Experience San Francisco with a friendly personal guide from ToursByLocals. Your professional private guide knows San Francisco and the Bay area as only a local can, and gives you a unique private tour of the real San Francisco that suits your own interests.

Enjoy the must-see famous places, from Fisherman's Wharf to Golden Gate Park, but your private tour can go much further and give you a more authentic experience of all that makes San Francisco such a glorious place to live. For example, your knowledgeable personal guide can walk you through an exclusive private tour of the Union Square area, showing you places that reveal the true character of San Francisco, as it is known and loved by locals.

Your personal guide from ToursByLocals invites you to choose from the private San Francisco shore excursions offered, but feel free to suggest alternatives for your San Francisco experience. Your own private tour can be customized by your personal guide to include exactly what you want to

San-Francisco

San Francisco's Beauty and Charm - 1/2 day minivan tour

The biggest problem giving a San Francisco tour is that there is too much to see. This is a good problem.

Let me dazzle you with an amazing 4 hour tour. You will see some of the most beautiful sites the city and this area has to offer, the Golden Gate Bridge, Marin Headlands, Lombard Street, Fishermans Wharf, Chinatown and much more.

As your tour guide, I can adjust the schedule, duration and activities to meet your needs. Please let me know what you would like to see so we don't miss anything.

Bon voyage . . .

Leave your heart in San Francisco

Join me on an unforgettable journey through San Francisco's most iconic landmarks and hidden gems. As your knowledgeable guide, I'll help you capture breathtaking views at the Golden Gate Bridge and guide you through the vibrant streets of Chinatown. Experience the twists of Lombard Street and unwind in Alamo Square Park, home to the picturesque Painted Ladies. Marvel at the grandeur of the Palace of Fine Arts and explore the historic Presidio. We'll complete our adventure with a classic cable car ride and a visit to the fascinating Cable Car Museum.

Let's discover the beauty and history of San Francisco together!

Uncover the Stories Behind the Landmarks and Local Favorites

San Francisco Uncovered: Hidden Treasures and Highlights

Early SF City: Gold Rush to Earthquake - Walking Tour

This walking tour covers the downest of downtown starting with the American epoch (before the Gold Rush in 1849).
This is not because there is little to see that preceded the American occupation in 1846, but because the traces of Spanish and Mexican occupation are too far away from the original village that became San Francisco.

The stories of early-to-post-earthquake San Francisco range from glorious and heroic to appalling and, er, "colorful". We shall not shy away from any of it (but we will try to avoid being too, too frankly spoken).

Hotaling's Warehouse and the TransAmerica Pyramid

San Francisco: History and Culture

Little Russia (and Ukraine) San Francisco Walking Tour

This walking tour of "Little Russia" in The Richmond District visits local food producers/purveyors, stops by a number of historical and beautiful churches and synagogues, and--for those with ears to hear--luxuriates in Russian spoken with an "Odessan" accent (Russia/Ukraine's version of a New York accent).

The Richmond has many national origins: Chinese, Irish, Jewish, etc. This tour notes them with appreciation.

The district was settled in the 1920's by "White" Russians (fleeing from "Red" Russians, right?). Gilded onion domes of Holy Virgin Cathedral towering over the district mark that first wave. In the 1990's, a huge number of "refuseniks"--predominantly Jewish--renewed the Russian-speaking presence.

Gastronomic highlights include:
-- fresh black bread and kvass at Cinderella Bakery;
-- homemade sausage, selyotka, and Georgian wine
-- Cheburekii, xhachapurii and Napoleons at Moskva I Tbilisi
-- Astonishing varieties of Russian chocolates (albeit mostly made in Brooklyn. . .

Holy Virgin Cathedral, Geary Blvd. and 26th Avenue

Star of the Sea, traditionally Irish Catholic Church on Geary

Russ-related Food and Cultures in The Richmond District

A sense of connection and discovery comes from experiencing San Francisco like a local. I have been wandering the backstreets since I was 10 years old and love showing people my favorite hoods and haunts.

This tour goes beyond surface-level exploration and will give you a deeper understanding of the city's vibrant history, diverse communities, and unique way of life. You will be immersed in local culture and uncover hidden gems, off-the-beaten-path neighborhoods, and lessor known attractions often missed by tourists.

This tour is excellent for return San Francisco visitors or visitors who have already experienced my San Francisco Highlights tour. Not seeing everything you want? Browse my other tours, and let's create an exciting custom experience for you and your group.

