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Friday July 31
- 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...
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Stairs
Fee Involved10:30 am
Fisherman's Wharf: A Hidden History (No Tour Today)
It may not look like it now, but underneath the sleek, commercial facade of today’s redeveloped Fisherman’s Wharf, hundreds of Italian immigrants built an entire industry on the backs of Dungeness crab. Not everything on this tour happens on the water. We'll look at Ghirardelli Square, once the factory of San Francisco's most beloved chocolatier. Passing the Hyde Street Cable Car Turnaround we discuss San Francisco's cable cars and we'll explain the stories of many of the historic ships anchored at the Hyde Street Pier. Discover a new side of the Wharf, featuring stories of the Bay that locals themselves don't know.
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Restroom Stop10:30 am
Telegraph Hill is one of the most beautiful, panoramic vantage points in San Francisco, offering breathtaking views of the Bay. Come and uncover Telegraph Hill’s colorful history on a mile-plus hike featuring incredible vistas and lush foliage. Explore the hidden staircases that lead to Coit Tower atop the Hill, and discover gorgeous gardens and a beautifully landscaped neighborhood of cottages dating back to the 1850s.
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HillStairs
Rain May CancelRestroom Stop1:00 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.
View Tour Details >1:00 pmAfter 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 >StairsFee 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 >Stairs
Bring Layers
Wear Sturdy Shoes1:30 pm
The 1985 Downtown Plan was one of the most important piece of red tape in San Francisco history. With accelerating downtown development, city officials laid down some ground rules: If you’re going to build here, you’re going to have to pay a little extra to cover the necessary infrastructure improvements. Oh — and you have to devote a portion of your project to a publicly accessible open space. Thus, Privately-Owned Public Open Spaces (POPOS) were born.
View Tour Details >Stairs1:30 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 Stop2:00 pm
In the late 1800’s, what is now known as San Francisco's Japantown hosted a vibrant Jewish community. Japantown per se dates from the earthquake and fire of 1906. During World War II, Japanese American residents were sent to internment camps and replaced largely by African Americans, whose thriving businesses included many jazz clubs. Beginning in the 1950’s, a decades-long urban renewal project reshaped both the neighborhood's population and its physical landscape. Today we see classic Victorians next to Japanese-style architecture, as well as the ghosts of historic jazz clubs replaced by modern structures of glass and steel.
View Tour Details >Hill3:00 pm
Cable Cars: Halfway to the Stars
Since Andrew Hallidie introduced Cable Cars in 1873, San Francisco’s cable car lines changed the landscape of San Francisco, making hilly neighborhoods accessible. The cable cars survived the 1906 earthquake and fire as well as outlasting political attempts to modernize transportation. Today the cable cars have gained worldwide attention to become what is seen today as a San Francisco icon.
View Tour Details >Bring LayersWear Sturdy ShoesSaturday August 01
- 10:00 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.
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IndoorsStairs10:00 am
Murals first appeared in the Mission in the 1970s and soon became central to the area's identity. Over the decades artists have used the walls of the Mission, its buildings and even entire alleyways to give voice to matters of social and political importance to the neighborhood. You'll start in beautiful Precita Park and be moved by the stories that inspired the murals and finish in Balmy Alley where you will see a display of powerful works expressing feelings about immigration, war, gentrification, as well as healing and the celebration of women. This is an unforgettable walk, both visually dazzling and emotionally impactful.
View Tour Details >Restroom Stop10:00 am
When you bring up North Beach, most people think of the transformative literature produced by its local beatniks and bohemians in the 1950s. But that does a disservice to its rich history as San Francisco’s Little Italy, where a swarm of immigrants in the 1910s established the authentic Italian character that remains its defining quality. The Beats may get the spotlight — but the Italians made North Beach what it is today. Soak up the unique charm of this delightfully historic neighborhood and — if you can look up from the sights for a moment — see an unexpectedly spectacular view of downtown.
View Tour Details >StairsBring Layers10:30 am
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 >Indoors10:30 am
Golden Gate Park: East End,
Creating San Francisco's Great Urban ParkIt was the 1860s, and everyone had heard about New York City’s Central Park — a spacious plot of green that contrasted sharply with the metallic landscape beyond. To recreate such a space in San Francisco, city officials looked west and by the turn of the century, Golden Gate Park had developed into an enormous playground for a recreation-starved city. Breathe deep and enjoy a natural oasis on the Pacific.
View Tour Details >Bring LayersWear Sturdy ShoesRestroom Stop10:30 amTelegraph Hill is one of the most beautiful, panoramic vantage points in San Francisco, offering breathtaking views of the Bay. Come and uncover Telegraph Hill’s colorful history on a mile-plus hike featuring incredible vistas and lush foliage. Explore the hidden staircases that lead to Coit Tower atop the Hill, and discover gorgeous gardens and a beautifully landscaped neighborhood of cottages dating back to the 1850s.
View Tour Details >HillStairsRain May CancelRestroom Stop11:00 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 >HillStairs11:00 am
Experience the hotel of presidents, dignitaries, king & queens , rock-stars and the rich and famous. Visit a beautiful hidden garden, listen for the Fairmont bees, and you will leave your heart in San Francisco at the breathtaking Fairmont Hotel. Stroll through this Italian Renaissance palazzo masterpiece. On our tour you gain exclusive access to several beautiful and surprising venues and rooms that are not always open to the public. This tour is by reservation only
View Tour Details >Indoors11:00 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 >StairsBring Layers11:00 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.
