Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
the way. That is remedied somewhat by the sale of a printed guide online ($9 for
a 32-page booklet, $16 for a 275-page guide), providing downloadable audio
tours ($10 each or $25 for all 3, plus a free downloadable map), and scheduling
tours conducted by the trail's creator, Daniel Bacon ($22).
The city has put together a series of historic signs along the waterfront that it
calls the
PortWalk
(
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415/274
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0400; www.sfport.com; free admission).
Because
so much of the city's inception and early history had to do with the water, this
trail traces lots of historic slips and dips into maritime history (there's a stop at a
little church on the docks that has been used by sailors for years), and weaves into
sections of marinas that you might never think to explore without the guidance.
Unfortunately, as a city project, it was ineptly designed and advertised, and there's
no way to easily tell your way among the signs. You'll probably find it easier to
fend for yourself by finding the first signs at the Hyde Street Pier and then work-
ing your way east around the Inner Lagoon, to Pier 43
1
⁄
2
, and ending around the
base of Pier 43.
Held every day with no reservations required, the
Victorian Home Walk
55
(
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415/252
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9485; $20, cash only; 21⁄2 hrs.)
is cleverly planned so that you never
have to hike up steep hills—merely a slope here and there. After meeting at the
northwest corner of Union Square, groups take a public bus to Pacific Heights
(bonus: the fare's included in the tour price, and you'll be done in time to use the
free transfer to get back) and walk past some fabulous old wooden homes that
make San Francisco so distinctive. Guides seem to know their stuff and aren't dry.
Along the way, there are hilltop views of the Bay, some interesting facts (one: to
be considered a “Painted Lady,” your house must have at least three colors on it),
and a swing by the homes used in
Mrs. Doubtfire
and
Party of Five.
The tour winds
up a few blocks from the bistros of Cow Hollow.
Precita Eyes Mural Arts and Visitors Center
(2981 24th St., at Harrison;
%
415/285
-
2287; www.precitaeyes.org/tours.html)
was established in 1977 to
sponsor and facilitate the painting of public-art murals around the Mission
District by mostly poor local artists. It schedules a number of free weekly tours
(times and locations change; $10-$12) that take in some of the Mission's 70-odd
works, many of which are hidden in places where you'd be unlikely to find them
on your own. It also helps to have an expert explain exactly what you're seeing on
a given work so that you're not left to stand there and say something daft like,
“Pretty colors.” If you're determined to check out some of the works without ben-
efit of a guide, two troves for the artworks are
Balmy Alley
(between Treat Ave.
and Harrison St., off 24th; www.balmyalley.com), an ever-changing urban canvas
packed with color, and the MaestraPeace mural, which coats the four-story
Women's Building
(3543 18th St., at Lapidge; www.womensbuilding.org), a
headquarters for women's services.
Yes, the idea is touristy, but the theatrical enthusiasm of its founding guide,
Jim Fassbinder, makes San Francisco
Ghost Hunt Walking Tour
5
(
%
415/922
-
5590; www.sfghosthunt.com; $20 adults, $10 kids under 16; 7pm daily except
Tues; 2 hrs.)
good fun. It comes with a surprising amount of history about Pacific
Heights (its stamping ground, where many of the buildings predate the quake),
even if most of that history has a supernatural or occult bent, so if you're a skep-
tic, you can still come away with lots of facts. The nervous type may feel scared,
but generally, its campy and mild entertainment. It meets in the lobby of the
Queen Anne Hotel at 1590 Sutter St.
