Notorious SF: Scandal and Crime Tour

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.

City: San Francisco

Thu 09 Oct

Other dates

You can choose the date already on the booking website

Starting at $60.00

Make a reservation

Thu 09 Oct

Starting at $60.00

Make a reservation

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What's Included

We donate $1 for every guest to a non-profit, Climate Cents.

Tour Guide

Additional Info

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.

What To Expect

Westin St. Francis (hotel)

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.

Union Square

Discover a scandalous story about the statue at the center of Union Square.

Maiden Lane

Learn how this lane - which is now a beautiful pedestrian street, was once the heart of San Francisco's red light district.

Chinatown

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.

Comstock Saloon

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!

Columbus Avenue

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?

Portsmouth Square

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.

Jackson Square

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 :-).

Show 5 more stops

Cancellation Policy

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

Traveler Photos

Reviews (9)

Sherry_S

May 2024

We learned a lot of neat things about San Francisco. While a few ghost are included, it’s mostly historical. This tour is great for history buffs!

Response from Host

Jun 2024

Just to be clear these guests cut short the tour early, since they had flown in that day and said, at the beginning of the tour, that they were tired. That probably explains why they didn't hear all the stories and why they may not have been in the best shape to do the tour. Nevertheless, as we explain in the description, this is a true crime AND ghost tour, not JUST a ghost tour.

yvettemT720XP

Dec 2023

My boyfriend and I went on the Saturday night haunted tour. The guide had some great true crime history, which we both loved, as well as some truly scary ghost stories. The other great thing about the tour was that it stopped in a lovely bar from 1900 and ended at the oldest pub in the city. I'd never been to San Francisco before and I'd definitely recommend this tour for first-timers.

Lisa_W

Oct 2022

Such a fun night! Learned so much about the city that I never knew. Guide was friendly and excited to share his knowledge.