Explore the history, lore and architecture of California with “everybody’s favorite guide.’’ Walks start from locations accessible by public transit and are repeated several times for your convenience. If you have any questions regarding the tours, please contact Kathy Jacobson at kjacobson@calhist.org or 415-357-1848 x229.

Receive free walkabout passes with select Membership Levels.

We have implented a new online ordering system. When you click on the "Reserve Online" button you will be redirected to our web store. All of Gary's tours can be found in our Event category. Please make sure you choose the correct member or nonmember tour.


June 26th, 27th, and 28th
Saratoga (Santa Clara County)

This distant corner of the Bay Area was named after the town in upstate New York for its similar topographical region, especially noting the flow of the creeks. During the California Gold Rush, Saratoga was a saw and grist mill area. Passing through several landowners in rapid succession, some of whom established health resorts, Saratoga became a settlement along Lumber Street, now renamed Big Basin Way. Perched at the edge of an extensive redwood forest, this remote village has now become a modern, progressive, affluent suburb. On this walk, we will stroll along Big Basin Way and ramble along the adjacent quiet country lanes. The most famous local resident was former San Francisco mayor James Duval Phelan, who built his grand Villa Montalvo estate just east of town. The most famous burial in the village’s Madronia Cemetery is Mary Ann Brown, widow of John Brown, the famous abolitionist of Harper’s Ferry, West Virginia fame. Walk and parking are easy.

August 7th, 8th, and 9th
Alta Plaza and Central Pacific Heights (San Francisco)
Alta Plaza sits high atop Pacific Heights ridge, overlooking much of the central part of San Francisco. Part of the fabled 1852 Western Addition of San Francisco, it was designated as a public square. On this former site of quarrying activity, as well as squatters, it was Superintendent of Parks John McLaren who designed and landscaped Alta Plaza, famous for its vistas and grand staircases. For this walk, we’ll look at the mansions of famous California families, such as the Irvines and Newhalls, all having views of the Golden Gate. Crossing over the ridgeline on Jackson Street, we’ll course our way through Alta Plaza and onto some of the adjacent streets, filled with beautiful Victorian homes from the 1870s and 1880s. Come along for a very special walk in a very special part of the City. Walk is easy and parking is challenging. The area is serviced by MUNI.

August 21st, 22nd, and 23rd
Willard Park (Berkeley)

This residential neighborhood was first established in the late 1880s to provide housing consistent with the values and architectural styles of the rising upper middle class who were settling in the Berkeley-Oakland area. Various architects, such as Julia Morgan, John Hudson Thomas, and Bernard Maybeck, and others embraced the concept of simple homes that were part of the sentiment of this epoch. On this walk south of the UC campus, we will find a great number of timeless homes set amidst mature landscaping and tree lined streets, and discover that even a century after the area was built, it is as desirable as ever. Walk and parking are easy.

Saturday, October 17th from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.
(Full day bus trip, meals not included)
New Almaden Quicksilver Mine (Santa Clara County)

Just 11 miles south of downtown San Jose are the remnants of the largest mercury producing mine in the western hemisphere. From discovery in the 1820s by Spanish pioneer Antonio Sunol on the lands of Jose Berreyesa, the Spanish and later Mexicans mined this area, which produced mercury until 1912. Named for the famous mining area of Almaden in southwestern Spain, many famous people were associated with this mine. On this one day coach trip we will explore the remains of the old mine, and the various buildings which once belonged to the mining company. These include the Casa Grande or mine manager’s home, landscaped by John McLaren. We’ll spend the better part of the day in this historic area, have lunch at a nearby restaurant, and stop by the historic Oak Hill Cemetery in San Jose en route back to San Francisco, to see the final resting place of many pioneer settlers of Santa Clara Valley, as well as several members of the famous Donner Party.