| Tour Name |
Months Offered |
June through September |
Tour Description |
Directions |
| 1906: Earthquake And Fire |
All Year
|
1st & 3rd Mondays
10:00 AM
|
|
Imagine awakening before dawn on April 18, 1906 to the unthinkable--a massive earthquake has toppled chimneys and buildings, and ripped apart city water pipes. With the fire on your heels, escape from the alleyways south of Market to what should be the safety of Union Square. |
Meet at the benches between 525 & 555 Market.
|
| 1906: Phoenix Rising |
All Year
|
|
Find out how cooking breakfast burned down the neighborhood, how City Hall was destroyed, and how the city rushed to rise from the ashes and rebuild better than ever. See little-known remnants of pre-1906 City Hall. |
Meet on Franklin at Fulton in front of the iron gates
|
| 1906: Presidio & The Earthquake |
All Year
|
2nd, 4th & 5th Saturdays
1:00 PM
|
1st & 3rd Fridays
1:00 PM
|
|
Walking through the Presidio, explore the extraordinary role of the Army in this extraordinary time, and about the more than 200,000 San Franciscans left suddenly homeless, and their struggle to return to a normal life. |
Meet at the Officers Club and visitor center, the Presidio
|
| Art Deco Marina |
All Year
|
2nd Sundays
11:00 AM
|
4th Thursdays
11:00 AM
|
|
Admire the stylish and elegant buildings of the Marina District while learning to recognize the Art Deco style made popular in the 1930s and 1940s. View the shops on Chestnut Street in a new light. |
Meet in front of the Marina Library, 1890 Chestnut Street, near Webster. Public transportation: MUNI lines 22, 30, 43.
|
| Bawdy & Naughty |
All Year
Note: No tours on 6/30 and 9/29 |
2nd & 4th Mondays
11:00 AM
|
|
This two-block stroll explores how, starting with the Gold Rush, professional women arrived to become a part of San Francisco's legend and lore. Learn about Belle Cora, Ah Toy, French parlor houses, and Barbary Coast dives. |
Meet at Kearny & Maiden Lane. Public transportation: MUNI lines 9x, 9ax, 9bx, 15, 30, 45, 81x; also one block west of Montgomery MUNI/BART station.
|
| Billionaire’s Row: Outer Broadway Architecture |
All Year
|
2nd & 4th Sundays
11:00 AM
|
|
Explore the most exclusive corner of Pacific Heights; where, since the late 19th century, San Francisco’s wealthiest families have built mansions with spectacular views of the bay. Find out which society family runs a nursery school from their home and which rehab program had its headquarters in this unlikely setting. Stroll past a Victorian Firehouse turned private residence and visit a humble church that started a new architectural movement. |
Meet at the top of the Lyon Street steps at the intersection of Lyon and Broadway. Public transportation: MUNI lines 3, 43.
|
| Castro: Tales Of The Village |
All Year
|
All Saturdays
11:00 AM
|
All Sundays
11:00 AM
|
2nd, 3rd & 4th Tuesdays
11:00 AM
|
|
Come and explore a neighborhood that you only thought you knew. You will walk through the area taking in the sights and sounds of the lively and ever-changing Castro/Eureka Valley neighborhood. What was once dairy farms and dirt roads is now one of the city's most vibrant and cohesive communities, saturated with popular and stylish shops, restaurants and bars. So bring your walking shoes (or pumps), and let's start walking. |
Meet at Harvey Milk Plaza (Castro & Market Streets) under the large rainbow flag. Muni K, L, M, N to Castro Station
|
| Chinatown |
All Year
|
All Saturdays
10:00 AM
|
All Mondays
10:00 AM
|
All Mondays
1:30 PM
|
|
Explore colorful alleys and side streets--the essence of Chinatown--home for family associations, sewing shops, community organizations, and churches. See shops selling Chinese medicinal herbs, gold jewelry, and vegetables. |
Meet at flagpole just outside of the elevator building at Portsmouth Square park, nearest cross street: Washington/Walter Lum Place (Alley). Public transportation: MUNI lines 1, 30, and 45.
|
| City Scapes And Public Places |
All Year
|
All Fridays
10:00 AM
|
All Fridays
1:30 PM
|
|
Discover hidden parks, rooftop gardens, and other delights while experiencing some of the colorful history and distinctive architecture of San Francisco's financial district. No tour on July 4, 2008. |
Meet at the Native Sons Monument, Montgomery at Market. Public transportation: MUNI/BART Montgomery Station; all Market Street buses & streetcars. NO TOUR ON JULY 4, 2008.
|
| Civic Center & City Hall |
All Year
|
|
Explore a National Historic District and tour San Francisco's most beautiful building: its City Hall. |
Meet at steps of Main Library facing the Pioneer Monument on Fulton St. between Hyde & Larkin. Public transportation: MUNI line 19; MUNI/BART Civic Center Station
|
| Coit Tower Murals |
All Year
|
|
Murals--some controversial--created by 25 of California's leading artists of the 1930s reflect scenes of the Great Depression, landscapes, farm workers, industries, a stylish soiree, and vibrant city life. Tour includes some murals not usually open to the public. |
Meet at the main entry of Coit Tower atop Telegraph Hill. No parking. Public transportation: MUNI line 39.
|
| Cow Hollow |
All Year
|
1st & 3rd Sundays
10:00 AM
|
|
The tolling of historic bells cast halfway around the world, a rare building type from 1861, a grand Italiante manor house, and San Francisco’s most exotic building. These and other unique experiences await you on the Cow Hollow tour. |
Meet at Holy Trinity Cathedral, Van Ness and Green. Public transportation: MUNI lines 45, 47, 49.
