FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS (FAQ's)
(415) 264-8824

Does the tour go out every day of the week?
Yes. Tour goes out every day of the week at 11:00 a.m if I have a minimum of at least 6 people

Do I need to be a good walker?
Yes. Although we do not have to go up any hills, the walk covers almost 1 mile of city blocks and is recommended for people who like to walk. The walk is brisk and moves quickly through a busy downtown area - crossing streets with heavy traffic.  Some steep stairs may be encountered during the walk

How Long is the Tour?
Tour is approximately 2 hours long - sometimes shorter, sometimes longer depending on the number of people on the tour and/or traffic on the streets

What if I'm late to the Tour?
Tour leaves the lobby promptly at 11:00 a.m and it will be hard to find us if you're late, but the front desk staff at the hotel can tell you our first location if you should arrive late due to circumstances out of your control

I recommend that you arrive at the hotel lobby at least 10 minutes before the start of the tour (the hotel lobby has nice comfy couches for you to enjoy while you wait for the tour to begin). Remember, that you need to factor in extra time for public transportation that may be late or the difficulty of finding parking

What about Parking?
There are several downtown lots available in the financial district but remember parking is expensive! -  using public transportation is always recommended (The Galleria Park Hotel is very close to the Montgomery Street Bart and Muni station). Sutter/Stockton Garage is about two blocks away from the Hotel

How should I dress?
I suggest that you dress very casually (and warmly). Dress in layers, and wear comfortable shoes (remember, you will be doing a lot of walking) - most of the tour is outdoors and San Francisco's weather can change within 30 minutes!

Also a good idea not to bring shopping bags or to be weighted down with heavy backpacks because of the length of the tour

Should I be prepared to take notes?
Probably not necessary. Everyone will get a handout at the end of the walk that will list all the major buildings discussed during the tour

Any other suggestions to get more from the experience?
Yes. Be sure to turn cell phones off at the beginning of the tour. Again, it is important for you and everyone on the tour not to have any distractions during the walk. This is a rare opportunity to allow yourself time to connect with your surroundings, to listen and to reflect. Consider it a 2 hour “vacation” away from anything electronic

Are your tours appropriate for children?
The tour is designed for adults or young adults with an interest in architecture and/or history of San Francisco. Not recommended for children under 8. Age 8 and over depends on the personality and interest level of your child. I've had 10-years olds who have enjoyed every last detail of the stories about the great buildings of the city but 18-years olds who were bored and restless by the architectural historical explanation. I try to keep the tour fun and accessible but the content of the tour is relatively sophisticated

Baby Strollers?
Strongly discourage the use of baby strollers during the walk because of the many stairs that we encounter on the walk and the tight elevators we use in some of the buildings

Can I bring my well behaved dog on the walk?
Not recommended. We go into many private lobbies that do not allow animals

Will there be restrooms available on the walk?
Sorry, there are no public restrooms during the walk but there are restrooms available in the hotel lobby and can be used prior to the start of the tour

How do I make a reservation?
Click on the tab labeled "reservations" on the right side of this page and complete the request form. You will receive a confirmation from me as soon as possible. Last minute walk-ins are permissible but not encouraged since tour only goes out if I have a minimum of 6 people - you may show up at the hotel and find the tour cancelled.

Call 415-264-8824 to leave a message in addition to completing the online form if you are making a reservation within 4 hours of departure of any tour.

Can I pay with a credit card?
No, only cash accepted day of tour. $20.00 per person, collected at the beginning of the tour at check-in (another good reason to get to the lobby early!)

Do we need to tip?
Of course tips are not required but are nice if you think that you received a quality experience above and beyond the price of the tour!

Rain Policy
Tour is usually cancelled only if there is heavy rain or very strong cold winds.  
A decision to cancel the tour will be made the morning of the tour. Call 415.264.8824 to inquire status after 10:00 a.m

What if I need to cancel my reservation?
Always let me know if you need to cancel - Email me at rick@architecturesf.com or call 415-264-8824 and leave a message

Do you give private or group tours?
Private and specialized tours for the Architecture Walking Tour are available every day. Please note that there are no group discounts for the tour.

I also specialize in unique walking tours of many different neighborhoods of San Francisco and can customize for any group size. Contact me at rick@architecturesf.com to discuss options, and scheduling.

Additional information needed?
Contact me at rick@architecturesf.com, and I'll respond to your question within 24 hours