Meet San Francisco City Guides
Since 1978, local volunteers have donated their time, energy and expertise to San Francisco City Guides, escorting visitors and residents on free themed walking tours throughout San Francisco. The tours are well-researched and enthusiastically shared by those who love the City by the Bay and her charms, history, lore and legends. There are 30 different tours offered each month, nearly 100 different tours are offered in all by 200 volunteer guides with topics ranging from “Alfred Hitchcock’s San Francisco” to “Victorian San Francisco”.
Everybody’s Favorite City
With nearly 16 million visitors a year, on the eve of the 75th anniversary of the Golden Gate Bridge, San Francisco is expected to host more visitors than ever in 2012.
Explore San Francisco on foot
One of my favorite tours of last summer was the East End of the Golden Gate Park, taking in the famous dahlia garden by the Conservatory of Flowers and the AIDS Memorial Grove. One of the most popular tours is a visit to the historic beaux art gem, the Palace Hotel in Market Street, re-built following the 1906 earthquake and fire. Tours may get you into otherwise private spaces, such as the City Club to view the last and largest of the stunning murals painted by artist Diego Rivera. Consider the fun of learning about the hidden history of Fisherman’s Wharf, swimmers who survived the Bay and those who didn’t, hear reports of paranormal activity at the site of a former cemetery by City Hall, see the postcard famous Victorian houses called the “painted ladies” of Alamo Square, gawk at the mansions of Pacific Heights, skip along the stairways of Russian Hill, wander down the crookedest street in the world and find out how that marvel of engineering, the iconic Golden Gate Bridge, was built. Delve into the bawdy and naughty theater-land, remember the gold rush days, embark on a ghost walk, a prostitution tour or re-live the devastating great earthquake and fire of 1906.
The basics
Each walking tour is about 90 minutes long, some last for two hours. Tours take place rain or shine, 52 weeks a year and no reservation is needed for individuals or for groups fewer than eight. Tours are free of charge, although small donations are welcome, as San Francisco City Guides is a volunteer organization. All the tours are listed online, so just check what is available on the morning or afternoon you would like to go. Remember to wear comfortable shoes as you may need to tackle one or two of San Francisco’s legendary hills. Then, just simply show up to meet your tour guide at the designated starting place and enjoy the tour.
Sources:
San Francisco Travel Association
San Francisco City Guides
San Francisco Main Public Library
100 Larkin Street
San Francisco, CA 94102
(415) 557-4266
www.sfcityguides.org