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San Francisco Architecture Walking Tour
Category: Hotels & Travel Tours Tours [Edit]
Galleria Park Hotel191 Sutter St
San Francisco, CA 94104
Neighborhood: Financial District
(415) 264-8824
- Hours:
Mon-Sun 11 am - 1 pm
179 reviews for San Francisco Architecture Walking Tour
179 reviews in English
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Review from Cynthia W.
San Diego, CA
1/18/2012
Best architecture tour I've been on! Rick Evans is a very knowledgeable and entertaining guide. After the 2 hour tour we had only covered 3 blocks, yet I felt so informed about various historical buildings and modern "POPOs." (Privately Owned Public Open Space)
Rick was very personable and interacted with the group with ease.
I can't wait to return to the city to take his tours of Chinatown, Russian Hill and North Beach.! -
Review from Mal C.
San Francisco, CA
1/13/2012
What can I say that everyone hasn't said already? The tour was fascinating, and the route Rick takes you on is the route I walk to work on every day. Little did I know what kind of fascinating history I was passing!
Rick is one of those crazy knowledgable people who just seem to know everything. Not one question the group asked he didn't know off the top of his head (including questions about other city's architecture and zoning, like NYC and Chicago). If I could, I'd do a tour with Rick through every neighborhood of the city. He really brings the history alive. Highly recommended! -
Review from John F.
Mountain View, CA
1/7/2012
This is an awesome tour. During the tour Rick provided us with information and views that opened our eyes in a new way to the city. We had previously taken the Chinatown tour with Rick and was so impressed with that tour we just had to try this one too.
Thanks Rick for showing us some really cool things and helping us see SF completely different. -
Review from Steve C.
San Francisco, CA
1/11/2012 1 Check-in Here
Wow! What better way to spend a Sunday than learning more about the city I've come to love. Rick has clearly poured years of research and preparation into this tour. The tour itself is the perfect balance of architectural facts, San Francisco history, and future plans for the city.
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Review from t t.
Oakland, CA
1/9/2012
Loved it! The guide was a historian who was very knowledgeable about SF history and architecture. I know a decent amount about the city and about 80% of the info was new to me! There was just the right amount of detail presented, and he was clear, funny, had historic photos to show the changes across time, and he gave a handout at the end.
If you are a local, definitely go. Same if you are a tourist (but be advised--you'll want to come back for more). Tour was about 2.5 hours since there was a "bonus" building open on Sundays.
Highly recommend this, and will be taking his other tours. One odd thing: no one else tipped him. C'mon folks, ante up a few bucks! :) -
Review from acid b.
San Francisco, CA
12/7/2011
At first I was like $20!?!?!? There's free tours out there!!!
But then it was fantastic.
The tour guide is a historian and is actively involved in researching and helping preserve SF's architectural heritage.
I've actually been on this tour twice! (yes, twice!) thanks to two different groups of people visiting.
So with about a year in between tours I expected that we would go to the same places. Actually, depending on what buildings are open (day of the week) the tour changes a little bit, and he puts in the work to update the tour with the most current information available!!
Seriously, it can't get any better than this! I tipped both times! -
Review from Anna C.
Seattle, WA
8/29/2011
Recently moved out of the area and wanted to do so something 'touristy' during my next visit. This tour had really high reviews on yelp, so I thought I would give it a try.
I have worked and gone to school in the financial district. It is crazy how I have never stopped and appreciated the architecture in the area. This tour is great and would highly recommend to visitors and my fellow Bay Area folks. It really helped me slow down my pace and take in what I passed by for so many years.
Rick, our guide combines his background of architectural history and love for SF in this 2 hour+ tour. His information is not easily found in your common tourist book or map. He has also recently started to touch upon future plans of SODO (this adds a few more more minutes to the tour). I won't give away what he talks about ... you just have to take the tour yourself!
I will definitely try and take his Chinatown tour when I come back to town!
To get the most out of the tour, I recommend a weekday. -
Review from Lorrayne L.
Oakland, CA
5/23/2011 3 photos
I'm a big history buff. Not as much as my brother-in-law, fo sho, but still more than your average bear. Take my majour for instance. Can't get more historical than million year old skeletons. But recent history is fascinating too, most especially local history.
I know a lot about the history of the Oakland waterfront, being a huge Jack London fan, and a lover of Oaktown in general. But I never knew much about Frisco growing up. This is where Rick's tour comes in.
C_ and I share an interest in architecture, so when I discovered this tour, I invited her along. We had a blast! Learning about the history of the financial district since the 1906 quake and resulting fires gave me that extra knowledge of my beloved Bay Area that I was hungering for.
