Local’s Guide to 18 Best San Francisco Walking Tours in 2025
Summary
I’m Avital, a San Francisco local and the owner of Avital Experiences. We build unique food tours and other delicious dining experiences in SF. I started this company in 2011 to create food tours that locals love—not just tourists. That means we go to the best spots in the city, not just the tourist traps. So, if you’re looking for an insider’s guide to the best walking tours in San Francisco, you’re in the right place.
Table of Contents
Walking Tours vs. Other Tours
Despite a few (okay, many) hills, San Francisco is meant to be explored on foot. Instead of whizzing by in a bus, bike, or car, you get to experience the city at a slower pace and see the nuances of daily life. You can window shop at cute boutiques, see the fishermen bringing in the fresh catch of the day, and smell the coffee beans roasting at one of SF’s fantastic cafes.
The only downside of walking tours is that you’re limited by how much ground you can cover in a day. This is why it’s important to choose a specific neighborhood or nearby neighborhoods and focus on quality over quantity. You can’t explore the entirety of San Francisco in a day, but you can get a really good understanding of one of our incredible neighborhoods in a day.
San Francisco Neighborhoods for Walking Tours
The neighborhood you choose will shape your experience. Here’s a quick breakdown of San Francisco’s main walking tour areas and what they’re best for.
- Chinatown – Best for history, culture, and hidden alleyways.
- North Beach – Italian heritage, Gold Rush history, and literary landmarks.
- Mission District – Murals, Latin culture, and incredible food.
- Haight-Ashbury – Hippie history, vintage shopping, and colorful Victorian homes.
- Fisherman’s Wharf – Great for first-time visitors and scenic bay views.
- The Castro – LGBTQ+ history and a vibrant nightlife scene.
- Downtown & FiDi – Gold Rush history, stunning architecture, and hidden gems.
- Pacific Heights – Stunning mansions, historic architecture, and breathtaking bay views.
- Japantown – Japanese culture, authentic cuisine, and unique shopping experiences.
Chinatown
Chinatown, San Francisco, CA, USA
North Beach
North Beach, San Francisco, CA, USA
Mission District
Mission District, San Francisco, CA, USA
Haight-Ashbury
Haight-Ashbury, San Francisco, CA, USA
Fisherman’s Wharf
Fisherman's Wharf, San Francisco, CA, USA
The Castro
The Castro, San Francisco, CA, USA
Downtown & FiDi
Financial District, San Francisco, CA, USA
Pacific Heights
Pacific Heights, San Francisco, CA, USA
Japantown
Japantown, San Francisco, CA, USA
Comparison Chart of Walking Tours in San Francisco
Here’s an overview of all of the walking tours I recommend to both locals and travelers alike. If one of them piqued your interest, click to learn more about the tour. For each walking tour I’ve included the category, neighborhood(s), duration, price, and type (private, public, or self-guided). Happy walking!
Number | Restaurant | Neighborhood | Duration | Price | Type | Category |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Gold Rush & Barbary Coast Tour | FiDi | 1.5 Hours | $28 | Public | History |
2 | LGBTQ+ History Tour | Castro | 2 Hours | $30 | Public, Private | History |
3 | Victorian Home Tour | Pacific Heights | 2 Hours | $150/Couple | Private | Architecture |
4 | Haight Ashbury Flower Power Tour | Haight-Ashbury | 2.5 Hours | $25 | Public, Private | History |
5 | All About Chinatown Tour | Chinatown | 2 Hours | $55 | Public, Private | History |
6 | Mission District Walking Food Tour | Mission District | 3 Hours | $115 | Public, Private | Food |
7 | North Beach Walking Food Tour | North Beach | 3 Hours | $115 | Public, Private | Food |
8 | Self-Guided Chinatown Food Tour | Chinatown | Self-Paced | Free | Self-Guided | Food |
9 | Ferry Building Food Tour | Embarcadero | 2 Hours | $99 | Private | Food |
10 | Japantown Food Tour | Japantown | 3 Hours | $137 | Public, Private | Food |
11 | SF Ghost Hunt Walking Tour | Pacific Heights | 1.5 Hours | $30 | Public | Ghost |
12 | Alcatraz Night Tour | Alcatraz Island | 2.5 Hours | $64 | Public | Ghost / History |
13 | Notorious SF: Ghost & Crime Tour | Downtown | 3 Hours | $55 | Public, Private | Ghost |
14 | Mission Mural Walk | Mission District | 1.5 Hours | $25 | Public | Art |
15 | Haight-Ashbury Hippie Hunt | Haight-Ashbury | 1.5 Hours | $12 | Self-Guided | Art |
16 | Mrs. Doubtfire Tour | Various | Self-Paced | Free | Self-Guided | Entertainment |
17 | Free Walking Tours by SF City Guides | Various | 1.5-2 Hours | Free | Public | Free SF Walking Tours |
18 | Free Chinatown Walking Tour | Chinatown | 1 Hour | Free | Public | Free SF Walking Tours |
Best General & Historical San Francisco Walking Tours
San Francisco is full of rich history, and the SF walking tours in this category are the perfect way to dive into the stories that shaped the city. Whether you’re into the Gold Rush, LGBTQ+ history, or the city’s wild beginnings, you’ll get to explore San Francisco in a whole new way.
