02/08/07

Ditch the overcrowded tourist districts with this architecturally informative walking tour.

by Contributor

Overview
A wonderful look into the city's history, the Victorian Home Walk is a must for anyone visiting or living in San Francisco. The tour, founded by architecure maven Jay Gifford, usually consists of groups of fewer than 20 people. Don't be afraid of getting winded--the undemanding (and tour-bus free) route begins in Japantown and winds through the flats of Pacific Heights.

Facts
Gifford, a long-time resident of San Francisco, is incredibly personable and frighteningly well-informed. While explaining the differences between Queen Anne, Italianate and Stick-Style architecture, the informal Gifford throws in a few juicy historical anecdotes about the former locations of San Francisco's hottest bordellos. He may even confide "I get my best dirt from my clients."