Presidio

Now: A large swath of the eastern side of the Presidio (bordering the Marina) has been redeveloped as a grassy park adjacent to office complexes. Very twisty roads fill the middle area, through gorgeous wooded areas and streets lined with former military housing. The west side meets the Pacific Ocean and encompasses the popular Baker Beach and some scenic battery installments leading north toward the Golden Gate Bridge.

Then: A base for the U.S. military since 1846 (and Spain and Mexico prior to that, dating back to 1776), the Presidio was turned over to the public under the Presidio Trust (created by the U.S. government to manage the property) in 1996. Since then, the buildings that formerly housed military personnel have been leased for use by businesses and residences.

How To Get There: Some Muni bus lines do run through the Presidio, though mostly around the perimeter and toward Golden Gate Bridge. The east side of the Presidio, including the recently developed park area, can easily be entered from Chestnut Street, or any street on the west edge of the Marina. The scenic areas on the west side can be reached by entering at 25th Avenue, which turns into Lincoln Boulevard. Mountain Lake Park can be entered from Lake Street at 12th Avenue.

Presidio, on the east side, near Lincoln Boulevard
Presidio building on Funston Avenue, near Lincoln Boulevard
East side of the Presidio, facing the Palace of Fine Arts

Fountain near the eastern edge of the Presidio
Pres a Vi Restaurant and Wine Bar, at the intersection of Lombard Street and Letterman Drive in the Presidio
Chestnut Street entry to the Presidio

Residences inside the Presidio
House in the Presidio
Offices in the Presidio

Houses on Storey Avenue in the Presidio
Log Cabin, built in 1937, on Storey Avenue in the Presidio
Inspiration Point, where Arguello Boulevard intersects with Washington Boulevard in the Presidio

Baker Beach, at the end of Gibson Road, off of Lincoln Boulevard at the west edge of the Presidio
West toward the ocean, from Baker Beach
Baker Beach, north view toward Golden Gate Bridge

Baker Beach
Picnic tables in the park grounds at Baker Beach
Battery Godfrey, at Langdon Court, off Lincoln Boulevard on the northwest edge of the Presidio

Pacific Ocean, from the cliff edge at Battery Godfrey
View from Battery Godfrey, toward Golden Gate Bridge
Walking path at Battery Godfrey

Ocean view from the edge of Battery Godfrey
Concrete structure at Battery Godfrey
North view, from Battery Boutelle

Battery Cranston, near the Golden Gate Bridge in the Presidio
Cliffs near the Coastal Trail, south of the Golden Gate Bridge
Coastal Trail at the west edge of the Presidio, leading toward the Golden Gate Bridge