Kevin O’Brien’s Musical variety Show:
A Benefit for the San Francisco Historical Society

Don’t miss this unique opportunity to dine and dance the night away at San Francisco’s iconic nightclub, Bimbo’s 365!

This event is a fundraiser for The San Francisco Historical Society. It features Kevin O’Brien singing classic tunes, accompanied by a live band.

There will be a fabulous open bar, a delicious sit-down dinner, and a musical variety show to delight and entertain.

Single Ticket $550

Tables of Ten $5,000

Purchase your tickets here: https://www.sfhistory.org/kob-variety-show-tickets-and-tables-2024/



Monthly SF History Live Presentation:

Alcatraz: From Fort to Prison, Protest

Presented by John A. Martini

Tuesday, March 12th @ 6:30PM (PST), Livestream & In-person
*In-person audience please arrive at 6pm

Alcatraz Island’s history is more than just a short-lived federal penitentiary. Join retired National Park Ranger and historian John Martini to learn about Alcatraz as a Civil War fortress, a military prison for recalcitrant U.S. Army soldiers, a political prison for Confederate sympathizers, and a lockup for Native American warriors. Other important eras covered in John’s talk include the Indian Occupation of 1969-1971, Alcatraz in popular culture, the seldom-seen tunnels beneath the prison buildings, and the challenges of preserving the island’s aging infrastructure.

John A. Martini is a native San Franciscan, is a lifelong researcher into the history of the American West and specializes in historic preservation. He was a national park ranger for more than 25 years and served for many years at the Presidio of San Francisco as curator of military history for the Golden Gate National Recreation Area. He is the author of several books and articles on San Francisco military history. He lives in Novato, California.

Tickets are free. Donations greatly appreciated (they make the show free!).

Register for your free ticket here: www.SFHistory.org/Live



The French Immigration Connection to the Gold Rush, Presented by Author Olivier Lafaye
Tues. Feb. 27th @ 6PM (PST U.S.)
In-person & Livestream

Register for your tickets at: www.SFHistoy.org/Bearnais



Watch the Re-Broadcast!

Anchor Brewing Company, a San Francisco Legacy -Presented by David Burkhart

Originally aired on Tuesday, February 13th from the SF Historical Society Museum

By now, most San Franciscans are well aware that one of the city’s most cherished businesses—Anchor Brewing—closed its doors in 2023 after more than 127 years of operation. The SFHS Museum’s newest exhibit showcases some of the artifacts from the brewery, but there is much more of the story to be told. Join us for an evening with Anchor historian Dave Burkhart, who will share stories, anecdotes, and memories from his thirty-plus years of experiences at Anchor Brewing.

We all know that Anchor Brewing became famous for its steam beer—but not everyone knows that spinoff company, Anchor Distilling (now Hotaling & Co.), made a variety of distilled spirits, including Old Potrero Rye Whiskey and Juniper Gin. In addition to Dave Burkhart’s extensive knowledge of craft beer, he’s also an expert on San Francisco cocktails. His presentation will include a demonstration of how to make the famous Boothby Cocktail, As served at San Francisco’s Palace Hotel by the Honorable William T. “Cocktail Bill” Boothby (1862–1930) and as described in Fritz Maytag and David Burkhart’s edition of Cocktail Boothby’s American Bartender, which was originally published in San Francisco in 1891.

Watch the show here: www.SFHistory.org/Burkhart



Walking Tours
PLEASE NOTE: Due to rain the Unspeakable Vice Tour has been moved to Saturday, February 24th. The February 17th Earthquake and Fire Tour has been canceled, of which the next tour date will be Saturday, March 23rd.

Our walking tours provide a first-hand experience of San Francisco’s history. Tours include historical themes that embrace San Francisco’s rich history with subject experts who led the tours. We know you’ll in joy learning about the City’s iconic history with tours that include the 1906 Earthquake and Fire, Fisherman’s Wharf, the gold rush, the Barbary Coast to name a few.

**** Additional Tour Information ***

General public admission, $20 per person (non-members) -Additional donations at checkout are always appreciated and keep the ticket price low.

Free for members with 100% off discount code. Check your SF History E-newsletter, which goes out the first week of every month, for the membership code. Apply at check-out.

Please note that Unspeakable Vice tour general admission tickets at $30 each and $10 for members. Attendees must be age 21.

Tour length: Approximately 90 minutes

Maximum attendees: 20 people on a first-come,first serve basis

In case of rain, tour will be rescheduled

historical SF harbor

*** SIGN UP FOR WALKING TOURS BELOW ***

If you need any assistance, please email Chris Griffith at chris.griffith@sfhistory.org


1906 Earthquake and Fire: Chinatown’s Devastation and Renewal

Before dawn on April 18, 1906, the San Andreas Fault ruptured, sending shock waves racing across San Francisco. The city was abruptly wakened to witness a firestorm that would last three days and destroy almost everything within sight. Vibrant and densely populated Chinatown was swiftly engulfed by a raging fire on Day One, its inhabitants dispersed like embers in the wind. With Chinatown destroyed, city politicians and power brokers decided that this was an opportune time to relocate the Chinese community. Powered by an irrepressible resilience, the Chinese community re-imagined Chinatown and built it back better.

