Climb from San Francisco’s earliest squares to its skyline towers and Chinatown gate as audio stories reveal how architecture, faith, and resilience shaped the city’s heart. A self-guided GPS walking tour with on-map stops, narration, and local tips.
Admissions not included.
Your purchase is for 30-day access to our self-guided cell-phone tour. Tickets or entry fees
for museums, historic sites, and other attractions are sold separately.
From brick survivors in Jackson Square to lantern-lit alleys in Chinatown and monuments along Market Street, this self-guided walking tour reveals how San Francisco rebuilt its character block by block. You will move between historic plazas, temples, modern towers, and memorials as audio stories link early docks, faith communities, and design experiments into one continuous thread. Start whenever it suits you, walk at your own pace, and see how everyday streets become some of the city’s most memorable icons.
Highlights
Jackson Square (Hotaling Building) — historic brick warehouse district at the old waterfront; uncover tales of brick survivors, merchant fortunes, and fire-forged resilience where the city first rose from the bay.
Hotaling Whiskey Legend — a surviving 1906 warehouse packed with barrels; hear how a gust of wind and a witty rhyme turned near-disaster into one of San Francisco’s most enduring legends.
Transamerica Pyramid — a futuristic, tapered skyscraper above the old port streets; learn how its bold shape defied critics to become a glowing beacon of modern confidence on the skyline.
Columbus Tower (Sentinel Building) — green copper wedge at the crossroads of Chinatown and North Beach; discover how this survivor became the creative home of filmmakers and storytellers who reshaped American cinema.
Portsmouth Square — the original town plaza in the heart of today’s Chinatown; listen to voices of sailors, settlers, and earthquake survivors who once gathered where the flag first marked this city as American soil.
Old Saint Mary’s Cathedral — Gold Rush–era church with a famous clock-tower warning; hear the moral call that rang over nearby saloons and learn how faith rebuilt amid fire and loss.
Waverly Place (Lantern Alley) — two short blocks of temples and balconies glowing with color; follow lanterns and temple bells to learn how families rebuilt Chinatown’s heart with artistry and courage.
Golden Gate Fortune Cookie Factory — a tiny Ross Alley workshop folding cookies by hand; step inside a sweet tradition and watch how simple rituals preserved handmade fortunes and family craft.
Chinatown Gate and Grant Avenue — ornate archway marking the symbolic entrance to historic Chinatown; walk beneath dragons and discover how this gateway became a proud emblem of endurance and identity.
Maiden Lane & Wright Spiral Gallery — a quiet curve off Union Square hiding a Frank Lloyd Wright experiment; trace the gentle arc that previewed his spiral museum and forever changed modern design.
Lotta’s Fountain (1906 Meeting Point) — ornate bronze column on Market Street; hear stories of hope and reunion at the monument where San Franciscans once found one another after the fires.
All this, plus additional "hidden gems," expertly brought to life through our virtual guides....with rich, vivid history, local stories, and unmatched knowledge you will not find elsewhere. Even better, no tipping required!
Tour area: San Francisco – Street Life and City Icons
Distance: ~1.5 miles (2.4 km) • Time: 2 hours • Stops: 11+ • Terrain: City sidewalks, moderate hills, narrow alleys
Shaded area = approximate tour area
What you’ll experience
GPS location tracking — see your current location on the map.
Virtual Tour Guides — Detailed narration at each stop & answers to common questions.
Vast local knowledge — history, legends, and insider spots.
Local weather updates — stay prepared as you explore outdoors.
A “Free Roaming” adventure — start anywhere, wander at your pace.
What exactly unlocks when I buy?
You’ll get the full tour map with hot-air balloon markers (our map pins), our suggested walking path for orientation, detailed stories and site info, narration, and tons of local tips. Your purchase gives you unlimited access for 30 days via a private link. It runs right in your mobile browser — no installs, no storage — just open and go.
How do I start the tour?
Open your private tour link on your phone and tap the compass icon on the map to show where you are. Simply walk to the nearest stop and tap its marker to start the story. Then just visit any other stops you like, in any order, at your own pace.
How does a SmartWalkTour differ from a traditional tour?
It’s your pace, your path. No buses or group schedules. No tour guide tipping. Explore freely with on-map markers, narration, and an optional suggested path for big-picture orientation. Pause for a café, browse a shop, and pick up where you left off anytime — your guide is always in your pocket.
Screenshots from an actual tour. (Key West example)
Swipe or scroll to see more →
Multiple tour stopping points. Start at any one, then tap the hot air balloon for detailed tour guide information.Virtual tour guides share rich stories at every stop, with Q&A and helpful links.Always know the local weather and plan your walk comfortably.Discover more tours nearby—walkable options to keep exploring.Four map styles, live GPS, and a suggested path you can toggle on/off.Helpful information is built in, plus links for even more detail.In app tips, FAQs, Local festivals and events. Maps show a wealth of detail, with public restroom locations.Direct links to attractions for hours, tickets, and more.
