Presidio Walking Tour: Uncover Hidden Historical Stories
5.0
30 Ratings
San Francisco
Uncover hidden historical stories on our engaging Presidio Walking Tour. Discover the sordid tales they never told you in school, from a famous photographer turned murderer to an actress who was a Union spy. Explore the history of Yoda and Lucasfilm's connection to the Presidio. Don't miss out on this unique opportunity to learn about the soldiers and civilians who lived here, and the tragic fate of a famous Army general. Book your tour now!
Duration:
4 hours
Cancellation:
1 day
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Highlights
- Presidio - We start at the Lombard & Lyon street entrance to The Presidio, and stroll through the Letterman District (Lucasfilm ). Of course, there will be plenty of opportunities for pictures!
We’ll walk through several historic neighborhoods, viewing the changing landscape as we learn about the history of The Presidio and it’s future projects.
On the main post, we’ll hear stories about what life was like for officers and enlisted soldiers who lived here. Then, it’s onto the Presidio Officers’ Club, one of the oldest buildings in San Francisco.
At the National Cemetery, we’ll hear curious stories of some of the people buried here, and take in a spectacular view of the bay from the overlook where we will eat our own lunches & snacks. After a break we’ll continue our walk past historic Cavalry stables where the famous Buffalo Soldiers once camped, and check out the Pilot’s Row historic neighborhood as we continue our walk to the Golden Gate Bridge!
What's Included
- Hand sanitizer available
- Guided walk through the iconic Presidio
- Expert local guide
- Fully narrated, engaging tour
What's Not Included
- Gratuities
- Lunch
Additional Information
Embark on a fascinating journey through Presidio, including Tunnel Tops, with JB Walking Tours. We share intriguing tales far removed from the mundane history taught at school. Hear about a renowned photographer with a dark side, and an actress who doubled as a Union spy. Also, learn about Yoda and the incorporation of Lucasfilm into Presidio. Check our website for further information.
Warning: The tour commences and concludes at different spots.
Witness ‘before-and-after’ photos of the park while listening to narratives about the soldiers and civilians who once resided, and some laid to rest here. At the main post, we delve into the soldiers’ living conditions and the disheartening, fiery end that met a popular Army general.
While several tours hastily pass through Presidio en route to the bridge, our tour takes the leisurely route, revealing the sights and sounds you’d otherwise miss. Do inspect our website for further details.
- Guests should be in relatively good fitness as the walk is approximately 4 miles (6.4km). There are gradual hills to climb.
- Due to the distance and intensity of the walk, this tour is not recommended for children younger than 12.
- Plan to bring snacks and/or a lunch.
- Bringing water is recommended.
- Adult pricing applies for all travelers.
- This tour starts at one location and ends at another (the Golden Gate Bridge)
Location
Lombard Street & Lyon Street
Meet at the Lombard Gate, located at Lombard and Lyon Streets in San Francisco. We'll be at the right side cannon (as you face the gate).
Please note this is tour is one way. It starts at one location and ends at another.
Cancellation Policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
Customer Ratings
5.0
(30 Ratings)
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Toyota1994
Feb 9, 2024
Amazing Views - The Presidio, which is a part of the Golden Gate National Recreation area, was a former United States Army post. The National Park Service has repurposed the area to provide numerous recreational opportunities to visitors.  The well-maintained trails offer opportunities for hiking and biking, There are several spots along the trails to get awesome views of the Golden Gate Bridge. Of course, the views of the bay waters are beautiful from everywhere. Unfortunately, parking could be an issue on busy days. But, the place is well worth a visit. One can spend hours and hours as one wishes.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
72suea
Jun 28, 2023
Fantastic experience! - A great afternoon touring the Presidio with Julie, who was a fun, friendly, and very knowledgeable guide. She did an excellent job of blending history with current happenings to give us insight into the roll the Presidio has had in history, as well as current times.
She was very gracious in adjusting her schedule to accommodate us. In conversations ahead of booking I had asked if there was enough content for four locals familiar with the Presidio. The answer was "Yes" and I couldn't agree more. We learned so much and left with a much deeper appreciation of this wonderful SF asset.
If you are considering booking, don't hesitate! It was a great experience, well worth the very reasonable cost and time commitment.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Psmetko
Jun 25, 2023
Wonderful afternoon - Julie was a knowledgeable hostess and so much fun to spend the afternoon with. The area was so beautiful and now the Presidio came alive with all the anecdotes. I recommend Julie and this your highly. We will take future tours with her
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Theresar930
Jun 19, 2023
Excellent tour of the Presidio! - This walk through the Presidio to the Golden Gate Bridge was full of interesting history and information about the area. Julie, our guide, was fun, friendly and full of great stories as she is from this area. We had a walk, picnic lunch and fabulous views - I highly recommend!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Dixiemohan
Feb 9, 2023
Fun and interesting tour of a San Francisco landmark area. - The leisure walk through the Presidio and Tunnels park with a friendly guide full of interesting stories and history of the area.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Ageofgrace
Feb 9, 2023
Give yourself the gift of a tour with Julie! - Our walking tour was better than we could have imagined. Julie was gracious, completely knowledgeable, positive with a passion for the Presidio and its history. She had interesting stories and responded to all of our questions with humor and sensitivity. She happily adapted to our interests and kept us engaged and curious. The tour gave us a perspective that many of us, although we all live locally, had not considered. By the end, we felt that we had spent the day with a good friend who took care of all of our needs. I couldn't recommend Julie more. Her communication prior to the tour was complete and professional. And she even sent us group pictures afterwards. This tour was beautiful and gave us a respite from the outside world. You can't go wrong.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Kclarkwalnutcreek_ca
Feb 6, 2023
Julie is a Gem - We were a group of six women from a Bay Area book club. We've all been to the Presidio but never enjoyed it as much as we did with Julie...as one person said, "Julie is a gem." From the first phone call to meeting Julie in person, she was very responsive to questions and details of planning our day trip. Julie's knowledge of the Presidio was appreciated by our entire group. Do not hesitate to book with JBWalking Tours, you will not be disappointed.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Sally
Sep 6, 2022
Best walking tour I could hope for! - I wish I could leave six stars for JB Walking Tours! I'm so glad that I booked this tour of the Presidio. My brother was visiting from out-of-state, and this was literally the only tour we took. We hit the jackpot!
Julie shared entertaining and fascinating stories about the Presidio - from the little details like the origin of the cannons at the gate and the haunted hospital - to the general history and current use of the buildings. She even introduced us to an archeologist who was literally digging up footings in the Presidio when we met her. What a treat! And to further enhance the context of the Presidio, Julie shared many historical photos on her iPad as she described the history of the area. This really rounded out the experience.
The pace of the tour was perfect (we got a lot of exercise!), and Julie's sincerity, humor and hospitality were spot-on. There's nothing like going on a walking tour with the proprietor of the company, and I couldn't imagine a better host than Julie. I've taken a lot of walking tours both domestically and internationally, and this one was truly top notch. Julie's tour gave us a great way to learn about the area, and to have fun in the process. Thank you, Julie, for a memorable day!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Joshf605
Dec 8, 2020
Best way to see this part of the city - What a fun way to spend a day in SF! Went into this tour knowing little about the Presidio, Julie changed that by the end of our walk. Got to see the sights and hear about some history (including facts you wouldn't ready about in a history book). Breathtaking views of the Golden Gate Bridge was the perfect wat to end the day!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Matthewrz5165pw
Dec 7, 2020
Great way to learn about and see the Presidio - This walk was a Saturday well spent. Learned a lot about the presidio and had a view of Golden Gate Bridge that I had never seen before. Julie was great!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
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