Frequently Asked Questions

It's a self-guided pick-your-own-path tour of San Francisco.

Yes! I really want to share the awesome hidden walks and stories of San Francisco with you, so the entire site is free - no paywalled areas.
I do sell customized itineraries if you want something that's just for you. Go to https://sf-adventure.com/reserve.php or pick Custom Itinerary from the menu at top left.

You can use this site for planning or armchair-strolling, but you'll enjoy it most if you pick a guide and a neighborhood and physically go to that neighborhood.

All these stories are independently verifiable. ^{1(c)Eliot Weinberger <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eliot_Weinberger" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eliot_Weinberger</a>} Please see the resources page for additional reading.
^{1(c)Eliot Weinberger <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eliot_Weinberger" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eliot_Weinberger</a>} (c)Eliot Weinberger https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eliot_Weinberger

No, I made them up. They exist only to make your day in San Francisco match your interests more closely. Choosing Anna will show you art locations, Biff will show you movie locations, Hank will show you history, and Pilar will only show locations that are wheelchair-accessible.

Pick Pilar as your guide and you'll only see handicapped-accessible locations. My definition of "handicapped-accessible" is very strict, so this will exclude some locations where you could probably get by on crutches or can bring a wheelchair if you ask the attendant to open doors for you. You are the best judge of where you can conveniently explore.

Yes, but I need to know you to tell me what your requirements are. Go to https://sf-adventure.com/reserve.php or pick Custom Itinerary from the menu at top left. I will contact you to discuss accommodations.

Yes! As custom as you need it. Once you go to https://sf-adventure.com/reserve.php and buy an itinerary you will see a set of questions. Answer these and you'll get a unique itinerary made just for you.

Probably. If your language is new to me and you give me lots of feedback on the itinerary translation you'll get a discount. When you go to https://sf-adventure.com/reserve.php and purchase an itinerary you'll see a list of questions. Enter your preferred language under "Special requests".

Occasionally. Please email me at [email protected] for availability.

In-person tours are available in English and Russian.

No. None of the guides on this site are real people (I wish they were!).
They exist only to make your day in San Francisco match your interests more closely. Choosing Anna will show you art locations, Biff will show you movie locations, Hank will show you history, and Pilar will only show locations that are wheelchair-accessible.

All tours are guided by Marina.

No, but I can make a self-guided driving itinerary. Once you go to https://sf-adventure.com/reserve.php and buy an itinerary you will see a set of questions. Please note that you want to drive under "special requests". Driving itineraries will have 4-8 locations.

Yes, but I cannot guarantee that the public transportation will run on time. Once you go to https://sf-adventure.com/reserve.php and buy an itinerary you will see a set of questions. Please note that you want to use public transportation under "special requests". Tell me if there are any forms of public transportation that you like or do not like - water taxi? cable car? subway?

Yes! I would love to! Please email me at [email protected]

Yes! Once you go to https://sf-adventure.com/reserve.php and buy an itinerary you will see a set of questions. Please tell me what kind of restaurant you're interested in under "special requests".

My personal favorites for a really SF experience are Beach Chalet, Far East Cafe, Hang Ah, Tommy's Joynt (https://sf-adventure.com/location.php?id=89&guide=hank), Tonga Room, and Ula, but you can also try the Pawnshop (https://sf-adventure.com/location.php?id=115&guide=hank) if you're feeling adventurous.

Yes, if you like I can recommend an hotel as part of your itinerary.

Yes! Please email me at [email protected]

I can do an itinerary, but not a tour. It will be a driving itinerary. Once you go to https://sf-adventure.com/reserve.php and buy an itinerary you will see a set of questions. Please note that you want to explore outside San Francisco under "preferred neighborhood".

Yes, please email me at [email protected] to discuss.

Your tour or itinerary will be customized to your group. If your group includes an animal please let me know. For itineraries, once you go to https://sf-adventure.com/reserve.php and buy an itinerary you will see a set of questions. Please note that your group includes animals under "group size", e. g. "Humans 2, dogs 1, parakeets 16".

Layers and comfortable shoes. If you are here during the rain season one of the layers should be waterproof.

Bring a water bottle, ideally with water. If you are here during the rain season bring an umbrella.

I'm Marina. I love San Francisco, walking, and sharing stories. When I was thirteen I accidentally saw a memorial plaque dedicated to His Majesty, Emperor Norton. The fact that USA had an Emperor amazed me. I started learning about him, and then about his contemporaries, and then I just couldn't stop. There's always another great story to research!

If you find an error or just want to tell me something new please email me at [email protected]

Yes, please do! You can use Patreon (https://www.patreon.com/c/sf1849) or Ko-Fi (https://ko-fi.com/sfadventure).

Sign up for my Patreon, https://www.patreon.com/c/sf1849. Pick the free level for regular updates on new stories and locations.

Yes, very. There are only a few locations (6th St, middle of Tenderloin) where I wouldn't walk at night. When you consider safety remember that The Worst Neighborhood (Tenderloin) is next block to where the theaters are, and none of the fancily dressed theater-goers get mugged.

In fact, the best way to establish safety levels is to do a tour or see a performance at the Tenderloin museum (https://www.tenderloinmuseum.org/upcoming-public-programs). You will feel perfectly safe. Every other place you'll go in San Francisco will be even safer.

Of course you want to be sensible, just like in any other big city - don't keep your wallet sticking out of your back pocket, don't leave your purse in plain view in a parked car, don't forget your diamond tiara on the bus...

And don't swim in the ocean. The ocean is NOT SAFE.