| Tour Name |
Months Offered |
June to September Tour Times |
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
|
1st Saturdays
1:00 PM
|
1st Wednesdays
12:00 PM
|
|
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 |
|
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 the eastern Maiden Lane gate (off Kearny between Post and Geary). Public transportation: MUNI lines 9x, 9ax, 9bx, 15, 30, 45, 81x; also one block west of Montgomery MUNI/BART station.
|
| Castro: Tales Of The Village |
All Year
|
|
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
|
2nd & 4th 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 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.
|
| City Hall |
Not currently offered
|
|
City Hall is one of the most significant public spaces in the USA and a splendid example of Beaux Arts design. See how this dominating feature of the Civic Center National Historic Landmark was restored to its original glory and improved for future generations. |
Meet in the City Hall South Light Court; enter through Goodlett Place (Polk St.) doors. Public transportation: MUNI lines 47, 49, 19, 5, 21; MUNI/BART Civic Center Station & MUNI Metro Van Ness Station.
|
| City Scapes And Public Places |
All Year
No tour on July 4, 2008 |
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 old 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
|
2nd & 4th Sundays
10:00 AM
|
|
History, architecture, and a touch of nostalgia mark this tour which samples a neighborhood that grew from truck gardens and dairy farms into one of the city's most attractive areas. |
Meet at Holy Trinity Cathedral, Van Ness and Green. Public transportation: MUNI lines 45, 47, 49.
|
| Diego Rivera Mural |
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.
|
| Discovery Walk: Embarcadero Skyway |
May & October only
|
|
A new kind of City Guides tour - less talking, more walking! 'Take flight' on this tour - literally! Most of the tour is above ground. View the 'Rockefeller Center of the West' from a different angle and discover a hidden urban oasis. |
Meet at Old Federal Reserve, 400 Sansome Street (between Sacramento & Clay).
|
| 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
|
| Duboce Triangle |
Not currently offered
|
|
A historical and architectural exploration of this once bustling center of the city's Scandinavian community. |
Meet in front of St. Francis Church, 152 Church Street. Public transportation: MUNI lines J, N, and F streetcars.
|
| El distrito de la Misión Dolores a pie
(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 North: Herb Caen Way |
All Year
|
|
Much of San Francisco's most dramatic growth occurred along the waterfront. From shipping to recreation, from shifting sand dunes to soaring sky scrapers, from vice to vista-retrace the city's colorful and riotous history, much of it captured by famed columnist Herb Caen. |
Meet in front of the Ferry Building under the clock tower, at the foot of Market St. Public transportation: MUNI lines 12, F Market; MUNI/BART Embarcadero Station
|
| 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.
|
| Eureka Valley Hike |
October only
|
|
Bring your inner child on this strenuous urban hike that takes you from busy thoroughfares to an idyllic, secluded garden. Take in birds, butterflies and beautiful views. |
Meet at Elizabeth & Douglass (MUNI 48 & 24).
|
| 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.
|
| Fairmount Hill |
May & October only
|
|
Tour cottage-dotted streets and see impressive views, a modern architectural showcase, and the Poole-Bell Mansion. Also hear the story of the Bells and Mary Ellen Pleasant. |
Meet at the Glen Park Library, 2825 Diamond Street. Public transportation: two blocks from Glen Park BART station.
|
| 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.
|
| Forest Hill |
October only
|
|
Forest Hill boasts stately staircases and large homes influenced by the Burnham plan for beautifying San Francisco and the City Beautiful Movement circa 1912. We?fll see the work of notable Bay Area architects such as Bernard Maybeck. Learn how Mark Daniels, the landscape architect of Sea Cliff, took the hilly site and used terraces to create a picturesque neighborhood within a forest. Hear how a group of residents took over management of the tract from the developer. |
Meet behind the Forest Hill Station. MUNI lines K, L, M.
|
| Fort Mason To Aquatic Park |
All Year
|
1st & 2nd Saturdays
11:00 AM
|
1st & 3rd Fridays
1:30 PM
|
|
Explore the magnificent edge of San Francisco's northern waterfront where history and coastal vistas combine for an amazing range of cultural and recreational amenities. |
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) else 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.
|
| 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 Coast Architecture |
May & October only
|
|
Explore the architecture of San Francisco's exclusive Gold Coast neighborhood on the edge of the Presidio. Learn the history behind homes and buildings such as the SF Landmark Engine Co. #23 Firehouse and the Swedenborgian Church. |
Meet at the top of the Lyon Street steps at the intersection of Lyon and Broadway. Public transportation: MUNI lines 3, 43.
|
| 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 as well as glimpses of rare native plants making their homes atop the windblown sand. |
Meet at Kirkham and the base of the 15th Avenue stairway. Wear comfortable, sturdy walking shoes Muni N Judah.
|
| 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.
|
| Hidden Waters: Mission Creek |
May & October only
|
|
Another new tour -- with less talking, more walking! Discover a hidden park and a forgotten creek, and gain a unique perspective on the biggest construction project in San Francisco since 1906 - Mission Bay. (If it's a bay, where's the water?) |
Meet in plaza behind Caltrain Station, 4th & King Streets. Muni N Judah
|
| 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.
|
| 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.
|
| Land's End: Sutro Highs And Lows |
All Year
|
|
Recapture the flavor of Mayor Sutro's gift to the public, the park and baths of the late 1800s. Dramatic, wind-swept vistas in sunshine or fog. Somewhat strenuous. |
Meet at the lion statue at park entrance, 48th Ave. & Pt. Lobos Ave. Public transportation: MUNI lines 38 L (limited) and 18.
