The Lodge at the Presidio isn’t your typical San Francisco hotel. For one, it’s not in the usual tourist zones like Union Square or Fisherman’s Wharf. Instead, it sits within the Presidio of San Francisco—an expansive national park site on the northern tip of the city. This gives the hotel something most city stays can’t offer: quiet. From the front steps, you’re a short walk to Crissy Field, the Walt Disney Family Museum (next door), and the starting point of some of San Francisco’s best hiking trails. Golden Gate Bridge views? You’ve got them.
Don’t expect a neighborhood buzzing with nightlife; this is more about nature, history, and long walks than bar hopping. For travelers looking to pair their urban getaway with a side of serenity—and maybe a foggy morning photo of the bridge—this location delivers.
Public Spaces
The Lodge feels more like a stately guest house than a traditional hotel. Its roots as a former military housing for bachelor officers have been preserved, but everything has been reimagined with a contemporary eye. The lobby is low-key and welcoming, with polished wood floors, mid-century modern furniture, and a quiet nod to the building’s Army past.
There’s no glitzy bar scene or sprawling lounge here—just a large living-room-style common area (the Lodge Mess Hall) where you might find guests sipping coffee, flipping through trail maps, playing the provided board games, reading a book in front of the fireplace, or relaxing after a walk to the Golden Gate Bridge.
The fire pit is a focal point in the back on cool evenings, especially with the Golden Gate Bridge glowing in the background. I am starting this review sitting in a rocking chair on the front porch.
The vibe is relaxed, not rushed. If you’re the kind of traveler who likes a hotel lobby that doesn’t scream “Instagram me!”, this will be your speed. Don’t get me wrong; I think the Lodge is beautiful and definitely did Instagram, “Look at where I stayed this weekend.”
Room Features
Rooms at the Lodge are simple, clean, and comfortable. Think high ceilings, crisp white linens, a muted palette, and just enough design to remind you you’re in San Francisco without trying too hard. Our king-view room had a view of the bay and the bridge—worth requesting. The hotel does look down on Highway 101 as it heads to the Golden Gate Bridge, so there will be some traffic noise, but I did not need earplugs.
The beds are firm without being punishing. There’s a Nespresso machine, a mini-fridge, a flat-screen TV, a work desk, blackout blinds, a comfy reading chair, and reliable (free) Wi-Fi. There are no flashy tech panels or in-room tablets here—just the essentials done well.
The bathrooms are tiled, modern, and spacious, with good lighting and eco-conscious toiletries. Our King room had a combo shower/tub.
Special Features
History buffs take note: this is one of the few hotels inside a U.S. national park, and the building itself dates back to the late 1800s. It’s been carefully restored, and while you won’t find plaques and roped-off rooms, the structure’s military past is baked into its bones. The outside of the hotel looks like one of the other traditional brick buildings from the period. The inside is decorated in a more modern palette, but with historic pictures of doughboys throughout the property to remind you of the building’s history.
The hotel is LEED Gold certified as part of the Presidio Lodging’s Green Initiative. It’s also dog-friendly, which is no small perk if you’re traveling with a four-legged companion and plan to explore the Presidio trails.
Plan your afternoon around the wine and cheese available for free from 5 to 7 pm. Wine, fruit, nuts, crackers, fresh cookies, and cheese are available. Linger in the lounge with your loved ones or a good book, or take your glass out to the porch or the fire pit.
Food and Dining
There’s no on-site restaurant, but breakfast is included—and it’s better than you might expect. The spread is served buffet-style in the former mess hall, now a sunny room with simple communal tables and views of the trees outside. It’s not hot food, but the choices are thoughtful: local pastries, oatmeal (ok, the oatmeal is hot), Greek yogurt, granola, hard-boiled eggs, fresh fruit, tea, and good coffee. The kind of breakfast that gets you fueled for a day of walking but doesn’t weigh you down.
For lunch or dinner, you’ll want to head into the city or check out other Presidio options like Dalida (Mediterranean) down the block or Colibri Mexican Bistro in the old Officer’s Club at the other side of the parade ground.
