San Francisco's Barbary Past: A Self-Guided Audio Tour

New To The Site! San Francisco, USA

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40 minutes (Approx.)
Mobile Ticket
Instant Confirmation

Overview

This self-guided GPS audio tour takes you on a meander through a beautifully preserved corner of San Francisco. Through North Beach, the home of the beats, punks and jazz to Jackson Square where Gold Miners came to weigh gold, carouse and sleep.

The route begins at the corner of Columbus and Broadway. The intersection may be reached by taking BART to Montgomery Street and walking east on Montgomery, or by MUNI bus.

Taking this tour in the daytime is lovely because of the bay views, but the evening is also magical. The cafes are bustling and the bookstores and bars offer both ticketed and free jazz, poetry readings and other entertainment.

Along the way you can stop at City Lights Books, Cafe Vesuvio, The Beat Museum, Neibaum Coppola, Cafe Pucchini and Stella Bakery.

The tour is ready whenever you are and the audio plays automatically at exactly the right time and place using your smartphone's GPS and the VoiceMap mobile app, which also works offline.

What's Included

  • Lifetime access to San Francisco's Glowing Literary Lights tour
  • VoiceMap Application
  • Offline access to audio, maps, and geodata
  • Gratuity
  • Hotel pickup not offered
  • Smartphone
  • Transportation
  • Food/Drink
  • Tickets or entrance fees to any museums or other attractions en route

Meeting Location

Meeting point

Broadway & Columbus Ave, San Francisco, CA 94133, USA

Open in Google Maps

Begins at the corner of Columbus and Broadway. Before arrival, install the VoiceMap app and use the code provided on your ticket. This is a self-guided audio tour that you can start, pause, or restart any time and complete at your own pace. Directions to the starting point are in the app.

End point

The Basque Hotel, 15 Romolo Pl, San Francisco, CA 94133, USA

What To Expect

Transamerica Pyramid (Pass By)

The Transamerica Pyramid building was once the tallest skyscraper on the West Coast. It creates a distinctive urban skyline. It was built in 1972, and the idea of the pyramid was to “let light in to the downtown area” while claiming fame as the tallest building west of Chicago until 1982.
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The Purple Onion (Pass By)

Kells Irish Restaurant and Pub hosts the famous “Purple Onion” comedy club. Woody Allen, Richard Pryor, Lenny Bruce and Phyllis Diller all performed at the original venue around the corner as young upstarts. The club has now moved here and still hosts upcoming comedians.
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Sentinel Building (Pass By)

The Sentinel Building was designed by Salfield and Kohlberg, and construction had begun before the 1906 earthquake and fire. The framing survived the disaster, and the building was completed a year later.
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The Beat Museum (Pass By)

The Beat Museum was founded by Jerry Cimino in 2003, and is dedicated to spreading the spirit of The Beat Generation, which they define as tolerance, compassion and having the courage to live your individual truth.
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Additional Info

  • Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
  • Service animals allowed
  • Public transportation options are available nearby
  • Infants are required to sit on an adult’s lap
  • Suitable for all physical fitness levels

Cancellation Policy

This adventure is non-refundable and cannot be changed for any reason. If you cancel or ask for an amendment, the amount you paid will not be refunded.

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Activity code: C-110804P91

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