Tours led by Jack Grippi

Tour Dates & Times:

Saturday, January 27th @ 11AM

Saturday, February 17th @ 11AM – Cancelled due to rain

Saturday, March 24th @ 11AM

Register at www.SFHistory.org/1906Tour


Gold Rush and Sunken Ships

Experience how San Francisco went from a trading village to a metropolis. You’ll learn about the hidden remains of sunken ships and artifacts from the Gold Rush.

Tours led by expert, Thom Jackson or Gloria Lenhart

Tour Dates & Times:

Saturday, January 13th @ 11AM

Saturday, February 3rd @ 11AM

Saturday, March 2nd @ 11AM

Register at www.SFHistory.org/GoldRushSunkenShips


Secrets and Stories of San Francisco’s “Wall Street of the West”

Travel back in time to discover the stories and significance of the companies and people whose names adorn Financial District buildings. In addition to Silver Kings, the Big Four, and renowned bankers, this tour will introduce you to many others who “mined the miners” to create wealth beyond any normal imagination.

Tours led by Thom Jackson

Tour Dates & Times:

Friday, January 12th @ 11AM

Friday, February 2nd @ 11AM

Friday, March 1st @ 11AM

Register at www.SFHistory.org/WallStreetOfTheWest


Barbary Coast and Jackson Square: Pleasure Seekers and Merry Makers

Explore the beginnings of the “anything goes” city through its culture, food, and vice. Is it so different today? Discover how the City by the Bay reflects its glorious past and continues as a trend-setting urban playground.

Tours led by historian experts, Corrie Conklin and Carolyn Moniz.

Tour Dates & Times:

Tour unavailable

Register at www.SFHistory.org/BarbaryCoast


Unspeakable Vice: Queer North Beach Before the Castro

Starting at the San Francisco Historical Society, we’ll zig zag our way by more than a dozen lost queer bars, concluding with a round of drinks at the site an infamous lesbian hook-up spot on Grant. Hear how the “unspeakable vice” of the Victorians found its place and, through the process, gained a voice. Starts at 608 Commercial St. and ends at Maggy McGary’s pub at 1353 Grant Ave in North Beach. This exciting new tour includes a free drink at Maggy McGary’s, included in the tour price.

Notes: 21+, Limit 1 free drink per guest, Maggy McGary’s end 1353 Grant Ave

Limit 1 free drink per guest.

Tours led by expert, Shawn Sprockett

Tour Dates & Times:

Saturday, January 13th @ 11AM

Saturday, February 24th @ 11AM (The 17th tour was re-scheduled due to rain)

Saturday March 23rd @ 11AM

Register at www.SFHistory.org/UnspeakableVice


Fisherman’s Wharf: A Fishing Heritage and Tourist Mecca

Tour led by Corrie Conklin and Maggie Bening

  • Tour unavailable


Gold Rush Walks for KidsWalking-tour-san-francisco-historical-society-barbary-coast Gold Rush Walks for Kids

Our trained guides offer free walking tours for elementary school focused on the Gold Rush. This walk directly addresses grade 4 social studies standards, but students in grades 3–6 are welcome to attend. Please call 415-537-1105, Ext. 6, for more details.


Self-Guided Walking Tours

Tours of ‘Old Town’ SF
Not up for an in-person event yet? Give our self-guided walking tours a try. These walks also begin at 608 Commercial Street. You can download them for free on the App Store or Google Play. Search for “City Explorer San Francisco” and look for the walks with the SFHS logo. Or, scan the QR code with your smartphone or tablet.

SFHS Virtual Walking Tours


Self-Guided Tours Led by SF High School Students

Walking Tours of Golden Gate Park!
Walking tours of Golden Gate Park led by San Francisco high school students, the winners of the 2020 Fracchia Prize, are now available as mobile apps. Download the walks for free and start exploring “Everyone’s Park,” with freshly minted historians as your guide. Choose from:

  • “Botany and Horticulture: Symbols of Flourishing Against the Odds” by Winnie Quock, George Washington High School (1st Place Winner)
  • “Horticultural History: Learning About San Francisco’s Past Through the Garden Gems of the City’s Favorite Park” by Indigo Mudbhary, Lick-Wilmerding High School (2nd Place Winner)

* COMING SOON * “It’s a Ringer! One Perfect Day in Golden Gate Park” by 3rd Place Winner Luke Zeponni, Abraham Lincoln High School

SFHS Virtual Walking Tour - Golden Gate Park

* Special thanks to SFHS Volunteer Gloria Lenhart for creating our mobile history apps. *