The land known as Crissy Field has undergone many changes. Once a rich salt marsh and home of the Ohlone people, it was later a landing site for Spanish and Russian explorers, a venue for the Panama-Pacific Exposition and a pioneering United States military airfield.

The 100-acre site is included within the Golden Gate National Recreation Area and the Presidio of San Francisco. Along with the entire Presidio, it was designated a National Historic Landmark in 1962. It is a spectacular shoreline park which includes a 1.6 mile beachfront promenade, a 28-acre grassy meadow, a salt marsh, an environmental center, free admission and ample free parking.

Crissy Field was named by Colonel "Hap" Arnold in honor of his friend Major Dana H. Crissy who died in pursuit of his dream for air travel. Major Crissy, participating in a transcontinental demonstration flight, died in October, 1919 in a crash just outside of Salt Lake City while trying to land his De Havilland DH-4.