|
| Diego Rivera Mural at the Stock Exchange Tower |
All Year
|
|
The mural "Allegory of California" graces the stairwell of the City Club (Formerly the Pacific Stock Exchange Club). Normally closed the public, this is an opportunity to see the first mural painted in the US by the great Mexican artist Diego Rivera. The Pacific Stock Exchange Lunch Club, now the City Club, is considered the best interior in the Art Deco style in San Francisco, and among the best in California. |
Meet in the lobby of the Stock Exchange Tower located at 155 Sansome Street
|
| Diego Rivera Mural: Pan American Unity |
May & October only
|
|
See the last and largest of the murals done by Diego Rivera in the U.S.: Pan American Unity, painted for the Pacific Exposition of 1940. |
Meet in the lobby of Diego Rivera Theatre (approach from Judson), San Francisco City College, Judson and Phelan. Public transportation: MUNI lines K streetcar, 36.
|
| Dogpatch and Potrero Point |
All Year
|
|
Designated as a San Francisco Historic District, this colorful neighborhood has important ties to many of the city's past commercial industries. From its historic working class cottages and industrial age relics to the current proliferation of ultra-modern lofts, we'll explore the past and present of this surprising, eclectic neighborhood in transition. |
Meet at 18th Street & Tennessee. Muni 22 or T-3rd.
|
| Downtown Deco |
All Year
|
3rd Sundays
11:00 AM
|
3rd Wednesdays
2:00 PM
|
|
Discover downtown's legacy of the Art Deco era as you encounter numerous permutations of American Deco/Moderne architecture. |
Meet in front of SBC Building (not the ballpark), 140 New Montgomery. Public transportation: MUNI/BART Montgomery Station; all Market Street buses & streetcars
|
| El distrito de la Misión Dolores (Mission Dolores Neighborhood in Spanish) |
May only
|
|
Entérese de la Misión Española que formo el
vecindario, las calles de San Francisco que deben sus
nombres a los españoles, y el lago que se ha
desaparecido del paisaje. Examine el área creada por
diversos grupos que todavía tienen raíces aquí. |
Nos encontraremos en la esquina de Church y la calle
20, cerca de la boca de riego dorada.
|
| Embarcadero Skyway |
May & October only
|
|
Take flight (sort of)! Most of the tour is above the ground. View “Rockefeller Center West” from a different angle and discover a hidden urban oasis. Tread on buried ships that once housed saloons, jails, stores and brothels. Lots of stairs. |
Meet in front of 400 Sansome Street (at Sacramento).
|
| Embarcadero South: Ruth Miller Ramble |
All Year
|
4th Saturdays
11:00 AM
|
3rd Thursdays
11:00 AM
|
|
Named for the longtime City Guide who saw the potential of this area long before anyone else, this walk covers Rincon Center to Rincon Hill and beyond. Discover the changing faces of this once-bustling port and The City's first exclusive neighborhood. Understand the financial and geologic erosion that doomed them-and the forces that brought them back to life. |
Meet at Mission & Steuart Streets, by Rincon Center. Public transportation: Muni lines 12, 14-Mission, all Market Street lines (to Ferries), and Embarcadero BART/Muni Station.
|
| Excelsior Stroll |
May & October only
|
|
This 'urban village' was once a Mexican land grant. Then came land speculators followed by Ligurian and Tuscan truck farmers. And next? Hear the the history and the more recent story. |
Meet at the Excelsior Library, 4400 Mission Street at Cotter. Public transportation: MUNI lines 14, 49.
|
| Ferry Building |
All Year
|
All Saturdays
12:00 PM
|
All Tuesdays
12:00 PM
|
All Thursdays
12:00 PM
|
|
Enjoy an hour-long walk on the rise, tragic fall, and modern rebirth of one of San Francisco's most renowned historic landmarks. Visit a contemporary swirl of shops and learn the history of ferries, freeways and quakes. Meet at the foot of the stairs at the front entrance, Market and Embarcadero. |
Meet at the main entrance, near the stairs to the 2nd Floor. Public transportation: MUNI lines 12, F Market; MUNI/BART Embarcadero Station.
|
| Financial District |
May & October only
|
|
Take a walk through the commercial neighborhood that was transformed in the 1960s and 1970s. View architectural contrasts and decide for yourself which are treasures and which are eyesores. Learn how the Wall Street of the West was built, who pulled the strings, and Who's Who today. Follow the money! |
Meet at Sidney Walton Square by the old Colombo Market arch (on Front Street between Jackson & Pacific). Public transportation: MUNI lines 10, 12; F streetcar runs nearby.
|
| Fire Department Museum |
All Year
This is a self-guided tour |
All Saturdays
1:00 PM
|
All Sundays
1:00 PM
|
All Thursdays
1:00 PM
|
All Fridays
1:00 PM
|
|
View antique engines and fire fighter artifacts mixed together with the history of fire fighting. This is an indoor, self guided tour. A trained City Guide is available for questions and explanations. |
Meet on Presidio Avenue between Bush and Pine. Public transportation: MUNI lines 1, 43.
