The Presidio Tunnel Tops — that gorgeous park built on top of the Presidio Parkway tunnels that's become one of SF's most popular green spaces — is getting a food hall, slated to open in June 2026.

On its face, this isn't a bad idea. The Tunnel Tops already draws huge weekend crowds, and right now your dining options are basically "pack a picnic" or "wander until you find something." A well-executed food hall could genuinely serve visitors and make the park more functional.

But here's where we put on our skeptic glasses: this is a project sitting on federal parkland managed by the Presidio Trust, a unique government entity that operates with a mandate to be financially self-sufficient. That mandate has historically led to some smart public-private partnerships — and also some questionable decisions about who gets to set up shop and at what price point.

The real question isn't whether a food hall should exist at Tunnel Tops. It's whether it'll be accessible to normal San Franciscans or become yet another curated, overpriced experience that caters exclusively to tourists and tech workers expensing lunch. We've seen this movie before. Ferry Building, anyone? Gorgeous space, world-class vendors, absolutely punishing prices for a family of four.

We'd love to see the Presidio Trust prioritize a mix of vendors that includes affordable options — not just artisanal everything at a 40% markup because the views are nice. The park was built with public money to be a public amenity. The food hall should reflect that.

June 2026 is still over a year out, so there's time for details to emerge. We'll be watching to see who gets the vendor spots, what the price points look like, and whether this ends up being a genuine community asset or just another monument to SF's love affair with expensive casual dining.

Fingers crossed for at least one option under $12.