Image Credit: sfghosts.com
1. Gold Rush & Barbary Coast Tour by San Francisco Ghosts
If you’re looking for a truly historical SF walking tour, this one is for you. The Barbary Coast was once a wild frontier, filled with gold fever and legendary characters. This tour is a great introduction to the city’s rugged past, and you’ll get to explore the very streets where it all happened.
Image Credit: cruisinthecastro.com
2. The Castro LGBTQ+ History Tour by Cruisin’ the Castro
For an inclusive and historical perspective, this SF walking tour is a must. The Castro is known as the heart of San Francisco’s LGBTQ+ community, and this tour gives a deep dive into its rich history. From the early days of the gay rights movement to today’s vibrant culture, you’ll walk through a neighborhood that’s both iconic and full of powerful stories.
Image Credit: victorianhomewalk.com
3. Victorian Home Tour by Victorian Home Walk
San Francisco’s famous Victorian homes are a feast for the eyes. On this San Francisco walking tour, you’ll step into the past as you explore the elegant details and fascinating stories behind these historic homes. It’s a great way to appreciate the beauty and architectural charm of the city.
Image Credit: haightashburytour.com
4. Haight Ashbury Flower Power Tour by Haight Ashbury Tour
If you love a good slice of counterculture history, the Haight-Ashbury neighborhood is the place to be. This walking tour SF takes you through the birthplace of the hippie movement. From the Summer of Love to today’s unique vibe, it’s a fascinating neighborhood to explore for anyone into history or alternative culture.
Image Credit: allaboutchinatown.com
5. All About Chinatown Tour by All About Chinatown
Chinatown is one of the oldest and most vibrant parts of San Francisco, and this San Francisco walking tour shows you its hidden gems. Whether you’re exploring its temples or trying authentic teas, this tour is a perfect introduction to the area’s rich culture and fascinating history.
Best Walking Food Tours in San Francisco
If you’re like me, the best way to explore a neighborhood is through its food, and the San Francisco food tours in this section are some of the best ways to do it. From the Mission District’s vibrant flavors to Chinatown’s hidden culinary gems, these tours will let you savor your way through the city.
Image Credit: avitalexperiences.com
6. Mission District Walking Food Tour by Avital Experiences
The Mission is a can’t-miss neighborhood in San Francisco. With its iconic murals, amazing food, and fascinating history, it’s one of my favorite places in SF. I may be biased, but the best way to experience this neighborhood is through its food! Think luscious pork tamales, Mission-style burritos, crispy fried clam rolls, and so much more. For tourists and locals alike, it’s hard to beat this walking food tour.
Image Credit: avitalexperiences.com
7. North Beach Walking Food Tour by Avital Experiences
North Beach is San Francisco’s Little Italy, and this SF walking tour showcases the best of Italian food in the city. From authentic woodfired pizza to seafood Cioppino, you’ll indulge in some of the finest Italian eats while exploring one of the most charming neighborhoods in SF.
Image Credit: avitalexperiences.com
8. Self-Guided Chinatown Food Tour by Avital Experiences
Chinatown is a foodie’s paradise, and this self-guided walking tour in San Francisco lets you explore at your own pace. From savory dumplings to crispy spring rolls, you’ll find some of the best bites while uncovering the neighborhood’s hidden spots and secrets.
