Free cancellationFull refund up to 24 hours before
Instant confirmationYour booking is confirmed right away
TicketMobile or paper ticket accepted
LanguagesEnglish
Private tourOnly your group will participate
Overview
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
Full flexibility: start at any hour, take a break at any time and resume later
Next-gen mobile app guides you through each step of your adventure
Explore the surroundings with a truly unique, immersive, GPS-enabled experience
Interactive self-guided tour lets you move at your own pace
A physical tour guide (not included)
What to expect
10m
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.
20m
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.
10m
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.
10m
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.
10m
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.
10m
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.
20m
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.
10m
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.
20m
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.
Meeting and pickup
Meeting point
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.
End point
Reach this checkpoint to complete the tour.
Additional information
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
Cancellation policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
