Introduction to the Site as a Cultural Landscape: Recognizing Cultural and Natural Resource Values

Crissy Field is part of the Presidio of San Francisco, which is a unit of Golden Gate National Recreation Area. The Crissy Field cultural landscape was listed as a national historic landmark in 1962. Because of its historic role as the first Army Air Service coastal defense station on the West Coast, Crissy Field may also qualify as a national historic landmark in its own right. In 1994, when the Presidio's general management plan amendment was published, buildings at Crissy Field included the Spanish Revival airfield structures now used for maintenance of the Presidio, a cluster of World War II temporary barracks, and an 1890 lifesaving station.

Crissy Field's important natural features include the most intact and diverse foredune community in San Francisco, rare serpentine plants, and waterbird and shortbird habitat. The Golden Gate promenade, which extends along the length of the shoreline, is heavily used by runners, walkers, bicyclists, and people walking their dogs. The offshore waters provide a world-class sailboarding area. Views from the promenade are spectacular, taking in the bay, the Golden Gate Bridge, and Alcatraz Island.