The Lumiere Theatre is a great art house cinema on Nob Hill that screens a cracking selection of independent films, foreign releases and documentaries
Nob Hill is not just one of today’s San Francisco’s 44 hills — it was one of the original Seven Hills too. It was actually first known as California Hill, but was renamed when the Central Pacific Railroad’s Big Four - known as the Nobs - built their luxurious mansions there. Robert Louis Stevenson described it as “the hill of palaces.”
They chose it for its stunning views and central position, and ever since it has been an exclusive enclave for the rich and famous of the West Coast. Although the 1906 earthquake levelled almost the entire neighbourhood, it retained its air of affluence all the same. The air of privilege marks it out from the Bohemian feel of the rest of San Francisco — you might not want to live there, but it’s great fun to visit.
Nob Hill is dense with building but still finds space for some of San Francisco’s loveliest little parks. Huntington Park takes up an entire block and was formerly the site of the mansion of the railroad baron Collis P. Huntington. It’s a sleek spot for well-dressed wanderers and coiffured poodles, and the central fountain is a copy of Rome’s Fontana delle Tartarughe.
Looming over Huntington park, Grace Cathedral is the cherry on top of Nob Hill. It’s the largest Gothic structure on the West Coast. It also nods to Italy: its gilded bronze doors were made from the cast created by Lorenzo Ghiberti for the Baptistery in Florence. None other than Michaelangelo dubbed them fit to be the gates of heaven. They hold frequent concerts in the cathedral, and it’s a glorious setting.
Immerse yourself in the heart of San Francisco, one of the most iconic cities in the world, on this private full-day tour where you will discover the history and culture of the city before embarking on a journey through some of its most famous landmarks, including a visit to Alcatraz Island to uncover the secrets of the infamous prison.
On your private tour of San Francisco, you will:
Your Private Full-Day Tour of San Francisco Highlights will take you through an urban landscape, set on the northern tip of a peninsula, shaped by glaciers, earthquakes and the Pacific’s rolling waves.
At the top of Nob Hill, soak up an extraordinary cityscape at cable car height. Set on San Francisco's picturesque steep slopes, enjoy a stunning skyline across streets crisscrossed by streetcars, yellow taxis, and jogging trails.
Wander through some world-class shopping malls in Union Square, where big-name brands and local stores nestle amongst chic boutiques.
Lastly, Fisherman’s Wharf and Pier 39, lined with seafood cafés, are home to basking sea lions, jugglers, and mime artists, with striking views across the Golden Gate Bridge, Alcatraz, and Angel Island. Enjoy lunch at one of the many eateries on Pier 39 before your guide takes you to Pier 33, where you will board a pre-booked ferry ride to Alcatraz Island.
Please note: your guide will not be joining you on the island, as private guides are not permitted to operate on the island. On arrival at Alcatraz, take an audio tour at a leisurely pace to hear tales of notorious felons such as Al Capone and Robert Franklin Stroud in this former fort, a military prison and maximum-security federal penitentiary. Once you are finished exploring Alcatraz Island (most people spend about 2 hours), you can hop any return ferry to San Francisco, where you will be dropped off at Pier 33.
Dating back to 1776 and considered by many to be the USA’s most beautiful city, San Francisco - a.k.a. The City by the Bay - is a vibrant mix of exotic cultures, and is renowned worldwide for its liberal free-thinking ideals.
San Francisco’s strong historical bonds with Spanish America and Mexico are evident all over the city and reflected in its Hispanic population, vibrant arts, music, and festival scene.
On your private half-day tour, you will:
On this private half-day tour of the best of San Francisco, you will learn about the city’s foundation in the 18th century, when Spanish colonists settled the area during the gold-rush fever, to the city in the modern era, famous for its political activism and social inclusivity the world over.
See first-hand San Francisco’s colourful mix of quaint buildings and modern architecture in a stunning ocean-facing city.
Learn about San Francisco's long-standing progressive stance on activism: the city is credited with trailblazing the “Flower Power” peace movement, and powering the gay rights movement as one of the largest and most prominent LGBT communities in the world.
You will explore this fascinating urban landscape, set on the northern tip of a peninsula, shaped by glaciers, earthquakes and the Pacific’s rolling waves. Set on San Francisco's picturesque steep slopes, enjoy a stunning skyline across streets crisscrossed by streetcars, yellow taxis and jogging trails. Wander through some world-class shopping in Union Square, where big-name brands and local stores nestle amongst chic boutiques.
Enjoy a historic cable car ride from one part of the city, over Nob Hill to the waterfront. At beautiful North Beach, known colloquially as Little Italy, soak up the ambience of the city’s lively historic Italian-American community.
Lastly, Fisherman’s Wharf, lined with seafood cafes, is home to basking sea lions, jugglers and mime artists and enjoys striking views across the Golden Gate Bridge, the infamous island prison on the sea, Alcatraz, and Angel Island.
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