Crissy Field East Beach and Crissy Marsh
(scroll to bottom for photo gallery)
Location: Crissy Field East Beach, north edge of San Francisco’s Presidio
Starting Point: Start at Crissy Field East Beach Parking Lot, entrance on Mason St. running along the bay between Golden Gate Bridge and Fort Mason (extending straight west from Marina Blvd. before it veers left away from the shoreline)
Info links:
For all web links, if a link doesn’t jump directly, copy and paste into browser.
Crissy Field information link (Golden Gate National Parks Conservancy):
https://www.parksconservancy.org/parks/crissy-field
Crissy Field information link (Presidio.gov):
https://www.presidio.gov/places/crissy-field
Crissy Field East Beach information link (Presidio.gov):
https://www.presidio.gov/places/east-beach
Crissy Marsh information link (Presidio.gov):
https://www.presidio.gov/places/crissy-marsh
Golden Gate Promenade/Bay Trail information link (Presidio.gov):
https://www.presidio.gov/trails/golden-gate-promenade-bay-trail
Map link:
Presidio map (Presidio.gov):
https://www.presidio.gov/transportation-internal/Shared%20Documents/Presidio%20Map.pdf
Distance:
Visitors can just amble on the beach and enjoy the views while walking in the sand, or walk along the Golden Gate Promenade/Bay Trail to the Warming Hut, just over a mile away, or to Fort Point, 1.5 miles away. It is also possible to walk the half mile along the promenade past the marsh and make a loop back around the marsh by walking along Mason St. Distance options range from brief amble to three or more miles with an out and back walk to Fort Point.
Considerations:
• The Crissy Field East Beach parking lot is fairly large, but like anywhere else, tends to be fuller on weekends. The parking lot entrance (one way in, one way out) is also easy to miss, especially if there is construction along this stretch.
• A public bathroom/changing rooms with outdoor showers can be found at the Crissy Field East Beach parking area.
• Bicycles and dogs are also allowed on the promenade.
• Pay attention to health and safety signs, including wildlife information signs.
• Street smarts: Never leave items in sight inside your car, even just a jacket, and be sure to lock vehicle.
The trail:
The Crissy Field East Beach parking lot can be a busy place, but is large enough to find a spot even on weekends, for the most part. The gray concrete bathroom/changing rooms building is a good reference spot for starting.
The beach is just across from the parking area, with the promenade sidewalk as the border. Visitors can enjoy views of Alcatraz, the East Bay hills, the Marin Headlands, and the Golden Gate Bridge right there on this stretch of beach. There are usually wind surfers, sailboats, and ships in view to offer some excitement.
In the direction facing away from the Golden Gate Bridge, visitors can walk to the Wave Organ, but this post is for the stretch leading west along the promenade to Crissy Marsh.
This is one of the more popular city walks because it is easily accessible, and for beachgoers, is more protected from wind and rough surf than Ocean Beach. People-watching, seeing the various breeds of dogs on display, and watching windsurfers catch a good burst of air are all good sources of entertainment while walking along the beach or the promenade.
Facing the Golden Gate Bridge, the bay is on the right, and then just over a footbridge (after which the beach name changes to Crissy Field South Beach on the map), Crissy Marsh is on the left. Many varieties of water fowl visit the marsh, sometimes in large flocks, and sometimes hanging out alone looking poignant (looking at you, Great Egret).
We like walking the promenade path and watching the birds gather on the sparkling water of the marsh, but midway along the marsh, when a copse of scenic trees appears on the beach side, we take the wooden path toward the trees and walk on the beach, often finding a log to sit on for a break spot.
Some days we just turn around from here, but more often we walk down to the end of this stretch of beach and make our way back along the promenade, or take a path to Mason St. and make a loop return from the other side of the marsh to the parking lot, including the wooden path that cuts over the east end of Crissy Marsh.
This is a great walk for instant spectacular views, even if you just want to sit on the beach for a while.
For another walk in this same area, also check out Wave Organ-Crissy Field, Fort Point, and Palace of Fine Arts City Stroll.
(Crissy Field East Beach and Crissy Marsh Hike Notes were originally paired with the “Sharp Contrasts” Insights post.)
Click Insights/Hike Update News for inspiring reflections. Browse hikes on the main Hikes page or on the Hike Search by Area page. Check out selected articles and interviews under Media. Click World Walks to see or share favorite family-friendly walks! Stay in touch with Lisa Louis and HikingAutism via Contact. See products with inspiring designs that support the efforts of HikingAutism under Support/Shop. The Links page lists a loose collection of helpful information links.
