Top San Francisco Art & Culture

Brave San Francisco’s dark and ghostly past on a real ghost hunt through old Chinatown alleys. You’ll use modern ghost hunting gear, including your own EMF detector during the tour. After meeting near historic Portsmouth Square (after dark, of course), a local guide escorts you down haunted alleys, through mysterious neighborhoods, and around historic street corners. Stand atop old Gold Rush cemeteries, learn of paranormal activity following mysterious deaths, visit the site of infamous brothels, hear about Gold Rush–era hauntings, and how Chinatown’s gang wars shocked the city. Your tour ends back near Portsmouth Square. This tour is not recommended for children under 13.

Discover the spooky tales of San Francisco's past and pass by places that are said to be haunted when you embark on this ghost tour in the Pacific Heights district. Walk about one mile at a moderate pace with your guide who shares stories of the ghosts, unsolved crimes, and hauntings that linger in the supernatural world of Pacific Heights. You’ll take scenic streets lined with Victorian architecture, and get great views along the way.

San Francisco Ghosts Walking Tour is the best choice for newcomers to learn more about San Francisco's rich history. Our guides will safely conduct you around the darkened streets, unfolding tales of mystery, terror, and tragedy. You will have plenty of opportunities to see with your own eyes the otherworldly power of the Golden City.

Experience the supernatural side of one of the city’s most famous neighborhoods on this San Francisco ghost tour. During this evening walking tour, you’ll explore the streets of Chinatown with a guide, who fills you in on the spirits said to haunt this historic area. Hear chilling tales and mysteries, and enjoy an alternative way to discover Chinatown.

This unforgettable evening begins as you step off the busy streets of San Francisco and enter into a historic speakeasy with a Moroccan flair. The perfect setting for a remarkable evening. Upon entering you will be escorted into the Oasis Lounge where you will witness world class sleight-of-hand magic prior to the main performance. A wonderful assortment of drinks and Moroccan appetizers are available for purchase prior to the show. You will then be escorted into our intimate showroom for Jay Alexander‘s unforgettable performance of magic, mentalism, and psychological feats such as human lie detection. This evening of entertainment will lift your spirits and leave a lasting memory. Find out why Bono of U2 called it “Astonishing” and Monty Python’s John Cleese said it was “Wonderful!" You'll witness intriguing feats of mentalism, sleight-of-hand miracles, and throughout, Jay Alexander’s clean comedy will keep you laughing!

Explore two of San Francisco's most distinctive neighborhoods side-by-side on a walking tour of Chinatown and Union Square. Learn the fascinating history behind the oldest Chinatown in the United States, and be immersed in the city’s contrasting cultures as you stroll alongside cable cars through Union Square’s chic hotels, architectural landmarks, and luxury boutiques.

Uncover the scandalous, high-society history of San Francisco's most illustrious hill on a walking tour of Nob Hill. Hear the stories behind the grand hotels and stately mansions built by the city's powerful 19th-century business tycoons and politicians, and learn how the advent of the cable car and the disastrous 1906 earthquake shaped one of the city’s most affluent neighborhoods.

Explore the LGBT history of the Castro on foot during this walking tour. Follow your informative local guide through the famous neighborhood while learning about the local landmarks and historical sites. Be inspired by the rich, diverse history of this iconic district and its continuing role as an epicenter of LGBT activism and events.

Brush up on your vampire lore and local history on this 1.5-hour walking tour of San Francisco’s Nob Hill District. Suitable for all ages, a vampire guide will lead the way as you stop at Grace Cathedral, the Nob Hill Café, the Fairmont Hotel and the Mark Hopkins. Learn the neighborhood’s secrets and some favorite vampire tales as you go. This walk is wheelchair friendly and includes snacks to keep you fueled.

SF Ghosts Walking Tour is the best choice for newcomers to learn more about San Francisco's rich history. Our guides will safely conduct you around the darkened streets, unfolding tales of mystery, terror, and tragedy. You will have plenty of opportunities to see with your own eyes the otherworldly power of the Golden City.

Harken back to San Francisco’s days as a Gold Rush boomtown on a 2-hour walking tour of the Financial District, once known as the rowdy Barbary Coast of California. Hear tales of buried ships, fortune hunters, and Wild West saloons as you explore the city’s former waterfront, and learn how it transformed into the business hub of modern-day San Francisco.

With its iconic hills, architecture, bridge and bay, it’s no wonder so many movies have been filmed in San Francisco. See filming locations from more than 55 productions—from blockbusters like ‘San Andreas’ to family favorites like ‘Mrs. Doubtfire’—on this movie sites tour from Fisherman’s Wharf. Watch clips on the tour bus as you pass by the real locations with an informative actor-turned-guide who shares stories about the city and cinema history.

