History and Architecture Walking Tour of Nob Hill

Overview

Learn the secrets of San Francisco's 19th century Silver Kings and Railroad Barons on this easy two and a half hour walking tour of affluent Nob HiIl. Learn
tales of divorce, murder, and adultery while touring inside private ballrooms and gardens in the Fairmont Hotel. See where Tony Bennett sang " I Left my heart in San Francisco" the first time. Tour inside the magnificent Grace Cathedral with its famous Ghiberti doors and an historical museum at the iconic Mark Hopkins hotel. Enjoy unique historic memorabilia and photos in the sophisticated private Huntington Big Four restaurant. Stanford Court lobby is a renovated "techie" oasis of art. A local expert guide will walk with you in this architecturally significant neighborhood with breath taking views

City: San Francisco

Mon 24 Feb

Other dates

You can choose the date already on the booking website

Starting at $35.00

Make a reservation

Mon 24 Feb

Starting at $35.00

Make a reservation

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What's Included

Local guide

Fully-narrated tour

Guided walking tour of Nob Hill

Additional Info

Wheelchair accessible
Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
Service animals allowed
Public transportation options are available nearby
Transportation options are wheelchair accessible
All areas and surfaces are wheelchair accessible
Suitable for all physical fitness levels
Children must be accompanied by an adult
A moderate amount of walking on mostly flat terrain is involved
Covid 19 restrictions. Guests must wear masks. Gloves will be provided. Guides wear masks and gloves. Guests must be healthy (temperatures taken). Social distancing ) as much as possible. Your safety is important
Face masks required for travellers in public areas
Face masks required for guides in public areas
Face masks provided for travellers
Social distancing enforced throughout experience
Guides required to regularly wash hands
Regular temperature checks for staff
Temperature checks for travellers upon arrival
Guides wear gloves and gloves will be provided to guests

What To Expect

Nob Hill

This is your departure point.

Hobnob Tours

Of all the many hills San Francisco is famous for, few contain the special history and strange regard of the local population as the hill - Nob Hill at the top of downtown. Once home to governors, lumber barons, railroad tycoons and wealthy land speculators, the hill at the top of California street played an integral part in the special history of what makes San Francisco special, weird, and unique. Your walking history tour of this once uber-affluent neighborhood begins at front of the Fairmont Hotel with your choice of a morning or early afternoon departure. After meeting your guide and the rest of your small group, you will proceed down the street with an introduction of how this single hill become home to some of this city's most famous and wealthy families. Names like Huntington, Hopkins, and Stanford still ring out more than 100 years later as your guide fills you in on the details of the business, social and political rivalries that once dominated the landscape. You'll learn how the cable car changed the perception of where the rich wanted to build their mansions and how this new form of public transportation tied the city together in a whole new way. You'll hear tales of the great earthquake of 1906 and how the fires reshaped the neighborhood permanently while discovering new restaurants, bars, and places to explore on your own. Once your two hour tour is complete, you'll have the option of eating lunch at one of the famous eateries near the top of the hill at your own expense.

Cancellation Policy

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

Traveler Photos

Reviews (57)

Rosalyn M

Aug 2018

Although I grew up in San Francisco, I am consistently amazed at how much intriguing history there is to learn about The City. I loved being a tourist in my hometown, and Valerie was knowledgeable and personable. I appreciated her ability to gain access while respecting the workings of the various establishments we toured.

Mary-Dan N

Jul 2018

I use Viator often to book tours and airport transportation and am very happy with them here and abroad. In the instance of this Walking Tour of Nob Hill, my guide, Val, was not into walking. We started in the Fairmont Hotel, sitting on sofas, with Val handing over pictures of people and talking non-stop as if she were reciting from a tour book. We then walked to a ballroom which was not open and she didn’t have a key, so while waiting for someone to bring the key, I went to the Ladies Room which Val had a problem with. Off we went to another room, not open and she didn’t get the key to that one, and then we left, crossed the street & sat down in a park with more photos and recitations. Then we walked across the street to the church, Val handed out a diagram of the church, and said she would meet outside 15 minutes later. At this point I asked her when the “walking tour” would begin & she said we will go across the street to two more hotels and see pictures of houses. At this point I called Viator, which was hard to do. Only got a rep when I called my credit card company and the rep put Val on the phone at the same time. I was able to receive a 50% discount although it should have been a full refund. I am a person who does many reviews and this is the first negative one I have ever done. I think the problem was Val. She was doing a “walking tour” and was really too elderly to walk. She wanted to sit down a lot, which she did. The streets are hilly to be sure, but I am 70 and had I felt I couldn’t do the walking, I would not have signed up for this. Val, who obviously can’t do the walking, shouldn’t be conducting this tour. I think if someone signs up for this, when they find out who is doing it, look at the name and make sure you don’t end up in the same situation I did. $60 I thought was reasonable for a walking tour. $60 for sitting down is not.

Fotz

Jul 2018

Really enjoyed our tour with Valerie. She went out her way to accommodate our schedule. She is very knowledgeable about the area and its history. It was a great way to spend our day in the city. Would recommend it to my friends