Ghost Tours San Francisco

Modernism-Architecture Tour, Berkeley's Mid-Century Moderns

*(\***Don't be a no-show and lose your membership in the Group. See the Group no-show policies at the bottom.**)* * *(For those familiar with the Bay Area's, "Eichler" style houses, here's your chance to discover where they came from.)* * Optional afterwards we'll drive down one mile to the Gourmet Ghetto for lunch. ***\-\-\-1st Bay Tradition* to *Mid-Century Modern House Tour*\-\-\-** *(EXTERIORS)* You can truly get the feeling of what the architects and landscape designers in the 1930s through the 1960s intended, compared to the nearby earlier, 1st Bay Traditional work of Bernard Maybeck, John Gayland Howard, Edwin Lewis Snyder(period revival was his specialty) and John Hudson Thomas. The modernist architects work we'll see today include; William Wurster, Roger Lee, Donald Olsen, Charles Warren Callister, John Hans Ostwald, Robert Klemmedson(the magnificent Japanese villa at #14 Maybeck Twin Dr.) and my personal favorite, Louise Rigg and her house at 170 Tamalpais Rd. Some of these 2nd Bay Tradition modern houses still have original furniture and have undergone no or little change since they were first constructed. The gardens were designed in keeping with the era of bringing the outdoors into the house, facilitated by huge windows. You will also see incredibly wide views of the bay and peninsula rarely found in other locations. The design, layout and construction requirements of these houses facilitated maximizing the awesome views these houses afforded. *Meeting Location:* We are meeting on the sidewalk where Rose Walk meets Euclid Ave. Halfway between Cedar St. & Eunice St. (Nearby address, 1400 Euclid Ave.,Berkeley Without the incredible work of the *Berkeley Architectural Heritage Association,* going back to the 1970s, the information for these Berkeley tours would not be available. A summary of some of this information can be found in their tour guide book, "41 Berkeley Walking Tours". For more details visit their website. *(\***Don't be a no-show.**)* It's good to give out name tags for socializing, which I do. I fill out the name tags 24hrs. before the meeting time. This also gives me a way to take attendance. (See photo below of Feb.& early Mar. no-show names.) Name tags that are not picked up, are recorded as **no-shows.** If you get too many **no-shows** recorded in your personal Meet-up profile (Only Organizers can view.) you'll have to be cancelled from this Meetup. (To cancel your RSVP beforehand (please at least 24 hrs.), look for the, **"Edit Attendance"** tab at the bottom right hand corner of the screen.)

Vintage Neon Night Hike: Union Square, Bush Street and Polk Area

Vintage neon sign urban hiking season is under way. Let's do our next one in the Downtown, Union Square, Bush Street, Tender Nob areas. We will see the vintage neon and neo-neon signs in he area. We meet at 5:30, but leave at 5:40 (grace period). One highlight is the 2021 restoration of the Key Club sign on Bush Street. After this hike you may never look at neon signs the same way again! After the walk, we will will have the after gathering at a commerical estabishment probably in the Polk, Tender Nob area. Hope to see you there! Please note: Phone help is not available for latecomers. If you are late it is very hard to catch up with us. We walk at a medium pace. Escorts or sweeps are not provided, so slower walkers should be completely prepared to finish the hike on their own if they become separated from the group, and they may want to consider bringing a friend to walk with them. I reserve the right to make small changes to the route as needed. Liability Disclaimer: The organizers of this meet-up are unpaid volunteers and not expert hiking guides. All participants agree to assume 100% responsibility for their own safety, conduct, and well-being and recognize that possible hazards exist while participating in outdoor (or any other) activities, and agree to participate solely at their own risk. If you RSVP “Yes” and/or attend any of our events, it shall be conclusively presumed that you understand and agree to this policy.

