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.)

Finland – Arctic Adventure with Northern Lights & Glass Igloo

Time to get check another bucket list destination Finland. Join the group to explore Lapland thoroughly and experience the natural beauty of the Arctic, the Northern Lights, the ice, and the snow! Let’s experience the fun of the Arctic outdoor adventures and taste the authentic Arctic cuisine! Signup here: [https://www.bucketlistgrouptravel.com/tour/finland-arctic-adventure-with-northern-lights-glass-igloo/](https://www.bucketlistgrouptravel.com/tour/finland-arctic-adventure-with-northern-lights-glass-igloo/) Itinerary Day01 Arrival Rovaniemi - Northern Lights Day02 Ranua Wildlife Park - Northern Lights Day03 Luosto Amethyst Mine & Northern Lights Day04 Snowshoeing - Ice Fishing - Snowmobile with Aurora Day05 Husky - Reindeer Farm - Santa Village - Ice Floating Day06 Snow Hotel - Arctic Circle - Glass igloo Day07 Rovaniemi Departure Day08 CAMP GREY TO PUERTO NATALES Price: $3990 pp (Double Occupancy) $4990 pp (Single Occupancy) Inclusions Price Includes * Airport/train station transfer on the first and last day * 5 nights in hotel accommodation * 1 night stay at Glass Igloo * Professional guide in English for the activities * 6 breakfasts * All the activities and transfers as per the itinerary Price Excludes * International flights (From/to home) * Tips * Personal Expenses * Travel Insurance * Visa For detailed itinerary follow the link below: [https://www.bucketlistgrouptravel.com/tour/finland-arctic-adventure-with-northern-lights-glass-igloo/](https://www.bucketlistgrouptravel.com/tour/finland-arctic-adventure-with-northern-lights-glass-igloo/) ——————————————————— Questions?? Text or Call: 2023787696: Himanshu

Tour of UC Berkeley Botanical Garden

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.)

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.)

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.

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)

Russian Hill Stairways

San Francisco’s 49 Hills Challenge — Walk 2: Pacific Heights to the Richmond

Seven Hills. One Epic Urban Adventure! Our journey across San Francisco’s 49 hills continues! After completing our first walk through Nob Hill, Russian Hill, and Telegraph Hill, we’re heading west to discover seven more of San Francisco’s remarkable summits. This adventure takes us from the elegant streets of Pacific Heights into the wooded trails of the Presidio, then west to Lincoln Park and the Richmond District. Along the way, we’ll experience stunning views, fascinating history, hidden corners, beautiful architecture, and some serious hill climbing! Our seven hills: 1. Lafayette Heights 1. Pacific Heights / Cannon Hill 1. Laurel Hill 1. Presidio Hill 1. Rob Hill 1. Lincoln Heights 1. Washington Heights The details * Distance: Approximately 7–9 miles (subject to final route scouting) * Difficulty: Moderate to strenuous, with substantial hills * Duration: Approximately 4–5 hours * Starting point: Lafayette Square, San Francisco * Finish: Washington Heights, near 30th Avenue and Anza Street * Route: Point-to-point, with public transportation options near the finish What to bring Comfortable walking shoes with good traction, plenty of water, snacks or lunch, and layers for changing San Francisco weather. Trekking poles are optional. We’ll be walking on city sidewalks, park paths, and sections of unpaved trails. Please be comfortable walking several miles and climbing hills.

Not the 13th

Not so long ago I had in mind to roam along individual avenues as they traverse the city from the Richmond to the Sunset. We will aim to do at least three of these over the course of the winter, and I wanted to start with the avenue that is not 13th: Funston. It would have been fun to do this **one-way** roam on Friday 13th, but it is too long for a Friday roam, and perhaps doing it on the 14th will be a way to soothe those of a superstitious disposition. This roam will start from Mountain Lake Park - we will meet at the playground bathrooms - and end at West Portal. Along the way we will be alongside Park Presidio Boulevard (the green strip connecting the Presidio and Golden Gate Park in the photograph); looping through the park; and ascending to the top of Golden Gate Heights, with an optional sand dune excursion on the way down. The latter half of this route will include some stairs and steep blocks, and there will be some dirt paths along the way. *Bringing water, snacks, and layers for all the microclimates is the way to go. Please check the forecast and look out for updates if it is going to be rainy. We may go ahead, depending on the conditions.* *These roams are offered by donation. They are one way I am able to pay my rent in San Francisco.* *Punctuality is always appreciated, for the sake of everybody's time. Please send a message on the app before the start if you are running late, and we will either wait (up to ten minutes) or I will direct you on how to catch up. Once we get underway I have to focus on those who are there, and most likely won't respond.* *Generally half the people who sign up don't actually show up on the day. I do track flakiness and remove people who have a poor attendance record. It is discourteous to those on the waitlist who would like to attend.* *Sending me a message explaining that you can't make it is always appreciated.*