Step aboard a vintage Volkswagen bus for a San Francisco city tour. Travel down streets a typical tour bus can't access while your guide fills you in on the history of the City by the Bay, from the Gold Rush to Silicon Valley. Get views of landmarks such as Twin Peaks, the Golden Gate Bridge, and the Painted Ladies as you travel through distinct city districts.

Enjoy San Francisco’s main highlights without worrying about the logistics on this 2-for-1 tour. Start your day at one of the most notorious prisons, Alcatraz, and take a self-guided audio tour. Then enjoy a sightseeing tour of city neighborhoods including Chinatown, North Beach to see landmarks like the Golden Gate Bridge and the Painted Ladies.

Hop on a ‘70s-era VW bus and get to know the hippie past and hipster vibe that make up San Francisco today. Starting and ending at Fisherman’s Wharf, this 2-hour sightseeing tour takes you around the city, including Chinatown, North Beach, the Castro, the Mission, downtown and more. See the homes of The Grateful Dead, Janis Joplin and Jimi Hendrix, while listening to ‘60s classics. So settle into a neon-blue seat and dig your shoes into groovy shag carpet. Each bus accommodates up to just six people.

Explore San Francisco and Alcatraz on this 2-in-1 tour. Hop aboard a ferry for a scenic ride to Alcatraz and enjoy the award-winning audio walking tour. Plus, enjoy a coach tour with a knowledgeable local guide. Learn about the City by the Bay through visits to top attractions such as Fisherman's Wharf, Chinatown, the Presidio, and the Palace of Fine Arts.

Take an open-air fire truck tour of San Francisco aboard a shiny red vintage fire engine. Be the talk of the town as you suit up in a firefighter jacket and hat for a fun ride with the whole family. Your professional driver narrates the tour from Fisherman's Wharf through the Presidio and across the city's world-famous Golden Gate Bridge to charming Sausalito. Fasten your seat belt for the drive of a lifetime on this small-group San Francisco fire engine tour, limited to 13 passengers.

You're in a special city. Why take an ordinary tour? This is the ONLY convertible MINI Cooper tour in the country! This tour is totally customizable – you choose the length of the tour, what time you want to be picked up, and what you want to see. I love San Francisco and have spent 20 years studying and exploring the city. I’ll work with you to plan your tour so you can see the famous sites and the hidden gems other tours can't go to or don't know about. I’ve designed this to be the type of tour I would take if I visited San Francisco, but where you go is up to you. I make suggestions along the way, but how long you spend at any site is up to you. You're never rushed, and never have to wait for other people. It's all about you! Plus, it's fun! In the convertible MINI Cooper, you see everything up close and personal as we drive along. I love showing guests San Francisco, and talking about the history and culture of this unique and special city.

Enjoy an insider overview of San Francisco on this excursion that includes a trip across the Golden Gate Bridge to the Muir Woods National Monument. You are driven around the city in a small group to see its diverse neighborhoods and geography, stopping several times for breathtaking photo ops of famous sites and memorable stories. This local-led tour visits culturally significant neighborhoods like Chinatown and the Haight-Ashbury, as well as the large homes of Pacific Heights. After crossing the Golden Gate Bridge, guests will visit the towering redwood trees of Muir Woods and the beautiful waterfront town of Sausalito for lunch (own expense).

Spend the day exploring San Francisco’s vibrant neighborhoods on a small-group tour. Walk the bustling streets of Chinatown and North Beach and feel the groove on Haight Street. Leave the urban grid behind and relax under the towering redwood trees in Muir Woods National Monument, then stop in Sausalito for free time to admire waterfront views, peruse upscale boutiques, and have lunch (own expense).

SFMOMA houses more than 33,000 modern and contemporary works of art on seven floors. See paintings, sculptures, photography, architecture, design, and media created by masters. Plus, with two restaurants and a cafe, it’s easy to take a break whenever you’re in need to regain some extra energy.

Take a deep dive into the history of the Summer of Love on this walking tour of San Francisco's Haight Ashbury neighborhood. Follow your guide through the neighborhood, checking out some of the most important sights, such as the Grateful Dead house, Amoeba Records, the Panhandle, and others. Learn about how the Summer of Love's hippie spirit lives on in the modern day neighborhood through your guide's commentary.

Meet one of San Francisco’s larger-than-life historical figures, Emperor Norton, for a walking tour that makes the city’s history come alive. Learn about the real Emperor Norton as you take in landmarks such as Union Square, Maiden Lane, Lotta's Fountain, Jackson Square, Portsmouth Square and more. Expect to walk at a leisurely pace for around two miles during your tour. You’ll hear stories about the Barbary Coast and the 1906 earthquake, and witness the city’s growth through the eyes of the emperor.

Visit San Francisco’s historic Presidio District and learn about the man behind the Disney classics at The Walt Disney Family Museum. Admire Walt’s early cartoons and films, and hear about his life through videos and narration from the animator himself. Don’t forget to check out views of the Bay from the museum’s glass wall before you go, and upgrade your ticket to include access to the special exhibitions.