Tour West Berkeley's Brewery, Wine Tasting & Most Historic Districts

If you want to learn about the early history of Berkeley by seeing what still exists from those bygone days this tour will show glimpses of the past. **\*Don't be a no-show. *See the Group's no-show policy below.*** Don't be a no-show and lose your membership in the Group. Attendance is always taken and no-shows recorded. Lots of variety in architecture and very early Berkeley history on the tour today. We're meeting in what is known as[ Berkeley's, "Drinks" district area](https://www.gilmandistrict.org/drinks) or better known as [the Gilman District. ](https://www.gilmandistrict.org/) The variation in the architecture here is rare, mainly due to the age range from 1854 to 2020. Lots of urban art around too, (see photo above). Its a very nice walk in a very mixed area of Berkeley. The oldest part of the City with a Landmarked heritage district. Some of the oldest and also some of the most modern architecture in Berkeley, (see photos below). See the oldest building(1854), the oldest church and public school building in Berkeley all on today's tour. We'll be touring West Berkeley, along 5th Street, from Carmelita to Hearst, to 10th & Delaware, and return. Good places for lunch around the 4th street shopping district (University Ave. to Virginia. Or have lunch at Trumer Pils brewery. Buy a Tesla on 4th street, next to boutique coffee shops, restaurants and a Nike store and more. Or have lunch at the very nice Picante restaurant around the corner from where we started for good, fresh Mexican food, in a very nice setting, in or outdoors. Well worth it for West Bay people to come over. Easy drive on a weekend morning. Plenty of street parking and no restrictions. Accessible by BART and a relatively short bus ride. Exactly 1.5 miles from University Ave.&San Pablo Ave., to 4th&Carmelita St. Or take a train from Sacramento, the train stops in Berkeley, exactly 1.2 miles away. Lots of trains from all over come through this neighborhood. Meet on the sidewalk at the intersection of 4th & Carmelita St., Berkeley. Plenty of parking on the residential streets adjacent. No parking restrictions. But always check the parking signs and curb, for any restrictions where you park. [To support the group with a small donation click this special link to PayPal.](https://www.paypal.com/donate/?business=TJ8W6VVEGJ6BS&no_recurring=1&item_name=%0AIt%27s+very+nice+of+you+to+respond+and+give+support.%0AThank+you%2C%0AJordan&currency_code=USD) Maybe make a day of it with lunch on 4th Street at one of many nice restaurants including Reveille from SF. Bette's Oceanview Diner/Takeout and sit outside. And Trumer Pils Brewery as well. If you have a problem maintaining your social calendar, please be advised! **(Don't be a no-show or your membership will be cancelled.)** It's good to give out name tags which I will do. I fill out the name tags just before I leave for the tour. This also gives me a way to take attendance. Name tags that are not picked up, are recorded as no-shows. If you get too many no-shows recorded in your personal Meet-up profile you'll be cancelled from this Meetup. (To cancel your RSVP beforehand (please at least 24 hrs. or no-show recorded.), look for the, **"Edit Attendance"** tab at the bottom right hand corner of the screen on a notebook and left bottom on a phone.)

