As a private guide who gives customized tours, I often get to participate in, and help create, tours unique to my guest’s special requests. I took out a couple who met, married, and had a son here, then moved away when he was a few months old. 13 years later they returned to show him the story of their San Francisco life. They gave me a list of where they met, their favorite restaurants, bars and clubs, where they got married, the apartments they lived in, including the one they lived in when he was born. Nice to be a part of a delightful family outing.
An African-American couple asked to take them on a Black History Tour created by SF Travel. Looking it over, it was mostly a collection of anodyne sites that left out what I’m guessing SF Travel considered “controversial” history, such as the destruction of the Fillmore by Urban Renewal. It also didn’t mention Mary Ellen Pleasant, arguably one of the most important Black women not only in San Francisco’s but American history. There is a plaque dedicated to her at Octavia and Bush St. She’s not hard to find, so I’m guessing SF Travel didn’t want to. I filled in these gaps and more for this couple, who appreciated the curation to their interests.
Mary Ellen Pleasant Plaque at Octavia and Bush
I’ve done a tour of the public art all over the city. A tour of staircases. Photographer tours who asked me to take them to the best shots for sunrise, sunset, and nighttime.
Giant Sundial in Ingleside Terrace
Last year, I got a request from writer Shelley Blanton-Stroud, who was researching a novel about the San Francisco Peace Riots. When Japan surrendered in August 1945, ending WWII, San Francisco’s celebration turned ugly. I’d never heard of this incident, and if you haven’t either, it is worth searching out. (Click on the links; that’s what they’re there for.) She researched locations she wanted to see in person. I did a deeper dive into the history of the Peace Riots and came up with several locations and stories to round out her itinerary. She also gave me character backgrounds, and took her to areas of the city they might have lived.
Me and author Shelly Blanton-Stroud at her book signing at Book Passage in the Ferry Building
Being able to customize tours, I get explore parts of the city I rarely visit, and learn more about the history of San Francisco. I love doing research, and was glad to contribute my two cents worth of insight and advice. As a result, I was honored to get a credit in the book, An Unlikely Prospect.
If anyone reading this has a special request for a tour, I’d be delighted to not only take you out, but help research it for you. No book mention required.