Over the years it has played host to celebrities, professional and everyday golfers. Now, San Francisco’s Presidio Golf Course has been transformed into a 145-acre park.
The golf course and driving range were shut down when San Francisco instituted shelter-in-place orders. While golfing is still prohibited and the clubhouse is closed, officials with the Presidio Trust, which runs the course, have opened it up to the public to run, bike and walk. Dogs are not permitted.
“It’s a treat to be able to walk on the golf course,” said one visitor on a sunny Tuesday afternoon. “The golf course is very nice because you’ve got very wide paths and you can be separate from people, and people walking so you feel safe in terms of it. And there’s a lot of space.”
“I think it’s cool that they opened it up to everyone,” said Brie Johnson. “Because the parks are always crowded, but this way we’re able to spread out more.”
The course’s many well maintained lawns and fairways ringed by cypress trees, while public, are usually limited to a select number of golfers at a time. Walking along the course without a reservation is not only a faux pas, but can be unsafe with golf balls flying through the air at high speeds. All of those concerns are now gone.
“Not until the shutdown did I ever walk on the golf course,” said Jean Colvin.
One group of USF law students even gathered on the 18th fairway with their books and laptops.
“I’m studying for finals,” said Tameena. “So I’m changing scenery since our campus and library is closed.”
San Francisco officials have also begun shutting down some city streets to vehicles, including JFK Drive in Golden Gate Park, to allow more room for pedestrians to spread out.
Outdoor exercise is permitted under the city’s shelter-in-place order as long as outdoor spaces allow for social distancing and residents gather only with members of their own households, but socializing with others and activities such as picnicking are not allowed.