The Presidio of San Francisco was designated a National Historic Landmark on June 13, 1962.

At that time, the Landmark was recognized primarily as a significant Spanish colonial military settlement in Alta California. It was secondarily recognized for its long military occupation by the United States Army since 1846.

The only historic resource identified was the Officers' Club, because it was reputed to be the Spanish comandante's quarters and original adobe remained hidden within the walls.

In 1970 the Commanding General of the 6th Army and the National Park Service agreed that the entire military reservation was within the Landmark boundary. The National Park Service Office of Archeology and Historic Preservation noted: It is the total scene that is recognized at the Presidio; structures not of much merit might well be regarded as essential to the total fabric.

The Presidio was clearly seen by the National Park Service as a district of sites, buildings, structures, and objects. The Army was encouraged to conduct a comprehensive survey to identity the contributing resources of the Presidio National Historic Landmark district for the public record and management.

The historic district contains 662 contributing buildings and 504 noncontributing buildings.

The period of historic significance is 1776-1945. Some important dates during this period are:

1776 Presidio founded by Spain

1793 Castillo de San Joaquin built

1822 Presidio transferred from Spain to Mexico

1846 Mexico's loss of California to the United States

1847 United States troops stationed at Presidio

1850 Presidio becomes United States Army reservation

1853 United States builds Ft. Point

1861 Civil War begins

1865 Civil War ends

1881 First rail service between Presidio and San Francisco

1884 Post Cemetery becomes National Cemetery

1889 Establishment of lifesaving station

1893 Endicott Era defense system

1895 Golf course built

1896 Perimeter stone gates and walls built

1898 Spanish-American War begins

1899 Spanish-American War ends

1910 Fort Winfield Scott established

1914 World War I begins

1915 Panama-Pacific International Exposition

1917 United States enters into World War I

1918 World War I ends

1921 Crissy Field established

1929 Great Depression

1933 Golden Gate Bridge construction begins

1933 "Restoration" of the supposed Comandancia

1934 WPA projects on Post begin

1939 World War II begins

1941 United States enters into World War II

Adapted from the NRHP Form dated 28 October 1992.

The Presidio of San Francisco, is also California Historical Landmark 79 and is part of the Golden Gate National Recreation Area.