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Ghost Tours San Francisco

Embark on San Francisco's Spooky Ghost Tours

Victorians in Pacific Hts.-SF Tour-Alta Plaza Park to Lafayette Park

Victorians in Pacific Hts.-SF Tour-Alta Plaza Park to Lafayette Park

Sun, Aug 9, 5:30 PM
From Walking with a Guide (Nature,Architecture,History)
4.9

**\*Don't be a no-show. *See the Group's no-show policy below.*** Don't be a no-show and lose your membership in the Group. Attendance is always taken and no-shows recorded. *Paraphrasing William Faulkner from Requiem for a Nun, "The past isn't gone , it's not even past."* At least it looks that way in parts of Pacific Heights. There is available free **parking** around the neighborhood, be prepared to drive around a little bit, but it is early morning and there are no restrictions on weekends. (Don't park by a meter like those on Fillmore.) Restrooms are located at the top of Alta Plaza Park behind the kid's playground. About 2/3s of the way through the tour we'll stop for a break atop Lafayette Park. For restrooms and views and describe the surrounding houses and the saga of Samuel Holladay and his mansion, questionably located atop Lafayette Park. *(Afterwards one of my go to's for brunch is La Mediterranean Cafe at Sacramento and Fillmore. Great food, drinks and service in a cute little iconic SF restaurant. Also Mayflower Market has great picnic items to go, to take over to Alta Plaza.)* Pacific Heights is one of the most affluent neighborhoods in San Francisco. This tour highlights the Victorian architecture, and the architects, builders and people who owned and built, occupied and maintained these grand properties. About 30 of which will be on our tour with a few sentences of information about each property. The walking tour is 2.5-3.5 miles. With some typical SF hills for short distances. **Looking at a San Francisco Victorian, what to look for:** *(There are five Styles)* 1. Flat front Italianate- (earliest Victorians). 2. Italianate with slanted bay windows. 3. San Francisco Stick Style (also called East Lake). Simpler square bay windows now used. Overall more elaborate decoration. 4. Queen Anne Tower House&Witches Cap, with angled or rounded bay windows & front gable 5. Queen Anne Row House"Cottage", 1, 1-1/2 or two stories. Large front gable. Possible moon-gate entry. * Features & "Gingerbread" * Floral Decor-Garlands (one of many types of decorations known as \*"Gingerbread") * Fish scale&Diamond shingles- * Towers & Witch's Cap- * Stained Glass or Beveled Glass- * Carvings of grotesque faces- * Sunbursts- often painted gold color, half or full. * Gables (Queen Anne's) in a variety of material- (mainly redwood) * Newel Posts and Finials on Tower tops and roof peaks- We'll see clusters of Victorian homes systematically built for the average working person by a development company, "The Real Estate Assoc." THEA, in business from 1870 to 1880. Not quite magnificent but many still standing. *Periods* **1860 - 1870s *Italianate*:** Buildings were vertical in emphasis with rounded classical detail. Earliest had flat windows, with false roof fronts. **1880s *Stick Style* (also called East Lake):** Squared off bay windows appear. **Late 1880s and 1890s *Queen Anne*** : Gingerbread would be applied to both the Stick and Queen Ann styles in San Francisco. Sloping roofs appear. With gables and towers. *Rooflines in the Queen Anne were irregular, combining the witches hat rooftop on a rounded or octagonal tower*. [If you would like a scholarly and detailed explanation with photos, click.](https://sfplanning.org/sites/default/files/documents/preserv/bulletins/HistPres_Bulletin_18.PDF)

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9 attendees
SF Marina Tour-Panama Pacific Int'l.Exposition of 1915, from Scott St. entrance