💎 Hidden Gems of Pacific Heights: Architectural Walking Tour in SF! 💎

💎 **Take a Walk on the Historic Side!** 💎 Join Architect **Martin Bernstein** for another fun and fascinating **1.5-hour architectural walking tour** through historic **Pacific Heights, San Francisco**. ***“I Never Noticed That Before,”*** is one of a series of engaging tours that invite you to slow down, look up, and discover the hidden gems tucked into the neighborhood’s elegant homes and storied streets. Expect captivating insights, a few surprises, and maybe even a dash of local gossip along the way! \-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\- 📍 **Starting Point:** 2040 Franklin Street (corner of Franklin & Jackson) 🕜 **Starting Time:** 1:30 PM sharp — please arrive a few minutes early so we can begin on time. Whether you’re a history buff, an architecture lover, or just looking for a fresh way to explore the city, this tour promises plenty of *“aha!”* moments and a delightful afternoon of discovery. \-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\- 🎟️ **COST** The Walking Tour is **FREE**, but Martin's tours are supported almost entirely by walker contributions. At the end of the tour, you will be given the opportunity to make a **suggested $20\* cash contribution** or to contribute via Zelle to: martinbernstein617@gmail.com. *\*10% of each contribution supports* **New Beginnings**, *a volunteer-led community that brings people together to make new friends, have fun, and share new experiences.* \-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\- **WHAT TO BRING** ☀️ Sun protection — hat and/or sunscreen 💧 Water to stay hydrated 👟 Comfy shoes 🤔 Your curiosity! \-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\- **🅿️ PARKING** **Free 2-hour Street Parking** throughout the neighborhood. Note signs for any special parking restrictions. For **paid garages**, visit ***[Haas-Lilienthal House - Driving Directions & Parking](https://www.haas-lilienthalhouse.org/map-hours)***. (Haas-Lilienthal House is near our starting place.) **🚇 PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION:** * **Muni Bus, BART, or Cable Car**: For detailed directions, visit the ***[Haas-Lilienthal House - Driving Directions & Parking](https://www.haas-lilienthalhouse.org/map-hours)***[ ](https://www.haas-lilienthalhouse.org/map-hours) page. * **Muni Bus Fare & Schedule**: $2.75 for adults, $1.50 for seniors (65+). Pay with cash or through the Muni Mobile app. Check routes and timings at **[SFMTA.com](https://www.sfmta.com)**. * **Taking the Train into SF?** Exit at 4th & Townsend (the final stop). From there, take Muni or Uber/Lyft to our meeting location. \-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\- ✨ **Spots are limited to 20 — RSVP soon to save yours!** If the event fills, join the waitlist. Walk-ups welcome if space allows. 👨🏻‍💼 **Your Tour Guide** Martin Bernstein, Architect [martinbernsteinarchitect.com](https://martinbernsteinarchitect.com/) Palo Alto ∙ San Francisco 📞 650.387.1000 \-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\- 🔷 **See our Group Guidelines [HERE](https://sites.google.com/view/new-beginnings-guidelines/home)** **🔴 *Help Keep the Fun Going in 2026*** *We’re a volunteer-led group, and member contributions help cover annual Meetup fees and occasional venue rentals. See our [2026 contributor list](https://docs.google.com/document/d/1FhXm1V0hEuWSbuOMivlLUqTm3JaCPD6VSOzg3ZrAJyE/edit?usp=sharing). Please make your annual $20 contribution for 2026 by giving cash with your name to the host at an in-person event. (Contributions are not tax-deductible.) New here? Enjoy a few events first, then pitch in if it feels like a good fit!* 🔴 *By participating in any New Beginnings Social Event, you and your guests RELEASE and DISCHARGE the organizers, hosts, and participants from all liability for injuries, illness, damages, death, issues relating to privacy or economic loss arising from activities, advice, or information provided. Participation is voluntary and entirely at your own risk. You are responsible for your safety, belongings, and transportation decisions. Choose carpool drivers carefully and consider leaving valuables at home.*

Tour of UC Berkeley Botanical Garden

A Waterfront Walk to S.F.'s Maritime Sites & Museums

**LATEST UPDATES: S.F.** **We will meet at the far East end of the top of the Salesforce Terminal, at 11:00 AM and at 11:10 AM start walking. We will walk to the S.F. North of Market Street to the Hyde Street Pier area to visit great museums such as the "S.F. Maritime National Park Visitor Center" and the "Truhlsen Harmor Museum of the Eye."** **I am charging each adult $5.00 for this walk because most of my walks are free and most attendees know it is a good deal. I don't collect it until we have reached at least the half-way point. It is always free for those under 18 years old.** **Below is a link to some photos we took of this walk on July 29, 2023.** **https://www.meetup.com/walking-in-sf/photos/33783507/** **To find me: I am 6 feet tall, wear a big blue & black hat and have a clipboard. One should bring water, and a sack lunch.** **THE START OF THE WALK: We will gather at the far East end of the top of the Salesforce Terminal, next to the Beale Street Elevator, at 11:00 AM. The top has a beautiful park.** **Then at 11:10 AM we will start walking. Late attendees may find us as we first walk North on Beale Street to Davis to continue North to the corner of Davis & Jackson where there is a small park. We may take our group photo there.** **To find me: I am 6 feet tall, wear a big blue & black hat and have a clipboard. One should bring water, and a sack lunch.** **Then we will continue North on Davis to the Exploratorium where we will enjoy their free History Lobby & restrooms. Late attendees may find us anywhere on this route.** **Then we will walk to a tiny park near Pier 39, where a little after 12:30 PM we will eat our sack lunches. "The Aquarium by the Bay" no longer lets us use their restrooms! However, there are uncrowded restrooms at the end of Pier 39 which we may use.** **After lunch we will walk to the Hyde Street Pier area where there are many museums and other attractions including the Visitor Center which has been open for many years and keeps getting better with time. The nearby "Truhlsen Harmor Museum of the Eye" is way newer, but it is a one-of-a-kind museum!** **Then we walk back towards our starting area, and along the way we will visit more free museums and other interesting historical sites.** **We will officially end at Sansome & Market Street where there is a BART Station. I will be walking back to the Salesforce Terminal and others going there may join me. Ending time estimate is 4:30 PM.** **Google Maps says the distance is 4.5 miles. Google might be a little short because we won't be walking perfectly straight, therefore I estimate between 4.5 and 5 miles.** **Attendance Max = 70. One guest is allowed per member if put on the RSVP.** **I advise taking public transportation & not driving to SF because both driving and parking there is usually horrible.** **On how to get around the Bay Area on public transportation see below:** [Get directions & show routes - Computer - Google Maps Help](https://support.google.com/maps/answer/144339?co=GENIE.Platform%3DDesktop&hl=en) **This walking group is for humans only. No dogs or other animals allowed.** **Photo at top was taken inside the Museum of the Eye.** **Some legal disclaimers: By joining us for any event you hereby RELEASE and DISCHARGE it's organizers, hosts and participants from any and all liability, claims, demands or causes of action that you now have, or may have in the future, for injuries, damages, death and/or economic loss of any kind or nature, arising in whole or in part out of the activities, advice or information contained herein. You further agree that if you or someone under your supervision uses the information on this website you assume all risks of injury, damage, and economic loss, without limitation, and release providers from all liability, therefore. It is advisable to consult a doctor before you begin any strenuous physical activity. The organizer is not trained for emergency medical procedures and no doc**