|
| Fisherman's Wharf |
All Year
|
All Mondays
11:00 AM
|
All Fridays
11:00 AM
|
|
A visitor or a local? See a side of Fisherman's Wharf most never see. Learn about swimmers who survived (or didn't) the treacherous bay, the baseball great whose dad wanted him to be a fisherman, how Ghirardelli got here from Peru, what is underneath Aquatic Park, and more... |
Meet at benches in park at foot of Larkin St.
|
| Fort Mason Historic District |
All Year
|
|
A unique San Francisco landmark, Fort Mason's Port of Embarkation, once known as the "Gateway to the Pacific," has evolved from a dynamic military post to a contemporary cultural center. Enjoy spectacular Bay views, Gas House Cove, unique and special architecture. Discover the important role of nearby Lobos Square in San Francisco history. |
Meet next to the Gate House, just inside the Main Gate, Laguna and Marina Blvd.
|
| Fort Mason To Aquatic Park |
All Year
|
1st & 2nd Saturdays
1:00 PM
|
1st & 3rd Thursdays
1:00 PM
|
|
This remarkable walk along the northern waterfront includes unique views and exciting accounts of many of the most important events of San Francisco history, including the Spanish era, military changes, Civil War times, 1906 Earthquake, PPIE, the astonishing development of the GGNRA and the saga of Aquatic Park. Incomparable vistas adjacent to the last unaltered bit of SF coast! |
Meet at NW corner of Van Ness & Bay.
|
| Ghost Walk At City Hall |
October only
|
|
Disinterred remains, assassinations and other ghostly lore form the focus of this tour, plus little-known facts such as the cemetery that once covered Civic Center. Who (or what) might be walking alongside us? |
Meet in South Light Court, through Polk St. entrance. (Allow time for security checks. Travel lightly - full security, including bag searches, will be in effect.)
|
| Ghost Walk At The Palace |
October only
|
|
Kings and presidents died here; gunshots echoed through stately corridors, romances ended tragically. Perhaps that explains enduring stories of spectral visions and mysterious occurrences. Join us for a tour of the unknown--and the supernatural! |
Meet in lobby at main entrance, 2 New Montgomery St.
|
| Ghosts, Sinners and Secret Places |
Periodically
Keep checking for upcoming tours. |
|
Wander streets above hidden tunnels used during prohibition to enter secret speakeasies, learn about hotels with apparitions and hidden rooms, a murder scandal with a legendary Hollywood actor, a notorious stagecoach robber, and ghosts that haunt a theater, a cabaret, the brothels of Maiden Lane and Chinatown. The tour covers approximately 1 mile and ends in Union Square. |
Meet at the kiosk in Hallidie Plaza at Market and Powell.
|
| Glen Park Neighborhood |
May & October only
|
|
Glen Park Neighborhood - Visit San Francisco's 'Little Switzerland.' See one of the city's first suburban recreational areas, now grownup from farms and pastureland to a cozy neighborhood. |
Meet at Glen Park Library, 2825 Diamond Street.
|
| Gold Rush City |
All Year
|
All Sundays
2:00 PM
|
All Wednesdays
11:00 AM
|
All Fridays
1:30 PM
|
|
Relive the early history of an instant city. Learn about the Vigilance Committee and a fleet of abandoned ships. Who was Emperor Norton? Walk the streets of Yerba Buena Cove, the haunts of the original 49ers. |
Meet on the northeast corner of Clay & Montgomery at the Transamerica Pyramid. Public Transportation: MUNI lines 1, 15.
|
| Golden Gate Bridge |
All Year
|
All Sundays
11:00 AM
|
All Thursdays
11:00 AM
|
|
Marvel at San Francisco's world-famous landmark. Discover how the Golden Gate Bridge was built, who built it, and why it's not painted gold - despite its name. Experience breathtaking views of San Francisco and the Marin Headlands from the mid-span of the bridge. |
Meet at the Strauss statue, view parking lot, on the San Francisco side of the Bridge. Weather can be unpredictable. Bring a windbreaker or jacket. Public transportation: MUNI lines 28 or 29.
|
| Golden Gate Heights Stairways |
May & October only
|
|
On this hearty walk, a multitude of stairways connects comfortable Inner Sunset residential streets with dramatic chert outcroppings offering magnificent views of San Francisco, the Pacific Ocean, and the Marin Hills. |
Meet at Kirkham and the base of the 15th Avenue stairway. Wear comfortable, sturdy walking shoes Muni N Judah.
|
| Golden Gate Park Stroller Walk |
Periodically
|
1st & 3rd Wednesdays
10:00 AM
|
|
Explore the twelve scenic areas of Golden Gate Park in this series of peaceful walks. Each walk departs from a new location, enabling walkers to discover fascinating history and natural features unique to each area. This walk is ideal for adults with children in strollers, seniors, and those with mobility impairment. Terrain is generally flat and tour lasts one hour. Please see our website for specific tour descriptions and meeting locations. |
10 am Wednesday, September 1st
AIDS Grove & Children's Playground
Meet at the base of the stairs in front of the Conservatory of Flowers on JFK Drive.
Begin by walking through the Fern Dell and past Quarry Lake. Enjoy the tranquility of the AIDS Memorial Grove. See the lawn bowling greens and "Hippie Hill" in Sharon Meadows. Those who wish may end the walk at the Children IS Playground. Otherwise, return to the Conservatory past the tennis courts. View the Dahlia Garden in full bloom.
10 am Wednesday, September 15th
North Lake
Meet at the parking area near the 43rd Avenue & Fulton entrance to the Park.
Explore North Lake, circling the west side, observe bison in their paddock, visit the Anglers' casting pools and return on the east side of North Lake. Return to the parking area.
