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

Sun 23 Feb

Other dates

You can choose the date already on the booking website

Starting at $35.00

Make a reservation

Sun 23 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)

luggageliza

Feb 2018

Tour started promptly at the Fairmont hotel. The guide was extremely knowledgeable of the history of the hotel, its neighboring hotels, and the reasons why and how San Francisco is so important in California history. Lots of interesting facts were presented along with photos so we could really envision what all has happened to shape the city. The tour was comfortably paced, plenty of stops to chat along the route, and not a lot of minutiae to overwhelm the guests. This tour was more like spending time with a good friend that directed the conversation to my interest. It was the best $30 spent. I'd go again anytime, and encourage you to take a Hob Nob tour. You won't be disappointed!

Carol K

Jul 2017

I loved the history. Our guide was knowledgeable and friendly but not passionate. Good information.

Robert_F

May 2017

Val was extremely knowledgeable. The tour took us inside several iconic hotels showing us areas of the hotels that the average tourist cannot get into. Easy paced and very informative.