Free shuttle service to the Presidio from Bayview Hunters Point throughout October

 

Free guided hikes, beach trips and events will be offered

San Francisco – The Presidio Trust and Golden Gate National Parks Conservancy has announced the launch of a pilot program designed to expose more Bay Area residents to the beauty and recreational activities available in the Presidio, most of which is not affected by the federal government shutdown.

Presidio-of-SF-Batteries-to-Bluffs-Trail-to-Marshalls-Beach, Free shuttle service to the Presidio from Bayview Hunters Point throughout October, Local News & Views “The Presidio and its partners are rolling out the welcome mat,” said Presidio Trust Executive Director Craig Middleton. “Over the past 20 years the Presidio has been transformed from an Army base to a dynamic visitor destination. We don’t want transportation to be a barrier to those who would like to enjoy the Presidio’s beauty, events and programs.”

The temporary program is a one-month pilot that provides free shuttle service between the Bayview Hunters Point community and the Presidio. The goal of the program is to welcome and encourage the community to explore and enjoy the Presidio and to test whether eliminating the transportation barrier is effective at drawing new local visitors.

It is also intended to promote the existing PresidiGo shuttle service which offers free weekday service from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. and after 7:30 p.m. between downtown and the park. Surveys completed by shuttle participants and program participation levels will help park management determine if a free shuttle program is a worthwhile future investment.

In spite of the current federal government shutdown affecting the National Park Service, many free activities are still being offered in the Presidio every Saturday in October to engage, excite and entertain park visitors. They include Golden Gate Bridge walks, family hikes, nature trail scavenger hunts, an international sand building competition, staff-led and self-guided park tours, family camping clinics, ocean view hikes and many others.

The goal of the program is to welcome and encourage the community to explore and enjoy the Presidio and to test whether eliminating the transportation barrier is effective at drawing new local visitors.

Free day passes to the Presidio YMCA are being offered to all participants for use on Saturday or a future visit, as well as free three-hour bike rentals for the first 30 visitors each Saturday, discounts on bowling and access to the Walt Disney Museum and more. All activities occur amid spectacular views of the San Francisco Bay, the forests and natural beauty of the parklands, Alcatraz and Angel Islands, and of course the magnificent Golden Gate Bridge.

“By providing additional visitor opportunities to explore this major park site in an urban area, we are continuing our efforts to link visitors from near and far to the beauty and rich history of the Presidio,” said Golden Gate National Parks Conservancy President and CEO Greg Moore.

For more information about the free Presidio Shuttle program and park activities, or to reserve space for you, your family or your community group, call (415) 561-3054. To see the shuttle schedule, activities and special events, go to http://www.parksconservancy.org/assets/visit-your-parks/bayview-hunters-point.pdf.

About the Presidio

The Presidio is managed by two distinct federal government agencies: the National Park Service manages the coastal areas and beaches, and the Presidio Trust manages the non-coastal areas, including most of the park’s buildings and interior open space. The Golden Gate National Parks Conservancy is the non-profit partner that supports both land managers in the Presidio as well as the larger Golden Gate National Recreation Area. To learn more, visit www.presidio.gov or www.parksconservancy.org. The Presidio Trust is not reliant on federal appropriates for operations of non-coastal areas and is not affected by the federal shutdown.