Rick is extremely knowledgable in the field of historical architecture, and his love and enthusiasm spreads like wildfire to his attentive audiences. In just two hours and 4 blocks walking distance, I learned more than I had ever thought possible about the buildings I walk by on a consistent basis. I'm one of those who always looks up while walking, but I never knew the history behind all the buildings around me until yesterday afternoon. This was truly an eye-opening experience, and I recommend the tour to everyone, whether you be localites like myself, or if you're here in Frisco on a little vacation. -
Review from Suzanne B.
11/27/2011
Do not miss this tour! The most fascinating 2 hours you will spend in San Fran. Rick's deep knowledge and enthusiasm makes for some great storytelling and well, the architecture speaks for itself. Rick links the past, present and future seamlessly and leaves you with some very useful info and web links . Highly entertaining!
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Review from C J.
Mountain View, CA
1/19/2012
Gotta yelp about this people! The hubs and I got away for a weekend to the city (45 minutes from home :) and absolutely relished this awesome walking tour of the downtown area. Neither of us really know anything about architecture, but we both thoroughly enjoyed learning from Rick. He was knowledgeable, personable and very engaging. We've been to the city many times before and never stopped to look around at the buildings. Inspired by Rick's tour, we intentionally took our time to walk miles and miles through the city the rest of the weekend, avoiding smelly and delayed public transport so we could take in the beauty of the buildings around us. We especially appreciated the "cheat sheet" Rick gave out at the end with all the information he'd covered during our walk and the historic pictures he shared to show how the city and buildings have changed. Highly, highly, HIGHLY recommend this great tour!
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Review from Kori M.
7/27/2011
Weeeeee! This was FANTASTIC. And I just used all caps so you know I'm serious. I have a whole new appreciation for downtown SF after this 2-hour, ever-changing tour.
I love how he started with the past and ended with the future of building in the city. And the urls he provides at the end have proven to be useful! I've already used his POPO map.
Yay! -
Review from Joshua R.
Palo Alto, CA
7/29/2011
I went on the tour last week and found it to be a very educational and enjoyable two hours. Rick is very knowledgeable, manages the group well and was eager to answer questions as they arose. As someone who has worked downtown, it's amazing to learn the history of the buildings we're surrounded by as well as discover a number of amazing places I plan to return to in the future (hint: rooftop gardens that most people don't know about).
I highly recommend the tour, it's well worth the money. -
Review from jazzy l.
San Francisco, CA
6/13/2011 2 photos
I heard about this walking tour through the Commonwealth Club of California. I purchased this tour for $40 which in hindsight, I should of done it directly through Rick Evans since he only charges $20 for a 2.5 hour tour.
QUICK TIP: Book directly through him on his website!
Anyways...the group met at the Commonwealth Club on Market Street and we walked over to one of the hotels to meet Rick.
I learned so many exciting new things through Rick and I highly recommend him to the locals and SF visitors.
Quick Notes to take home:
*POPOS. Privately owned, Public Spaces in the Financial District
*Learned about the first glass curtain wall building developed in 1917 and designed by Willis Polk
*Learned about a marble foot print from an elevator captain at 111 Sutter
*First "Glass Building" after the War. Open modern view of landscapes in the city.
*One of the oldest and remaining banks in SF protected due to "Air Rights"
*HOBART Building (I've always wondered about this building and learned why it looks the way it looks now)
*Shell Buliding. Last great Art Deco building.
*130 Bush - the most narrowest building in the city.
*One Rincon Center - The beginning of the new planned communities and so much more.
There are so many tips you get to learn on his tour but I won't expose it all here on Yelp. I didn't get bored, his voice was quite audible and kept my attention span. The tour contained about 15 people. After the tour, there is an option to grab a drink at RN74!
Go take his tour!! He has been reviewed on TripAdvisor too! -
Review from ann n.
South San Francisco, CA
6/20/2011
I have been eyeballing this tour on Goldstar for a while. I am so happy I finally got a chance to go this last weekend. It was fantastic!
I moved to SF about 2 years ago and have walked in the Financial District countless times. I had no idea there was so much to see if only you looked up.
Rick is friendly and informative. The walking portion is very minimal. We were in a group of about 30 and Rick did a great job of gathering the masses to make sure we could hear him. At the end of the tour he gives everyone a handout that lists all the buildings we saw on the tour.
On Sunday, he takes the group to a "bonus" building (Mechanic's Institute Library); a hidden gem.
