Here's a thought worth dwelling on: the Presidio might be the single best public investment San Francisco has going. A former military post turned national park, it operates under the Presidio Trust — a rare example of a public entity that actually manages to be largely self-sustaining through leases and partnerships rather than endlessly feeding at the taxpayer trough. Novel concept, we know.

And people are noticing. The Tunnel Tops playground, which opened in 2022, has quietly become one of the most beloved spots in the city. As one SF resident put it, it's got a "GG Bridge and Alcatraz backdrop, nearby food trucks, one of the better playgrounds in the city, parking available in the Presidio." Another local called it home to "the most scenic sandbox in the world" — and honestly, they're not wrong.

The beauty of the Presidio is that it doesn't cost you anything to enjoy. No $40 museum ticket. No $15 parking garage. No surge pricing. Just wildflowers, trails, and one of the most photographed bridges on the planet. In a city where government agencies routinely burn through billions with little to show for it, the Presidio stands as proof that public spaces can be spectacular and fiscally sound when they're managed with actual discipline.

So before you drop half your paycheck at some overpriced waterfront tourist trap, do yourself a favor: drive to the Presidio, park for free, and walk among the Pride of Madeira. Your wallet — and your Instagram — will thank you.

San Francisco doesn't need more spending to be great. Sometimes it just needs to get out of its own way and let the scenery do the talking.