Sunken Ships and Shady Past The Yerba Buena Waterfront Walk Discount Tickets

Get your discount tickets for the Sunken Ships and Shady Past The Yerba Buena Waterfront Walk, save up to 12% !

Overview

Wind your way through the historic heart of San Francisco, tracing the "ghost" of the original 1849 waterline and the chaotic birth of a global metropolis. Starting where the bay once met the shore at the Transamerica Redwood Park, this tour takes trekkers through the preserved brick alleys of Jackson Square, the lawless echoes of the Barbary Coast, and the cultural crossroads of Portsmouth Square and North Beach. We’ll stop at several famous points of interest and hidden markers, including the site of the First U.S. Mint, Old St. Mary’s Cathedral, Portsmouth Square, and Hotaling Place. You’ll learn about the legendary figures who defined early SF—from the eccentric Emperor Norton and his faithful dogs to the "Demon in the Belfry" and the rebellious Beatniks of Columbus Avenue. Along the way, we’ll point out the best secret photo ops, like the perfectly framed "urban canyon" view of the Transamerica Pyramid.

Meeting and Pickup

Meeting point

Meet at gated entrance on Washington between Montgomery and Sansome.

Language Offered

English-GUIDE

Itinerary

1. Transamerica Redwood Park
Meet at the original 1849 shoreline. Overview of Yerba Buena Cove and the buried ships beneath your feet.
Duration: 10 mins
2. Old United States Mint
Stroll along Commercial Street. See where the Gold Rush became currency and grab the iconic "Pyramid Power Shot" photo.
Duration: 10 mins
3. Jackson Square
Admire the city's oldest gold-rush era architecture and the famous whiskey warehouse that survived the 1906 fire.
4. Portsmouth Square
The "Cradle of SF." Stories of the Gold Rush announcement, Emperor Norton, and Bummer & Lazarus.
Duration: 10 mins
5. Old Saint Mary's Cathedral
Visit California's first cathedral and hear the scandalous tale of the "Demon in the Belfry."
Duration: 10 mins
6. Columbus Avenue
Step into the heart of the Beat Generation and the edge of the lawless Barbary Coast. Kerouac, Ginsberg, and City Lights.
Duration: 15 mins
7. Jackson Square
Learn about the famous buried Gold Rush ships. See a bar built literally inside the hull of an 1849 sailing ship.
8. Transamerica Pyramid
Return to the start for a wrap-up and local recommendations for the rest of your stay.
Duration: 5 mins

Inclusion

Entrance fees

Exclusion

Bottled water

Cancellation Policy

Check mark icon Refundable tickets

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.

  • 100% refund if cancelled 1+ days before the start date
  • 0% refund if cancelled less than 1 day(s) before the start date

Additional Info

Wheelchair accessible

Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller

Service animals allowed

Public transportation options are available nearby

Transportation options are wheelchair accessible

All areas and surfaces are wheelchair accessible

Not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries

Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health

Suitable for all physical fitness levels

Supplied by Urban Trek SF

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