Facilities and Amenities
No pool, no gym, no spa. And frankly, you won’t miss them. What the Lodge does offer is a well-curated selection of experiences: complimentary bikes for guests (2), a shuttle into downtown San Francisco, and curated walking maps that encourage you to explore on foot.
There’s a shelf of books in the Mess Hall on local history and nature, and board games for a low-key evening. If you’re used to full-service hotels with bellhops and valet, this may feel minimalist—but it’s all very intentional. The service is friendly, the front desk is happy to help with directions or suggestions, and the focus stays firmly on helping you engage with the park and the city.
You can bring your own car and park nearby for $13 per night. This then covers your parking throughout the Presidio except at the parking lots by the Golden Gate Bridge.
A Muni bus stop and two free park shuttles are nearby. One stops at various stops within the Presidio, and the other takes you downtown to the Embarcadero BART station. Explore the area like the Tunnel Tops and Crissy Field on foot or call an Uber or one of the ubiquitous unmanned Wemo cabs to go elsewhere in the city.
Things Nearby
The Presidio itself is the attraction. Start with the Main Post, home to the Visitor Center, the Walt Disney Family Museum, and Parade Ground. The Parade Ground has food trucks 7 days a week. On a weekend, we counted 12 food trucks. Crissy Field is a short downhill walk and offers beach access, views of Alcatraz, and one of the best picnic spots in the city. Right next to the Lodge, the new Tunnel Tops park blends urban design with natural landscapes, perfect for families or photographers. It has an amazing playground and a cool Field Station for kids interested in science.
The Golden Gate Bridge is within walking distance (or biking, if you’re up for the hills), and just beyond it lie the Marin Headlands, where you can do more hiking and enjoy dramatic coastal views.
Inn at the Presidio
by Katie Hammel
Across the Main Post lawn, the Inn at the Presidio offers a historic look at life at Pershing Hall, formerly a home for unmarried officers when the Presidio was a U.S. Army post. The 22-room inn is spread over two buildings (the Main Building, which contains the lobby and reception, and the four-room Funston House) and includes 17 suites with gas fireplaces. Like its sister hotel, it offers complimentary breakfast and evening wine hour served in the communal “mess hall.” The Inn also has an outdoor fire pit, this time with views of the surrounding forest.
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Rooms in the Inn are a bit more modest, though still comfortable and stylish. My room, a Classic King located on the third floor of the Main Building, was quite spacious, with 530 square feet spread across a large separate sitting room with a queen pull-out sofa and a gas fireplace, plus a bedroom with a sumptuous King bed (a “Heavenly Enchanted EuroTop” by Restonic).
There was a flat-screen television, a radio docking station, a mini-fridge, a mini-bar, a coffee maker, a work desk, and a cozy tiled bathroom with a shower and a tub.
Both hotels offer a great location surrounded by nature but close to the bustle of the city, as well as excellent perks like free breakfast and evening wine and cheese. Both invite guests to linger, whether it’s on the rocking chairs on the porch, in front of a fire pit, or in the stylish, cozy rooms. While the newer Lodge is, of course, a bit more modern and stylish, the Inn is equally charming and inviting. In short, travelers looking for comfort, style, location, and great service—with a bit of history thrown in—really can’t go wrong with either option.
Final Thoughts
The Lodge at the Presidio is not for everyone. If you need a spa, a rooftop bar, or a doorman hailing taxis, you’ll want to look elsewhere. But for travelers who appreciate quiet luxury, a sense of place, and a setting that invites exploration rather than consumption, it’s a standout. My wife and I loved it!
It’s the kind of hotel that feels more like a retreat, even though you’re just minutes from one of the most dynamic cities in the country. After dozens of hotel stays across the world, it’s refreshing to find one that doesn’t try to be everything, but instead does one thing—connecting guests to their surroundings—exceptionally well.
Rates start at about $380 a night. Check rates online at the hotel website or TripAdvisor.
My stay at the Lodge at the Presidio was sponsored, but the opinions expressed are my own.
