Find Your Tour
Tuesday May 26
- 9:30 am

Discover the magic of San Francisco, a city celebrated for its stunning beauty, breathtaking vistas, and rich culture and history. This one-of-a-kind tour provides a sweeping introduction to SF, making it ideal for those who are new to the city or those seeking a broad-ranging look at what makes it unique. On this unforgettable walk, you'll explore diverse urban landscapes and visit some of San Francisco's most iconic landmarks. You’ll hear stories that bring the city alive. Topics include: Gold Rush, cable cars, food culture,1906 earthquake and fires, counterculture movements and tech innovations. The tour ends at North Beach where you’ll find an assortment of old-world cafes, vibrant neighborhood energy and “Only in San Francisco” shopping opportunities. Come experience the allure of this incredible city and see for yourself why San Francisco captures hearts!
10:00 am
San Francisco’s Chinatown rose from the ashes of the 1906 earthquake to evolve into a Chinese community holding fast to its traditions amid a rapidly changing cityscape. Discover the local alleys where this community has continued to flourish for over 150 years, in spite of harsh racial discrimination. Family associations and temples, dim sum, herbal apothecaries and jade jewelry shops built by the local community, all contribute to the vibrancy of this place, one of the oldest Chinese communities outside of China.
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
When Harvey Milk won his historic 1977 race for the Board of Supervisors, he ran the campaign out of his humble Castro District camera shop. A vibrant gay community took root in the Castro — one that would come to transform San Francisco politics out of sheer collective willpower. You’ll learn about the evolution of the Castro’s architecture, historic businesses and the people and places that played a role in making the Castro one of the epicenters of the gay rights movement —a tradition that continues today. And it is a neighborhood that continues to evolve.
View Tour Details >
Hill
Stairs12:00 pm
For much of the early 20th century, nobody traversed the Bay without going through the Ferry Building. At its peak in the 1930s, it was the second-busiest travel hub in the world, shuttling more than 50,000 people both to and from San Francisco each day. When the city built its famous bridges, ferry travel dropped dramatically, and the building suffered for decades. In the ‘90s the Ferry Building transformed into a world-class food market focusing on local artisan creations. Today, it remains an iconic landmark of the waterfront (and a popular establishing shot for movies set in San Francisco). Join us on a wondrous trip through the centerpiece of the shoreline.
View Tour Details >
Indoors1:00 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...
View Tour Details >
Stairs
Fee Involved1:00 pm
The 1915 Panama-Pacific Exhibition was a momentous occasion for the city of San Francisco. Only a decade removed from the most disastrous earthquake in the state’s history, city officials felt it was the perfect time to showcase what San Francisco had in store for the future. Architect Bernard Maybeck had a brilliant vision for its centerpiece structure: he wanted to invoke the imagery of Roman ruins, creating “a sense of sadness, modified by the feeling that beauty has a soothing influence.” Learn everything about the extravagant 1915 exhibition and the work that went into its preservation as we saunter through the Palace’s grounds.
View Tour Details >
Rain May Cancel1:30 pm
City Hall and the Civic Center
After the original City Hall perished in the 1906 earthquake, San Francisco had a chance to think bigger the second time around. Civic Center is a campus that houses some of the city’s most important governmental and cultural institutions. Minimal walking — but maximum awe.
View Tour Details >
Restroom Stop1:30 pm
Historic Market Street: Path Of Gold
When surveyor Jasper O’Farrell completed his 1847 proposal for Market Street, an abnormally wide boulevard cutting diagonally through the heart of the city, it wasn’t popular. Landowning pioneers accused him of “wanton disregard” for their rights. But over time opinions changed. Come and stroll the street that unites San Francisco. Learn how Market Street has evolved with the times, always remaining relevant. Hear epic tales born on the Path, from Gold Rush stories to cable cars, vintage street cars and the construction of BART.
View Tour Details >
Bring Layers2:00 pm
Chinatown Family Associations, Tongs and Gangs
Pulled and pushed from the far southeast part of China from 1849 onward, young Chinese men went to the gold fields only to find that discrimination forced them to either work as laborers or return to San Francisco, but not to look for gold. Settling in San Francisco's Chinatown many joined the Family Associations, Tongs, and Gangs that largely controlled the neighborhood. Walk along Chinatown's streets and alleys and dive into the colorful and sometimes violent history of this period Note: Content may not be appropriate for children under 14 years of age.
