The Presidio Yacht Club has a rich and distinguished history in the San Francisco Bay area. The Club’s origins belong with the establishment of Fort Baker by the US Army in 1850. Originally named the Lime Point Military Reservation (after Lime Point on the north side of the Golden Gate), the Fort operated as a satellite station of Presidio of San Francisco. Its primary missions were mine laying and hosting strategic battery sites – one of which is still accessible by hiking. Following the War, the batteries and anti-submarine operations lost their tactical value but the marina remained. Servicemen began berthing their private boats in the then empty slips. And with such a large influx of military personnel and watercraft in one of the San Francisco Bay’s most beautiful locations, it was only natural that the servicemen created a formal organization.

Thus Presidio Yacht Club was founded on May 11th, 1959. Initially, it was only open to military personnel and their dependents, but that restriction only lasted as long as the Army operations in Fort Baker. Following the end of the Cold War, the US Army closed Fort Baker in 1994 and consolidated the Fort’s operations in Dublin, CA. Travis Air Force Base (located in Fairfield, CA) then assumed management of the marina and the Presidio Yacht Club continued to operate. The Presidio Yacht Club is over fifty-five years old.

Currently, Presidio Yacht Club is a community of boating enthusiasts and servicemen, including both American and foreign members. It continues its operations in the same boathouse it originally started in. Although its membership is open to the public, the Club retains its strong military heritage. It is closely associated with the Travis Marina, which is operated by the 60th Force Support Squadron at Travis Air Force Base. The Club continues its tradition of camaraderie by having all-volunteer work days every second Saturday of the month, followed by dinner. Active duty personnel enjoy dedicated support and discounted services, including free membership and preference for open berths.