Cranes, Conversations & Golden Hour II: World Tree of Hope, Grace Cathedral

Our world tree of hope event created a record for us, in that over half registered showed up. And the director of the program wants us coming back. So here it is again, episode 2. Image is the director giving us a tour of the Grace Cathedral after our shift. \-\-\-\-\- **🕊️ Cranes, Conversations & Golden Hour Walk on Nob Hill: the World Tree of Hope, at Grace Cathedral** *TownFlame November Saturday Series · Sun, Nov 15, 12 PM–evening* We have a long tradition of decorating the World Tree of Hope, with Grace Cathedral, during the pre-holiday season. One year old actually :), so we are coming back again, in the format of volunteering mixer, socializing after volunteering together. By our experience, volunteering together is a great way to know others, working side by side, with a shared purpose. Grace Cathedral being an iconic place on Nob Hill adds to the context. Every Saturday this month, TownFlame is helping build San Francisco’s World Tree of Hope inside Grace Cathedral. It’s the largest origami holiday tree in the world, decorated with thousands of hand-folded cranes and stars, each carrying a wish for the world. We’re turning the shift into a mixer, then heading out for a sunset walk and dinner. **How it works** We sit at small tables of 5–6 to fold, wire and sort cranes and stars for the tree. Every hour or so, half of each table moves to a new one, so by the end of the afternoon you’ll have worked alongside three or four different groups. Your hands stay busy, there’s always something to talk about, and you get new faces every half hour. No origami experience needed. Someone at your table will show you, and soon you’ll be the one teaching. **Schedule** * **12:00 PM:** Meet on the Grace Cathedral front steps (1100 California St) * **12:00–3:00 PM:** Folding mixer inside the cathedral Running late? Walk in and tell them you are there for the tree decoration volunteering, and tell the onsite director that you come from meetup, and ask to sit with the meetup people. * **1:20-1:40 PM** Take a break, go upstairs to tour the cathedral, shift tables if you like. * **3:15–4:45 PM:** Golden-hour walk around Nob Hill: Huntington Park, the Fairmont, ending at a viewpoint for sunset * **5:00 PM:** Group coffee or dinner nearby (location shared with RSVPs; pay your own way) Come for the folding only, or stay for the whole afternoon. **Before you come** * **Register with Rainbow World Fund as well as RSVPing here.** The cathedral needs every volunteer on their list: **[https://bit.ly/WorldTreeofHopeVolunteerSignUp](https://bit.ly/WorldTreeofHopeVolunteerSignUp)** * Wear layers, because the cathedral is chilly inside and it gets cold on the hill after sunset. * Coming from the South Bay? Caltrain to SF, then Muni or a cable car up to Nob Hill. **How to enter the building from Nov. 1 to Nov. 28 at noon:** At this stage of the project, we will be working in a large room on the Cathedral’s ground level. Enter through the street/ground-level entrance on Taylor Street. At street level, next to the main steps leading up to the Cathedral, there are glass double doors (next to the underground parking garage entrance; see the picture above). Enter through these glass doors (they should be unlocked). Once inside, take the first left, walk through the doorway, and our room will be on the right. **If the doors are locked, please text or call Director Jeff, and we’ll come let you in.** **Why we do this** Each crane carries a written wish for the world. You’ll leave having helped build something thousands of people will see this December, and knowing a few more people than you did at noon. Can’t make the 7th? We’re back on the 14th, 21st and 28th. Each Saturday is a new group of people. \*\*\* **🌇 Nob Hill → Russian Hill Golden-Hour Walk (self-guided)** *About 1 mile, 1.5 hours. Steep in places. Start: Grace Cathedral steps, 3:15pm.* **How it works:** A different person reads each stop aloud. At every stop, switch walking partners so you walk the next stretch with someone you haven’t talked to yet. **Stop 1: Huntington Park** *(directly across Taylor St from the cathedral)* A small, formal park at the top of Nob Hill, with the tortoise fountain in the middle. 💬 *Form a circle, do group self intro.* **Stop 2: California & Mason** *(walk east along California, 1 block)* The Fairmont Hotel is on the south side. On the north side is the brownstone Pacific-Union Club, the old Flood Mansion and one of the few buildings on the hill that survived the 1906 fire. In the 1870s and 1880s, Nob Hill was where the railroad and silver-mine millionaires built their mansions. 💬 *What brought you to the Bay Area?* ☕ **Café stop (after the walk)** We’ll finish with coffee and conversation nearby. We’ll decide which café on the day based on the group’s size and mood: * **Another Cafe**, 1191 Pine St (at Leavenworth). A two-story café a couple of blocks from the cathedral with plenty of room for the group, coffee and sandwiches. * **Gallery Cafe**, 1200 Mason St. A cozy corner café across from the Cable Car Museum, where you can watch the cable cars go by. Good for a smaller group or anyone heading toward North Beach afterward. Stay as long as you like, or head out whenever you need to. **Bonus Stop: Ina Coolbrith Park** *(keep walking north on Mason to Vallejo, then climb the Vallejo St steps west)* This is the steep part, so take it slowly. At the top, face east toward Coit Tower, the Bay Bridge and Treasure Island. Sunset is around 5pm, so stay to watch the light change on the bay and the city lights come on. 💬 *What’s one thing you want to do before the year ends?* **Finish: North Beach** *(walk back down the Vallejo steps east to Columbus Ave)*. Anyone heading home can leave here. **Join [TownFlame](http://www.townflame.org/), Make Life Happen.** **Liability Waiver:** Participation in TownFlame events is voluntary and involves social interaction in public spaces. Activities are designed to be inclusive and respectful. Participants assume all risks and release TownFlame, its organizers, volunteers, and affiliates from liability for injury, illness, or damages, except in cases of gross negligence or intentional misconduct. By attending, participants acknowledge that photographs, audio, and video recordings may be taken during events, and grant TownFlame the right to use such media for promotional and marketing purposes, in any format or platform, without further consent or compensation.