10 am Wednesday, October 6th
Stow Lake
Meet at the front entrance to the Stow Lake Boat House.
Saunter around Stow Lake, exploring the Roman & Rustic Bridges, Huntington Falls, Golden Gate Pavilion, and Strawberry Hill Island. Return to the Boat House.
10 am Wednesday, November 3rd
Heroines & Heroes
Meet at the Pioneer Women Monument located off John F. Kennedy (JFK) Drive, east of the road to Stow Lake
Starting at the Pioneer Women Monument, stroll through the Rose Garden and Heroes Grove, and then on to the Mothers' Meadow and Playground. Those who wish may end the Walk at the Playground. Otherwise, return to the Pioneer Women Monument.
|
| Golden Gate Park: East End |
All Year
|
All Sundays
1:00 PM
|
All Fridays
10:00 AM
|
|
The East End of Golden Gate Park holds many features and stories of its past one hundred year existence. The Conservatory of Flowers, underground tunnels, a rock quarry, and a long gone aviary are part of its past. View the AIDS Memorial Grove, and the new buildings in the Music Concourse, site of the 1894 World’s Fair. We will be walking up small hills and climbing some stairs in this two-hour walk. |
Meet at bottom of the steps of the Conservatory of Flowers.
|
| Golden Gate Park: West End |
All Year
|
2nd & 4th Saturdays
11:00 AM
|
1st Wednesdays
11:00 AM
|
|
Explore a magic garden and windmills that helped create Golden Gate Park. Trace the tracks of trains that brought San Franciscans to Ocean Beach in Victorian Times. Discover Lucien Laubaudt's magnificent murals of 1930s City Life in Willis Polk's landmark Beach Chalet. |
Meet at the Queen Wilhelmina Garden on John F. Kennedy Drive near the Great Highway.
|
| Haight-Ashbury |
All Year
|
|
Come explore streets, sidewalks, parks, and vistas that tell the story of a Victorian era resort site subsequently developed by comfortable merchants, whose gingerbread homes still grace its streets. Somewhat strenuous. |
Meet at the Park Branch Library, 1833 Page St. Public transportation: MUNI lines 33, 43.
|
| Historic Market Street: Path Of Gold |
All Year
|
|
From the Ferry Building to Lotta's Fountain, Market Street provides a cross section of San Francisco history as it slices diagonally across the city. Lining the city's first boulevard, dubbed the Path of Gold as it was rebuilt after the 1906 earthquake, are historic buildings, monuments and modern skyscrapers. Hear the street's relevance to everything from the Gold Rush to Bay Area Rapid Transit and vintage street cars. |
Meet in front of Landmark at One Market, south side of market between Steuart & Spear. No hills. Wheelchairs welcome. Public transportation: MUNI lines F, 2, 7, 14, 21, 66, 71.
|
| Historic Murals Of Rincon Center |
All Year
|
4th Saturdays
1:30 PM
|
2nd Tuesdays
11:00 AM
|
|
When these murals were unveiled, powerful voices called for their destruction, but 40 years later, they saved the Rincon Center from demolition. The historic lobby murals tell many stories, from San Francisco history to the politics of the Cold War era. Discover the artistic and political background of these treasures. |
Meet in east end of Rincon Center lobby, Mission at Steuart. Public transportation: MUNI lines F, 2, 7, 12, 14, 21; BART/MUNI Embarcadero station.
|
| Inner Richmond: Part I |
May & October only
|
|
The rich history of the Richmond District goes back to the 19th century and includes robbers roosts and race tracks, squatters and roadhouses, a saloon district and a red light district, as well as charming Victorian row houses and beautiful blocks of Craftsman houses, the 1902 and 1903 Big Games, nickelodeons, an earthquake shack camp, San Francisco's only columbarium, the house of Wyatt Earp, the Jefferson Airplane mansion, and what may be the oldest Chinese laundry business in San Francisco. |
Meet at the corner of Geary and 3rd Ave.
|
| Inner Richmond: Part II |
May & October only
|
|
The rich history of the Richmond District goes back to the 19th century and includes robbers roosts and race tracks, squatters and roadhouses, a saloon district and a red light district, as well as charming Victorian row houses and beautiful blocks of Craftsman houses, the 1902 and 1903 Big Games, nickelodeons, an earthquake shack camp, San Francisco's only columbarium, the house of Wyatt Earp, the Jefferson Airplane mansion, and what may be the oldest Chinese laundry business in San Francisco. |
Meet on the corner of 6th Ave & Geary.
|
| Inner Sunset: The Birth Of A Neighborhood |
All Year
|
|
Discover how this charming neighborhood emerged from the windswept dunes originally deemed hopeless and uninhabitable. Explore the area, see the bustling local color, and hear fascinating history (and an occasional bit of lore). |
Meet at Arguello and Hugo. Tour ends at 9th & Lincoln. Public transportation: MUNI lines 71, N Judah streetcar.
|
| Japanese Tea Garden |
All Year
|
1st & 4th Saturdays
1:00 PM
|
All Sundays
1:00 PM
|
All Mondays
9:30 AM
|
All Wednesdays
1:00 PM
|
All Thursdays
1:00 PM
|
|
Join us for a 45-minute stroll through this five-acre world-famous garden. Learn about the icons of the Garden and the family that lived there. Admission to garden required except on the Monday morning tour. |
Meet just inside the entrance to the garden.
