Presidio's Main Parade Ground

​​​​​​Ahh, the large, inviting lawn of the Presidio's Main Parade Ground! It's hard to imagine that the grass wasn't always here, especially after you've wiggled your toes in it while picnicking or attending an outdoor festival.​​

The Main Parade Ground is located in the heart of the Presidio between Montgomery, Lincoln, Graham, and Sheridan Streets, just a short walk from the Presidio Officers' Club. Framed by rows of historic buildings and magnificent San Francisco Bay views, the Main Parade is the perfect green space for enjoying a relaxing moment in the outdoors.

Whe​n it was first established in 1898, the Main Parade Ground had a very different purpose. It served as training site where the soldiers who lived in the adjacent red brick barracks conducted drills and exercises and participated in military ceremonies. The largest parade ground in the Presidio, it was the post's social center. Sadly, in 1937, its historic past was buried with asphalt, and the monumental grounds became a seven-acre parking lot.

That all changed in 2011 when two-thirds of the parking lot was transformed into a large green gathering space for events, recreation, and pure leisure. Today, it's a perfect resting spot after a day of hiking in the park or visiting other Main Post attractions like the Walt Disney Family Museum and the Society of California Pioneers. If you didn't pack your own picnic, consider grabbing lunch to go at nearby TRANSIT and tossing out a blanket on the green expanse. It's a great place to toss a Frisbee.