This tour is highly recommended. I bought tickets for $10 each (with small service charge) on Goldstar, but its definitely worth the $20.
I am excited to share my newly acquired knowledge with my next out of town visitors. -
Review from george l.
Oakland, CA
11/11/2011
I just completed this eye opening tour through the Financial District and can freely recommend it to anyone with an interest in Architecture or San Francisco.
I have always been interested in Architecture and, thanks to Mr.Evans I am now able to see it from a totally different perspective.
He introduced us to Privately Owned Public Open Spaces (POPOS) and provided all members of the tour with a list of 56 POPOS in the downtown area. I never even knew that they existed. It is certain to be a pleasant adventure exploring these hidden gems. -
Review from sim t.
San Francisco, CA
5/16/2011
Rick's historical knowledge, stories, accessible narrative style (no unexplained architectural jargon/big words), and insights were definitely as enjoyable as previous reviewers have raved about! As a history and factoid buff, I was also grateful for his visual aids (photos encased in plastic sleeves) which showed many of the buildings from aerial perspectives, or showed street corners as they would have looked before this or that demolition or remodeling... And I really appreciated his obvious passion for the city's built heritage and open spaces: he regularly gave credit to the preservationists who have helped protect important SF buildings, and joked conspiratorially about developers' ironic reluctance to let the *public* know about the *public* spaces (POPOs) they are mandated to build and maintain when they build new property.
I'm only giving this tour 4 stars because (a) I can't give it 4.75 stars which is what I actually want to do (b) I know it won't hurt his ratings: but I sincerely wish we had covered more ground. Other architectural tours I have been on (notably in Chicago) have definitely moved faster and covered more. Rick summarizes a lot ("remember: clay, finials, 1917" or similar), which is helpful in order to drive the main points home, but I do think he can do more, since he gives his groups a detailed handout at the end so they can remember what they've seen. That said, the tour is two hours long, and moves at a comfortable pace; I know it's hard to please everyone so I almost *didn't* want to put up this critique. But as a local I'm greedy for more! Will be back again. Thank you Rick for a whole new way to see downtown! -
Review from Holly S.
Vancouver, WA
10/17/2011
Took this tour June 2009 and I compare all of my Architecture tours to this one. So far it is the best tour I have been on. Rick has so much knowledge and made the tour very interesting. I wish we had time to take the Chinatown tour. If we go back to SF it will be the first thing on the list!
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Review from Joaquin J.
San Francisco, CA
10/9/2011
I enjoy history and find architecture pretty interesting as well so this tour was ideal for me. I think most would enjoy the tour because there is a lot of information that most people probably don't know. Rick puts it all together into a great tour. The time flies and you don't feel like it's been two hours and you feel like you've learned a lot.
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Review from L and J.
Oakland, CA
7/13/2011
L and I have been talking urban historic architecture for some time now, and we decided to learn more about about the history of San Francisco architecture. We found Rick Evans online and proceeded to reserve space with him on his tour of the financial district. Contacting him and making reservations via email was quick and efficient.
I have been on architectural tours before and have even given some. L and I were impressed by the way Rick presented his wide variety of material! This is more than a simple tour and recitation of a particular building's history. Instead, Rick focuses on many factors which have effected urban growth through history, with historic preservation as one of those elements. He chooses building exteriors and interiors which illustrate a certain era of San Francisco's development...the 1906 earthquake, new concepts in architecture, air rights, depression and war, the growth of transportation networks. All of these epochs are presented through the lens of historic preservation, and all are shown to have effected the landscape of the city in important ways.
Rick also effectively uses visual aids to demonstrate what existed in the past, as the present was all around us. The tour never felt rushed. Rick also packed a great deal of information into our two hours, but never so much as to feel overburdened or numb from it all. On the contrary, Rick kept us moving at a comfortable pace, through changes of historic scenery which kept us engaged.
L and I especially enjoyed his emphasis on modern architecture, though I don't think he used the word "modernism" once. Instead, Rick presented the use of new materials, such as glass, in building construction and described its resulting effects on the direction of architecture and its impacts on the built environment.
Rick is a well-prepared, engaging narrator who knows his history well. One recommendation, Rick, if you happen to read this, would be perhaps more information on the growth of the preservation movement in San Francisco. References are made to efforts to save a certain building in the early 1980s, and how that helped create the local preservation movement. I would have like to have known more about the rise of the historic preservation community to more fully understand the broader context surrounding the preservation of these important historic sites.
Thanks Rick! L and I loved our time on your tour. And for those of you who walk through the Financial District everyday--don't forget to look up! There is so much to see! -
Review from Quality T.
