This has become one of our favorite things to do on a Sunday morning.

Every Sunday, Off the Grid hosts a picnic in the Presidio from 11am to 4pm at the Parade Grounds. Off the Grid markets take place all around the Bay Area, with a collection of food trucks and food stalls from local culinary favorites.

The Presidio picnic is particularly awesome because of the beautiful grounds — untouched green grass surrounding by historic buildings, all with a view of San Francisco bay and the Golden Gate Bridge beyond. On a sunny day, it’s one of the most beautiful spots in San Francisco.

What makes this a particularly family friendly event, though, is the timing.

With a toddler, we usually get there around 9:30 or 10am, when there’s plenty of parking and long before the crowds fill up the lawns. The grass fields are wide open for kicking a soccer ball around while the food stands set up (and Mama drinks her coffee). Dozens of other families have the same idea, so our toys end up commingled — a soccer ball for a bubble wand, a baseball for a hula hoop — while our toddlers run in circles, delighted.

By the time the market opens at 11am, it’s toddler lunch time. We all settle down on our picnic blankets and get to be the first in line. (In other words: no need to wait in those long food truck lines!) We can eat lunch, play a little more, and be home by noon for naps.

So, to recap: parking as far as the eye can see, beautiful grass fields with a view of SF bay for playing, no food truck lines, and home before naptime. PERFECT TODDLER OUTING.

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Off the Grid Picnic at the Presidio

Every Sunday, 11am to 4pm

The Presidio’s Main Post Parade Ground Lawn

Other nearby highlights: Walt Disney Family Museum and The Presidio Officer’s Club (free)

Make sure to check fog conditions before you leave home, as The Presidio can get quite chilly and damp