Presidio Neighborhood, San Francisco CA

About Presidio Neighborhood

The Presidio is the most unusual neighborhood in San Francisco, because, despite its approximately 3,000 residents, it isn’t really a neighborhood at all -- it’s a national historic landmark and federally owned land reserve, maintained and operated by the National Parks Service via The Presidio Trust.

Located at the northernmost tip of San Francisco, the Presidio is a former U.S. Army military post that was officially decommissioned in the 1990s. At that point the leftover structures became residential housing, which ranges from high-ranking officers’ single-family homes and luxury apartments to less impressive converted nonresidential buildings.

History of Presidio Neighborhood

Since its founding in 1776 as Spain's northernmost point of colonial control in the New World, the Presidio has functioned as a military reservation. It was one of the country's longest garrisoned installations, as well as the oldest in the American West.

Demographics of Presidio Neighborhood

Presidio has a population of 4,136 people, with a median age of 30. Males account for 45.96 percent of the total, while females account for 54.04 percent. Presidio's resident pool is made up of 87.48 percent US-born citizens and 6.04 percent non-US-born nationals.

Transportation in Presidio Neighborhood

Take the PresidiGo Downtown Shuttle to the Presidio, which offers round-trip service to the Presidio. Pick up the shuttle at the Transbay Terminal or the Embarcadero BART station; the service is free and only runs on weekdays.
Take, for example, SF Muni. Muni 30 now provides direct service into the Presidio.

Politics in Presidio Neighborhood

Over the course of 218 years, it was used as a military base by the Spanish, Mexican, and American armies. The Presidio was under US Army control until 1994, when it was turned over to the National Park Service.

Lifestyle in Presidio Neighborhood

And instead of a cohesive neighborhood, it’s a collection of buildings spread out in the fashion of the military base it once was, creating almost two dozen micro-neighborhoods within the Presidio. Park land lies between these residential and commercial hubs, so that the minute you leave home you have the opportunity to run, hike, or bike to the beach, making it a nature lover’s paradise.

But depending on where in the Presidio you are, heading downtown or even to nearby neighborhoods can be pretty inconvenient, and school children need to be bused to other neighborhoods. And while you can find a golf course, post office, and bowling alley here, some basic amenities can be a little hard to come by depending on your location.

Schools in Presidio Neighborhood

The school is small, has a strong academic program, and places a high value on relationships and community building. The kids are engaged in ways we never saw at her previous school; they have morning meetings where they play games and participate in activities.

Real estate in Presidio Neighborhood

Since most housing was built for military personnel and their families, there aren’t many studios or 1-bedrooms available here. Housing is available exclusively by lease through the Presidio Trust, and is in high demand. To apply, you must fill out a housing interest form, and it can take up to a year or more to be placed in a home.

Because the Presidio Trust governs the Presidio, not the city of San Francisco, things can get a little funky. For example, residents vote in San Francisco, but city rent control laws don’t apply here. The Trust is also constantly negotiating public versus private land use; between keeping the land preserved and ensuring its upkeep is sustainable by generating revenue through rent and commercial activity.

And instead of a cohesive neighborhood, it’s a collection of buildings spread out in the fashion of the military base it once was, creating almost two dozen micro-neighborhoods within the Presidio. Park land lies between these residential and commercial hubs, so that the minute you leave home you have the opportunity to run, hike, or bike to the beach, making it a nature lover’s paradise.

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