|
| Japanese Tea Garden/Stow Lake/Strawberry Hill |
All Year
|
|
We’ll start with a tour of the Japanese Tea Garden, then climb up to Stow Lake. We’ll explore San Francisco's second highest sand dune, a place known as “the island,” even before it was surrounded by water. See a waterfall funded by a railroad tycoon and a nesting tree for California's largest water bird. We’ll cross the Roman Bridge and hike up the Carriage Path to the top of Strawberry Hill, the site of the Sweeny Observatory and then descend down Huntington Falls to the Tiapei Pavilion. This tour may be abbreviated, at the discretion of the guide, due to weather. |
Meet inside the Tea Garden Gate in Golden Gate Park. Tea Garden admission is free.
|
| Japantown, Urban Renewal and Fillmore Jazz |
All Year
|
1st & 3rd Saturdays
2:00 PM
|
|
San Francisco’s Japantown, one of only three remaining in the United States, dates from the great earthquake and fire of 1906, when the Japanese population united west of the fire line. Uprooted by World War II, the Japanese were replaced mostly by African-Americans, who brought their vibrant musical heritage with them. The area was one of the first to experience the dramatic changes of 1950s urban renewal programs – which continue. In recent years the area has seen a wealth of Japanese architecture next to the classic Victorians and a rebirth of African-American culture in the Fillmore Jazz Preservation District. |
Meet at the Japantown Peace Pagoda at Buchanan between Post and Geary. Public transportation: MUNI lines, 2, 22, 38.
|
| LaborFest 2010: Chinatown, The experience of immigrant workers |
Periodically
|
|
Walk through unique hidden alleyways to hear the history of America’s largest and oldest Chinese community. Learn how immigrant labor struggled for fair treatment while mining gold, building railroads and working in the building trades. Led by City Guide Ernie Ng, a San Francisco Chinatown native. |
Meet on the Washington Street side of the upper level of Portsmouth Square (Kearny & Clay), near the elevator. Public transportation: MUNI lines 1, 30, and 45.
|
| LaborFest 2010: Fisherman's Wharf |
Periodically
|
|
Get beyond the tourist trinkets to see a side of Fisherman’s Wharf seldom seen by tourists. Learn about the canning industries, the struggles of maritime & shipping unions and how San Francisco’s Italian fisherman built their community. All within sight of historic ships and a postcard landscape of land and sea. |
Meet at benches in park at foot of Larkin St.
|
| LaborFest 2010: Golden Gate Bridge |
Periodically
|
|
Meet at Strauss Statue in the visitor's plaza. Free parking in the dirt lot on Lincoln Blvd.
Although other bridges are now taller and longer than this 1930's icon, the Golden Gate Bridge remains the most photographed landmark in America. Learn why the bridge was so hard to build, how it changed the building of bridges around the world and what today’s bridge workers face as they maintain and retrofit the world's largest sculpture. This unique tour combines the architectural and historical stories from City Guides with a walk on the world's most famous bridge led by it's very own iron workers and painters. A very special experience.
|
Meet at Strauss Statue in the visitor’s plaza. Free parking in the dirt lot on Lincoln Blvd.
|
| LaborFest 2010: Historic Market Street |
Periodically
|
|
From the Ferry Building to the Mechanics Monument, Market Street provides a cross section of San Francisco history as it slices diagonally across the city. Lining the city's first boulevard, dubbed the Path of Gold as it was rebuilt after the 1906 earthquake, are historic buildings, monuments and modern skyscrapers. Hear how labor’s relevance on this historic street to everything from the Gold Rush to Bay Area Rapid Transit and vintage street cars. |
Meet in front of Landmark at One Market, south side of market between Steuart & Spear. No hills. Wheelchairs welcome. Public transportation: MUNI lines F, 2, 7, 14, 21, 66, 71.
|
| LaborFest 2010: Japanese and African American worker’s stories in San Francisco's Japantown |
Periodically
|
|
San Francisco's Japantown, one of only three remaining in the United States, dates from the great earthquake and fire of 1906, when the Japanese population united west of the fire line. Uprooted by World War II, the Japanese were replaced mostly by newly arrived African-American workers, who brought their vibrant musical heritage with them. The area was one of the first to experience the dramatic changes of 1950s urban renewal programs - which continue. In recent years the area has seen a wealth of Japanese architecture next to the classic Victorians and a rebirth of African-American culture in the Fillmore Jazz Preservation District. |
Meet at the Japantown Peace pagoda at Buchanan near Post
|
| LaborFest 2010: Sex in the City, "Working Women" in the early days of San Francisco |
Periodically
|
|
Sodom & Gomorrah, that was San Francisco from 1848 to 1906. Sex, drugs and rock and roll was a way of life. Join us on a 90 minute walk through the early years of "Baghdad by the Bay" with a special emphasis on the working woman. No need for unions, the girls were all booked! |
Meet on the corner of Clay and Montgomery by the Transamerica Bldg.
|
| LaborFest 2010: SOMA & Yerba Buena Gardens |
Periodically
|
|
Learn how the retired president of the Alaska Salmon Packer’s Union used union tactics to influence urban redevelopment in SoMa (South of Market) – organizing the longshoremen living in sro (single room occupancy) hotels with neighborhood activists to preserve their housing and communities. Understand the history and development of the area, from the earliest rough neighborhoods called “South of the Slot”, to the proud civic achievement that is today’s Yerba Buena Gardens complex. Learn to look at this neighborhood with a new eye - even people familiar with the area will discover beautiful gardens and unique sculptures that are “hidden in plain sight”. |
Meets in front of St. Patrick's Church, Mission St. between 3rd and 4th Sts. Public transportation: MUNI line 14; MUNI/BART Powell St. Station.
