San Francisco Ghost & True Crime Tour
Real San Francisco Tours
4.1
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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.
Departure 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.
Return Details
- 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).
Duration
3 hours
Languages Available
- Human tour guide - English
Points of Interest
Stop At: Westin St. Francis (hotel)
335 Powell St, Union Square, San Francisco, California
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.
Duration: 20 minutes
Stop At: Union Square
San Francisco, California
Discover a scandalous story about the statue at the center of Union Square.
Duration: 10 minutes
Stop At: Maiden Lane
Between Stockton and Kearny Streets, Union Square, San Francisco, California
Learn how this lane - which is now a beautiful pedestrian street, was once the heart of San Francisco's red light district.
Duration: 15 minutes
Stop At: Chinatown
San Francisco, California
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.
Duration: 30 minutes
Stop At: Comstock Saloon
155 Columbus Ave, San Francisco, California
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!
Duration: 15 minutes
Stop At: Columbus Avenue
Columbus Avenue, San Francisco, California
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?
Duration: 15 minutes
Stop At: Portsmouth Square
50 Walter U Lum Pl, b/t Clay St & Washington St in Chinatown, San Francisco, California
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.
Duration: 20 minutes
Stop At: 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 :-).
Duration: 30 minutes
Stop At: The Old Ship Saloon
298 Pacific Avenue, San Francisco, CA 94111
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.
Duration: 10 minutes
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.
- We donate $1 for every guest to a non-profit, Climate Cents.
- Tour Guide
Exclusions
- Gratuities not included, because voluntary. Please allow 15-20% if you enjoy the tour.
- Drinks are not included.
Redemption Instructions
Thanks for making a booking with REAL SAN FRANCISCO TOURS.
This ticket has ALL the information that you'll need - PLEASE READ IT CAREFULLY!
PREPARATION
Allow PLENTY of time to get to the meeting point. Remember that YOU'RE responsible for getting to the meeting point on time - not us. We do NOT have a phone/email help center. There's no point. You have ALL the information you need right here.
Be sure to wear warm clothing, nights are usually cool in SF and bring official ID, if necessary.
TRANSPORT / PARKING
There is parking in the area, but it can be hard-to-find and expensive, so please consider taking public transport, it will probably be faster than driving. The tour starts right in the heart of downtown San Francisco.
WHERE TO MEET
The guide will be checking-in guests from 15 minutes before the tour on the corner of Post and Powell Streets, in Union Square. Please bring either a paper or electronic copy of this ticket for the guide.
We normally wait 5 minutes for latecomers (if necessary) before starting the tour. We have an average of 10 guests per guide, so it's very likely there will be other people on this tour. We CANNOT hold for latecomers - it's not fair or professional. There are NO refunds if you miss the tour.
TIPS / GRATUITIES
It's customary, if guests enjoy the tour, to tip the guide (this is a service industry). Obviously it’s up to you, but please bear in mind that our guides work very hard to make your experience enjoyable and a gratuity is a sign of appreciation. Guides are able to accept cashless tips via an app.
FINALLY!
Thank you again and see you on the tour.
Voucher Info
Mobile or paper ticket accepted
The tour identified in this promotion is made available through Viator. Groupon is not affiliated with or sponsored by the Real San Francisco Tours in connection with this deal. Please contact Groupon customer service for all inquiries related to this offer. Inquiries placed to Viator will be directed back to Groupon.
This offer is not eligible for promo codes.
Need to know info
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours in advance of the start date of the experience.
Merchant is solely responsible to purchasers for the care and quality of the advertised goods and services. Offer is not eligible for our promo codes or other discounts. Learn about Strike-Through Pricing and Savings