Tour Company Captures the Heart and Soul of San Francisco

Victorian Home Walk takes visitors off-the-beaten path into historic San Francisco on custom designed walking tours.

San Francisco, California -- Victorian Home Walk, a San Francisco-based tour company, offers visitors and native San Franciscans alike a rare glimpse into the City's historic past. As the only San Francisco tour devoted entirely to Victorian Homes, the emphasis is on exploring little-known neighborhoods and Victorian treasures which cannot be seen from a tour bus or public transportation.

Tours have been designed to include a wide range of architectural styles including Queen Anne, Edwardian, and Italianate. These historic homes are found in several unexplored neighborhoods (the Western Addition, Pacific Heights, and Cow Hollow), each with its own unique character and charm. And, because the hills of San Francisco can be daunting, tours are self-paced and low-impact, making them perfect for young and old.

"Few visitors ever get to experience the beauty and history of San Francisco," explains Jay Gifford, Founder and Guide Extraordinaire of Victorian Home Walk. "Sure, they get to Chinatown, Alcatraz and Union Square, but as true San Franciscans know, the heart of the city lies outside of the typical tourist venue."

Gifford's extensive knowledge of the Victorian era and its architecture is what makes a Victorian Home Walk unique. Says Gifford, "The idea for Victorian Home Walk evolved out of my love for San Francisco, its wonderful Painted Ladies -- some dating back 125 years -- and its many diverse neighborhoods. I wanted to give people from all over the world a chance to see and appreciate this town the way I have for the past 17 years."

Unlike most tours which have preset schedules, Gifford allows visitors to set their own pace and enjoy the walk at their leisure. Gifford explains, "If they want to stop for coffee mid-tour, we do. If they want to sit and enjoy a fabulous garden, we do. If they want a lot of history, they get it. If not, they don't. It's their tour."

Mary Vanier, a recent visitor to San Francisco, says of the Victorian Home Walk, "It was like going out on the town with a close friend or family. Jay was incredibly knowledgeable about the homes and neighborhoods we visited, and shared many juicy details about the houses we saw and their previous occupants. He even recommended an excellent neighborhood restaurant and went so far as to make dinner reservations for us. Now that's service!"

Since its inception in early 1996, the Victorian Home Walk has introduced hundreds of people to the heart of San Francisco. Offering year-round tours, the Victorian Home Walk has made a name for itself in a very short time as a "must-do" while in San Francisco.

Tours depart daily at 11:00 a.m. from Union Square, year-round. Rates for groups of two or more are $20 per person. Tour length is approximately 2 1/2 hours.