|
| Land's End: Sutro Heights |
All Year
|
|
In sunshine or fog, experience the dramatic wind swept vistas where San Francisco meets the Pacific Ocean. Enjoy Sutro Heights Park, Mayor Sutro's gift to the public, and see the ruins of his gigantic baths. Somewhat strenuous. |
Meet at the lion statue at park entrance, 48th Ave. & Pt. Lobos Ave. Public transportation: MUNI No. 38 bus to 48th Avenue.
|
| Landmark Victorians Of Alamo Square |
All Year
|
1st & 3rd Saturdays
11:00 AM
|
1st & 3rd Thursdays
11:00 AM
|
|
See some of the city's most opulent and carefully restored 'Painted Ladies' including the world famous Postcard Row. You will also be treated to breathtaking panoramic views from the Alamo Square Historic District. |
Meet in front of 824 Grove Street. Public transportation: MUNI lines 21, 22, 5.
|
| Main Library Tour |
All Year
|
|
See the results of a $6 million first-floor facelift for this Civic Center institution. A dramatic skylight crowns the soaring atrium, flooded with natural light. Bridges soar across spacious lightwells. Stunning architecture, a vast collection - explore it all! (Indoors; 1 hour.) |
Meet at the Information Desk, 1st floor Atrium, through Grove St. entrance.
|
| Making Waves on the Waterfront |
All Year
|
|
San Francisco is well-known for changing the world through innovative, even revolutionary, ideas and actions in politics, business, technology and society. Many of these changes occurred along the northern waterfront, where Gold Rush pioneers, labor organizers, entrepreneurs, genius inventors and architects helped created our modern city. Join us as we travel over level ground (no hills!) to visit historic sites and hidden parks. |
Meet in front of the Ferry Building under the clock tower, at the foot of Market St. Public transportation: MUNI lines 12, 14, F Historic Streetcar; MUNI/BART Embarcadero Station
|
| Mission Bay: Hidden Waters |
All Year
|
1st Saturdays
2:00 PM
|
4th Wednesdays
10:00 AM
|
|
From placid waters fished by ancient peoples to the biggest construction project in San Francisco since 1906, the transformation of Mission Bay has been incredible. Gain a unique perspective on the area, and discover a hidden park and a forgotten creek. (If it's a bay, where's the water?) |
Meet in plaza on south side of Caltrain Station, 4th & King Streets. Muni: N Judah, T Third, 30 Stockton, 45 Union, 47 Van Ness.
|
| Mission Dolores Neighborhood |
All Year
|
1st, 2nd & 3rd Sundays
11:00 AM
|
|
Learn about the Spanish Mission that formed the neighborhood, the people who gave their names to San Francisco streets, and the lake that has vanished from the landscape. Explore an area created by diverse groups who still have ties here. |
Meet at the gold-painted fire hydrant (which saved the neighborhood in 1906),SE corner of Church and 20th Sts. Public transportation: MUNI line J Church streetcar.
|
| Mission Murals |
All Year
|
1st & 3rd Saturdays
11:00 AM
|
|
See the colorful people's art of the Mission District, one of San Francisco's largest ethnic communities. |
Meet at Precita and Harrison, behind Flynn Elementary School. Public transportation: MUNI lines 12, 27.
|
| Mt. Davidson Hike |
All Year
|
|
Explore the inspired history of San Francisco’s highest hill on this vigorous hike through a 38-acre nature preserve to the amazing view and gigantic monument at its 938 ft. high summit. Steep trails which can be windy and muddy. Wear a jacket and sturdy shoes.
|
Meet at Sherwood Ave and Myra Way (bus 36).
|
| Murals And The Multi-Ethnic Mission |
All Year
Note: No tour on June 13. |
|
See a four-story mural at the Women's Building and an eight-story example at Bethany Center. You'll also visit a multicultural neighborhood of 1880s Victorian Homes. |
Meet at the Women's Building, 3543 18th Street, between Guerrero and Valencia. Public transportation: MUNI lines 14, 33, 49; BART 16th Street station.
|
| Nob Hill |
All Year
|
All Sundays
2:00 PM
|
All Wednesdays
2:00 PM
|
All Thursdays
2:00 PM
|
|
Here once rose the rococo palaces of the old railroad and silver kings. Expect architectural tidbits and anecdotes about a great cathedral, four prestigious hotels, and a most exclusive men's club. Elegance, urbanity, and fabulous views. |
Meet at the front entrance to the Stanford Court Hotel on California Street between Powell and Mason. Public transportation: MUNI Powell or California Street cable car; Powell Street MUNI/BART station.
|
| Noe Valley: A Village Within the City |
All Year
|
|
Who was Noe? What is Horner's Addition? Where was Temple? What is a Jonathan Anderson? Did Andrew Carnegie live in Noe Valley? Find out about the valley's working class roots. Walk along and learn tricks to uncover this now-upscale neighborhood's historic secrets. |
Meet at the Public Library, 451 Jersey Street (between Castro and Diamond Streets.)
|
| North Beach |
All Year
|
All Saturdays
10:00 AM
|
2nd & 4th Tuesdays
10:00 AM
|
|
Savor a taste of the International District, home to the Latin Quarter of the 1850s, Little Italy since the 1880s, and the stage for turn-of-the-century bohemians and mid-20th century beatniks. |
Meet at 666 Filbert Street on the steps of Saints Peter and Paul Church, across from Washington Square.
