Presidio National Park is an ideal locale for beginning and intermediate orienteers, with a central location and relatively easy terrain, not to mention historic buildings and scenic views.
Wooded areas do have some poison oak, so off-trail participants should wear long pants.
The start is near the visitors center so there are restrooms available. A Burger King is very close for food especially if you bring your young ones. They are welcome.
Pets are permitted in the park, so bring your pet along to orienteer with you. We have no special accommodations for pets so if you bring your pet, you are on your own in terms of care.
White, Pink, and Yellow courses will be ideal for beginners and less experienced orienteers and give a nice overview of the historical part of the Presidio.
This year the Long Orange course (about 9 k and 250 m climb) will tour the park boundaries using mostly all new locations.I think it is a very exciting course suitable for running or hiking. To do this I had to take a few liberties with the course settings. Crissey Field is undergoing extensive renovation, so it is excluded from the courses. The course is suitable for bike orienteering, so if there any who want to try the long orange on a bike (with a little walking) then we can accommodate it. Orange will be a shorter version (about 7k and 200 m climb).
From the North or South on Highway 1: Turn East on California St. and go about 13 blocks to Arguello Blvd. Turn left and go about 4 blocks, entering the Presidio via the Arguello Gate. Follow Arguello, veering right at the fork, all the way down to the Main Parade Ground (big parking lot). Follow the orienteering signs to the registration/start area.
From the East: Use the Lombard St. entrance. Go about 1/4 mile, veering right onto Presidio Blvd., which becomes Lincoln Blvd. Continue on Lincoln until the Main Parade Ground appears on the left between Graham and Montgomery.