Image Credit: stretchy-pants.com
9. Ferry Building Food Tour by Stretchy Pants
The Ferry Building is one of my favorite spots in San Francisco, and this SF walking tour takes you through its best food stalls. From deep dish pizza to Argentinian empanadas, it’s a great way to explore local food while learning about the building’s history.
Image Credit: edibleexcursions.net
10. Japantown Food Tour by Edible Excursions
Japantown is one of San Francisco’s hidden gems, and this food tour highlights the best traditional dishes. Whether you’re indulging in ramen or tasting mochi, this walking tour SF will leave you craving more of what this unique neighborhood has to offer.
Best Ghost Walking Tours in San Francisco
San Francisco is a city full of history—and with history comes ghosts. The San Francisco walking tours in this category will take you through the city’s most haunted spots, sharing eerie tales of the spirits that still linger today.
Image Credit: sfghosthunt.com
11. SF Ghost Hunt Walking Tour by SF Ghost Hunt
If you’re looking for a spooky SF walking tour, this one is perfect for you. The Ghost Hunt tour takes you through haunted locations in the city, sharing eerie stories about the spirits that still haunt these places.
Image Credit: alcatrazislandtickets.com
12. Alcatraz Night Tour by Alcatraz Island Tickets
Alcatraz is one of the most famous prisons in the world, and at night, it takes on a whole new level of eerie. This ghost walking tour San Francisco takes you through the island’s darkest corners, where the shadows of former prisoners still haunt the halls. It also includes a guided boat ride out to the island for extra fun and fright!
Image Credit: realsanfranciscotours.com
13. Notorious SF: Ghost & Crime Tour by Real San Francisco Tours
The Notorious SF Ghost and Crime Tour combines San Francisco’s dark history of crime and hauntings, taking you through infamous locations where crime scenes and ghostly encounters still linger. They also pop into bars along the way where guests can grab a cocktail, which is a fun bonus.
Best Art & Entertainment Walking Tours in San Francisco
San Francisco is a city of artists, creatives, and performers, and these walking tours SF give you a peek into the city’s artistic soul. Whether you’re interested in street art or theater, these tours bring the city’s creative history to life.
Image Credit: precitaeyes.org
14. Mission Mural Walk by Precita Eyes Muralist
The Mission District is a treasure trove of street art, and this SF walking tour is the best way to see it all. The murals tell the story of the neighborhood’s history, culture, and activism, and you’ll get a behind-the-scenes look at how they came to be. These tours are led by artists of the community-based, inner-city mural arts organization.
Image Credit: letsroam.com
15. Haight-Ashbury Hippie Hunt by Let’s Roam
If an art walk and a scavenger hunt had a baby, it would be this hippie hunt! Through the Let’s Roam app you will face a series of trivia questions and challenges based on the art you’ll see in Haight-Ashbury. You can do it alone but with a group is a lot more fun!
Image Credit: sftravel.com
16. Mrs. Doubtfire Tour by SF Travel
One of San Francisco’s most famous movies is Mrs. Doutfire, an absolute classic! SF Travel put together the official tour based on the movie where you’ll visit filming sites and places that pay tribute to Robin Wiliams. Admittedly, this is more of a list of places vs. a curated tour, but still fun to check out a few of the sites, especially if you’re a big fan of the movie.
Best SF Free City Walking Tours
For anyone who loves exploring the city on a budget, these SF free city walking tours are perfect. These tours offer a unique way to experience San Francisco’s landmarks, all for free (though donations are encouraged).
Image Credit: avitalexperiences.com
17. So Many Free Walking Tours by SF City Guides
I love the free walking tours SF City Guides offers—they’re a great way to explore San Francisco without breaking the bank. Whether you’re exploring the Ferry Building or discovering hidden parts of the city, these tours are a fantastic way to see the sights with an expert guide. Their Women Muralists of the Mission is my favorite free walking tour San Francisco has to offer.
Image Credit: bigbustours.com
18. Free Chinatown Walking Tour by Big Bus
If you decide to use BigBus to explore San Francisco, take advantage of their free Chinatown walking tour! You’ll explore the neighborhood with a Big Bus Guide. Tours run at 11am and 1pm and last about an hour. When you’re done you can hop back on the bus and head to another neighborhood.
Book a San Francisco Walking Tour with a Local
San Francisco is best explored on foot, and a great walking tour can turn an ordinary visit into something so memorable. If you want to experience SF like a local and eat some of the greatest food the city has to offer, check out our walking food tours.