SF Marina Tour-Panama Pacific Int'l.Exposition of 1915, from Scott St. entrance

Sat, Aug 15, 5:30 PM
From Walking with a Guide (Nature,Architecture,History)
4.9

**Note:** The subject tour is of one of the greatest single works of architecture, art and art display in history. It was all created in San Francisco's Marina area, unbelievably in only the two years of, 1913 & 1914. Aside from Bernard Maybeck's Palace of Fine Arts, the re-creation of the California Palace of the Legion of Honor.and some remaining statues and sculptures, all we have left are photos, drawings and written descriptions and accounts of what was there in 1915. But the land this was all on is still there and accessible (except for the Doyle Dr. entry ramp area). By combining the land with the eupherma mentioned above we can virtually recreate in our minds eye what was here. So it is not lost if we don't want it to be! That is why this tour will be done many times in the future as the early tours develop a summary view that will enable the detailed tours coming later to fall into an organized context. Join in this journey into something very special in the worlds of art and architecture. Imagine it's 1915, and you are going to tour the Panama Pacific International Exposition, a San Francisco cultural phenomena. (An idea conceived by Willis Polk in 1891, that eventually had to overcome not only the devastating 1906 Earthquake and Fire, (which made San Franciscans even more determined to have the Exposition), but the start of World War I in Europe. A quarter of million attended opening day and almost twice that many closing day. Imagine how you would spend your day there in 1915. That's what our tour will attempt to do. As we walk a likely route, we would have chosen in 1915. We'll take turns reading descriptions of and look at photos of what was along our route. We'll be in the same area as the July tour but there was so much here and with some streamlining it is worth repeating but will not be repetitive. Come on at least one of these early tours and be prepared for the deep dive into the details coming in the future. *(See some of the 64 photos with captions attached here to prepare.)* Take a look and do an arm-chair, **\***[self-guided walking tour created by the NPS for the Presidio and GGNRA.](https://npshistory.com/publications/goga/brochures/pan-pacific-expo-1915.pdf) Before the PPIE which the lower part of the Marina District was created for, was a tidal marsh that required pumping Bay mud to fill, including the Marina Green. San Franciscans were very proud and serious about the PPIE. (In 1910 over 4 million$ was raised in a single, two hour, public meeting.) They were making a statement, in letting the world know, that they had successfully survived the 1906 Earthquake and Fire. In fact some very wealthy San Franciscans built mansions in Pacific Hts. just to overlook the PPIE. A way of making their own personal statement that they and the City were back from the ashes and had made an unbelievable recovery. **Chestnut St.** has a large assortment of traditional and avant-guard restaurants. Let's pick one out from the listing below. Or if you have a great favorite please recommend it. **Italian Restaurants and Pizza Shops** * **[A16](https://www.google.com/viewer/place?mid=/m/0220x5j&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwjH0ZyHiueTAxVkJzQIHVf_DkQQqdYPegQICRAC)** : A highly-regarded spot specializing in Neapolitan-style pizza and wines from the Campania region. * **[Little Original Joe's](https://www.google.com/viewer/place?mid=/g/11t4kffz5b&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwjH0ZyHiueTAxVkJzQIHVf_DkQQqdYPegQICRAF)** : A popular neighborhood staple offering Italian-American classics like vodka pasta, pizza, and burgers. * **[Delarosa](https://www.google.com/viewer/place?mid=/g/1tgxts6d&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwjH0ZyHiueTAxVkJzQIHVf_DkQQqdYPegQICRAI)** : Known for its Roman-style thin-crust pizza, small plates, and craft cocktails in a lively atmospher * **[Norcina (Pierce St)](https://www.norcina.com/)**: Located just off Chestnut, this Italian spot is praised for its Nor-sting-ya pizza and authentic pasta dishes. * **Roma Antica (Scott St)**: An authentic Italian restaurant featuring homemade pasta like Cacio e Pepe and Lasagna, often with Italian-speaking staff. * **[Napizza (Scott St)](https://www.google.com/viewer/place?mid=/g/11rn77y0nx&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwjH0ZyHiueTAxVkJzQIHVf_DkQQqdYPegQICRAO)** : Offers