From Barracks to Boutiques, Park Hotels Highlight the Presidio’s Unique History

Long before The Lodge at the Presidio – located in one of the Presidio’s iconic Montgomery Street Barracks – was offering guests the chance to sleep in luxury within a national park site, the building was first home to the Presidio’s early military personnel. Built between 1895-1897 by the U.S. Army, the story of how this building evolved into one of the top boutique hotels in San Francisco provides fascinating insights into the Presidio we know and love today.

The same can be said for The Lodge’s sister hotel, The Inn at the Presidio – the acclaimed boutique hotel near the Presidio Officers’ Club. A member of the Historic Hotels of America since 2018, this former home to unmarried Army officers now offers 22 spacious accommodations and captivating décor that blends the best of nature and history.

Ready to learn more? Explore the timeline of how The Lodge and The Inn were transformed from their military origins to serve as beautiful lodging options for park guests.

1. History of The Lodge at the Presidio 

You won’t have to make your bed after staying at the Lodge at the Presidio, but plenty of soldiers were expected to do just that during the site’s first life as the Montgomery Street Barracks. Built between 1895 and 1897 by the US Army, the space would eventually house six artillery companies, a cavalry troop, and two infantry companies.

Later dubbed “Infantry Row,” the construction of the Montgomery Street Barracks’ historic streetscape was part of a larger wave of improvements and changes made across the Presidio in correspondence with its rise in importance as a military post. By the end of 1897, the Presidio was one of the five largest Army posts in the country, boasting a population of over 900 men and officers — almost twice the size of the garrison a decade earlier!

In the years to come, warfare would necessitate the use of the building as a hospital ward, first during the Spanish-American War in 1898 and again with the Philippine-American War in 1899. Over the course of World War I, it would again serve as housing, in this case for students in the Reserve Officers Training Camps. Between World War I and World War II, the building became home to companies of the 30th Infantry Regiment, aka “San Francisco’s Own.”

By 1980, enlisted personnel had ceased using the building as barracks. After a multi-year rehabilitation and comprehensive construction project between 1982 and 1986, it served an administrative function as offices for the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) until 2000. In 1996, Congress created the Presidio Trust to manage the Presidio together with the National Park Service and with support from the Golden Gate National Parks Conservancy and The Presidio Trust was charged with directly managing nearly all the Presidio’s interior spaces. That included the reuse of the Presidio’s surviving historical structures and the rehabilitation of historic buildings like the Montgomery Street Barracks.

Today, the Lodge at the Presidio is an outstanding example of authentic military architecture, converted into a modern hotel. Boasting 42 rooms with unbeatable views of the forest, cityscapes, San Francisco Bay, and the iconic Golden Gate Bridge, the Lodge’s abundant amenities and features include an outdoor patio and firepit, complimentary breakfasts, pet-friendly accommodations, and the ambiance of being surrounded by nature everywhere you look.

Book a room at the Lodge at the Presidio today to discover why this U.S. National Historic Landmark is among the best places to stay in San Francisco!

2. History of The Inn at the Presidio

Proudly located in “the heart of the Presidio,” the Inn at the Presidio can be found at the historic Pershing Hall building on the Main Post. Built in 1903, this elegant Georgian Revival-style structure was first conceived as a bachelor officers’ quarters (BOQ), a home for unmarried officers unable to enjoy the nearby Victorian cottages along Officers’ Row provided to their married counterparts.

Named in honor of General John J. Pershing, a commander of the American Expeditionary Force in France during World War I who once served at the Presidio of San Francisco, the building would subsequently be utilized as quarters for visiting officers until the Army’s departure in 1994. Listed as a contributor to the Presidio National Historic Landmark District, Pershing Hall is an intact example of early 20th century military architecture.

From its origins as a residential hub for unmarried army officers, it has since found new life as a cultural gathering place and popular starting point for daily park adventures. In the main building, guests will find the lobby and reception, complete with a fireplace, as well as a refurbished “mess hall” featuring a warm community breakfast room and lounge area, and three floors of rooms with additional meeting and boardroom space.

Today, you’ll find the Inn at the Presidio restored as a guest lodge featuring 22 spacious accommodations, including 17 suites with fireplaces. The Inn’s offerings also include the historic Funston House, an 1889 rehabilitated historic officer’s home just 30 yards from The Inn and complete with four rooms, original art, and the cozy feel of being hidden within a forest.

With distinct artisan details and memorabilia reminiscent of the hotel’s rich past everywhere you look, there’s nothing quite like going to sleep and waking up beside the tranquil calm of trees, trails, and with breathtaking views of the Golden Gate Bridge steps from your door.

Ready to wake up in a National Park Site? Book a room at the Inn at the Presidio today!

3. Making the Best of Your Stay in the Presidio

There’s a lot to love within the walls of The Inn and The Lodge, but what surrounds them might be even better! Of the Presidio’s many popular attractions, guests can start by hitting the sand at Baker Beach, stroll through the grass at Crissy Field, play a round at the Presidio Golf Course, or take in all the wonders of the newly opened Presidio Tunnel Tops.

You can also enjoy world-class hiking trails, live theater, singular sculpture installations — and there’s even Yoda! Once you start feeling hungry, check out the nearby dining options, including the full-service Mediterranean fare from Dalida, the authentic and fresh take on Mexican cuisine at Colibri Mexican Bistro, and the Italian-inspired focaccia pizza from Il Parco. And of course, what visit to the Presidio would be complete without a photo op at the Golden Gate Bridge?

Every dollar spent at Presidio Lodging directly supports the park’s ongoing preservation and sustainability efforts, and the enhancement of visitor experiences. By choosing to stay at a Presidio Lodging hotel, you’re not just enjoying first-class accommodations and breathtaking views, you’re also contributing to the care and maintenance of this historic and natural treasure, ensuring that it remains a vibrant destination for future generations to enjoy.

Interested in staying in the Presidio? Book your next stay at either hotel today.

Lodge at the Presidio

Inn at the Presidio