Public transportation: MUNI lines 30, 45.
Parking: city garage - 735 Vallejo, between Stockton and Powell.
|
| North Beach By Night |
Periodically
Not offered 5/31, 7/4, 7/5, 9/5, 9/6 |
All Sundays
7:00 PM
|
All Mondays
7:00 PM
|
|
It's where food, culture, colorful history, and unexpected views all intersect in an erstwhile Italian 'urban village' that was also cradle to San Francisco's bohemia. Weather can be chilly, dress accordingly. |
Meet in front of Specs Cafe, 12 Saroyan Place, just off Columbus, south of Broadway and next to Tosca Cafe.
|
| Old South Park |
All Year
|
|
A short tour of San Francisco's first planned community -- its ups and downs, fortune, romance, and the infamous '2nd Street Cut.' |
Meet at the Shell station on 3rd St. between Bryant and Brannan Sts. Public transportation: MUNI lines 12, 15, 30, 45.
|
| Omni Hotel Walk |
All Year
|
|
Starting from the lobby of the Omni Hotel enjoy one of City Guides popular downtown tours. Each week take a surprise tour that could include Nob Hill, Chinatown, Embarcadero Skyway, Gold Rush City, or the Ferry Building. |
500 California Street (at Montgomery)
|
| Pacific Heights Mansions |
All Year
|
All Saturdays
11:00 AM
|
1st & 3rd Tuesdays
11:00 AM
|
|
Walk past palatial homes and consulates in Pacific Heights--mansions used as the Japanese and German consulates in 1941. Learn of Victorian lifestyles and earthquake refugees. |
Meet in Alta Plaza Park, atop the stairs above Pierce & Clay Sts. Public transportation: MUNI lines 1, 2.
|
| Palace Hotel |
All Year
|
All Saturdays
10:00 AM
|
All Tuesdays
10:00 AM
|
All Thursdays
2:00 PM
|
|
Majestic. Spectacular. Words fail to convey the extraordinary beauty of the elegantly restored Palace. See this 1909 Beaux Arts gem for yourself, and discover why it's consistently ranked as one of the top luxury hotels in the world! |
Meet on right side of main lobby; 2 New Montgomery Street. Public transportation: MUNI/BART Montgomery Station; all Market Street buses & streetcars.
|
| Palace Of Fine Arts/Marina |
All Year
|
1st & 3rd Saturdays
1:00 PM
|
|
Discover one of the most romantic spots in San Francisco, and the site of the 1915 Panama Pacific International Exposition. Learn of this fabulous fair and beloved building while you enjoy today's historic Marina district. |
Meet at the corner of Bay and Lyon Sts. Public transportation: MUNI lines 28, 30.
|
| Prostitution Tour |
Periodically
Summer Only |
|
From the Tenderloin’s first “parlour house” to the adventures of the Mitchell brothers and the O’Farrell Theater, tour the naughty and bawdy locations (several surviving buildings) of the Uptown Tenderloin’s most famous high class brothels. Dolly Adams (the girl in the fishbowl), Tessie Wall, Jessie Hayman, Sally Stanford and others will be covered. |
Meet at the corner of Powell, Eddy, and Market Street.
|
| Rising Steel: Two Centuries Of San Francisco Architecture |
All Year
|
1st & 4th Sundays
11:00 AM
|
2nd Tuesdays
10:00 AM
|
|
Explore downtown architecture from as early as 1891 up to today. We'll see famous buildings and little-known treasures while discussing the architects and design trends that changed the face of America. 'Make no small plans!' 30 buildings in two hours. |
Meet at the corner of Stockton and Maiden Lane, just east of Union Square. Public transportation: MUNI line 38; also near Powell Muni/BART station.
|
| Russian Hill Stairways |
All Year
Not offered Nov-April |
1st Saturdays
10:00 AM
|
3rd & 5th Tuesdays
10:00 AM
|
|
At 345 feet above San Francisco Bay, Russian Hill is a magical neighborhood, with secret gardens and amazing views! Climb hills and staircases to visit the former haunts of writers, artists and other young bohemians. See where Willis Polk lived and worked, and one of only two remaining octagon houses. |
Meet at Hyde & Filbert Streets.
|
| Sacred Places In San Francisco |
May & October only
|
|
San Francisco's diversity is reflected in its places of worship. Visit churches, temples, a cathedral, and a synagogue. View the symbols and architecture and hear the history of the city's religious institutions. |
Meet at the main plaza entrance of St. Mary's Cathedral, Gough & Geary. Public transportation: MUNI line 38.
|
| Sigmund Stern Grove |
All Year
This tour will not be offered from November - April. |
|
Explore this 63-acre city park, the jewel of the Sunset District. Learn of the area's colorful history and about the park's free summer concerts held during the past 70 years. One steep hill and some dirt paths; wear sturdy shoes. Rain cancels the tour. |
Meet at 19th Ave and Sloat Blvd.
|
| SOMA & Yerba Buena Gardens |
All Year
|
|
Understand the history and development of the South of Market area (SoMa) of San Francisco, from the earliest rough neighborhoods called “South of the Slot”, to the proud civic achievement that is today’s Yerba Buena Gardens complex. View an exciting variety
of buildings and architectural styles including an historic church, posh hotels, the highest concentration of museums in the city, a high-tech entertainment center, and a family-friendly playground area. Learn to look at this neighborhood with a new eye - even people familiar with the area will discover beautiful gardens and unique sculptures that are “hidden in plain sight”. |
Meets in front of St. Patrick's Church, Mission St. between 3rd and 4th Sts. Public transportation: MUNI line 14; MUNI/BART Powell St. Station.
