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
A Monumental Restoration Effort
Dungeness Crabs (Cancer magister)
Visit Crissy Field
Last updated: February 28, 2015