Check the Home page for the broader background story. If you’re not able to take one of these Northern California hikes, hopefully you can enjoy the photo galleries at the bottom of each hike page! Feel free to share and follow on Facebook at HikingAutism, follow on Twitter at @HikingAutism and Instagram at lisalouis777
(scroll to bottom for photo gallery)
Location: Crissy Field East Beach, north edge of San Francisco’s Presidio
Starting Point: Start at Crissy Field East Beach Parking Lot, entrance on Mason St. running along the bay between Golden Gate Bridge and Fort Mason (extending straight west from Marina Blvd. before it veers left away from the shoreline)
Info links:
For all web links, if a link doesn’t jump directly, copy and paste into browser.
Crissy Field information link (Golden Gate National Parks Conservancy):
https://www.parksconservancy.org/parks/crissy-field
Crissy Field information link (Presidio.gov):
https://www.presidio.gov/places/crissy-field
Crissy Field East Beach information link (Presidio.gov):
https://www.presidio.gov/places/east-beach
Crissy Marsh information link (Presidio.gov):
https://www.presidio.gov/places/crissy-marsh
Golden Gate Promenade/Bay Trail information link (Presidio.gov):
https://www.presidio.gov/trails/golden-gate-promenade-bay-trail
Map link:
Presidio map (Presidio.gov):
https://www.presidio.gov/transportation-internal/Shared%20Documents/Presidio%20Map.pdf
Distance:
Visitors can just amble on the beach and enjoy the views while walking in the sand, or walk along the Golden Gate Promenade/Bay Trail to the Warming Hut, just over a mile away, or to Fort Point, 1.5 miles away. It is also possible to walk the half mile along the promenade past the marsh and make a loop back around the marsh by walking along Mason St. Distance options range from brief amble to three or more miles with an out and back walk to Fort Point.
Considerations:
• The Crissy Field East Beach parking lot is fairly large, but like anywhere else, tends to be fuller on weekends. The parking lot entrance (one way in, one way out) is also easy to miss, especially if there is construction along this stretch.
• A public bathroom/changing rooms with outdoor showers can be found at the Crissy Field East Beach parking area.
• Bicycles and dogs are also allowed on the promenade.
• Pay attention to health and safety signs, including wildlife information signs.
• Street smarts: Never leave items in sight inside your car, even just a jacket, and be sure to lock vehicle.
The trail:
The Crissy Field East Beach parking lot can be a busy place, but is large enough to find a spot even on weekends, for the most part. The gray concrete bathroom/changing rooms building is a good reference spot for starting.
The beach is just across from the parking area, with the promenade sidewalk as the border. Visitors can enjoy views of Alcatraz, the East Bay hills, the Marin Headlands, and the Golden Gate Bridge right there on this stretch of beach. There are usually wind surfers, sailboats, and ships in view to offer some excitement.
In the direction facing away from the Golden Gate Bridge, visitors can walk to the Wave Organ, but this post is for the stretch leading west along the promenade to Crissy Marsh.
This is one of the more popular city walks because it is easily accessible, and for beachgoers, is more protected from wind and rough surf than Ocean Beach. People-watching, seeing the various breeds of dogs on display, and watching windsurfers catch a good burst of air are all good sources of entertainment while walking along the beach or the promenade.
Facing the Golden Gate Bridge, the bay is on the right, and then just over a footbridge (after which the beach name changes to Crissy Field South Beach on the map), Crissy Marsh is on the left. Many varieties of water fowl visit the marsh, sometimes in large flocks, and sometimes hanging out alone looking poignant (looking at you, Great Egret).
We like walking the promenade path and watching the birds gather on the sparkling water of the marsh, but midway along the marsh, when a copse of scenic trees appears on the beach side, we take the wooden path toward the trees and walk on the beach, often finding a log to sit on for a break spot.
Some days we just turn around from here, but more often we walk down to the end of this stretch of beach and make our way back along the promenade, or take a path to Mason St. and make a loop return from the other side of the marsh to the parking lot, including the wooden path that cuts over the east end of Crissy Marsh.
This is a great walk for instant spectacular views, even if you just want to sit on the beach for a while.
For another walk in this same area, also check out Wave Organ-Crissy Field, Fort Point, and Palace of Fine Arts City Stroll.
(Crissy Field East Beach and Crissy Marsh Hike Notes were originally paired with the “Sharp Contrasts” Insights post.)
Click Insights/Hike Update News for inspiring reflections. Browse hikes on the main Hikes page or on the Hike Search by Area page. Check out selected articles and interviews under Media. Click World Walks to see or share favorite family-friendly walks! Stay in touch with Lisa Louis and HikingAutism via Contact. See products with inspiring designs that support the efforts of HikingAutism under Support/Shop. The Links page lists a loose collection of helpful information links.
Check the Home page for the broader background story. If you’re not able to take one of these Northern California hikes, hopefully you can enjoy the photo galleries at the bottom of each hike page! Feel free to share and follow on Facebook at HikingAutism, follow on Twitter at @HikingAutism and Instagram at lisalouis777