One of the most unique and valuable areas in the entire city, the Presidio of San Francisco is rich with history and some of the most incredible views anywhere. Bordered on one side by San Francisco Bay and the Golden Gate Bridge and the Pacific Ocean on the other, the Presidio was classified as a National Historic Landmark in the early 1960s.

The history of the Presidio dates back to 1776, when the Spanish used it as a military base. And roughly 220 years later, the Presidio was taken over by the National Parks Service. Following that transfer, the Presidio Trust was created by Congress to oversee 80% of the park’s lands, with the coastline under the control of the National Park Service.

Much of the Presidio’s former military housing is now occupied by residents of San Francisco. Businesses and corporations – such as George Lucas’s Industrial Light and Magic – have also moved in to the renovated buildings.