San Francisco Ghost & True Crime Tour

4.1 (13 reviews) San Francisco, USA
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Duration3h
Free cancellationFull refund up to 24 hours before
Instant confirmationYour booking is confirmed right away
TicketMobile or paper ticket accepted
LanguagesEnglish
Group sizeUp to 15 travelers

Overview

On our Notorious SF: Ghost & Crime tour we visit the sites of Hollywood scandals, red light areas, opium dens, gang violence, Gold Rush era lynchings & kidnappings – & enjoy cocktails in one or two historic bars.

We start with the Fatty Arbuckle affair, the original sex scandal that changed the public's perception of celebrity forever (& lead to the 'morality clause' in contracts). Then we stroll down Maiden Lane, which is lined with designer shops now, but 100 years ago was the city's main red light district.

After that we visit Chinatown, an area of opium dens and gambling hellholes in days gone by. Next you'll learn about Gold Rush era SF. Then we dive down to the Barbary Coast, with its brothels & dance halls, often used to Shanghai unwary sailors (which is where the term originated).

We end the tour at the oldest bar in San Francisco, the Old Ship Saloon. Join our Notorious SF: Scandal & Crime tour & be haunted by these ghastly ghosts from San Francisco's past for weeks.

What's included

  • Tour Guide
  • Gratuities not included, because voluntary. Please allow 15-20% if you enjoy the tour.
  • Drinks are not included.

What to expect

  1. Westin St. Francis (hotel)
    20m
    We begin the tour with the Fatty Arbuckle affair, Hollywood's first ever sex scandal (here in SF). It's not just a lurid story - it's effects are still felt today in many ways.

    If the hotel is open there's the option of having a drink in the very nice bar in the lobby.
  2. Union Square
    10m
    Discover a scandalous story about the statue at the center of Union Square.
  3. Maiden Lane
    15m
    Learn how this lane - which is now a beautiful pedestrian street, was once the heart of San Francisco's red light district.
  4. Chinatown
    30m
    SF's Chinatown is the oldest in the U.S. and for many years the Chinese immigrants here were strongly discriminated against. Criminals also preyed on them - opium dens, gangs and murder were all prevalent here. Learn of some of the personalities and crimes as you walk the streets.
  5. Comstock Saloon
    15m
    This is one of the oldest bars in San Francisco, dating back to when the neighborhood was known as the Barbary Coast. We usually take 10-15 minutes to get a drink - don't worry, you won't be shanghaied!
  6. Columbus Avenue
    15m
    One of the few buildings not to burn down in the Great Fire were the Hotaling warehouses. Is that because the whiskey inside was too important to lose?
  7. Portsmouth Square
    20m
    Learn how the Gold Rush made SF what it is today. In those early years it was the Wild West, murder, robbery, kidnapping - and lynchings - were commonplace in this neighborhood.
  8. Jackson Square
    30m
    This neighborhood used to be called the Barbary Coast and there wasn't a more dangerous place in the world. Robbery, assault, shanghaiing - it all happened here (but not anymore, don't worry :-).
  9. 10m
    This the oldest bar in San Francisco, built on top of a Gold Rush ship that was deserted by its crew back in 1849. It's the perfect place to end the tour.

Meeting and pickup

Meeting point

The guide will be checking in guests the Northwest corner of Union Square - Powell and Post Streets - opposite the St Francis Hotel, from 15 minutes before the tour is due to begin.

Be sure to allow extra time for traffic and finding parking. We CANNOT wait for latecomers, there are other guests.

End point

Tour ends outside this historic bar (the oldest continuously operating one in San Francisco). It's a 15 minute walk from the meeting point (around one mile distance).

Additional information

  • Service animals allowed
  • Public transportation options are available nearby
  • Suitable for all physical fitness levels
  • Aim to get to the meeting point 10-15 minutes early. If you’re late you may miss the tour.
  • Not recommended for children under 15 years old (adult content).
  • By making a booking for this tour you agree to be bound by Real San Francisco Tours terms of service.
  • We can go into two different bars for cocktails on this tour, each for 15 minutes. You do have to be over 21 y.o. to order an alcoholic drink – but you don’t have to be over 21 y.o. to do this tour.
  • Please check dates/times carefully BEFORE making a booking.
  • This is a walking tour and we move at a reasonable pace. Please book a private tour if you have mobility issues.

Cancellation policy

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.

Reviews

4.1 (13)
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