Black Friday Opt Outside hike at Tilden (4.5 miles)

Skip the mindless consumerism and join other east bay millenials for a hike in Black Friday. Please arrive a few minutes before 12:00PM. We will start the hike shortly after 12:00PM. We'll do our best to hike as a group, but I'd recommend downloading an offline map of the area on Google Maps on your phone just in case you happen to get separated.

Please bring:
• Water bottle
• Charged phone
• Snacks!!
• Hiking / athletic clothes and shoes
• Sunscreen

Please only attend this event if you feel like you are in shape to walk 5 miles with hills. If you have any health conditions that prevent you from exercising, this might not be the best event for you.

The East Bay Hiking Club welcomes people of all backgrounds, genders, sexualities, races, ethnicities, nationalities, religions, or other identity. We do our best to create an inclusive and open minded environment.
Looking forward to seeing you there!

------------------------------- disclaimer -------------------------------
By attending the event, you agree that you understand the risks involved in outdoor activities and take full ownership for your safety and assume all risks inherent in attending the event. You also release the event organizer and all event participants from any responsibility for your safety.

Profs & Pints San Francisco: The World Mount Vesuvius Buried

[Profs and Pints San Francisco](https://www.profsandpints.com/sfbayarea) presents: **“The World Mount Vesuvius Buried,”** on what we’re learning by the uncovering of ancient Roman towns buried in volcanic ash, with Michael Anderson, a professor of Classical archaeology at San Francisco State University who has spent nearly 30 years studying and excavating Pompeii. [Tickets must be purchased online, at [https://events.ticketleap.com/tickets/profsandpints/presidio-vesuvius](https://events.ticketleap.com/tickets/profsandpints/presidio-vesuvius) .] The cataclysmic eruption of Mount Vesuvius in 79 CE entombed towns, farms, and villas in ash and debris, dooming those around at the time but preserving for future generations a unique and invaluable window onto Roman and Pre-Roman daily life. Learn about the fascinating finds of archeologists at work there with Michael Anderson, director of the Via Consolare Project excavations of ancient Pompeii, author of *Space, Movement and Visibility in Pompeian Houses*, and co-author of *House of the Surgeon, Pompeii: Excavations in the Casa del Chirurgo.* He’ll discuss how what Vesuvius buried was lost and largely forgotten for centuries, and how the discovery and early excavation of these sites in the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries would transform forever the disciplines of art history and archaeology. It also greatly enriched our understanding of ancient Roman daily life, a process that continues to this day, making Pompeii the longest continuously excavated site in the world. Evidence from these sites has provided some of the clearest answers to questions about what life was really like for both the rich and the poor in ancient Italy in Roman times. Dr. Anderson will discuss what we’ve learned through the unearthing of houses and wall paintings, as well as the remains of graffiti, bakeries, clothes cleaners, and taverns and of evidence of politics, elections, and graffiti. What was it like to experience a cataclysmic volcanic eruption? Did anyone escape? We’ll explore the impact of the eruption on the nearby settlements of Pompeii and Herculaneum using evidence from Pliny the Younger’s eyewitness account combined with scientific study of the bodies of those who perished and the traces left by those who may have escaped. Finally, we’ll look at what is still being excavated and why. We will examine recent—and, in some cases, still unpublished—discoveries from active and on-going excavations. You’ll learn how these sites continue to enrich our understanding of ancient life nearly two thousand years ago, not only during the sites’ final years and hours but throughout the sites’ long histories from foundation to destruction. The event takes place at a great community space and new Profs and Pints venue, The Dairy at the Sports Basement Presidio. (Advance tickets: $13.50 plus processing fees. Door price: $17, or $15 with a student ID. Listed time is for doors. The talk starts 30 minutes later.) Image: A cast of a corpse of a Mt. Vesuvius eruption victim at Pompeii’s “Garden of the Fugitives” archaeological site. (Photo by Daniele Florio / Wikimedia Commons.)

