The Presidio with Kids

If you're in town with children (and you have a car), the sprawling, bayside Presidio offers enough kid-friendly diversions for one very full day. Start off at Presidio Wall Playground, on the Presidio's southern edge, which has a disproportionate number of structures that spin. Swing by George Lucas's Letterman Digital Arts Center to check out the Yoda fountain; then head to the Immigrant Point Overlook on Washington Boulevard, with views of the bay and the ocean. Children love the pet cemetery, with its sweet, leaning headstones; it's near the stables, where you might glimpse some of the park police's equestrian members. Older kids might enjoy a stop at the Walt Disney Family Museum (104 Montgomery St. 415/345–6800) to see the model of Disneyland and a replica of the ambulance jeep Walt Disney drove during World War I. The last stop is Crissy Field, where kids can ride bikes, skate, or run along the beach and clamber over the rocks; the view of the Golden Gate Bridge from below is captivating. Two nature centers here have fun, hands-on exhibits for kids. Finally, stop by the Warming Hut, at the western end of Crissy Field, for sandwiches and hot chocolate. You can also do a version of this day using the PresidiGo Shuttle, but you'll need to adapt your route according to the shuttle stops.