|
| South Beach and the South End Historic Warehouse District |
All Year
|
|
Learn the rich history of one of San Francisco’s most underappreciated neighborhoods. See scores of historic brick warehouses and industrial buildings including a half-dozen pre-earthquake structures in this recently revitalized neighborhood. Search for evidence underfoot of the area’s rich rail-roading history. Learn about a Chinese fishing village from the 1850s; the Pacific Mail Steamship Company; dockworkers’ waterfront restaurants and the artist who paints them. Experience good and not so good examples of adaptive reuse of historic buildings.
|
Meet on the corner of Brannan Street and Embarcadero (by the Delancey Street Restaurant awning).
|
| South of Market Architecture Stroll |
All Year
|
|
Compare Classical Revival, modern, postmodern and green trends. Architecture includes building facades, public places, and public art. Zigzag and saunter along main streets and back alleys toward the emerging Transbay Terminal complex. |
Meet at the "Big Blue Cube" of the Contemporary Jewish Museum on Yerba Buena Lane, between 3rd & 4th and Market/Mission.
|
| Sutro Forest Hike |
May & October only
|
|
Explore the legacy of Adolph Sutro's Arbor Day celebrations (and discover the remains of Ishi's 'cave'), stroll a city reservoir, and more. A steep, long, strenuous walk, but taken at an easy pace and rewarded with spectacular views! |
Meet at the northwest corner of Stanyan and Frederick. Public transportation: MUNI line 43, N streetcar.
|
| Telegraph Hill Hike |
All Year
|
All Saturdays
1:00 PM
|
1st & 3rd Thursdays
5:30 PM
|
|
Enjoy sweeping views of the Bay and beyond. See the wild parrots of Telegraph Hill and pre-1870 cottages where writers, artists, and Bohemians once lived. Climb the Filbert Street steps surrounded by semi-tropical gardens. |
Meet at Marconi Monument across from 290 Lombard Street. Walk from North Beach on Lombard or take Muni 39.
|
| Tenderloin Neighborhood Part I |
May & October only
|
|
Explore the Tenderloin from the isolated rural village beginnings to the San Francisco bootlegger wars and the start of the California movie industry. Learn about famous madams, see where Billie Holiday was busted for opium, and discover the neighborhood poker clubs. Flower nurseries and forges to the madams and gamblers of the uptown Tenderloin. |
Meet at Powell, Market and Eddy.
|
| Tenderloin Neighborhood Part II |
May & October only
|
|
Explore the Tenderloin from the isolated rural village beginnings to the San Francisco bootlegger wars and the start of the California movie industry. Learn about famous madams, see where Billie Holiday was busted for opium, and discover the neighborhood poker clubs. High rollers and card clubs, gangsters and jazz, and the Vietnam era. |
Meet at McAllister & Leavenworth.
|
| Theatre In San Francisco |
All Year
|
3rd Sundays
10:00 AM
|
2nd & 3rd Wednesdays
10:00 AM
|
|
Find out about more than 150 years of theater in San Francisco. The tour includes current theaters and those that fell or burned in the 1906 quake, prominent actors, and trends that occurred over the years. |
Meet at Yerba Buena Gardens, Mission between 3rd & 4th, by the outdoor stage on southeast corner of the park.
|
| Victorian San Francisco |
All Year
Monday tours are given in July and August only. |
|
See and learn about Victorian era architecture of the city's first suburb. As we walk in the neighborhood of Lafayette Square, you'll also learn about Victorian lifestyles and San Francisco's illustrious history. Some steep streets. Many fabulous views! |
Meet at 1801 Bush at Octavia. Public transportation: MUNI lines 1, 3.
|
| Visitacion Valley Part I |
May & October only
|
|
Explore little-known Visitacion Valley, named by 18th-century Spaniards lost in the fog and part of the only local land grant deeded to an Anglo. Part I: This tour's focus is on the valley's commerce and transportation--past, present, and future--with a foray into the Spanish-style Little Hollywood enclave east of Bayshore and a stop at Silvestri's statuary showroom. |
Meet in front of Visitacion Valley branch library, 45 Leland Ave. near Bayshore. Public transportation: MUNI lines 9, 8X and T light rail line.
|
| Visitacion Valley Part II |
May & October only
|
|
Explore little-known Visitacion Valley, named by 18th-century Spaniards lost in the fog and part of the only local land grant deeded to an Anglo. Part II: This tour concentrates on the valley's community life-- including Eichler housing, a Julia Morgan church, landscaped greenways and more--in the 'Valley of the Windmills.' Somewhat strenuous. |
Meet in front of Visitacion Valley branch library, 45 Leland Ave. near Bayshore. Public transportation: MUNI lines 9, 8X and T light rail line.
|
| West Portal |
May & October only
|
|
From a sleepy ranch owned by Adolph Sutro in 1880, West Portal rapidly grew into a shopping and transit hub after the Twin Peaks tunnel in 1918. See buildings designed by architects who later gained fame for the Golden Gate Bridge and Art Deco apartments around the city. |
Meet across from the West Portal Muni Station at Ulloa and Lennox Avenues. Public transportation: MUNI lines K, L, M streetcars.
|
