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Offered languages
- English
- English
Step back in time to the morning of April 18, 1906, and relive San Francisco's most dramatic day. This self-guided walking tour leads you through historic landmarks that survived or were shaped by the earthquake and fire. Explore the Ferry Building, Lotta's Fountain, the Old Mint, Chinatown, and more as you uncover tales of destruction, heroism, and rebirth. Perfect for history buffs and curious explorers alike! Solve puzzles, explore the city, and find hidden gems at your own pace. Try a new type of experience with your smartphone, the perfect mix between a walking tour, sightseeing, and a scavenger hunt.
What's Included
Meeting and pickup
Use Google Maps or other map services to arrive at this location. When you arrive, please follow the instructions inside the indicated mobile app closely.
Reach this checkpoint to complete the tour.
Itinerary
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1
Stand before the Old Mint, a rare survivor of the 1906 quake and fire. Discover scorch marks and learn how guards protected millions in gold from both flames and looters. Uncover the secrets of this granite fortress.
10 minutes • Admission ticket free -
2
Pause at the Westin St. Francis, a landmark that survived the 1906 earthquake and fire. Snap a photo of its historic façade and hunt for original architectural details that reveal its storied past.
20 minutes • Admission ticket free -
3Lotta's Fountain
Discover Lotta's Fountain, the historic cast-iron landmark where San Franciscans gathered after the 1906 earthquake. Explore its role as a hub for survivors, see the commemorative plaque, and reflect on stories of hope and reunion.
10 minutes • Admission ticket free -
4
Pause at the Palace Hotel, where opulence and disaster collided in 1906. Snap a photo of its restored grandeur and seek out the original carriage entrance—a rare survivor of the earthquake and fire.
20 minutes • Admission ticket free -
5
Enter the historic Mechanics' Institute, where inventors and engineers gathered after the 1906 earthquake to plan San Francisco's rebirth. Explore reading rooms steeped in history and imagine contributing your own ideas to the city's reconstruction.
10 minutes • Admission ticket free -
6Dragon's Gate
Stand beneath the legendary Dragon Gate and discover how Chinatown rose from the ruins of 1906. Seek out dragon motifs or lanterns that reveal the neighborhood's spirit of resilience and renewal.
20 minutes • Admission ticket free -
7Portsmouth Square Park
Established in 1833 during the Mexican period as the central plaza for the township of Yerba Buena, it is San Francisco's first and oldest park.
10 minutes • Admission ticket free -
8Ferry Building
Step onto the Embarcadero and face the Ferry Building—San Francisco's lifeline during the 1906 earthquake. Explore its historic halls, spot signs of past repairs, and uncover stories of survival etched in stone. Discover how this iconic landmark became a symbol of hope and resilience.
20 minutes • Admission ticket free
Additional info
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
- Requires installing a mobile app (instructions in confirmation email)
- Not recommended for visually impaired people
- Not recommended for people with impaired mobility
- Not recommended for seniors over 80
Tags
Cancellation Policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
Cancellation Policy
- For a full refund, you must cancel at least 24 hours before the experience’s start time.
- If you cancel less than 24 hours before the experience’s start time, the amount you paid will not be refunded.
- Any changes made less than 24 hours before the experience’s start time will not be accepted.
You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance of the experience for a full refund.
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