NEW ZEALAND – 10 Days Highlights of North and South Islands

Marvel at the unrivaled views of the snow-capped mountains on the New Zealand Tour and indulge in the brilliance of the beautiful bioluminescence of glowworms at the Waitomo Glowworm Caves. Go bungee jumping at Queenstown and encounter the magnificent whales and dolphins at the waters of Kaikoura. Set out on the Hobbiton Movie Tour and go kayaking at the Bay OF Islands. Tour Start Auckland Tour End Christchurch Destination New Zealand Flights • Arrival: Day01 before 3pm (flexible time) • Return: Day10 anytime after breakfast (flexible time) FLY IN Airport: Auckland Airport (AKL) FLY OUT Airport: Presidente Christchurch International Airport (CHC) Meeting Point • The group meets at the arrival airport or at the hotel on Day01 • More details will be provided via group chat on WhatsApp Availability • Seat available till the booking is open! • Balance due 2 months before the tour departure date! Signup here:[https://www.bucketlistgrouptravel.com/tour/new-zealand-10-days-highlights-of-north-and-south-islands/](https://www.bucketlistgrouptravel.com/tour/new-zealand-10-days-highlights-of-north-and-south-islands/) Highlights Visited Places: • Auckland • Rotorua • Christchurch • Queenstown • Franz Josef Travel Experience: • Pacific Ocean and the Tasman Sea • Hobbiton • Glowworm Caves • Maori culture • Rotorua sightseeing tour • Milford Sound Nature Cruise • Walking / Hiking • Franz Josef Glacier area • TranzAlpine scenic train Itinerary Day01 Auckland Day02 ROTORUA HIGHLIGHTS Day03 Glowworm Caves - Hobbiton Day04 Auckland - Queenstown Day05 MT COOK & HOOKER VALLEY HIKE Day06 Milford Sound Nature Cruise Day07 QUEENSTOWN - FRANZ JOSEF Day08 FRANZ JOSEF Day09 TranzAlpine Scenic Train Day10 Christchurch Tour Cost: Trip (Double Occupancy) $3990 / person Trip (Single Occupancy) $4990 (Single) Inclusions Price Includes * Airport pickup and transfers * Breakfast @ Hotels – Note: tour starts early each day so you may request for a box to go breakfast at the hotel! * 9 nights of hotel accommodation * Guided day tours * One-way flight (Auckland – Christchurch) * Transportation in A/C bus / Van (shared) * Excursions and activities as per the itinerary * Milford Sound Nature Cruise * Tranz Alpine Scenic Train Price Excludes * International Flights * Meals (other than mentioned above) * Personal Expenses * Tips and gratuities * Transfers other than mentioned in the Itinerary (available at extra cost) * Travel insurance / Visa For detailed itinerary and to reserved your seat, please visit the link below:[ https://www.bucketlistgrouptravel.com/tour/new-zealand-10-days-highlights-of-north-and-south-islands/](https://www.bucketlistgrouptravel.com/tour/new-zealand-10-days-highlights-of-north-and-south-islands/) *** Questions? Text / Call / WhatsApp: 2023787696 - Himanshu - Organizer Judy - judyahughes@gmail.com