San Francisco, CA
5/2/2011
Wow! I thought I was in love with SF before the tour...but now I realize I only knew 1/100th of SF's beauty and history!
Rick is so passionate and expert about history, art, culture, commerce, and architecture that I was fully entranced and learning from the first step of the walking tour.
And a wonderful bonus: We got a glimpse into the future!
I am going to sign up for the tour again. And I am always going to *look up* (you will know what I mean when you take the tour). -
Review from Natalia S.
San Francisco, CA
9/30/2011
I've lived in SF for 7 years and had always thought about taking a walking tour, but was lucky enough to take Rick's tour through a design conference finally. I have a background in architecture, so I was already excited, but what I was not prepared for was the vast amount of little known SF history that you get. Rick leads a superb downtown exploration, chalk full of interesting SF knowledge that anyone would love! I would recommend it to everyone, and will definitely be taking my friends. It's worth it just to find the POPOS! Thanks Rick!
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Review from Grace L.
Redwood City, CA
5/15/2011
Today was a beautiful Sunday in San Francisco and what better way to enjoy it then by spending a couple hours on this fantastic walking tour! Rick gives you little gems all along the way in terms of history, culture, and secret spots! Two hours flew by!
San Francisco truly has a great architecture canvas as good as NYC or Chicago. Rick is an historian, so not only do you get to see amazing buildings and works of art within the buildings, but you get historical context all along the way. He's passionate and not once did the tour seem rushed. I highly recommend this tour and would definitely go on it again. -
Review from Chelsea M.
San Francisco, CA
9/26/2011
Signed up for Yelp just to write this review! This tour was fantastic, I've lived in San Francisco for over a year and yet this tour opened up such fun new facts about our city and its architectural history that I never knew before. Took the tour with my husband and we couldn't have been happier! Highly recommend!
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Review from Matt E.
San Diego, CA
1/9/2011
This tour was exactly what I hoped for! Rick (the tour guide) is extremely knowledgeable and truly does "inspire and educate" you. As an architecture student, I was able to fully grasp all of the concepts and vocabulary he used but was also introduced to many aspects of architecture that I did not previously know about.
The tour is perfect for tourists, students, and anyone looking to learn about such an amazing city. The walk is not far and you'll find yourself saying that the two hours absolutely flew by.
In the end, the tour is definitely worth the price (you can find discounts on many sites as well), and I would recommend it to anyone! -
Review from Nancy W.
San Francisco, CA
6/4/2011
This was fantastic. I have lived in SF for over 20 years and I learned so much in just two hours. We only covered about a 5 block area of downtown SF, but I was mesmerized by the historical detail and knowledge of the buildings that Rick Evans had, My favorite thing of all was to be let in on the secret of POPOS... I plan to ferret them out on my own over the next few months.
I highly recommend this tour for both visitors as well as long-time SF residents. -
Review from Jessica t.
San Francisco, CA
11/9/2010
You will never look at San Francisco's downtown area the same way again - after this tour.
You will be moved to want to protect and preserve the profound and historical buildings and extracts of San Francisco history - which surround us every day in this unique city.
Rick is truly passionate about not only educating people about San Francisco's fascinating architectural past, present, and future - but he inspires people to care about San Francisco's buildings in a truly poignant way.
Trust. -
Review from Jon N.
Garden Grove, CA
11/4/2010
The walking tour (there isn't THAT much walking) was like watching a GREAT movie that is 2 hours long but it felt like only 20 minutes had passed. 2 hours feels TOO SHORT for this tour and you just want to run to the nearest library and study up on the history of the surrounding buildings. Rick really pulls you into the history of the buildings and the majesty of the works of art that is architecture. You're just going to have to take the tour yourself to see what I mean.
You can sign up on rick's website (he'll e-mail you back confirming your reservation) or see if http://goldstar.com has any tickets for 50% off.
I'd easily pay $40.
Tell your kids
Tell your wife
Tell your kids
Tell your wife
And your husband too cuz they educating everyone out here
Reference: http://www.youtube.com...
San Francisco Architecture Walking Tour's Score - 99+ Points -
Review from Roxanne M.
San Francisco, CA
9/12/2011 Purchased a Yelp Deal
Very interesting. Not tourist-y in the least! We enjoyed every minute and learned a lot about our lovely city. Not to be missed.
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Review from Sujan J.
San Francisco, CA
11/16/2010
2 hours just flew by! (and we only walked a 2 block radius but learnt so much!)