upscale pizza and pasta, such as truffle mushroom bruschetta and Meyer lemon pizza. **American & Comfort Food** [Causwells](https://www.google.com/viewer/place?mid=%2Fg%2F1q66z5g1s) [4.3(941)](https://www.google.com/viewer/place?mid=%2Fg%2F1q66z5g1s) [American](https://www.google.com/viewer/place?mid=%2Fg%2F1q66z5g1s) [Open2346 Chestnut St10.2 mi](https://www.google.com/viewer/place?mid=%2Fg%2F1q66z5g1s) A European-inspired bistro famous for its Americana double cheeseburger, as well as seasonal salads and baby back ribs. [Cracked & Battered - Marina](https://www.google.com/viewer/place?mid=%2Fg%2F11jghv89cs) [4.6(534)](https://www.google.com/viewer/place?mid=%2Fg%2F11jghv89cs) [$20–30Restaurant](https://www.google.com/viewer/place?mid=%2Fg%2F11jghv89cs) [Closed2240 Chestnut St10.1 mi](https://www.google.com/viewer/place?mid=%2Fg%2F11jghv89cs) A cozy brunch restaurant serving savory and sweet dishes, including fried chicken and waffles and lemon ricotta pancakes. [Chestnut Diner](https://www.google.com/viewer/place?mid=%2Fm%2F04fjwx0) [4.0(562)](https://www.google.com/viewer/place?mid=%2Fm%2F04fjwx0) [$10–20Diner](https://www.google.com/viewer/place?mid=%2Fm%2F04fjwx0) [1312 Chestnut](https://www.google.com/viewer/place?mid=%2Fm%2F04fjwx0) A classic, no-frills American diner known for its fluffy omelets and retro counter seat [The Dorian](https://www.google.com/viewer/place?mid=%2Fg%2F11ckvljj8w) [New American](https://www.google.com/viewer/place?mid=%2Fg%2F11ckvljj8w) [2001 Chestnut St](https://www.google.com/viewer/place?mid=%2Fg%2F11ckvljj8w) A swanky, modern American restaurant and bar popular for social gatherings and brunch. [Balboa Cafe](https://www.google.com/viewer/place?mid=%2Fm%2F01zn48k) [4.2(842)](https://www.google.com/viewer/place?mid=%2Fm%2F01zn48k) [$20–30Restaurant](https://www.google.com/viewer/place?mid=%2Fm%2F01zn48k) [3199 Fillmore](https://www.google.com/viewer/place?mid=%2Fm%2F01zn48k) An iconic neighborhood institution serving classic American fare and known as a social hub. **Global & Specialty Cuisine** [Dragon Well](https://www.google.com/viewer/place?mid=%2Fm%2F04fj1z7) [4.2(343)](https://www.google.com/viewer/place?mid=%2Fm%2F04fj1z7) [$20–30Chinese](https://www.google.com/viewer/place?mid=%2Fm%2F04fj1z7) [Open2142 Chestnut](https://www.google.com/viewer/place?mid=%2Fm%2F04fj1z7) A long-standing neighborhood favorite for health-conscious Chinese food and handmade potstickers. [Milos Meze](https://www.google.com/viewer/place?mid=%2Fg%2F11lvz40pvx) [4.9(365)](https://www.google.com/viewer/place?mid=%2Fg%2F11lvz40pvx) [Restaurant](https://www.google.com/viewer/place?mid=%2Fg%2F11lvz40pvx) [3348 Steiner](https://www.google.com/viewer/place?mid=%2Fg%2F11lvz40pvx) A modern Greek restaurant serving authentic dishes like lamb chops and spanakopita.[Souvla](https://www.google.com/viewer/place?mid=%2Fg%2F11gv_sljj1) [4.5(481)](https://www.google.com/viewer/place?mid=%2Fg%2F11gv_sljj1) [$10–20Greek](https://www.google.com/viewer/place?mid=%2Fg%2F11gv_sljj1) [Open2272 Chestnut](https://www.google.com/viewer/place?mid=%2Fg%2F11gv_sljj1) A casual, modern Greek rotisserie and salad spot.[Lobalita](https://www.google.com/viewer/place?mid=%2Fg%2F11n43r0k2m) [4.6(11)](https://www.google.com/viewer/place?mid=%2Fg%2F11n43r0k2m) [$20–30Restaurant](https://www.google.com/viewer/place?mid=%2Fg%2F11n43r0k2m) [Open2231 Chestnut](https://www.google.com/viewer/place?mid=%2Fg%2F11n43r0k2m) Recently replaced The Tipsy Pig, this modern Mexican bar offers tapas-style bites like aguachiles and tacos. [SF.gov](http://sf.gov/) +7 [Super Mensch](https://www.google.com/viewer/place?mid=%2Fg%2F11xkn4hmzs) [4.3(67)](https://www.google.com/viewer/place?mid=%2Fg%2F11xkn4hmzs) [$20–30Jewish](https://www.google.com/viewer/place?mid=%2Fg%2F11xkn4hmzs) [Open2336 Chestnut St10.2 mi](https://www.google.com/viewer/place?mid=%2Fg%2F11xkn4hmzs) A modern Jewish deli specializing in pastrami on house-made rye and matzah ball soup. ## References: Title: San Francisco's exposition year : the 1915 Panama-Pacific International Exposition / 907.4794 Bruce Title: Panorama : tales from San Francisco's 1915 Pan-Pacific International Exposition / 979.461 B836p Title: San Francisco's Jewel City : the Panama-Pacific International Exposition of 1915 / 907.47946 Ac57s Title: San Francisco's wildflower : the Palace of Fine Arts / 708.074 B896s plus hundreds and hundreds of Google searches. such as, "Show me a photo of xxx State building at the PPIE.

