Historical Tours
2–3 hours
Free cancellation
Not sure? You can cancel this reservation up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund.
Recommended by 98% of travelers
98% of reviewers gave this product a bubble rating of 4 or higher.
from
$49
per adult
Free SF Tour
Free SF Tour
5
10:00 AM - 12:30 PM, 2:00 PM - 4:30 PM
Monday
10:00 AM - 12:30 PM
2:00 PM - 4:30 PM
Tuesday
10:00 AM - 12:30 PM
2:00 PM - 4:30 PM
Wednesday
10:00 AM - 12:30 PM
2:00 PM - 4:30 PM
Thursday
10:00 AM - 12:30 PM
2:00 PM - 4:30 PM
Friday
10:00 AM - 12:30 PM
2:00 PM - 4:30 PM
Saturday
10:00 AM - 12:30 PM
2:00 PM - 4:30 PM
Sunday
10:00 AM - 12:30 PM
2:00 PM - 4:30 PM
Full view
About
Best way to discover the city! This is a friendly, personal, no-nonsense walking tour, and it is as fun as it’s informative. There’s so much to show and so many stories to our amazing city! The Free SF Tour starts every day at 10 am and 2 pm at Union Square next to the famous Red Heart on Powell and Post. The tour covers Union Square, Chinatown, FiDi, and Embarcadero. We talk about San Francisco's origins and history, the Gold Rush, influential women, buried ships, current affairs, tips and tricks to the city and so much more! Where to go, what to do, and where to eat and drink are all covered in our Manual of SF. It's a comprehensive guide that everyone who attends gets by email after the tour. We don't do politics or show off, we're just honest humans in love with our city. Free SF Tour lasts 2 - 2.5 hours. We also give tours in Spanish - every day @10:30 a.m. at Union Square. Just make a booking (it's free!) on our website!
Tours and Tickets by Free SF Tour
E-Bike Tours
3 hours
Free cancellation
Not sure? You can cancel this reservation up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund.
from
$95
per adult
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Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as wait time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
Popular mentions
5.0
828 reviews
Excellent
781
Very good
31
Average
9
Poor
3
Terrible
4
YamilaLucia
Rosario, Argentina17 contributions
Nov 2021
El tour con José fue excelente, nos brindó muchísima información sobre la historia y evolución de San Francisco, así como tips de local para seguir conociendo la ciudad. Un tour con José es la manera ideal de comenzar una visita a San Francisco. Además, se mostró totalmente dispuesto a responder a todas nuestras preguntas. GRACIAS!
Our tour was excellent, Jose provided tons of information on the history of SF and how it evolved over the years. He also has lots of local tips that help you keep exploring the city. It's the best way to start your trip to SF. He is also super willing to answer all of your questions. I definitely recommend it. Thanks Jose!
Our tour was excellent, Jose provided tons of information on the history of SF and how it evolved over the years. He also has lots of local tips that help you keep exploring the city. It's the best way to start your trip to SF. He is also super willing to answer all of your questions. I definitely recommend it. Thanks Jose!
Written November 26, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Melissa R
Ontario65 contributions
Mar 2024 • Couples
Today we had the absolute pleasure of meeting Filip and spending a few hours exploring Chinatown and the financial district with him. To say that he is an incredible story teller with a passion for the city is an understatement. From the moment we met him, we knew that it was going to be an amazing morning. We loved hearing the history of San Fran told through his stories and the sights that he took us to. Thank you Filip for making this a tour we will not forget!
Written March 12, 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Sn9wolfy
Basel, Switzerland536 contributions
Mar 2024 • Solo
Our tour guide Filip was beyond passionate about running the tour. He has loads of energy and came fully prepared with facts and stories about the city. His background is impressive with high level of education so he looks at the city with such deep knowledge and understanding about politics, social and history. If you like tonnes of details, this is the tour for you. However, I personally find this information overload and I would prefer more walks and more stops to cover more landmarks. I still recommend the tour to get to know the place a lot.
Written March 31, 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Emily S
1 contribution
Jul 2024 • Friends
My 2.5 year old and I had a fantastic time on the walking tour! Our guide Dany was so knowledgeable about the city and shared a ton of things I never knew about SF. He was welcoming, had great trivia and kept a very comfortable pace. It was easy to see that this is his passion. I highly reccomend this tour whether you’re a tourist visiting or a local that wants to know more about the history of San Francisco! The tour is free of charge so be sure to tip your guide. Thanks Dany!
Written July 8, 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
klb66
Richmond, VA11 contributions
Mar 2022 • Couples
Filip was fantastic! He was very knowledgeable about the city and told us many interesting facts. Our favorite part of the tour was trying hand made fortune cookies in Chinatown. Highly recommend this tour!
Written March 20, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Purplefan10
Saint Paul, MN198 contributions
Dec 2023 • Couples
Filip is a fantastic guide who clearly loves his city and loves sharing it with others. We learned so much about San Francisco- the history, the architecture, and the many personalities. The tour ran almost three hours. A good deal of walking but avoided a lot of the big hills and there were plenty of stops along the way to rest. Scheduling on line was very easy. We’ve done walking tours in Chicago, Boston, New York, and Philadelphia and this tour with Filip was among the best.
