If you find yourself in The Presidio, you’re in for a treat! To locals this location may be deemed as the wilderness of San Francisco. The Presidio is a National Park and former Military base. This bit of history may not even be known to the many locals who use it recreationally.
I’ve lived just outside the Presidio for 12 years and have worked in it for almost 10. This park’s beauty has lured me in the most natural way possible.
One of the many reasons for this is I thoroughly enjoy the art installations by Andy Goldsworthy. The first one I ever laid eyes on was The Spire. It stands strong and mighty looking back at the cityscape of San Francisco. It seems to offer its own identity as a natural skyscraper. When I first laid eyes on it, I was in total wonder. It reminded me of a nostalgic children’s book, Where the Wild Things Are by Maurice Sendak. I half expected to see little creatures come out of the woodwork to investigate my presence and if I was a threat to the Spire.
That sort of feeling is evoked if you visit this site-specific art installation. Please do yourself a favor art fans and look up Andy Goldsworthy. His style is playful, sometimes interactive, and has such wonderful underlying and evocative meanings that make you rethink art and imagination. I also love how locals have created similar wood structures mimicking Goldsworthy throughout the park. It’s inspiring!
Explore San Francisco like a local with Spotted by Locals - discover hidden gems and all our locals’ favourites! Get full access to our San Francisco guide.
My neighborhood park is San Francisco is "Mountain Lake Park." It's one of our last remaining natural lakes,
By
You'll sail completely around Alcatraz and then out to sea, pass other boats, and experience the fog rolling into the Bay—a very cool experience.
By
Custom-built in Italy, it features more than 30 colorful animals and is the only bay area carousel with artistic renderings of all the SF landmarks!
By
"Trouble Coffee" in San Francisco is a category of its own. Let's say it belongs to the 'badass coffee' category. Makes me feel like a rough surfer girl!
By
It's an easy hike with trees, ferns, and other bits of nature surrounding the trail. If you stop and listen, you will hear… nothing.
By
"Hook Fish Co" in San Francisco is deep in the Sunset Avenues and is perfect for when you have a hankering for some scrumptious fish tacos!
By
I love coming to Alamo Square in San Francisco and getting a yummy park coffee from Lady Falcon Coffee Club and their converted 1940s bread truck!
By
"Saint Frank Coffee" in San Francisco feels like an airy museum on the inside. I always leave with a few bags of coffee and an iced latte in hand...
By
I've never been to a cafe that made me feel as if I had been teleported to another place than "Stable Cafe" in San Francisco... Felt like I was in Italy!
By
"The Mill SF" with its red brick exterior gets one curious straight away! I come here for their awesome toast, especially the cinnamon sugar toast!
By
TIme has almost forgotten the "Presidio Pet Cemetery" in San Francisco, with pet hedge stones & names from when this was an active Army base...
By
What makes "SPRO Coffee Lab" in San Francisco and its food truck special is their specialty crafted coffee drinks & artisanal goods. It's a gem of a spot!
By
156 Insider Tips from our local Spotters
Authentic Stories by Real People
Escape the crowd & travel slow 🐌
✓ 156 Insider Tips from our local Spotters