San Francisco Architecture Walking Tour

with Architecture Historian, Rick Evans

DISCOVER THE CITY GEMS AND HIDDEN TREASURES WITH with Architecture Historian, Rick Evans

"Prepare to Be Dazzled: Discover the City's Architectural Wonders and Captivating Tales!"

A WALKING TOUR FOR CURIOUS TRAVELERS (AND LOCALS)

PREPARE TO BE DAZZLED: DISCOVER THE CITY’S ARCHITECTURAL WONDERS AND CAPTIVATING TALES!

A WALKING TOUR FOR CURIOUS TRAVELERS (AND LOCALS)

Private Tour Inquiry

ANNOUNCEMENT

NOW TAKING RESERVATIONS FOR PRIVATE TOURS ONLY

Private Tours Available Now! Enjoy an exclusive experience with a private tour, currently open for booking. Pricing: A flat rate of $300 covers groups of 1 to 6 people. Additional Guests: Just $50 for each extra person beyond the initial six. Click on the Blue PRIVATE TOUR INQUIRY button below to complete the Inquiry Form with questions about your group and preferred date.

Private Tour Inquiry

About The Tour

Discover the architectural gems of San Francisco on a 2½ hour walking tour of the city’s Financial and SOMA District. Whether you’re a local or a visitor, this immersive experience is designed to be both accessible and informative. You’ll learn about the city’s most distinctive buildings, public squares, open spaces, and historic landmarks.

Your Tour Guide

Architectural historian, speaker, author, and preservation advocate, Rick Evans, has established himself as one of the most coveted tour guides in San Francisco. Since 1994, Rick has been imparting his extensive knowledge of architecture and the rich history of the city to a global audience that includes architects, design professionals, and architecture aficionados. As the proprietor of the San Francisco Architecture Walking Tour, the city’s premier professional architecture tour, Rick offers an unparalleled experience for those looking to delve into the architectural highlights of San Francisco

highlights

SALESFORCE TRANSIT CENTER LOBBY

The transit station in downtown San Francisco. It serves as the primary bus terminal-and potentially as a future rail terminal- for the San Francisco Bay Area.

THE MILLENNIUM TOWER (2009)

Tallest concrete tower in San Francisco; overall, the tower’s design is intended to resemble a translucent crystal.

This is the infamous “sinking tower” that in 2016 was revealed to have settled by 81 inches and tilted 41 inches at its northwest corner, causing several sidewalk repairs over the years

SHELL BUILDING (1929)

The vertical thrust of this Art Deco sleek skyscraper is like poetry in the sky with its generous detailing of elaborate modern shell designs and Egyptian references

TOP TEN REASONS TO TAKE MY TOUR

Only professional Architecture tour in the city

Classic and Modern Buildings

Past and Future Urban Plan of San Francisco

A Fresh New Perspective of San Francisco

Discover beautiful Urban Spaces

Guaranteed you’ll learn something new

The best vantage spots for viewing buildings

A Handout given at the end of the tour

Discover “Hidden in plain site" buildings

Insider information you won't find in guidebooks

frequently asked questions

Please read all questions and answers before booking tour

Do I need to be a good walker?

You don’t have to be the best walker, but you should at least enjoy walking. The tour is really not a difficult walk – no hills to climb (but there may be some steep stairs that may be encountered during the walk). We actually only go about 8 blocks from the starting location (but note that many of the stops on the tour we will be standing for up to ten minutes at one time with no seating available).

How long is the tour?

If all goes well, the tour is approximately 2.5 hours long – sometimes shorter, but can also be longer depending on the number of people on the tour.

Is the tour appropriate for children?

Children are welcomed but it needs to be noted that the tour is designed for adults or young adults with an interest in the architecture and/or history of San Francisco. There are no discounts for children. I try to keep the tour fun and accessible but the content of the tour is relatively sophisticated and presented in a “lecture” style.

Will we be seeing any of the famous San Francisco Victorians homes?

No, this tour concentrates only on the design and history of the modern and classic buildings in the Downtown Financial District of San Francisco. We also explore special unique urban open spaces and discuss the past and future urban plan of the city

Baby strollers?

Absolutely no Baby Strollers allowed on the tour.

Animals?

No animals of any kind are allowed on the walk.

Will there be restrooms available on the walk?

There will be one restroom stop about 20 minutes into the tour – no restrooms will be available after that stop.

Rain/Cold Wind 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.

Where does the tour begin and end?

Starting location of the tour will begin at the front entrance of SFMOMA located at 151 Third Street and ends at the Galleria Park Hotel located at 191 Sutter.

What if I’m late to the tour?

Note that the tour leaves promptly at the designated starting time and it will be hard to find the group if you are late. I will not be reachable by phone once the tour leaves the starting location. Its strongly recommend that you arrive at the starting location at least 15 minutes before the start of the tour.

What if I need to Cancel my Reservation?

Cancellations can be requested by sending a text to: 415.264.8824. Full refund of all fees paid if cancelled within 24 hours of the tour. No refunds if not cancelled within 24 hours.

What makes this tour so unique?

It’s the only Architecture Tour in San Francisco that is led by an Architecture Historian and includes information not covered on other tours nor can be found in guidebooks.

Do we receive a handout?

Yes! which is another reason why this tour is very unique, All participants will receive at the end of the tour a detailed listing of the buildings discussed on the tour which includes not only a description and name of the buildings but addresses, dates built, and the names of the architects.

PRIVATE TOUR RESERVATIONS

Private Tours Available Now! Enjoy an exclusive experience with a private tour, currently open for booking. Pricing: A flat rate of $300 covers groups of 1 to 6 people. Additional Guests: Just $50 for each extra person beyond the initial six. Click on the Blue “BOOK TOUR NOW” button below to complete the Inquiry Form with questions about your group and preferred date(s)

Private Tour Inquiry

My Blog

I am thrilled to announce the upcoming launch of my new blog, dedicated to uncovering the fascinating backstories of San Francisco’s architecture and it’s urban plan, a city renowned for its vibrant culture and captivating neighborhoods which boasts a rich architectural heritage that has shaped its unique identity.

My blog will take readers on a comprehensive exploration of the city’s architectural legacy, from the iconic landmarks that define its skyline to the hidden gems. Whether you’re a local resident or a visitor, my blog will offer you a fresh perspective on the city’s architectural wonders, inviting you to see San Francisco through the lens of its buildings and urban design. Stay tuned for my first post, where we will embark on this exciting journey together

E-BOOKS

I am happy to announce a new addition to my website: an exclusive collection of e-books that will delve into the rich tapestry of San Francisco’s architectural history. From the iconic Transamerica Pyramid to the latest contemporary structures shaping the city’s skyline, each publication will offer a deep dive into the stories and controversies behind these remarkable buildings. Whether you’re an architecture enthusiast or a history buff, this series promises to illuminate the past and present of San Francisco’s most significant edifices. Stay tuned for the release of my first e-book, where we’ll explore the fascinating evolution of the city’s built environment.