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5 attendees
Julia Morgan,Architecture Tour-Elmwood&Claremont Ct.+add*Berkeley City Club Tour

Julia Morgan,Architecture Tour-Elmwood&Claremont Ct.+add*Berkeley City Club Tour

Sun, Aug 23, 5:15 PM
From Walking with a Guide (Nature,Architecture,History)
4.9

(Photo above JM in Paris, 1900, Cathedral Notre Dame in the background.) Do the Meetup tour in the morning, stop for the pizza and then: ***\*On*** *the 4th Sunday of the month there are **45 min**. docent led tours of*[ Julia Morgan's Berkeley City Club](https://berkeleycityclubconservancy.org/docent-tours/), *2315 Durant St., starting at 1:00pm-3:30pm.* (The City Club is 6 blocks from where we initially meet.) **\*(Don't be a no-show or your membership will be cancelled.)** It's good to give out name tags which I will do. I fill out the name tags 24 hours before I leave for the tour. This also gives me a way to take attendance. Name tags that are not picked up, are recorded as no-shows. See photo below of No-show name tags for February 2026. If you get too many no-shows recorded in your personal Meet-up profile, (only visible to the organizer) you'll be cancelled from this Meetup. (To cancel your RSVP beforehand [please at least 24 hrs. or a no-show is recorded.], look for the, **"Edit Attendance",** tab at the bottom right hand corner of the screen on a notebook and left bottom on a phone.) We're meeting outside the Julia Morgan Theater on College Ave. at Derby St., our first stop on the tour. (Optional stop after the tour at nearby, Nabolom Bakery - Pizzeria.) Usually the JM Theater is not open when we are there. But the best way to see the interior is to attend a show there. [Here is the upcoming schedule with many discounts.](https://berkeleyplayhouse.org/season-passes/?utm_source=Berkeleyside+newsletters&utm_campaign=544e798651-EMAIL_CAMPAIGN_2026_07_21_04_36&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_-544e798651-333312869&mc_cid=544e798651&mc_eid=37a7442579) (Along the way we'll stop to see Bernard Maybeck's, First Church of Christ Scientist, a Nat'l Landmark site. Directly across the street is Julia Morgan's 1918 Baptist Theological Seminary. Built of brick to resemble the Ashmolean Library of Oxford. Britain's first public museum and the world's first university museum. note. The Seminary's windows and Tudor details recall the period when the Baptist Church was founded.) Morgan graduated UC in 1894 with a degree in Civil Engineering, one of her specializations was structural engineering. (This benefited her clients greatly, as was seen after the 06' earthquake in her still standing buildings.) She arrived in Paris in 1896. A few years later it was reported in the San Francisco Call: **Paris, Oct.30,1902** - *Julia Morgan of San Francisco passed the examination with honors at the Architectural section of the School of Fine Arts (Ecole de Beaux Arts, Paris France.* The first woman to do so. Ironically one of the greatest architects in history, was made to wait two years, taking entrance exams before admission. By the end of her 45 yr. career she had received over 700 commissions. It was said, "Her rational approach to home design and the public success of her large commissions gave Julia Morgan a solid reputation. It also won her the confidence of her clients. With the hard work, genius, inspiration and true artistic perception to create memorable works. Over the course of her career, Morgan designed nearly one hundred buildings across California and the nation for women’s organizations. Her commissions included social and civic clubs for women; academic, residential, and recreational buildings; primary schools; orphanages; hospitals, sanitariums,and nursing residences. She also designed more than thirty YWCA buildings, including those in San Francisco and Berkeley. We'll concentrate on the many Julia Morgan designed houses, churches and buildings in the Claremont Ct. and Elmwood neighborhoods. Unique here are the Julia Morgan ensemble houses, where she creatively and economically placed two houses on one large lot. We'll see several of these ensembles. In fact when JM bought her own house at Washington & Divisadero in SF in 1925, she bought a pair of houses there. To read more about the many Julia Morgan public buildings, such as the Hearst Castle etc. go to wikipedia. She was one of California's most prolific architects. The first woman to receive the American Institute of Architects highest award, the AIA Gold Medal, awarded posthumously in 2014. The three projects that immediately solidified her future career as a great architect, engineer and fully capable project/construction manager were the rebuilding of the new Fairmount Hotel after its semi-destruction following the earthquake. The design, engineering and building of the beautiful Bell Tower at Mills College and Carnegie Library there, both of which survived the earthquake without a crack. And the completion on time and within budget of the construction of the Greek Theater at UC for John Gayland Howard, campus architect. After the last Julia Morgan home we'll find our way back through what I call the "Pacific Heights" of Berkeley. Look for parking on the smaller side streets. Option for lunch afterward. Here are some links if you would like to help with Meetup expenses. [Here is a Venmo link.](https://venmo.com/code?user_id=3262702482882560580&created=1757371525), for my account. Here is my Paypal account. '[herrmann48@comcast.net'](http://herrmann48@comcast.net'/) *Or use the Donation feature above.*