Explore the city like you're one of us

San Francisco Like a Local Half-Day Tour

San Francisco's Current Art Scene Private Tour

The art scene in San Francisco has always been vibrant and innovative. From the Bay Area Figurative School of the 50's to photography giants like Ansel Adams and Edward Weston, we are gifted to have some of the best art works of the 20th, and this century.

For 6 hours we will immerse ourselves in the best museums and galleries SF has. I have been in SF for 45 years and was a docent with the San Francisco Museum of Modern Art for 20 years, so you can count on us visiting the San Francisco Museum of Modern Art, The Legion of Honor and the Palace of Fine Arts.

And we will also visit the more significant galleries in SF like, Bergruen, 111 Minna, Gallery 444, and some of the many galleries at 49 Geary, including any special requests you may have.

If you are into art as much as I am, then this is a must tour for you to discover what I know to be the most notable art works in San Fran .

Come and visit the best museums and galleries in San Francisco

Looking for a walking tour in the Russian Hill neighborhood? Let's explore some stairways and alleys of this neighborhood of creatives along with many architectural details and stories that makes Russian Hill so special. Along the way we will be treated to incredible views of the City and the Bay. Life is best at the top!

I have lived in Russian Hill for close to 40 years and never tire of its incredible beauty.

In our talkative meander, we'll go down Macondray Lane, take a look at the famous 999 Green Street and talk about some of their more well known residents. We'll stroll down the Russian Hill alleys and narrow pathways, walk up and down stairs and by ways.

We may wander into Nob Hill, North Beach and Telegraph Hill. Add to the spectacular locations, some hidden stairways, secret paths, cable cars, and incredible bay views.

Because of our up and down hills, you need to be reasonably fit to do the walk. Kids and pets are welcome!

Unriddle the Secrets of San Francisco's Bohemian Neighborhood - Walking Tour

The Ups and Downs of Russian Hill Steps

Sausalito, Belvedere, Tiburon - The Golden Triquetra

If the Amalfi Coast & the Hamptons had triplets, it would be Sausalito, Tiburon & Belvedere.

We'll start the tour with the quaint town of Sausalito, a hidden gem for spectacular sights of the GG Bridge, scenic rides overlooking floating homes, waterfront restaurants and kayaks & sailboats melting into the horizon at the golden hour.

We can start the day with coffee and scones at Cibo. We'll then explore the world famous Heath Ceramics factory, go for the best home-made ice-cream at Lappert's while strolling along the Sausalito boardwalk and then have lunch at the Trident, close to Janice Joplin's booth! & enjoy the unforgettable vistas of SF, Alcatraz and Angel Island.

And the journey goes on. Tiburon & Belvedere! Couloir Wines - Wine Tasting Room - award winning, superb Sonoma & Napa wines! Boutique shopping on Tiburon main street. Tiburon Railroad & Ferry Depot Museum. Tales on how Al Capone figures (twice!) in Tiburon's history and more incredible, breath-taking coastal views on the way back.

Heaven on Earth (w Private Transportation)

Walking Tour - Chinatown, Fishermen's Wharf, Crooked Street, Russian Hill, Nob Hill, North Beach

Walking up and down the hills of San Francisco might seem like an odd thing to do. SF's streets will take you to parts of the city you can't see from a bus seat. Explore on foot the parts of the city hidden behind the main places not seen by other visitors. This tour will provide an unique access and shortcuts to areas you won't ever forget.

We will walk through Chinatown, Nob Hill, Russian Hill, North Beach, Fisherman's Wharf and its varying surroundings and angles of ascent; some entice with the promise of a spectacular view. You may opt to include Golden Gate Bridge if time permits.



Fisherman's Wharf, Chinatown, North Beach, Russian Hill and Nob Hill 

Do you use a mobile device in your day to day life? Do you participate in social media? Do you use the internet? Most of my visitors answer Yes to those questions.
Silicon Valley has contributed greatly to the use of electronics in our everyday lives. I live in the Silicon Valley and love sharing the stories and companies of the area with visitors. Join me for a private tour of today's "highlights" of Silicon Valley. We will take a photo at the "Meta" sign, and walk around the Googleplex . Later we will visit the Apple Park Visitors Center in Cupertino.

Replica of Hewlett Packard Garage at Stanford

San francisco tours

Explore with 10 tours and 7 guides.

Gary L.

$ 450 (USD)

Jonathan S.

$ 400 (USD)

Fred D.

$ 249 (USD)

Fred D.

$ 289 (USD)

Stacy A.

$ 600 (USD)

Ader G.

$ 500 (USD)

Ader G.

$ 200 (USD)

Ader G.

$ 1,250 (USD)

Caesar C.

$ 554 (USD)

Sharon T.

$ 950 (USD)

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