Think San Francisco and what comes to mind? Flower power, beatniks and fog? High tech and Slow Food? Earthquakes and a famous red bridge? Add the Presidio to these iconic features: a former army base (which began life as an 18th-century Spanish fort), now a thriving National Park after 200 years of military service, on the tip of the city just below the Golden Gate.
The Presidio Trust has overseen the unique transfer of these beautiful 3 square miles to mixed commercial and public use, and the Inn at the Presidio, which opened in 2012, is the only lodgings within the park. Guests are billeted in the former bachelor officers' building and a smaller separate Victorian-style home across the road. An intelligent renovation pays homage to heritage by incorporating memorabilia (vintage bugles adorn one wall) and using authentic materials (fire pit patio pavers are the same stone as headstones in the cemetery). All 26 spacious rooms and suites are light and immaculately turned out. Military precision.
Highs
- Wonderful setting in the heart of the Presidio – an area largely unfamiliar to visitors but well worth a visit for tranquil roads lined with red-roofed dwellings, eucalyptus-scented woodland and nature trails for hiking and biking
- Close to San Francisco's iconic sights such as the Golden Gate, Baker Beach and Crissy Field, and within reach of lively parts of town like the Marina and Union Street
- Classy, clever interior design, which acknowledges the buildings' military past yet is delightfully chic and contemporary
- Charming helpful staff
- Complimentary wine, cheese and nibbles every evening
Lows
- Getting here requires a car or taxi (most taxi drivers won't have heard of the hotel); not close to the tourist sights of downtown or Fisherman's Wharf
- No restaurant for lunch and dinner, though there are a couple in the Presidio, 10 minutes' walk away, and eating out in San Francisco itself is always a joy
- Availability can be tricky, book ahead (and if unlucky, try sister property Cavallo Point Lodge across the Bridge)
- No twin rooms but all Classic King and Queen Suites have queen sofabeds
Best time to go
The Bay Area is delightful all year. Summer months are the warmest, have the most blue sky and certainly the best outdoor adventures inland, but the fog does tend to roll in along the coast, resulting in the Bridge tips poking up through the fog bank - a phenomenon indeed. Spring brings a profusion of wild flowers in the Headlands and migrating birds, autumn brings harvest bounty in Sonoma and Napa. Winters are when the rain comes, but it is always mild and there's never a frost.
Our top tips
Be sure to walk around the Presidio - either explore one of the nature trails (the Ecology Trail starts in the car park) or head down through the landscaped grounds of Lucasfilm's Industrial Light and Magic headquarters towards the Palace of Fine Arts and then to Crissy Field beyond.
- Boutique Hotel
- 26 rooms
- Breakfast only, restaurants nearby
- All ages welcome
- Open all year
- Pool
- Spa Treatments
- Beach Nearby
- Pet Friendly
- Disabled Access
- Car not necessary
- Parking
- Restaurants Nearby
- WiFi
- Air Conditioning
- Guest Lounge
- Terrace
- Garden
- Gym
- Concierge Service
- Bicycles Available
- Fire pit
Rooms
Most guests are stationed in the 3-storey main building - former bachelor officers' quarters handsomely converted into a stylish garrison of 22 rooms and suites. Deep porches with rocking chairs run along its length (rooms on the first 2 floors open onto them); you get views of the Golden Gate Bridge and Bay from the top floor. Note that in the biggest rooms, prices increase with each floor.
Super comfortable, rooms are kitted out with high quality (yet unshowy) furnishings and fixtures. Smallest rooms, in the middle of the main building, were once the servants' lodgings: these Standard Queen and King rooms still feel spacious and luxurious with desk and chair plus sleek tiled shower bathrooms. Mostly, though, the Inn is comprised of 2-room Classic Queen Suites, where the officers once lived. These have the addition of a gas fireplace plus shower and tub combo in the bathroom, and a sofabed in the living room, as well as large wardrobes, chest of drawers, coffee table and armchairs.
A further 4 (Classic King and Standard Queen) rooms are across the road on 'Officers Row' in Funston House, built 1862, which housed army officers and their families. Guests share a living room, dining room and porch plus outdoor patio, and the whole house can be booked as one unit.
All artwork is themed to the Presidio - a shadow box of memorabilia has been created for each room, and every bathroom has a vintage postcard sent from or about the Presidio. Each room also has a photograph of a Presidio artefact or place, and its source is pinned on the map in reception so guests can head out to find it. Mine was of the view from Inspiration Point which I walked up to along the Ecology Trail to enjoy in person.
Mod cons include robes and slippers, EO toiletries, smart TVs, MP3 player docking stations, mini-fridges with local goodies, and Nespresso coffee machines. High ceilings, big windows and original plasterwork enhance the heritage feel. And, most importantly, custom-made beds are sublime, inducing the soundest of sleeps.
Features include:
- Air conditioning
- Bathrobes
- Central heating
- Coffee / tea making
- Cots available
- Hairdryer
- In-room treatments available
- Iron
- Minibar
- Radio
- Safe box
- Satellite TV
- Slippers
- Toiletries
- Umbrella
- WiFi
Eating
Breakfast is the only meal on offer, taken in the light-filled breakfast room towards the rear of the building. The buffet is laid out along the back wall: hard-boiled eggs, granola and cereals, fresh fruit salad, a tier of muffins, pastries and scones, sliced breads for toasting, condiments and a plate of cold cuts. OJ, tea, coffee and hot chocolate are the beverages of choice.
