Walking Tour from North Beach to Black Point
San Francisco Maritime National Historic Park Tours
How did San Francisco develop from a tiny harbor town in the mid-1800s into one of the 20th century’s major international ports?
Join park rangers from San Francisco Maritime National Historical Park for a walk along Columbus Avenue and its immediate environs and on to the northern waterfront for glimpses into the city’s – evolution.
This walking tour will begin at 2:30 PM in North Beach's Washington Square. Please head to the northeast corner across the street from the church of SS. Peter and Paul. Look for the ranger!
This program is a walking tour that explores the exterior public areas of places and buildings. Outside of national park boundaries, no interior spaces are presented.
Points of interest include Washington Square, SS. Peter & Paul, Club Fugazi (Casa Coloniale Italiana), the San Francisco Art Institute, the former Del Monte Plant No. 1, once the largest fruit and vegetable cannery in the world, and Aquatic Park, a legacy of the Works Progress Administration. Other sites may include Black Point, Fort Mason, the Fisherman’s and Seaman’s Memorial Chapel, Fisherman’s Wharf, and other landmarks on the old northern waterfront.
All tours are one-way unless otherwise noted. Participants are responsible for finding their own way back to their personal vehicle or public transit.
Already in love with San Francisco, West Coast, and Pacific maritime history? Check out the podcast Better Lives, Bitter Lies podcast for a deeper dive into things San Francisco, maritime, and more!
Select a date to see a list of times
Need to Know
- Tour Reservation Fees are not Entrance Fees
Tour meets every Friday (with the exception of the 4th of July 2025) and departs from San Francisco's Washington Square at 2:30 PM. Meet the ranger at the northeast corner of Washington Square across the street from the church of SS. Peter and Paul.
The one dollar ($1) reservation fee serves to hold the purchaser's place on the tour and is not refundable. Spaces are limited to thirty persons.