View Tour Details >
Adult ContentWednesday May 27
- 9:30 am

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...
View Tour Details >
Stairs
Fee Involved10:00 am
Tucked away in an unpainted tower on a hill, one of the greatest works of Social Realist art in America lies hidden away. A set of murals created by 26 of California’s best artists, it documented California life in the 1930s from a socialist perspective: romanticizing workers, illustrating inequality, and sometimes even winking at the Soviet Union. It was controversial, sure. But as a work of art? Nobody could deny that it was stunningly gorgeous.
View Tour Details >
Indoors
Stairs11:00 am
Dogpatch East - Past, Present, and Future Industries
Come learn about this fascinating designated Historic District. Witness Potrero Points transformation from the Gold Rush through the height of World War II and learn how it weathered a major downturn to emerge as one of the city's fastest-growing areas. See new developments along Pier 70 coming to life and learn about the exciting future of the city’s southern waterfront.
View Tour Details >
Restroom Stop11:00 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.
View Tour Details >
Stairs
Bring Layers11:00 am
Golden Gate Park: Mid Park Ramble
Hidden Gems, Rarely VisitedDiscover fascinating, but seldom-visited features in the Park by hiking from the Music Concourse around Blue Heron Lake and to the observatory ruins atop the second highest sand dune in San Francisco. Tour the Prayer Book Cross commemorating a little-known 16th century event and Lloyd Lake's Portals of the Past, a haunting reminder of the tragedy of 1906.
View Tour Details >
Hill
Stairs
Rain May Cancel
Bring Layers
Wear Sturdy Shoes11:00 am
Sacred Places In San Francisco
Come and witness the astounding effect religion has had on the architecture of San Francisco, including a modernist cathedral, antique Japanese temple and a synagogue. Learn about the litany of religious symbols you’ll see all over the city. Experience three of the most beautiful — if under-appreciated — public rooms in the Bay area. It’s a transcendent experience no matter what religion you follow.
1:00 pm
It’s 1967 and the sun is shining on San Francisco. You’re walking down Haight, weaving through groups of long-haired kids smoking joints and laughing. As you pass the legendary Straight Theater, you hear Jerry Garcia and the Dead letting loose a psychedelic storm of sound. You’re in the Hippie Capital of the world.
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...
View Tour Details >
Stairs
Fee Involved1:00 pm
Presidio: From Military Base to National Park with Tunnel Tops
See where San Francisco began exactly 250 years ago! Explore the Presidio, a place shaped by Indigenous roots, military history, and bold reinvention. This guided walk reveals how a former Army post became one of the nation’s most remarkable national parks, blending history, community, and spectacular natural beauty.
View Tour Details >
Bring Layers
Wear Sturdy Shoes1:30 pm
"Gold! Gold from the American River!", shouted San Francisco businessman Sam Brannan, as he ran down Montgomery Street in May,1848, waving a jar filled with gold over his head, sparking the Gold Rush. As word spread rapidly around the world, the tiny village of San Francisco, tucked amidst massive sand dunes by the Bay, and frequented by grizzly bears and mountain lions, was transformed virtually overnight into a booming instant city.
View Tour Details >
Restroom StopThursday May 28
- 11:00 am

1840s San Francisco and the Astonishing Legacy of America’s “First Black Millionaire”
How did he do it? A biracial sea captain named William Leidesdorff played a central role in the American conquest of San Francisco, created multiple essential institutions, and amassed one of the most enormous fortunes in California… all while passing as white. Revered by his neighbors, many of whom openly despised the race he kept secret, Leidesdorff became America’s “First Black Millionaire” while still in his thirties. Come discover San Francisco in its earliest days and learn about this fascinating individual.
View Tour Details >
Hill
Stairs
Rain May Cancel11:00 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
You are jolted awake in the morning of April 18, 1906 to a horrific scene. The San Andreas Fault has unleashed a shockwave felt from Los Angeles to Oregon, with the epicenter just off the coast of San Francisco. As the ground convulses, buildings disintegrate and fires are ignited. Your home, the capital of the West Coast, has been reduced to rubble in minutes: 28,000 buildings destroyed, 3,000 dead and more than 200,000 homeless. What followed that disaster, though, was one of the greatest stories of resilience in history
View Tour Details >
Bring Layers11:00 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.
