Overview

On our Notorious SF: Ghost & Crime tour we visit the sites of Hollywood scandals, red light areas, opium dens, gang violence, Gold Rush era lynchings & kidnappings – & enjoy cocktails in one or two historic bars.

We start with the Fatty Arbuckle affair, the original sex scandal that changed the public's perception of celebrity forever (& lead to the 'morality clause' in contracts). Then we stroll down Maiden Lane, which is lined with designer shops now, but 100 years ago was the city's main red light district.

After that we visit Chinatown, an area of opium dens and gambling hellholes in days gone by. Next you'll learn about Gold Rush era SF. Then we dive down to the Barbary Coast, with its brothels & dance halls, often used to Shanghai unwary sailors (which is where the term originated).

We end the tour at the oldest bar in San Francisco, the Old Ship Saloon. Join our Notorious SF: Scandal & Crime tour & be haunted by these ghastly ghosts from San Francisco's past for weeks.

Description

Stop At: Westin St. Francis (hotel), 335 Powell St, Union Square, San Francisco, California 94102

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.

Duration: 20 minutes

Stop At: Maiden Lane, Between Stockton and Kearny Streets, Union Square, San Francisco, California

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

Duration: 15 minutes

Stop At: Chinatown, Grant Avenue, San Francisco, California 94108

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.

Duration: 30 minutes

Stop At: Portsmouth Square, 50 Walter U Lum Pl, b/t Clay St & Washington St in Chinatown, San Francisco, California 94108

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.

Duration: 20 minutes

Stop At: Comstock Saloon, 155 Columbus Ave, San Francisco, California 94133

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!

Duration: 15 minutes

Stop At: Columbus Avenue, Columbus Avenue, San Francisco, California

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?

Duration: 15 minutes

Stop At: Jackson Square, San Francisco, California

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 :-).

Duration: 30 minutes

Stop At: The Old Ship Saloon, 298 Pacific Ave, San Francisco, CA 94111, USA

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.

Duration: 10 minutes