Like Victorian Homes? Walk This Way!

If you want to experience the real color of San Francisco’s hidden neighborhoods, you’ll need a guide who’s an insider.

I’ve always like to show visitors around our beautiful city of San Francisco, and people who’ve gone along with me really seemed to appreciate my tours. But when I decided to become a full-time tour guide, everyone thought I was crazy!
It all started in 1993, when I was "downsized" by a computer corporation after working there for 15 years. I decided then to do something I really enjoy … and I’ve never regretted it.
The idea for the Victorian Home Walk evolved from my love for San Francisco, its diverse neighborhoods and the stately "painted ladies" that vividly color them. I've owned a Victorian home myself for about 15 years and belong to a club of Victorian architecture enthusiasts.
As breathtaking as San Francisco is, few visitors ever get a chance to experience the real beauty and history of its neighborhoods. They might go to Chinatown, Alcatraz or Union Square, but as San Franciscans know, the true heart of the city lies outside the usual tourist stops.

Walking Tour is Leisurely
Over the years, I'd done quite a bit of traveling and was always impressed with walking tours I'd taken in London — interesting leisurely strolls that take you "off the beaten path." That's what I tried to create here.
I guide people along a route of narrow streets where tour buses are not allowed. First we meet at a landmark hotel on Union Square downtown (the Westin St. Francis) and take the public trolley bus (not a cable car) to our walk location and back.
Our walking tour is the only one that incorporates local public transportation, and I have the logistics perfected. The buses we use are nearly always empty and so are the sidewalks we walk on.
The walk itself is "low impact" (no hills) because I have participants in all age ranges, from the elderly to the very young. The average size group is about 10, but I've taken as many as 35 and as few as one.

We begin our walk with the row houses in Japantown (the best example of Victorian row house architecture), then spend some time inside a Victorian that some friends of mine own and operate as a bed-and-breakfast.
After that, we hit Pacific Heights, with its fabulous mansions, gardens and spectacular views.
The tour ends in Cow Hollow, which used to be dairy farms but is now famous for Union Street, which is our Victorian commercial district.
The tour is designed to show a wide range of architectural styles, including Queen Anne, Edwardian, Stick, and Italianate. Some of these gorgeous homes date back 125 years!
Visitors Welcome
Much of the information I present has been provided by the people who live in the homes we see. The tour has been embraced by the residents, and they've even helped me improve it.
What makes these houses so special is their beauty. They're built of redwood and show incredible detail. Also, homeowners here can paint them any color they like (something that, in my opinion, adds to their beauty). They aren't restricted to using "historically correct" colors.
But I think the best thing about my tour is that visitors get to experience the quiet side of San Francisco where people live. Travel is one of life's greatest gifts — why limit it to the confines of a tour bus?

No reservations required. For more information, call (415) 252-9485
or e-mail victorianwalk@yahoo.com.

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	Like Victorian Homes? Walk This Way!
If you want to experience the real color of San Francisco’s hidden neighborhoods, you’ll need a guide who’s an insider. I’ve always like to show visitors around our beautiful city of San Francisco, and people who’ve gone along with me really seemed to appreciate my tours. But when I decided to become a full-time tour guide, everyone thought I was crazy! It all started in 1993, when I was "downsized" by a computer corporation after working there for 15 years. I decided then to do something I really enjoy … and I’ve never regretted it. The idea for the Victorian Home Walk evolved from my love for San Francisco, its diverse neighborhoods and the stately "painted ladies" that vividly color them. I've owned a Victorian home myself for about 15 years and belong to a club of Victorian architecture enthusiasts. As breathtaking as San Francisco is, few visitors ever get a chance to experience the real beauty and history of its neighborhoods. They might go to Chinatown, Alcatraz or Union Square, but as San Franciscans know, the true heart of the city lies outside the usual tourist stops.

		Walking Tour is Leisurely Over the years, I'd done quite a bit of traveling and was always impressed with walking tours I'd taken in London — interesting leisurely strolls that take you "off the beaten path." That's what I tried to create here. I guide people along a route of narrow streets where tour buses are not allowed. First we meet at a landmark hotel on Union Square downtown (the Westin St. Francis) and take the public trolley bus (not a cable car) to our walk location and back. Our walking tour is the only one that incorporates local public transportation, and I have the logistics perfected. The buses we use are nearly always empty and so are the sidewalks we walk on. The walk itself is "low impact" (no hills) because I have participants in all age ranges, from the elderly to the very young. The average size group is about 10, but I've taken as many as 35 and as few as one.

We begin our walk with the row houses in Japantown (the best example of Victorian row house architecture), then spend some time inside a Victorian that some friends of mine own and operate as a bed-and-breakfast. After that, we hit Pacific Heights, with its fabulous mansions, gardens and spectacular views. The tour ends in Cow Hollow, which used to be dairy farms but is now famous for Union Street, which is our Victorian commercial district. The tour is designed to show a wide range of architectural styles, including Queen Anne, Edwardian, Stick, and Italianate. Some of these gorgeous homes date back 125 years! Visitors Welcome Much of the information I present has been provided by the people who live in the homes we see. The tour has been embraced by the residents, and they've even helped me improve it. What makes these houses so special is their beauty. They're built of redwood and show incredible detail. Also, homeowners here can paint them any color they like (something that, in my opinion, adds to their beauty). They aren't restricted to using "historically correct" colors. But I think the best thing about my tour is that visitors get to experience the quiet side of San Francisco where people live. Travel is one of life's greatest gifts — why limit it to the confines of a tour bus?