– Jim Wirth

Photo: maggie loves hopey

The OpenRoad.TV crew uploaded a new video today, San Francisco’s Presidio & George Lucas, which takes you to a place not too many people think to visit when they are in San Francisco.  Part of the Golden Gate National Recreation Area, the Presidio covers 1,491 acres and was in continuous operation as a military base from 1776 through 1994.  On October 1st of 1994, the Presidio was transferred to the National Park Service as it was no longer needed by the United States Military. 

While the Presidio offers a great mix of scenery, history and nature to its visitors, it does have its dark side.  One of the lesser known facts about the Presidio is that there is a cemetary on the grounds where visitors can pay their respects at gravestones bearing names like Mr. Twister, Raspberry, Tex, Saucy, Wilbur and Copper…  the beloved critters of the many military pet owners stationed at the Presidio throughout the years.

Oh, I bet you thought I was speaking of another dark side…. like maybe the dark side of the force!  In 1999, Star Wars creator George Lucas won the development rights for 15 acres of the Presidio, where he proceeded to construct approximately 900,000 square feet of offices to house 2,500 employees.  The new Letterman Digital Arts Center, named for the Letterman Army Hospital that was previously occupying the site, replaces the Industrial Light and Magic and LucasArts studios in San Rafael.  The video uploaded today at OpenRoad.TV gives you a very special inside look into the creative genius of George Lucas and his staff, which is a real treat since their offices are not open to the public.

Mindy Roberts, author and publisher of TheMommyBlog.net, makes her second appearance in Life Outside the Box and tells Doug about some of her favorite kid-friendly places she likes to escape to in the San Francisco Bay Area.