|
| Landmark Victorians Of Alamo Square |
All Year
|
1st & 3rd Saturdays
11:00 AM
|
1st & 3rd Wednesdays
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.
|
| Liberty Hill Historic District |
Not currently offered
|
|
Explore the Liberty Hill Historic District, one of San Francisco's earliest and most intact Victorian neighborhoods. You'll see modest mansions, row houses, and colorful gardens. |
Meet at the corner of 20th St. and Dolores. Public transportation: MUNI line J Church streetcar.
|
| 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.
|
| Mission Dolores Neighborhood |
All Year
|
|
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
|
2nd & 4th Sundays
12:00 PM
|
|
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
|
|
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.
|
| Nob Hill Special Walk |
Not currently offered
|
|
Visit Grace Cathedral, hear about the Big Four and the Little Four. Hear more stories about all the wonderful characters who lived and worked on Nob Hill between the 1870s and 1906. Learn about the weeping window atop the Mark Hopkins and see the home of Ali McGraw and Steve McQueen in the movie Bullitt. Other unbelievable stories about Luther Burbank and Mary Magdalene. |
Meet at California and Powell at the green cable car booth.
|
| Noe Valley: Traditions & Transitions |
Not currently offered
|
|
Experience Noe Valley's unique ambience-from gingerbread trimmed Victorians to today's bustling boutiques and cafes. |
Meet at the corner of Noe and 25th Sts. Public transportation: MUNI line J Church streetcar.
|
| North Beach |
All Year
|
All Saturdays
10:00 AM
|
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 |
All Year
Not offered November to April |
All Sundays
7:00 PM
|
All Mondays
7:00 PM
|
|
It's where food, culture, colorful history, and unexpected views all intersect 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.
|
| North Of The Panhandle: China Boy's Neighborhood |
Not currently offered
|
|
This tour explores the neighborhood described in Gus Lee's book, China Boy. We'll walk the streets where Kai Ting spent his days and see how this part of San Francisco continues to change architecturally and ethnically, when we walk by mansions, Victorian houses, and small businesses in this modest neighborhood. |
Meet in front of the McKinley Statue at the eastern end of the Panhandle, Baker and Fell Sts.
|
| Old South Park |
May & October only
|
|
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
|
|
Tour the elegantly restored 1909 Palace Hotel, an architectural feat accomplished to great acclaim. See this 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 |
Not currently offered
|
|
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.
|
| Rising Steel: Two Centuries Of San Francisco Architecture |
All Year
|
2nd & 4th Sundays
11:00 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 Fridays
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.
|
| Scalawag And Sin Sites |
Not currently offered
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See where early 'pros' and 'cons' plied their evil trades. Meet famous felons and footpads, highbinders, and harlots, plus some who tried to save them. |
Tour meets next to the Chinatown Holiday Inn at the southwest corner of Washington & Kearny Streets.
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| Sigmund Stern Grove |
All Year
This tour will not be offered from November - April. |
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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.
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| Soma & Yerba Buena Gardens |
All Year
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Beautiful gardens, unique sculpture, and exciting new architecture make up the Yerba Buena complex. Over two decades in the making, it represents one of San Francisco's proudest civic achievements. |
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.
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| St. Francis Wood |
Not currently offered
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The developer of St. Francis Wood, Duncan McDuffie, built his version of the garden suburb movement that was sweeping the country at the turn of the 20th century. We'll see how his ideals were realized by the nationally renowned landscapers Olmsted Brothers and Beaux-Arts architects such as John Galen Howard and Julian Morgan. The Wood is a collection of Italian Renaissance, Spanish-Moorish, Colonial, and Roman-Beaux Arts styles with more architect-designed homes than any other neighborhood in San Francisco. |
Meet at the intersection of St. Francis Blvd and San Anselmo Ave. Muni Lines 23 or a short walk from MUNI West Portal Station lines K, L, or M.
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| Sutro Forest Hike |
May & October only
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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.
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| Telegraph Hill Hike |
All Year
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All Saturdays
1:00 PM
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1st & 3rd Thursdays
5:30 PM
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Enjoy sweeping views of the Bay._See the wild parrots, pre-1870 hillside homes where Bohemian artists and writers once lived. Climb the steps within semi-tropical gardens. |
Meet at Marconi Monument across from 290 Lombard Street. Walk from North Beach on Lombard or take Muni 39.
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| Tenderloin Neighborhood Part I |
May & October only
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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.
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| Tenderloin Neighborhood Part II |
May & October only
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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.
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| Theatre In San Francisco |
All Year
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3rd Sundays
10:00 AM
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2nd & 3rd Wednesdays
10:00 AM
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Find out about 150 years of theater as it evolved in San Francisco from 1849 to the present. 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.
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| Union Square And The Westin St. Francis |
Not currently offered
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Learn about the history of one of San Francisco's most significant public places--Union Square--and explore its 'crown jewel,' the St. Francis Hotel. |
Meet at the end of Maiden Lane (at Stockton St.) Public transportation: MUNI lines 30, 45, cable car; MUNI/BART Powell Station.
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| Victorian San Francisco |
All Year
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See and learn about San Francisco Victorian architecture--the 'Painted Ladies' of the city's first suburb (ca 1850s). 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, 31.
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| Visitacion Valley Part I |
May & October only
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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, 15.
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| Visitacion Valley Part II |
May & October only
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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, 15.
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| West Portal |
May & October only
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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 at Walgreen’s at West Portal & Ulloa across from the Muni station. |
Meet at the Walgreen's across from the West Portal Muni Station at Ulloa and West Portal Avenues. Public transportation: MUNI lines K, L, M streetcars.
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