SF Night Hike: Ferry Building, Coit Tower, Lombard St, Bridges (6.5 mi, 850 ft)

San Francisco Stairs

Mid-San Francisco multi-peak loop Fantastic views, mosaic tile staircases, and wonderful neighborhoods and architecture! **Distance:** 8 miles **Elevation:** \~2000 ft Must not be averse to climbing stairs! This hike will be limited to 16 hikers, due to many street crossings. We'll meet at 9 a.m. at the starting and ending points of the hike, which is at the JP Murphy Playground, on 9th Avenue in between Ortega and Pacheco (different spot than last year). **Hike Description** From the starting point, we'll make our way towards our first peak at Grandview Park. Then proceed to the top of Mount Sutro. From there we will go up to the Twin Peaks panoramic observation area and climb both peaks. Next we'll proceed south-west to the top of Mount Davidson, and then back to our starting point. We'll stop for a picnic lunch along the way. Also, after the hike you could seek out a restaurant in the neighborhood nearby. There are restrooms at the starting point, and there are restrooms at two other points along the hike. Eleanor found an [article about the artists](https://brokeassstuart.com/2022/05/06/the-artist-behind-sfs-hidden-mosaic-staircases-revealed/) who have created some of these wonderful tiled staircases.

The Indigenous Peoples’ Day Sunrise Gathering @ Alcatraz 🌅

The Indigenous Peoples’ Day Sunrise Gathering is organized by the International Indian Treaty Council commemorating the 1969-71 occupation of Alcatraz by the Indians of All Tribes. This is a one-day events and not the standard Alcatraz Island tour; all areas except where the ceremony takes place will be closed and inaccessible to the public. Dress Code The weather on Alcatraz is unpredictable and subject to change unexpectedly, so be sure to dress in layers…bring along a light jacket or sweater, no matter how nice the day begins! You MUST purchase a ferry ticket to get to Alcatraz Island to attend the The Indigenous Peoples’ Day Sunrise Gathering These are the remaining Ferry departure times that they have available: 5:15 AM 5:30 AM 5:45 AM 6:00 AM I'll be taking the 5:45 AM Ferry. Where to Meet: Pier 33 Alcatraz Landing is the launch site to Alcatraz Island Also Bart and other Public Transportation doesn't run this early in the morning and you must drive or carpool with people to San Francisco I'll be carpooling with 4 people already from Berkeley. Event Website Link to Purchase a Ferry Ticket: https://alcatrazcitycruises.com/tickets/sunrise-gathering

Your Life Is Full of Stories! Write Out Your Memories

In this two-hour workshop Katharine Harer will help you bring back to life people you have known and places you have been. You remember more than you think, not just sights and sounds but feelings, smells, tastes. Write out memories here, and go home with some new skills for bringing out those stories only you know, only you remember, only you can really tell. - Katharine has taught memoir, as well as a variety of creative writing classes, at the San Francisco Writing Salon for 8 years. Before that she was a beloved English professor at Skyline College and has published seven collections of poetry, the most recent, Deconfliction, in 2020, and a full-length volume of poems, Jazz & Other Hot Subjects, in 2016 Her poetry and nonfiction have been published widely in literary journals, newspapers, magazines, and anthologies Event Website Link [ https://berkeleypubliclibrary.libnet.info/event/1695811](https://berkeleypubliclibrary.libnet.info/event/16958111)