View Tour Details >
Bring Layers
Restroom Stop1:00 pm
Japanese Tea Garden (No Tour Today)
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...
View Tour Details >
Stairs
Fee Involved2:00 pm
Architectural Gems South of Market
Join us for a captivating stroll through one of our most intriguing and often overlooked neighborhoods. Delve into 150 years of urban evolution, and an array of architectural styles, from Victorian Gothic to 21stc Contemporary. See the juxtaposition of historic landmarks with modern skyscrapers, each witnessing the city's past and present. Learn about transformation through massive redevelopment projects, while discovering protected hidden gems. Stunning open spaces offer panoramic views. This flat, leisurely walk shows a rich tapestry of architectural, socio-economic and cultural history. Explore the soul of the city, here, one step at a time.
2:00 pm
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.
2:30 pm
Golden Gate Park: Mid Park Ramble
Hidden Gems, Rarely VisitedDiscover fascinating, but seldom-visited features in the Park by hiking from the Music Concourse around Blue Heron Lake and to the observatory ruins atop the second highest sand dune in San Francisco. Tour the Prayer Book Cross commemorating a little-known 16th century event and Lloyd Lake's Portals of the Past, a haunting reminder of the tragedy of 1906.
View Tour Details >
Hill
Stairs
Rain May Cancel
Bring Layers
Wear Sturdy Shoes5:30 pm
Alamo Square and its Painted Ladies
While standing in Alamo Square park across from the iconic Painted Ladies, famously known as Post-card row, visitors will see the incredible views of the San Francisco skyline. Beyond the Painted ladies, this official Historic District Neighborhood is home to countless other examples of Victorian architecture; including, Italianate, San Francisco Stick and of course the elegant Queen Anne homes. It’s a historic district that's more than meets the eye—come along on a journey through time.
- 9:30 am
- 10:00 am
- 11:00 am
- 11:00 am
- 11:00 am
- 11:00 am
- 1:00 pm
- 1:00 pm
- 1:00 pm
- 1:30 pm
- 11:00 am
- 11:00 am
- 11:00 am
- 11:00 am
- 1:00 pm
Japanese Tea Garden (No Tour Today)
- 2:00 pm
- 2:00 pm
- 2:30 pm
- 5:30 pm
- 9:30 am
- 10:00 am
- 10:30 am
- 10:30 am
- 11:00 am
- 11:00 am
- 1:00 pm
- 1:00 pm
- 1:30 pm
- 1:30 pm
- 2:00 pm
- 3:00 pm
- 10:00 am
- 10:00 am
- 10:00 am
- 10:30 am
- 11:00 am
- 11:00 am
- 11:00 am
- 11:00 am
- 1:00 pm
- 2:00 pm
- 2:00 pm
- 2:00 pm
- 10:00 am
- 10:30 am
Mission Dolores Neighborhood (No Tour Today)
- 11:00 am
- 11:00 am
- 11:00 am
- 11:00 am
- 11:00 am
- 1:00 pm
- 1:00 pm
- 1:00 pm
- 2:00 pm
- 2:00 pm
- 2:30 pm
- 3:00 pm
- 9:30 am
- 10:00 am
- 10:30 am
- 1:00 pm
- 1:00 pm
- 2:00 pm
- 10:30 am
- 11:00 am
- 12:00 pm
- 1:00 pm
- 1:30 pm
- 1:30 pm
Historic Market Street: Path Of Gold (No Tour Today)
- 9:30 am
- 10:00 am
- 11:00 am
- 11:00 am
- 1:00 pm
- 1:00 pm
- 1:00 pm
- 1:30 pm
- 2:00 pm
Wednesday May 27
Thursday May 28
Friday May 29
Saturday May 30
Sunday May 31
Monday June 01
Tuesday June 02
Wednesday June 03
View Other Tours
YesterdayTodayTomorrowWeekFuture DateCONTACT US
Mailing Address
San Francisco City Guides
c/o SF Public Library
100 Larkin Street
San Francisco, CA 94102Registered 501(c)(3)
EIN: 85-3688709
Learn More
Subscribe to Newsletter
© 2026 San Francisco City Guides