I'm new to SF so I felt like I got a history lesson about the city and its buildings (and a little bit about the future as well)
Some of my friends had lived in SF for years and they learnt stuff about the city that they didn't even know.
Rick is passionate about architecture and this tour is highly recommended for both SFans as well as visitors!
Look out for discounted deals on various websites (you can get $20 ticket for $10).
I am going to organize a China town tour and Nob Hill/Russian Hill (not yet started) tour with Rick as a group! -
Review from Jason L.
Pasadena, CA
8/15/2011
Well done. Short and sweet. Key locations. Amazing buildings. Great stories. Go already.
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Review from C. K.
San Rafael, CA
11/28/2011
Rick Evans is enthusiastic, informed, very interesting, and clearly passionate about what he does. A good balance of standing & moving, of information & stimulation, the past & future of SF, humor & thought provoquing data... I'm not into walking tours & this could not have been better. The handout he gives you at the end is full of valuable info, and things you can research further. And the popos... ! :) A treasure!
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Review from gwynnie p.
San Francisco, CA
7/20/2010
Rick Evans is a great tour guide and storyteller, with infectious enthusiasm for San Francisco architecture past, present and future.
Even if you're an avoid-Fisherman's-Wharf-and-Alcatraz-at-all-costs sort of local you'll learn a lot from this well priced 2 hr tour and enjoy every moment of it. 5 stars!!!! -
Review from Betti M.
Oak View, CA
9/3/2011
I found this tour while researching on Yelp. I have done the Victorian Home Walking Tour and this one sounded interesting to me. The reviews were excellent. I went in with high expectations and they were definitely met. Rick did a great job and I loved all the information that he gave us. The group was small enough so that you did not miss anything.
After Rick's tour, you look at buildings differently and with much respect. I would highly recommend this tour. -
Review from Thomas J.
Phoenix, AZ
9/6/2010
This is a Must Do event.
Ricks tour gives an excellent base of knowledge on SF architectural history and hidden features. He integrates the historical and structural elements with a perspective on future changes.
Top notch, Thanks Rick. -
Review from Maureen S.
Shawnee, KS
8/17/2010 1 photo
I wish that every city could clone Rick Evans.
I think the thing that made Rick's tour so enjoyable is that he is much more than a "guide" - he is a storyteller, as other reviewers have mentioned.
And he definitely passed the "bored teenager" test - my two daughters loved the tours as much as me and my husband! It's been two months since we came back to Kansas City from our vacation in San Francisco, and we have talked more than once about the amazing things we learned and saw on Rick's tours! In fact "popos" has become part of our vocabulary! And if you don't know what "popos" are, go on the tour to find out - you won't be sorry! -
Review from D K.
Berkeley, CA
8/1/2011 Purchased a Yelp Deal
Wear comfy shoes for SURE. All flat, some staircases. Camera-worthy. Cool handout at end of the tour with links to more info on the places you went. I used the $10 yelp coupon and then tipped at the end of the tour. :) Good times and worth it! Can't wait to try out the free SF walking tours as well...
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Review from Tom E.
Oakland, CA
11/11/2010
Another 5 star review for the tour-- but I'll run down my own highlights:
1- Perfect for older folks: not that much walking
2- Perfect for everyone else, people from San Francisco and from out of town.
3- Poignant tour touches on the loss of some of San Francisco's greatest features, and also celebrates San Francisco's architecture (and more!) success.
4- Touches on the past and the future
Everyone should take this tour, and it's offered every day of the week! Wow. San Francisco treasure. -
Review from Michele H.
San Mateo, CA
6/27/2011
Great tour even if you aren't an architect enthusiast. I didn't really realize all the great architectural history that the city has to offer. The walk was nice and the weather was beautiful. I learned a lot and even find my self sharing some of the info I learned when I bring people to the city. The tour guide was very funny and kept us entertained through the whole tour. I have a much better appreciation for buildings now and find myself looking up a lot more.
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Review from Kyle H.
Littleton, CO
5/24/2011
After coming home from this, I immediately signed up for an architectural history course at my university. Rick's passion is contagious, and he gave a great overview of San Francisco history that I didn't get from other (admittedly more tourist-oriented) overviews of the city. I strongly recommend this tour if you're interested in urban settings, as I am, since he goes over the past as well as the future of San Francisco in a way that leaves you curious to know more. Luckily, he provides a handout to fulfill that craving. When I come back to San Francisco, I'd gladly do this exact tour all over again.
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Review from Kyra b.
San Francisco, CA
6/7/2011
Best tour ever. Great thing to do with your parents when they come visit you in SF!
