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Offered languages
- English
- English
Discover San Francisco's rise as a Pacific maritime powerhouse on this self-guided tour. Visit the iconic Ferry Building, historic piers, Chinatown, and preserved ships to learn how trade, immigration, and innovation turned the city into a global port. Uncover stories of the Gold Rush, industrial expansion, and the people who shaped the waterfront. 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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1Ferry Building
Discover San Francisco's historic Ferry Building, a landmark since 1898. Explore its iconic clock tower, original mosaics, and maritime motifs while learning about its pivotal role in Bay Area history.
10 minutes • Admission ticket free -
2
Stroll along Pier 7, San Francisco's historic waterfront pier built in 1915. Enjoy sweeping Bay Bridge views, vintage lampposts, and echoes of the city's maritime heyday. Perfect for photos and history lovers.
20 minutes • Admission ticket free -
3
Explore The Embarcadero, San Francisco's historic waterfront. Discover plaques and murals that celebrate its legacy as a gateway for global trade, especially with Asia and Latin America. Ideal for history lovers and urban explorers.
10 minutes • Admission ticket free -
4
Discover the Old Ship Saloon, San Francisco's oldest bar built atop a buried Gold Rush ship. Step inside to find original ship timbers, maritime artifacts, and echoes of 1850s adventure. Hunt for a relic from the legendary Arkansas and connect with the city's bold past.
10 minutes • Admission ticket free -
5
Explore Jackson Square Historic District, San Francisco's oldest commercial area. Discover Gold Rush-era buildings, historic plaques, and the stories of merchant bankers and shipping firms that shaped the city's rise as a Pacific trading power.
10 minutes • Admission ticket free -
6Portsmouth Square Park
Stand in Portsmouth Square, San Francisco's historic plaza where the American flag was first raised in 1846. Discover a monument to its maritime and Gold Rush past, and imagine the bustling hub it once was for traders and immigrants.
10 minutes • Admission ticket free -
7
Explore San Francisco's historic Chinatown—established in the 1850s, it's the oldest in North America. Discover murals and shops that showcase the Chinese community's vital role in the city's maritime trade and cultural heritage.
20 minutes • Admission ticket free -
8
Discover Washington Square, the historic heart of San Francisco's North Beach. Explore monuments, iconic churches, and immigrant stories woven into this vibrant park—where Italian heritage and maritime history come alive.
10 minutes • Admission ticket free -
9
Board historic ships at San Francisco Maritime National Historical Park, including the 1886 Balclutha and 1890 Eureka. Explore maritime history, examine navigation tools, and discover life at sea during the city's formative years.
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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