We begin the tour with the Fatty Arbuckle affair, Hollywood’s first ever sex scandal (here in SF). It’s not just a lurid story – it’s effects are still felt today in many ways.

If the hotel is open there’s the option of having a drink in the very nice bar in the lobby.

20 minutes • Admission Ticket Free

Learn how this lane – which is now a beautiful pedestrian street, was once the heart of San Francisco’s red light district.

15 minutes • Admission Ticket Free

SF’s Chinatown is the oldest in the U.S. and for many years the Chinese immigrants here were strongly discriminated against. Criminals also preyed on them – opium dens, gangs and murder were all prevalent here. Learn of some of the personalities and crimes as you walk the streets.

30 minutes • Admission Ticket Free

Learn how the Gold Rush made SF what it is today. In those early years it was the Wild West, murder, robbery, kidnapping – and lynchings – were commonplace in this neighborhood.

20 minutes • Admission Ticket Free

This is one of the oldest bars in San Francisco, dating back to when the neighborhood was known as the Barbary Coast. We usually take 10-15 minutes to get a drink – don’t worry, you won’t be shanghaied!

15 minutes • Admission Ticket Free

One of the few buildings not to burn down in the Great Fire were the Hotaling warehouses. Is that because the whiskey inside was too important to lose?

15 minutes • Admission Ticket Free

This neighborhood used to be called the Barbary Coast and there wasn’t a more dangerous place in the world. Robbery, assault, shanghaiing – it all happened here (but not anymore, don’t worry :-).

30 minutes • Admission Ticket Free

This the oldest bar in San Francisco, built on top of a Gold Rush ship that was deserted by its crew back in 1849. It’s the perfect place to end the tour.

10 minutes • Admission Ticket Free