Early evening, further rations in the form of complimentary wine and cheese are set out - a chance to meet fellow guests. You'll need to head out for dinner (unless you order take-out for your room, which can be arranged), and there are 2 recommended restaurants within the Presidio, a 10-minute walk away: the Presidio Social Club serves 'California comfort food' brasserie-style and has a long bar, and Dixie offers fine dining with a fusion menu of Southern and Californian dishes. Staff will advise on other eateries and destinations within San Francisco - one of the foodie capitals of the world so you'll be spoiled for choice.
Features include:
- Breakfast
- Coffee maker
- Kids' meals
- Organic produce
- Restaurants nearby
- Vegetarian options
Activities
- Discover the history of the Presidio, hike its nature trails, climb up to Andy Goldsworthy's Spire via Inspiration Point for fabulous vistas, play golf, picnic, spot wildlife (there are also talks, exhibitions, tours - ask for details and times)
- Walk (or cycle or jog) along Crissy Field, the foreshore of San Francisco Bay, for, some say, the best views in the city taking in Baker Beach, the Golden Gate Bridge, Marin Headlands, Angel Island, Alcatraz and the city skyline; great birding along here, too
- Drive or cycle over to Marin Headlands - the hotel has bikes to borrow. You can take the ferry back across the Bay from Sausalito
- Take a boat trip to Alcatraz for more fascinating history, or charter a sailing boat to navigate the Bay yourself
- Explore the Marina and Union Street district's boutiques and bars
- Sample San Francisco's excellent fine dining scene; visit the farmer's market at the Embarcadero
- Get to know Golden Gate Park, which has a boating lake, conservatory, the world-famous Academy of Sciences opposite the de Young Fine Arts Museum, the Botanical Gardens, Japanese Tea Garden and stretches to the ocean (past the bison)
- Escape the city: Napa and Sonoma wine regions, Muir Woods, Muir Beach, Stinson Beach, hiking up Mt Tamalpais and Point Reyes are all very worthwhile day trips
Activities on site or nearby include:
- Birdwatching
- Boat trips
- Cycling
- Fishing
- Golf
- Hiking
- Historical sites
- Kayaking
- Mountain biking
- Museums / galleries
- Nightlife
- Plantlife / flora
- Private guided tours
- Sailing
- Shopping / markets
- Whale watching
- Wildlife
- Wine tasting
- Yoga
Kids
Inn at the Presidio is a good place for families to stay, and they are made to feel very welcome, although there are few facilities specifically designed for kids. The Inn is superbly located for family friendly activities, however, and older kids and teens will love staying here. Children up to 15 years of age are free of charge when sharing their parents' room. Extended families could take Funston House in its entirety.
Best for:
Babies (0-1 years), Children (4-12 years), Teens (over 12)
Family friendly accommodation:
Extra beds and baby cots can be added to the Classic King Suites.
Cots Available, Extra Beds Available
Babysitting:
Babysitting is available with advance notice, see Rates.
Children's meals:
The breakfast buffet will have options to suit most. Milk and cookies are provided for kids at other times of day.
Kids Activities on site:
- Board games
Kids Activities nearby:
- Ecology trail designed for kids aged 5-10, plus numerous other trails to choose from
- Biking
- Disney Museum
- Playground
- Bowling alley
- Planet Granite is an indoor climbing gym
- Discovery Museum across the Golden Gate Bridge
- Golden Gate Park (with Academy of Sciences, Botanic Garden, Japanese Tea Garden, playground, boating lake, frisbee golf course, ocean access, meadows) is about 15 minutes to the south
Distances:
- Airport 45 minutes - 1.5 hours (depending on traffic)
- Hospital: 15 minutes
- Shops: 10 minutes
For more family-friendly places, see our Kids Collection
Location
Inn at the Presidio is in the heart of the Presidio, which is a former army barracks turned National Historic Landmark and National Park immediately south of the Golden Gate, in San Francisco.
By Air:
Fly into San Francisco's International Airport, or to Oakland's International Airport. Click on the links below for a list of airlines serving these airports.
From the Airport
Take a taxi for around US$75 from SFO or US$85 from OAK, or the hotel can arrange a transfer, see Rates.
By Car:
San Francisco is pretty easy to drive around, although parking in general can be tricky, and you will need one if you are planning to explore around the Bay Area and beyond; see our car rental recommendations. There's a car park behind the hotel, see Rates.
Getting Around
San Francisco has a relatively good public transport system - for an American city - and 2 Muni buses (numbers 28 & 43) will take you to Golden Gate Park and to the Marina district. There is a complimentary local shuttle bus service (PresidiGo) along 2 continuous 30-minute loops through the Presidio too (6.30am-7.30pm weekdays, 11am-6.30pm weekends). Taxis are easy to find in the city but few will be passing through the Presidio so you will need to book them in advance. The Inn also has a town car service.
Detailed directions will be sent to you when you book through i-escape.com
More on getting to California and getting around
Airports:
- San Francisco International Airport 19.0 km SFO
- Oakland International Airport 40.0 km OAK
Other:
- Beach 3.5 km
- Shops 2.4 km
- Restaurant 1.2 km