Attorney in San Fran

Walking San Francisco: 30 savvy tours exploring the CityAEs distinctive enclaves, colorful history, and back alley intrigues

Description

San Francisco is a city of distinct neighborhoods, each with intriguing histories, notable architecture, and can't-miss dining and entertainment options. In Walking San Francisco, Tom Downs has created an exceptional guide to exploring the best of the City "on the ground," from North Beach to Lands End, Bernal Heights to Golden Gate Park. Take one of these specially designed walking tours and you'll not only get great exercise but soak up the history, culture, and vibe of the City by the Bay. It's like having a savvy tour guide at your side, showing you where to find great mojitos, and pointing out a rare worker-owned strip joint. Two special tours sample the best bars in North Beach and the Mission District. Locals and visitors alike will appreciate insider tips and entertaining asides in the 30 walking tours. Each tour contains a clear neighborhood map, route summaries, and a "Points of Interest" section outlines a walk's highlights.

Reviews

Rating: 4 / 5
Date: 2010-04-11
Summary: "good book"

I have only done one of the walks so far. I was hoping it would have more suggestions on places to eat and drink so you can take your pick. Sometimes you want to walk for fitness, sometimes you want an adventure. Good starter ideas, though.

---

Rating: 5 / 5
Date: 2009-12-23
Summary: "Beats for your feets!"

I am a volunteer tour guide in San Francisco ([...]) and for that reason I am interested in San Francisco history as well as good walks.

Well, that and a fondness for dive bars.

This is a great set of walking tours that provide a wealth of information as well as some lesser known stories of San Francisco history.

San Francisco (never Frisco) is a very walkable town. It's small compact size (it's the second most densely populated city in the US) along with impossible parking make it a walkers paradise.

San Francisco isn't so much a city as it is a series of intimate and unique neighborhoods that happen to share a city hall downtown.

For residents, this is your opportunity to explore new neighborhoods as well as finding places that in your own 'hood that you either didn't know existed or knew about but had never had an opportunity to explore.

For tourists, this is really the only way to see San Francisco. One of thiose big double decker buses will give a general idea of the city but you need to be out on the street. Eating tacos in the Mission, drinking espresson in North Beach or dodging strollers and dogs in Noe Valley.

This is a very good tour book (almost as good as a (free) City Guides Tour ([...]) well worth it's purchase price.

---

Rating: 5 / 5
Date: 2009-04-20
Summary: "Walking is FUN"

This was a great help in navigating S. F. on foot. The walks were interesting and the maps helpful. In our 8 day visit we utilized 8 of them, all delightful, some challenging with the hills. We loved learning the history of the various neighborhoods and some current culture.

---

Rating: 4 / 5
Date: 2009-04-09
Summary: "Plan an extra day in SF to enjoy a few walking tours!"

A great intro to San Francisco for those who love to explore -- we followed three of the recommended walks and were thrilled with the things we learned about the city. Definately read before your trip to make the most of it's historical references and reocmmendations!

---

Rating: 5 / 5
Date: 2008-03-05
Summary: "It's a great collection for any walker who would see the City by foot."

Any California collection specializing in San Francisco explorations will relish WALKING SAN FRANCISCO: 30 SAVVY TOURS EXPLORING STEEP STREETS, GRAND HOTELS, DIVE BARS, AND WATERFRONT PARKS. There have been other books on San Francisco's walking opportunities, but this comes from an insider who offers a blend of history, gossip, architectural and cultural insights and includes pubs and bars for added interest. It's a great collection for any walker who would see the City by foot.

Diane C. Donovan
California Bookwatch