I was expecting, and looking for, a grand entrance – something that was a cross between a military and park ranger gate through which we’d pass and pay our park fee before entering the Presidio. Instead, we transitioned rather seamlessly from the outskirts of San Francisco’s Chinatown neighborhood into a lush, wooded area where we could see people walking and jogging with dogs and strollers in tow. That view soon turned into stately former officer’s homes, beautiful flowerbeds, meadows and amazing views. I was soon to understand that this self-supporting oasis is meant to be accessible for all, a welcoming extension of the city for everyone to enjoy. I could tell already, our time in the Presidio was going to be special. And it was even more so, thanks to the hospitality and time from Terry Haney, Managing Director of Presidio Lodging. Listen to our Real Food Traveler Podcast conversation in which Terry explains the past and present of the Presidio and tells you how you can experience a stay there.

Save this article and podcast to help plan your visit to the Presidio. Lower left photo courtesy of the Presidio. Other photos by Courtney Drake-McDonough. Graphic by RealFoodTraveler.com.

I met Terry when he gave me a tour of the Inn and the Lodge at the Presidio where we’d had the pleasure of staying the night before. Terry was such a wealth of great information, and so passionate about his impressive workplace, I knew I had to have him on as a guest on the podcast.

Terry Haney, Managing Director of Presidio Lodging and my guest on the Real Food Traveler Podcast. Photo courtesy of the Presidio.

Founded in 1776, the Presidio was a US Army military post. In 1959, a group of history enthusiasts set about saving Fort Point and give it status as a National Historic Site. That was accomplished in 1970 but they wanted to help protect the entire Presidio too, which was still a fully active military operation. In 1994, the Presidio became part of the National Park Service too. Terry talks about this history, how the site was cleaned up of toxic materials, reimagined, reworked and nurtured to become the multi-use city within a city that it is today.

Signage at the edge of the Tunnel Tops area tells the story of the Presidio.

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Terry lays out the different areas of the Presidio, from the forest to cemeteries, Parade Lawn, golf course, beaches, Crissy Field (former airplane landing strip), Inspiration Point Overlook and Tunnel Tops park.

A map at the Presidio Welcome Center shows the areas of the National Park and its relation to the city, Bay and Pacific Ocean.

We also learn about the different places to live, do business, dine and play on the Presidio. And, since Terry is the Managing Director of the two overnight lodging options, we talk about those. The Presidio Lodge is where my husband and I stayed, with humbling views of the Golden Gate Bridge. It was originally the barracks and it’s hard to believe the large, rectangular building was once wide open, filled with bunks for the soldiers. The other lodging option is the Inn at the Presidio which was once an elegant home for officers. Both have a different vibe but incorporate all of the things one would expect out of a hotel plus complimentary and ample continental breakfast and evening wine and cheese plus an outdoor patio and firepit for enjoying it all.

Scenes from staying at the Presidio Lodge including evening wine and cheese offerings and the continental breakfast buffet. 

Both the Lodge and the Inn pay homage to their former uses through a wide variety of art, which we talk about, as well as subtle nods to the people and purposes that came before. These are very interesting and I’m so glad Terry shared some of them on the podcast so visitors can be sure to look for them when they visit.

Clockwise, an example of artwork reflecting the Lodge’s military past using items from soldiers; the foyer of the Inn; horizontal floorboards mark the boundary of a former office wall inside the Lodge, which used to be barracks; and an image of plants with the Lodge and other former barracks in the background. 

I tell Terry about the wonderful essence of the Presidio that I picked up on, walking around the Tunnel Tops, a relatively new area of lush garden, walking paths and grassy areas that is literally on top of the highway tunnels below. Terry explains how, as part of the entire revamping of the Presidio, the highway which used to cut right through, was lowered to enable the square footage of the Presidio to extend all the way to the San Francisco Bay and its beaches. I told him about all of the people who we saw using the Tunnel Tops on the Sunday we were there, having picnics and parties, playing frisbee, reading and more. It was such an engaged place, peaceful, beautiful and lively.

The different areas of the Presidio mean people can experience the area in a variety of ways. Clockwise, the Batteries to the Bluffs by Charity Vargas Photography; the Meadow area with food trucks courtesy of the Presidio; and plantings over the Tunnel Tops by Courtney Drake-McDonough.

Terry shares his tips for where to eat, how to get around within the Presidio (there’s a free shuttle and bikes) and what spot should be the first stop when visiting.

The Welcome Center at the Presidio helps prepare visitors to enjoy the area fully.

Spanning 1,500 acres, the Presidio is such a wonderful oasis at the edge of a vibrant city. I’m thankful for Terry’s expertise and time sharing it with my husband and me and with our RealFoodTraveler.com readers and Real Food Traveler Podcast listeners so they can make plans to experience it too.

To learn more about the Presidio, visit Presidio.gov.
To learn about the Inn at the Presidio and the Lodge at the Presidio, including booking a room, visit PresidioLodging.com.
And stay up to date with the latest happenings on social media on Instagram @presidiolodging, on Facebook, @presidiolodging and on YouTube also @presidiolodging.

-Courtney Drake-McDonough, Host of the Real Food Traveler Podcast and Publisher/Managing Editor of RealFoodTraveler.com

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Please note, as is common practice in this industry, our visit to the Presidio was hosted, however, all opinions are honest and based on the author’s opinion for the purpose of informing our readers.