View Tour Details >HillStairs1:00 pmJapanese 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 >StairsFee Involved1:00 pmPresidio: 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 >StairsBring LayersWear Sturdy Shoes1:30 pm
Embarcadero Skyway and Art Tour
In desperate need of a makeover, mid-century Embarcadero was transformed into an impressive business district populated with hidden treasures, including the world-class Embarcadero Center Art Collection, curated by the Rockefeller family. Many of the sculptures in the collection reflect themes of transformation, change, rebirth, and new beginnings—powerfully echoing the waterfront’s own journey from a tidal cove to a bustling port, and now, into a modern urban space. Join us to explore this revitalized shoreline, where modern art and architecture reinforce the story of the city’s evolution!
View Tour Details >StairsRestroom Stop2:00 pm
Boom & Bust (No Tour Today)
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.
View Tour Details >2:00 pm
Across the West Coast, there’s few ocean vistas more arresting than Land’s End — a fact millionaire Adolph Sutro was well aware of when he built the first passenger steam train to the park in 1880. He wasn’t done there: Sutro transformed the land, adding an elaborate public garden, renovating the quaint Cliff House and constructing the Sutro Baths, a massive swimming facility on the oceanfront. Come experience Adolph Sutro’s gift to San Franciscans
View Tour Details >HillStairsRain May Cancel2:00 pm
Making Waves on the Waterfront
San Francisco’s northern waterfront has long been a site of legendary innovation. Before the tech boom revolutionized the world, local inventors were dreaming up modern staples like denim jeans and TVs. Labor and human rights organizers catalyzed movements. It’s a city defined by forward progress — if you slow down, you get left in the dust. We’ll explore level ground (no hills to climb), visiting a grand collection of historic sites and hidden parks, all along the sensational northern shoreline.
View Tour Details >Bring LayersWear Sturdy ShoesSunday August 02
- 10:00 am
Perk up your Sunday morning with the bell ringing at the oldest Orthodox Christian parish in America. Spared destruction from the 1906 disaster, Cow Hollow contains structures from nearly every decade since the 1860s. This tour illustrates the transformation of the district from a rural suburb to a full-fledged city neighborhood.
View Tour Details >Hill10:30 am
See one of San Francisco’s oldest and most colorful neighborhoods, the Mission, where you’ll trace a history beginning with Indigenous peoples through waves of immigrants to today’s concerns of gentrification. Begin at the famous golden fire hydrant where locals successfully fought to save the area during the 1906 earthquake. Gaze at a spectacular view of SF’s skyline from gorgeous Dolores Park. Wander through a historic district, get a mini-course about Victorian styles, go down the hip Valencia Street corridor, see and understand the importance in the Mission of its murals, while learning about the area’s Indigenous peoples and the colonization by Spain and Mexico at the oldest building in San Francisco, Mission Dolores, the church of Saint Francis of Assisi.
View Tour Details >11:00 am
Alfred Hitchcock's San Francisco
San Francisco is an inherently cinematic city. Its rolling hills, Victorian roof lines, and panoramic vistas would make it a tremendous backdrop for any director — but nobody knew how to film the city better than the legendary Alfred Hitchcock. See the landmarks Hitchcock shot as he used the city’s look to create his signature sense of paranoia. A truly thrilling trip down memory lane.
View Tour Details >HillWear Sturdy Shoes11:00 am
Billionaires' Row: Outer Broadway Architecture
After the 1906 earthquake pummeled their Nob Hill enclaves, the wealthy titans of San Francisco became temporary nomads. With the landscape wiped clean, where in the city was the best place to put down roots? The best view of the Bay was located on the hills of Pacific Heights, where real estate was essentially up for grabs. They parked their old money in mammoth mansions and created one of the most expensive zip codes in the world.
View Tour Details >HillStairs11:00 amWhen 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 >HillStairs11:00 am
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.
View Tour Details >12:00 pm
After the 1906 earthquake San Francisco was back to square one. If it wanted to remain the major American city of the West, it wouldn’t just need to rebuild — it needed to transcend what had been done before. Over the next century, luminous designers from Chicago and New York would bring their experiences working with new materials set at record heights to innovate the local blueprint. Architects like George Kelham, Willis Polk, William Pereira, and SOM would paint the skyline out of thin air.
View Tour Details >Rain May Cancel12:00 pm
You’ll get breathtaking views with Russian Hill Stairways and catch your breath at stops featuring tales of iconic figures and pioneering architecture. Hidden and scenic paths await to add to the Russian Hill experience!
View Tour Details >HillStairsBring LayersWear Sturdy Shoes1:00 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 Stop1:00 pmAfter 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 >StairsFee Involved1:00 pmPresidio: 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 >StairsBring LayersWear Sturdy Shoes2:00 pmCable Cars: Halfway to the Stars
Since Andrew Hallidie introduced Cable Cars in 1873, San Francisco’s cable car lines changed the landscape of San Francisco, making hilly neighborhoods accessible. The cable cars survived the 1906 earthquake and fire as well as outlasting political attempts to modernize transportation. Today the cable cars have gained worldwide attention to become what is seen today as a San Francisco icon.
View Tour Details >Bring LayersWear Sturdy Shoes2:00 pm
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.
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Japanese Tea Garden (No Tour Today)
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Boom & Bust (No Tour Today)
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