Find Your Tour
Thursday March 27
- 10:30 am
Gardens in the Sky: Salesforce Transit Center and Rooftop Park
Visit a destination that is a hub for San Francisco and its environs -- and one of the most elegant gathering spaces in the region. Glide on a gondola to a rooftop retreat of trees and plants from around the world. The transit center and its gardens will have you marveling at trees, towers, and tales that recall its past as one of the oldest neighborhoods in San Francisco -- and boldly asserts the city's promise and potential for its future.
- 10:30 am
HERstory: Women Muralists of the Mission
Murals began appearing in the Mission District in the early 1970s. It was exclusively men’s work, mainly done by Latinos drawing upon a long tradition of Mexican “muralismo.” A few women, all Latinas, defying criticism, the occasional catcall, and even their own social mores, courageously said, they too, could climb a scaffold and paint. And they did, exquisitely and uniquely with a distinctive palette. Many of the pioneers still paint, while nurturing a new generation of women muralists. Come walk with us to hear the sensational story of the women muralists of the Mission and see their dazzling work. You will be awestruck.
- 11:00 am
1850's San Francisco: Paris Of The Pacific
Everyone in France heard the rumors. Or saw the news reports "of gold mines...fabulous riches awaiting only the hands of miners to be picked up." Some packed their bags and set off for California. These French left their mark on the culture of the booming city. The French influenced society, especially in food and fashion. Without them, it's hard to imagine San Francisco becoming our sophisticated, cosmopolitan metropolis.
- 11:00 am
Beat Generation in SF: Rebels, Writers, and Visionaries
The Beat Generation wasn’t just a literary movement—it was a cultural rebellion. Writers like Allen Ginsberg, Jack Kerouac, and Lawrence Ferlinghetti found refuge in San Francisco’s North Beach in the late 1950s, rejecting conformity and embracing raw, unfiltered truth. Their bold, spontaneous work challenged post-war America and set the stage for the counterculture movements that followed. On this tour, we’ll explore the world of the Beats: the places they wrote, performed, and pushed boundaries. We’ll visit legendary haunts like City Lights Bookstore and Caffe Trieste, tracing the journey of a movement that sought meaning in jazz, Zen Buddhism, and the open road.
- 11:00 am
Riches and ruin! Bold ventures and ill-fated schemes! Greed! Deceit! Learn the hidden stories of San Francisco's Financial District. From its origins as a remote trading outpost to its dominance of today's tech sector this has been a place where you could make a fortune but also lose it all.
- 11:00 am
What more is there to say? It’s an international symbol of San Francisco, a mind-blowing feat of engineering, and one of the most-photographed places in the entire world. The iconic Golden Gate Bridge has captivated locals and tourists alike since it opened in 1937. It was the world’s longest and tallest suspension bridge at its opening, and almost a century later, remains one of the most impressive structures ever built by humans.
- 11:00 am
Old money heirs share fences with newly minted tech billionaires in Pacific Heights, arguably one of San Francisco’s toniest and most exclusive neighborhoods. Atop a hill with majestic views, the area’s towering mansions were a manifestation of of Victorian excess and a key part of the Gold Coast’s development. After the 1906 earthquake, homeless quake refugees provided the moneyed residents a different sort of neighbor. You’re as likely to run into a celebrity resident as a diplomat visiting one of the manses-turned-consultates.
- 12:00 pm
Bohemians And Other Unconventional Women
Join this short, fascinating walk about Bohemian women through a small slice of Russian Hill. Enjoy spectacular views while listening to amazing stories of non-conventional women who rejected societal expectations of the time and lived life on their own terms. You’ll hear about artists, writers, athletes, and activists who broke glass ceilings and pushed society forward. Please note: this walk includes some of the most steeply graded hills in Russian Hill. Steep hills can be challenging.
- 12:30 pm
here’s a small rocky outcrop jutting into the bay that has been a vital part of San Francisco’s history, from its very beginning right up to today. Bring your camera to capture stunning views of the Golden Gate Bridge, Alcatraz, the Bay Bridge, Aquatic Park and the Hyde Street Pier. You’ll see historic buildings, a hidden oasis, outsized art and the wild parrots of Telegraph Hill.
- 1:00 pm
After the successful 1894 Midwinter Exposition San Francisco decided to keep the Japanese Village exhibit. Makoto Hagiwara was hired to be the new manager of the Garden and immediately set about expanding the Garden three-fold to its size today. An impressive variety of flora greets you as you enter a Japanese inspired wonderland of small scenes created throughout the Garden. The peace and quiet of the Garden encourages one to slow down and be mindful of the surroundings - A perfect walk for those seeking a peaceful afternoon...
- 1:00 pm
Presidio: From Military Base to National Park with Tunnel Tops
From Spain, to Mexico, to the United States — The Presidio has been home to more militaries than almost any other fortress in America. When the military left lawmakers transformed the space into a National Park in 1996, and since then the Presidio has become one of the greatest (and greenest) places to explore in all of San Francisco. Join us on a walk through San Francisco’s panoramic, luscious park, with wooded areas and scenic views as far as the eye can see including the newly-created Tunnel Tops.
- 2:00 pm
Nob Hill (No Tour Today)
Walk the streets where railroad barons, silver kings, and other wealthy San Franciscans built lavish mansions. Hear stories of the success and scandals of the high society men and women who lived on Nob Hill, the place that locals call Snob Hill. Experience the splendor of a world famous hotel where Tony Bennett first sang "I left my Heart in San Francisco". Visit a cathedral whose stained-glass windows honor scientists as well as saints, whose memorial chapel displays sections of the AIDS quilt, and whose labyrinth is the site of both meditative walks and candlelit yoga classes.
