About Emperor Norton's Fantastic San Francisco Time Machine

Book Direct with the Owner at Emperor Norton's Fantastic San Francisco Time Machine with USA Accommodation in San Francisco, for all your Attraction and travel needs.

Itinerary
This is a typical itinerary for this product

Stop At: Barbary Coast Trail, 900 Market St, San Francisco, CA 94102-2804

This trail winds throughout the tour and feathures numerous historical sites.

Duration: 1 hour

Stop At: Union Square, 333 Post St San Francisco Shopping Districts, San Francisco, CA 94108-4901

The history of Union Square and the Dewey Monument.

Duration: 20 minutes

Stop At: Jackson Square, Jackson Street between Battery and Kearny, San Francisco, CA 94111

The history of the notorious Barbary Coast.

Duration: 30 minutes

Stop At: Maiden Lane, Between Stockton and Kearny Streets Union Square, San Francisco, CA

Glamorous Maiden used to be lined with brothels.

Duration: 15 minutes

Stop At: Lotta's Fountain, Coner of Geary-Market and Kearny Streets, San Francisco, CA

A gathering place since 1875, it's also where the yearly earthquake commemoration is held. Hear the stories of buildings that survived, Lotta Crabtree, Lola Montez, and Luisa Tetrazzini.

Duration: 20 minutes

Stop At: Portsmouth Square, 50 Walter U Lum Pl b/t Clay St & Washington St in Chinatown, San Francisco, CA 94108

The birthplace of San Francisco and Chinatown's living room.

Duration: 15 minutes

Stop At: Old Cathedral of St. Mary, 660 California St Chinatown, San Francisco, CA 94108-2501

Hear the history of the cathedral and the passing of the Emperor.

Duration: 5 minutes

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OPERATES

Thursday, Saturday, Sunday

INCLUSIONS

Professional guide
All taxes, fees and handling charges
Entry/Admission - Union Square
Entry/Admission - Jackson Square
Entry/Admission - Maiden Lane
Entry/Admission - Lotta's Fountain
Entry/Admission - Portsmouth Square

EXCLUSIONS

Food and drinks
Hotel pickup and drop-off

ADDITIONAL INFO

Confirmation will be received within 48 hours of booking, subject to availability
Wheelchair accessible
Stroller accessible
Service animals allowed
Near public transportation
Transportation is wheelchair accessible
Surfaces are wheelchair accessible
Travelers should have a moderate physical fitness level
Masks and social distancing required.
This tour/activity will have a maximum of 10 travelers
Face masks required for travelers in public areas
Face masks required for guides in public areas
Hand sanitizer available to travelers and staff
Social distancing enforced throughout experience

DEPARTURE & RETURN

Union Square, San Francisco, CA 94108, USA

TERMS & CONDITIONS

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours in advance of the start date of the experience.

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Overall Ratings

5.0 based on 10 reviews

Reviews

jillh143 5
19 Sep 2021
I’ve done a few of the wonderful tours offered by the Emperor and they’re always a delight. He is witty, wise, and really helps you see the city with new eyes. San Francisco has so many layers and it’s impossible to even scratch the surface without a knowledgeable guide. The Emperor gives some of the best walking tours I’ve ever taken in any city.
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carolynkZ6684DC 5
17 May 2021
The tour was informative, very fun, refreshing + a delight. As someone who lives in SF I learned so many new things, the editing of the stories told was excellent, very engaging, interesting + for a tourist or sf native that may pass by some of these landmarks daily + didn't realize the history. The only shame is that Giradelli Chocolates does not have the Emperor Norton's sundae on the menu any longer. Bring it back!! I would recommend this tour to my friends + family, and you too. 3 cheers to emperor Norton tour! The guide is clearly passionate, a history buff + eccentric channeling of the spirit of the Emperor!!
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richardwH9612QZ 5
14 Mar 2020
I saw a story in an Alaskan Air magazine while flying. I looked like fun. I knew I had some things to plan to do so a stop by San Francisco to try this looked doable. Thing you look forward to with great expectations rarely satisfy. This surpassed my expectations. Please this is a must do. No visit to “Frisco” would be complete with out it. Sorry couldn’t help the “Frisco”. Show up and find out.
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ChrisS 5
08 Mar 2020
Learned a lot about the city we’ve lived in for ten years! “Emperor Norton’s” knowledge, the route and the history were fantastic. Especially fun to see where the city ended/bay started back then as we walked through the old Barbary Coast. Would highly recommend!
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yny579 5
01 Mar 2020
As the first major city on the West Coast, San Francisco holds a lot of interesting history in its relatively small area (looking at you, Los Angeles). With diverse people and colourful figures throughout, there's definitely something you can learn about the rich history of this intriguing city. Although the city is once again up-and-coming as a hip destination since the 1970s and especially the 1990s, its most glorious days are still long ago in the past before the Second World War, and you can bet that you can learn about that. Apparently 70% of guests are San Francisco (never Frisco) locals, and I guess that tells you all you need to know about how much you can learn on the tour.
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TerriM0212 5
17 Feb 2020
We did the waterfront tour yesterday, and It was great! The Emperor really does very informative and fun tours. This was our second tour with him. Two years ago we went on the tour that starts at Union Square, that one was my favorite. We all learned so much about San Francisco! We’re going to book a Food Safari tour in the near future, I’m sure it will be another good time.
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470garrettc 5
06 Jan 2020
My wife and I really enjoyed our hike with our guide. He was very knowledgeable of the history and neighborhood and very engaging. We highly recommend following the Emperor!
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reginal_losangeles 5
03 Jan 2020
I was in San Francisco for 4 days, and I went on several walking tours with Free Tours by Foot, Wild SF, and San Francisco City Guides. While I enjoyed all of the tours, the best overall tour was with Emperor Norton. He does a great job of comparing the old and new in San Francisco, giving a great overview of the city, and doing so with enthusiasm and flair. I bought a Groupon for my friend and me, so it was an especially good deal. If you like walking tours with some fun and theatricality, you won't be disappointed in Emperor Norton. I would take the tour again in a few years. Go!!
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BirthdayGal63 5
28 Dec 2019
Great way to spend my birthday! It was fun and very interesting at the same time to hear the history and to be at the actual places where the events occurred. I recommend it.
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LakewoodJoan 5
14 Dec 2019
Walking tours are the best, especially when you get an "authoritative" narrative from a local, and nobody's more San Francisco local than Emperor Norton. You will see things and go places you'd never think to see on your own. My only complaint is that the Emperor did not have good control of the weather. But this was great fun even in the rain.
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