Exploring our neighborhood
We are incredibly fortunate to have access to a world-class park right at our doorstep.
With Chrissy Field, the iconic Golden Gate Bridge, and the serene Baker Beach, our school community is constantly reminded of the breathtaking natural beauty that surrounds us.
Access to nature is crucial for healthy development. Research has shown that exposure to natural environments enhances cognitive development, reduces stress, and fosters creativity. It provides children with opportunities for exploration, physical activity, and a deeper connection to the world around them. Nature also promotes a sense of wonder and curiosity, which aligns perfectly with our educational philosophy at Brightworks.
Being immersed in such a stunning natural setting allows our students to learn from the world itself, offering endless inspiration for their educational journey. We believe that this close proximity to nature is an invaluable asset in shaping well-rounded, environmentally conscious, and curious individuals.
PRESIDIO TUNNEL TOPS
Presidio Tunnel Tops offers experiences for kids unlike anything they’ve done before. Have adventures in nature and let your imagination run wild!
If you haven’t visited yet, a trip to Presidio Tunnel Tops Outpost should go straight to the top of your to do list. It’s incredibly well designed for all — for all ages, for all abilities and for all interests. From fire pits, to the field station, to the play area it is a place to hang out, to learn, to burn off some steam and to just be.
PICK UP A DISCOVERY GUIDE
Check out The Presidio Tunnel Tops Discovery Guide, designed with illustrator Jean Wei, offers fun ideas for exploring on your own. Download a copy or pick one up at Presidio Visitor Center or the Field Station.
PRESIDIO EXPLORER BACKPACK
The Presidio Explorer Backpack introduces families to self-guided adventures around the park. It includes a map, nature guides, a magnifying glass, binoculars, a sand sifter, colored pencils and paper, and a compass. Activity cards prompt fun ideas. Check it out from Presidio Visitor Center or the Field Station.
OUTPOST PLAY SPACE
Free. Open 9:30 am to 6pm April to October and 9:30 am to 5 pm November to March
The Outpost is a two-acre play space (the largest in the Bay Area) inspired by the Presidio’s nature and history. It appeals most to children ages 2 to 12.
Kids can swing, crawl, and climb on huge play structures built from fallen tree trunks, boulders, and other things inspired by nature. The physical challenges increase gradually, letting kids pick the level that feels right to them.
It also offers a discovery area for young children, two art and science spaces with activities, and a place where kids can build with natural materials from the park. Every feature is inspired by a unique Presidio story. The Outpost is also designed so that every child can experience the play structures. The primary pathways are fully wheelchair accessible.
FIELD STATION
Free. The Field Station is free and open Wednesday to Friday, 11 am to 4 pm; Saturday and Sunday, 10 am to 5 pm.
The Field Station takes its name from base camps where scientists do their research in the wild. At this hands-on space, kids use their eyes, ears, nose, and touch to identify plants, try out tools like microscopes, and create their own map for park adventures. They can also choose from a menu of self-guided experiences and field kits to use elsewhere in the Presidio. The Field Station will change with the seasons, so there’s always a reason to come back.
MEET THE ADVENTURE GUIDES
Adventure Guides assist kids and families at the Outpost and Field Station. They are young adults, and many are graduates from the Crissy Field Center youth leadership programs.
CRISSY FIELD CENTER + LEARNING LABS
Unlike the Outpost and Field Station, it’s not a drop in facility. Learn more on the Crissy Field Center website.
Crissy Field Center builds tomorrow’s environmental leaders. It offers programs for kids of all ages throughout the year in addition to camps and field trips. The center includes expanded classrooms, new Learning Labs, and a courtyard with an outdoor kitchen.
