Presidio Parks Abandoned Sidewalk

Описание: Exploring an abandoned sidewalk at Presidio Park with Joan.

In this video, we explore an abandoned sidewalk on the north side of Presidio Park, just below the Junípero Serra Museum and overlooking Interstate 8. Disconnected from the park’s main routes, this sidewalk is a leftover fragment of an earlier park design. The path passes long-closed restrooms, which we stop to explore, before ending at a gated, blocked-off section that forces us to loop around to reach the final remaining stretch.
We also pass several makeshift homeless shelters along the sidewalk, highlighting how this forgotten space has taken on new, unintended uses over time.

Throughout the walk, the sidewalk offers several striking views—not only of Mission Valley and Interstate 8, but also of other nearby areas of San Diego. Before looping around to explore the final portion of the sidewalk, we spend time at the closed restroom area, located near the spot where the well-known Indian statue once stood.
The closed restrooms themselves are remnants of Presidio Park’s mid-20th-century visitor infrastructure, and though unused today, the top of the structure still offers elevated views overlooking this part of San Diego.
Created in the early 1900s by sculptor Arthur Putnam, the Indian statue was among Presidio Park’s most recognizable landmarks and frequently appeared in postcards and family photos. Years of weather exposure and vandalism eventually led to the removal of the statue and its relocation to the San Diego History Center in Balboa Park.

After leaving the restroom area, we head toward the final portion of the sidewalk, following the hillside as it descends toward Taylor Street. Near the final segment we come across a square concrete pad set into the ground—likely the former base of another statue or park feature that once occupied this area.

Presidio Park is also surrounded by long-standing paranormal stories and local folklore, including tales tied to the nearby “Witch Tower.” Early archaeological excavations around the tower uncovered historical artifacts and burial sites, contributing to stories of hauntings, unexplained activity, and lingering spirits. While these stories are neither here nor there, they add another layer to the park’s history.

I’ve included historical photographs in the video, including a 1929 image of Presidio Park before its dedication and photos of the Indian statue in its original location. One especially meaningful image shows my mom, Kathy, standing at the statue in the late 1950s while exploring the park with my grandfather.

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