Crissy Airfield

 

Originally a coastal wetlands occupied seasonally by the Ohlone people, the Crissy Field area has seen more changes in use than any other site in the Presidio. After being allocated for stables, warehouses, and a refuse site in the late 1800's, the tidal sloughs were filled for the 1915 Panama Pacific International Exposition. During World War I, barracks for 6,000 soldiers covered the area prior to construction of the airfield in 1919.

From 1921 to 1936 Crissy Army Airfield was the center of West Coast military aviation. During these years of explosive advances in air power, pilots from Crissy performed maneuvers and mock battles, flew endurance flights, surveyed the west by air, and scouted for forest fires. A major restoration of the airfield area was completed in 2001.

Tips and Highlights

• Park in beachfront lots just west of the Marina gate.
• Bring sweatshirts and sunglasses for the kids, as the wind can blow sand.
• Although the water is usually clean and safe, heed warnings when they are posted.
• The Warming Hut is, appropriately enough, a place to escape the wind and fog that blow through the Golden Gate.
• The wind usually picks up by mid-day. If you want a quiet walk, go during the early morning hours.
• You can legally fish or crab without a license at Torpedo Wharf at the west end of Crissy Field. Look for posted regulations.

Nature

A Monumental Restoration Effort
As part of the restoration, over 100,000 native plants representing 110 species were planted or seeded around the site. Since the restoration, biologists have identified over 17 fish species and 135 bird species in the tidal marsh, including herons, egrets, ducks, and gulls. Also, keep an eye out for the heads of California sea lions as they swim past Crissy Field!

Dungeness Crabs (Cancer magister)
Born in the open ocean, millions of crab larvae drift into the bay. The larvae grow into young crabs in food-rich shoreline areas such as the waters off Crissy Field. Because these orange crabs with white claws don't reach maturity until long after returning to the ocean, it is illegal to trap them in the bay.

Snowy Plover
Look for the small, shy Western Snowy Plover (Charadrius alexandrinus nivosus) - a threatened species that rests here in the winter. In California, there has been a significant decline in breeding locations as a result of various forms of human disturbance. The species is being strictly monitored and protected by the National Park Service. For more details see the Superintendent's Compendium and Exhibits (maps) on the Laws & Policies webpage and the 2008 Special Regulation codified at 36 CFR 7.97(d).

Crissy Field Wildlife Protection Area

Dogs must be restrained on a leash not more than six feet in length starting July 1 and ending May 15, in the Crissy Field Snowy Plover Protection Area. Dog walking restricted to on-leash only in the area encompassing the shoreline and beach north of the Crissy Field Promenade (excluding the paved parking area, sidewalks and grass lawn of the former Coast Guard Station complex) that stretches east from the Torpedo Wharf to approximately 700 feet east of the former Coast Guard station, and all tidelands and submerged lands to 100 yards offshore.

 

Learn More About Crissy Airfield

• 

  Crissy Field Next

  Learn more about what's next at Crissy Field

• 

  Dog-Walking Regulations at Crissy Field

  You and your pet can enjoy Crissy Field - Airfield, East & Central Beaches, Promenade.

• 

  Indigenous Period

  The Ohlone people are indigenous to Crissy Field.

• 

  Panama-Pacific International Exposition

  The site of the 1915 Panama Pacific International Exposition.

• 

  West Coast Military Aviation

  The Crissy Army Airfield was the center of West Coast military aviation.

• 

  Now & Then: Crissy Field

  Explore Crissy Field from Then until Now

• 

  Visit Crissy Field Center

  Hosts award-winning community and youth programs, including its popular Summer Camp.