San Francisco's Newest Picnic Spot Comes With a View of the Golden Gate Bridge (and Accessible Tables)

A new section of San Francisco’s popular Tunnel Tops park opened this week in the Presidio, welcoming picnickers and lawngoers to a slice of wide open park space overlooking Crissy Field — with a prime view of the Golden Gate Bridge.

The original Tunnel Tops footprint opened in 2022, in which time it’s already seen 5 million visitors, said Jean Fraser, president of the Presidio Trust. With half a million kids using the park’s playground, and high demand for its reservable picnic tables, “what we found is people want more,” she said.

The new 1.5-acre section, named Outpost Meadow, opened to the public on Thursday, expanding the park down this Presidio hill all the way to the Sports Basement parking lot.

Funded by a grant from the California Natural Resources Agency, it features native plants, barbecues, shade umbrellas, bike parking and direct Muni access — so you can spread out, hang out and take in the view.

Here’s what you need to know about visiting Outpost Meadow — and how to enjoy one of those new picnic tables before the word gets out.

Jump straight to:

• How can I snag a picnic table here?
• How do I get to Outpost Meadow?
• What is there to do nearby?

What’s new about Outpost Meadow?

Designed by the same group behind New York City’s The High Line public park, built on an elevated railway line, Outpost Meadow offers 25 free new picnic tables to the public. Some tables are in their own secluded areas and others surround a big open lawn; many have shade umbrellas, but all tables are wheelchair accessible.

“One of the things we really want to make sure is that people who do have mobility challenges can get out into nature,” Fraser said. “All of us need that.”

Richard Kennedy, a partner with design firm Field Operations, said the park’s expansion was “an inevitability,” fulfilling the Presidio’s long-term goal to fully connect its park space all the way to the Golden Gate Bridge.

“The Outpost Meadow widens things up again so that families can now spill out [and] have some decompression space,” Kennedy said.

How can I get a picnic table at Outpost Meadows?

The new tables are currently free and open for use. And unlike other Tunnel Tops and Crissy Field picnic tables, you don’t have to reserve any of them right now — although Presidio officials say a reservation system will be implemented online in October for a portion of the new tables.

So for now, make sure you turn up early to snag your table, especially if it’s for a special occasion or a planned meetup, or if you’re hoping to use one of the four barbecue grills.

How do I get to Outpost Meadow?

The new park replaces some of the former Sports Basement parking lot. So if you plan to drive to Outpost Meadow, look out for those parking spaces that have now been moved to the building’s northern side.

The Muni 30 bus turnaround has also been moved to accommodate the new space and is now located along Mason Street, where both the Tunnel Tops and Sports Basement bus stops reside. You can get off Muni and walk straight to Outpost Meadow.

You can also take the free Presidio Shuttle from downtown San Francisco to the upper portion of the park, and then use the ramp or stairs down to the meadow.

Or, hop on your bike and ride on down — there’s plenty of bike parking available adjacent to the Sports Basement parking lot and next to Mason Street.

What should I bring to Outpost Meadow?

If you’re coming for lunch, bring a picnic or get grilling on one of the barbecues provided in the park. There are also food trucks and a small cafe nearby.

Some of the picnic tables are more exposed, facing the meadow, while others are tucked away in clusters, so “depending on your mood or depending on who you’re with or what you’re looking for, you can find that space,” Kennedy said.

Bring a blanket, Frisbee and other lawn games for the central meadow space. And don’t forget about San Francisco’s unpredictable weather — roll up with both a jacket and sunscreen, just in case. There are restrooms with water fountains just up the hill, accessible by ramp or by stairs.

What is there to do nearby?

The Presidio stretches all the way to the Golden Gate Bridge (1.3 miles away) if you’re looking for a bike ride or scenic walk. You can bring your own or rent a bike at right there at Sports Basement.

Head down to Crissy Field’s beach, marsh or open lawn to stretch out and soak in the views. You could also head east to the Palace of Fine Arts (0.8 miles) or even farther to Fort Mason (2 miles) or Aquatic Park and Ghirardelli Square (2.2 miles) to make a whole day out of it.