Written December 21, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Amitin83
Jerusalem, Israel41 contributions
Jan 2020 • Solo
Fillip is very enthusiastic about SF and is quite knowledgeable and enjoys to share and answer questions.
We turned towards different interesting topics from questions arisen from the participants.
The tour was fun and interesting with a lot of stories and anecdotes. We covered all the main area's in this part of SF.
Highly recommend.
We turned towards different interesting topics from questions arisen from the participants.
The tour was fun and interesting with a lot of stories and anecdotes. We covered all the main area's in this part of SF.
Highly recommend.
Written February 1, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Ruth S
Ottawa, Canada60 contributions
May 2018 • Solo
We only visited Chinatown and the financial district (the latter visit was very brief). I don't feel like I have a good grasp of San Francisco after this tour like I've had with other tours across the world. We spent too much time in Chinatown when it would have been helpful to visit other areas of the city as well, and keep the pace and movement faster. I felt the tour was slow moving and could have contained more info about other areas of the city that San Fran is also known for, in addition to Chinatown.
Written May 6, 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Marvin F
Frankfurt, Germany17 contributions
Sep 2016 • Couples
Our tour with Filip (nice, clever, funny and completely in love with San Francisco) was awesome!!! If you not would like to do the usual tourist-stuff, he is the perfect guy for your stay in SF. If you stay a few days there, try to do it at the beginning, cause there are so many things and informations Filip will give to you, that will make you feel related to this beautiful, historic city. Never would choose another guide than Filip! (Yes, we felt a little in love... 😉)
Written September 14, 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Rick J
Plano, TX36 contributions
May 2016 • Couples
We'd been to San Francisco many times, but hoped we see and learn something new by taking this walking tour. We weren't disappointed: Filip was a charming, knowledgeable and courteous guide. We learned about the city's early history, got some new insights into Chinatown, visited a rooftop park and walked from Union Square to the waterfront over a couple of delightful hours. Highly recommended.
Written May 24, 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Renae M
Sioux Falls, South Dakota
where exactly should we meet for the tour?
Thank you.
Written November 28, 2023
The tour starts at the corner of Post St and Powell St on Union Square, SF
Written June 7, 2024
English tours are done every day rain or shine. For Spanish tours you need a reservation. Go on their website to find about the latest updates.
Written January 22, 2020
where does the walking tour start, what times, and is there a max capacity.
B McKisson
Written March 13, 2019
The Free SF Tour starts every day at 10 AM and 2 PM (English tours) and 10:30 AM (Spanish tour). The starting point is Union Square next to Tony Bennett's red heart. You will see a big orange flag waving. No need of reservation - just show up! Consider letting them know if you're coming with 15+ people so they can organize the big group better.
Written March 19, 2019
Hi! Planning our SF trip for April. Do you have a list of places/spots the tour includes? Does it include The Palace of Fine Arts as well?
Written January 2, 2019
Hello Marisol104,
The Free SF Tour starts on Union Square, goes through Chinatown visiting the Chinese tongs and Fortune Cookie Factory, we continue to the Transamerica Pyramid and go a secret rooftop garden in the Financial District. Depending of the visitors, the tour can change some of the stops. It all depends of the interest of the people visiting the tour.
Unfortunately the Palace of Fine Arts is too far away at the other side of the city. From the end of the tour there is a free shuttle that can take you there.
Written January 3, 2019
Does the tour run on a Sunday?
Written August 12, 2018
The tour runs every day rain or shine (no reservations needed!) at 10AM and 2PM from Tony Bennett's Red Heart at Union Square (Post and Powell street)
Written October 25, 2018
We will be in SF during the next couple of weeks. As this tour asks for donations what is an acceptable amount?
Written August 2, 2018
Sorry for the delay. We believe $10 minimum for each person.
Written August 7, 2018
Hola quisiera saber cuanto es la propina que se deja siendo un matrimonio con 2 niños, nunca hemos realizado este tipo de tour , gracias por la ayuda
Written July 1, 2018
Sie geben, was die Tour Ihnen wert ist.
Written August 7, 2018
We're interested in attending but the directions on this page say to meet at Union and Polk, but where is Polk??? Should that be Union and Post? Hope so because that's the only thing I can think of. Thanks!
Written May 31, 2018
Hello! The address is 300 Powell St, San Francisco, CA 94102
This is on Union Square next to Tony Bennett's Red Heart ❤️
You will see an orange flag with white footstep saying "Free SF Tour"
Written May 31, 2018
HOLA deseo saber si se puede contratar el tours con antelacion, via internet, cual es el punto de encuentro y si cuentan con guia en español gracias nora
Written May 2, 2018
Hola Nora sí, puedes hacer una reserva para un tour en español en el sitio web del tour
Written May 2, 2019
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*Likely to sell out: Based on Viator’s booking data and information from the provider from the past 30 days, it seems likely this experience will sell out through Viator, a Tripadvisor company.