spring you sometimes see harbor seals resting close to shore.