The Presidio is a park and former military base on the northern tip of the San Francisco Peninsula in San Francisco. A national park, the Presidio offers a lush green oasis that’s easily accessible from the East Bay and Marin, and is a breath of fresh air from the bustling downtown city.
The area offers myriad outdoor activities that entice locals and vacationers alike, from hiking and biking to exploring museums and archaeological sites. And best of all: lots of parking, a characteristic hard to find in most San Francisco neighborhoods.
Each year, the Presidio Trust hosts the Presidio Celebration Showcase, a tour that allows guests to explore the different venues the neighborhood has to offer. Among them are the Presidio Social Club and the San Francisco Film Centre.
California Comfort at the Club
The Presidio Social Club opened its doors Sunday, Jan. 24 for a day full of friendly hosting, serving up cocktails and sampling small bites.
Guests could sample menu items, meet with photographers and florists, and chat with the club’s event team to plan every detail of their next dinner or event.
Mimosas, Ahi tuna tartare, winter citrus and roasted beet skewers, goat cheese and candied pecans were just some of the offerings available to guests exploring the venue (all of which have appeared on their hors d’Oeuvers menu). A fully set round table gave guests an idea of just what their next dinner might look like: Purple- and white-striped linen napkins over a crisp white tablecloth, silver votive candles, and colorful spring bouquet centerpieces created by Loop Flowers, a local florist often used by the venue.
The private dining room sits directly to the left of the restaurant, and can accommodate 40 for dinner and 50 standing. The back door leads to a patio than can seat an additional 50, complete with Adirondack chairs surrounding a fire pit, perfect for the brisk evenings San Francisco is known for. The patio is tented in December.
The restaurant itself can also be rented out for larger events of up to 120 seated or 200 standing. The daily menu features California comfort food for lunch and dinner, fresh local seafood, and classic cocktails with modern twists.
The journey to Ruger Street is nearly as charming as the destination. The maze-like roads unravel into Presidio National Park, where the smell of the towering eucalyptus trees take over.
It’s no wonder the venue attracts wedding parties, with its scenic landscape and rich history. But the venue has a lot to offer for small meetings, too.
The Presidio Social Club’s tagline is “All the comforts of a club without the dues.” And although the comfort is in part due to the delicious food and warm décor, the community vibe of being part of the club is owed entirely to the venue’s staff. Friendly, knowledgeable, patient, and laid back, the wait staff and venue team truly emulated the carefree ambiance of the club.
The San Francisco Film Centre
Just a mile down the road on Mesa Street is the San Francisco Film Centre, a venue with just as much history, and even more event space.
Built in 1938, the SF Film Centre is a 67,000 square-foot space overlooking the Presidio neighborhood and Golden Gate Bridge.
Featuring state-of-the-art acoustics, lighting, and a screening room, the historic building was designed for glamorous events.
The indoor reception space accommodates 150, and floor-to-ceiling French doors open up to a tile-decorated veranda perfect for smaller ceremonies and events; the adjoining lawn can seat up to 150.
“[The Presidio] is such a cool, private little niche in this big city we have,” says Lindsay Scheld, Event Sales Manager of Presidio Social Club. “Whenever I have someone visiting the city I feel like I have to show them the Presidio.” Of course, she admits, she might be a little bit bias.
