William Penn Mott, Jr. Presidio Visitor Center

What was once the nation’s premier Army post is now a vibrant 1,500-acre national park offering spectacular vistas, rich history natural beauty, and opportunities for recreation, entertainment, and play. And the new state-of-the-art William Penn Mott, Jr. Presidio Visitor Center offers and incredible array of experiences to visitors to help them discover the Presidio. Using inspiring video, engaging exhibits, and interactive tools, this is the park’s new “front door” and the launching pad for your Presidio adventure. The center is staffed with knowledgeable staff and interpreters to help visitors.

Learn about Presidio Visitor job openings.

The Historic Visitor Center Building

The Presidio Visitor Center is housed in a refurbished historic (circa 1900) guardhouse in the heart of the park with views overlooking the Golden Gate Bridge.

Dynamic Interpretive Exhibits

The Presidio Visitor Center offers some of the most cutting edge and interactive exhibits in the national park system. Just inside the entrance is a large-scale Presidio model surrounded by touchscreen panels that help visitors select destinations to visit during their day in the park. A large video wall features a calendar of daily events and dramatic imagery of the Presidio. Other exhibits include a “Voices of the Presidio” display in which several community members use shadowbox art to share what the park means to them. Additional exhibits showcase the history and natural setting of he park’s major regions: the Main Post (the cultural heart of the Presidio), the Golden Gate (iconic views), Crissy Field (recreation), and the Southern Wilds (nature exploration).

Interpretive Retail

In conjunction with the visitor center’s exhibits and orientation features, the interpretive retail area is a dynamic environment that offers changing high-quality merchandise interpreting the many themes of the Presidio and tools for exploring the parks.

Envisioned to educate, engage, and inspire, the Presidio Visitor Center’s interpretive retail offerings are divided into two areas: Park Tools and Park Learning.

Park Tools

To help visitors enjoy a day in the Presidio. Easily accessed in the south/orientation room and includes books and products to help visitors enjoy their time in the park. Park Tools encourage visitors to explore the outdoors: hiking, biking, and walking guides to find stunning landscapes and splendid views; blankets and outdoor dining ware for picnicking on the great lawn; sporting goods for open-air recreation; clothing for the often cool climate; and commemorative gifts and park merchandise that celebrate the Presidio and the Golden Gate National Parks.

Inside the William Penn Mott, Jr. Presidio Visitor Center Paul Myers/Parks Conservancy

Park Learning

Items used for more in-depth exploration of themes like nature, history, or conservation. Found in the north exhibit room, this is dedicated to more in-depth information offering visitors a curated selection of publications and products to further explore and appreciate the Presidio’s rich historic and natural resources. The evolving product mix includes the latest published materials and innovative items available, both from the general marketplace as well as the extensive list of publications and products developed by the Parks Conservancy’s award-winning retail team. With a significant focus on educational, interactive, and inspiring items for adults and kids, the Park Learning area sparks visitors’ imaginations and interests in nature, history, conservation, and learning.

Contact Information

210 Lincoln Boulevard, on the Presidio’s Main Post, San Francisco

Phone: (415) 561-4323

The Presidio Visitor Center will provide access to all parts of the Presidio and exemplify the American ideal that our national parks belong to everyone. We are grateful for the generous gifts to the Parks Conservancy from the Lisa and Douglas Goldman Fund, the Horace W. Goldsmith Foundation, and the William Penn Mott. Jr. Memorial Fund to make the dream of a visitor center a reality. 

Read more

• New Visitor Center Opens in Century-Old Guardhouse