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2 attendees

Haunted Hike - Blue Heron Lake

Sun, Aug 16, 3:30 AM
From Halloween Addicts Group Support (HAGS)
4.7
1 attendee

Aug.2026,Full Moonrise Over PacificHts.,via Mansions&VictoriansTour

Sun, Aug 16, 11:00 PM
From CAC Outings
4.9
8 attendees
Blood on the Clocktower in Mission Bay! - OUTDOORS

Blood on the Clocktower in Mission Bay! - OUTDOORS

Sun, Aug 9, 6:00 PM
From San Francisco Bay Area Blood on the Clocktower
4.9

Our next event will be on **Sunday** August 9th! We usually have 2-3 games going on, there will always be a circle for any newcomers! We expect about 30-40 people to RSVP on Discord. Let us know if there is any particular script you want to play or if you want to storytell! We will start the event under the trees in Koret Quad, located just north of Genentech Hall. **We will have a small number of folding chairs available, but please bring your own camp chair or blanket to sit on.** When it gets cooler in the evening, we'll move to our typical location inside Genetech Hall. **Please review and be familiar with our [best practices](https://docs.google.com/document/d/15WL2Da0003h5V-5p_JRNxjJ_gLsl2KKFzkfxyNM7K6E/edit?usp=sharing).** Call 510-457-1355 or ping Felicia (@crimson_flowers), Lily (@lilyblep) or Jim/ddz (@ddz7137) on Discord in the event thread if you need to get in or are lost. Make sure to have us added as friends as we don't get notifications for friend requests. A good number of attendees arrive between 11:00-11:30, but people come and go throughout the day, so feel free to show up and leave whenever you like - no need to be there for the whole day. If you text or call us, please give your Meetup/Discord name (some people both call and message on Discord and it's unclear whether we've already picked them up or not). During the day, come find us in Koret Quad, located north of Genentech Hall and east of the Rutter Center (location of Baker fitness center - see map below). After \~ 6 pm, please come to the side entrance (not the main entrance) when you search for 1705 Owens St on Google Maps. You need badge access to enter so contact us to get inside. See [these images](https://imgur.com/a/roVuZ3S) for entrance location and parking details. There will be snacks and drinks and feel free to order food. The area has free and paid parking. Free parking is around a 5 min walk from Genentech Hall (near Mississippi and 17th). Join the [California Clocktower discord](https://discord.gg/ACwrXxtWyY) for more events!

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Frequently asked questions

Participating in a ghost tour typically includes walking through historic areas while guides share tales of supernatural occurrences and historical facts. It's a blend of storytelling and discovery, making history come alive with a spooky twist.

Meetup offers a convenient way to find ghost tours by entering 'ghost tours San Francisco' in the search bar. You can specify dates or explore upcoming events to plan your visit.

It depends on the group and availability. Some tours might allow last-minute bookings, but it's often best to RSVP in advance to secure your place.

Suitability can vary by tour. Some tours are designed with families in mind, while others may be more intense and feature disturbing stories more suited to adults.

You can join Meetup for free to browse events and RSVP for many. However, specific tours may have separate fees set by the organizers.

Yes, if you have expertise or interest in ghost tours, you can create a group and host your own events through Meetup.

Local groups or individual hosts organize events. They plan routes, times, and stories, promoting the event through Meetup for attendees to join.

Some groups offer virtual ghost tours for those who prefer online experiences. Check event listings for online or hybrid events.

You can often RSVP for additional guests, but always check the group's policy and make necessary arrangements ahead of time.

Ghost tours typically cover famously haunted areas, historical districts, and sites known for paranormal activity. Specific locations depend on the tour.

Attending every event is not mandatory. You can choose which ones suit your schedule and interests on a case-by-case basis.

Absolutely! Ghost tours are a great opportunity to mingle with others sharing an interest in the supernatural and local history.

Most ghost tours are guide-driven for a more immersive story experience; however, some groups may organize self-led versions.

Meetup provides a platform for discovering groups and events, but the availability of specific tours depends on local hosts.

Quality varies by organizer and location, so checking reviews and event details can help ensure a satisfying experience.