Victorian Days Walking Tours 2025

Complementing its Victorian Days at the Old Courthouse, the History Museum is coordinating FREE walking tours throughout the Peninsula this summer. From Daly City to Pigeon Point, visit cemeteries, museums, barns, stables, downtown sites, interesting residential areas, a historic railroad depot, a jail, a slot machine collection and a lighthouse.

Please note that many of the tours require reservations.

Tours and Dates

Foster City – Saturday, July 12 from 10:00 a.m. – 11:30 a.m.

The Foster City Historical Society is delighted to offer a very unique tour exploring Foster City by boat! The boat tour will explore local history via one of the famed lagoons.  Once aboard, we will travel first by Leo Ryan Park, view some of our famed islands and living places on them, see the Captain’s House, go by a couple of our historic bridges and see the pump station.

RSVP: Required at https://fostercitylife.org/boat-tour/. Space is limited, so make your reservations as soon as possible.

Difficulty Level: Medium. Boat is not ADA accessible. No restroom stops once boat tour starts.

Address: Meet at the Foster City Recreation Building, Waterfront area, 650 Shell Blvd.  Ample parking in the large parking lot that is located right at the waterfront area.

Daly City – Saturday, July 12 from 12 p.m. – 12:45 p.m.

Daly City History Guild Museum & Archive president Mark Weinberger will lead a tour of Top of the Hill, Original Daly City, visiting certain historic buildings, former businesses, commemorative plaques and more.  Some of the locations to be visited and discussed include:  site of the former John Donald Daly Dairy Ranch; 1905 Marchbank Building; remains of the John Daly rock quarry; historic 1936 Crocker Masonic Temple; site of the long-gone 1914 and later 1939 first two city halls; and the 1925 Our Lady of Perpetual Help Catholic Church, built on a section of the Daly quarry.  After the tour concludes, participants are invited back to visit and tour the Daly City History Museum where light refreshments will be served.

RSVP: 650.299.0104, ext. 220 or education@historysmc.org.

Difficulty: Easy to Moderate. ADA Accessible sidewalks, flat ground and some low hills.

Address: Daly City History Museum, 6351 Mission Street, Daly City.

San Mateo – Sunday, July 13 from 10 a.m. – 12 p.m.

Explore the fascinating architecture of San Mateo’s National Register eligible Downtown Historic District on a tour led by the San Mateo Heritage Alliance. Comprising 40 individual buildings, the historic district reflects important themes in the city’s growth and development, including architecture, city planning, social history, ethnic heritage and commerce. The district’s eclectic mix of styles includes Art Deco, Colonial, Classical and Greek Revival, Spanish Colonial, Mission and Tudor Revival.

RSVP: Required at tour@smheritage.org. Space is limited.

Difficulty: Easy. Flat ground, about one mile.  Comfortable walking shoes are recommended.

Address: Meet at plaza in front of Century 12 San Mateo on B Street (movie theater address is 320 2nd Ave, San Mateo.

South San Francisco – Saturday, July 19 from 10:30 a.m. – 12 p.m.

The South San Francisco Public Library History Room will host a walk down Grand Avenue, sharing architectural details about historic buildings and stories about the people who built the city at the turn of the century.  We will see the hotel that housed the earliest workers in the booming industrial town, the house that served as the City’s first hospital, and a dozen other historical sites. The tour begins at the library with a video about the city’s history. There is free parking behind the library; enter on Miller Avenue.

RSVP: Due to limited space, you must RSVP to 650.877.8533 or martinezev@plsinfo.org.
Difficulty Level: Moderate. Most is on a slight decline, 2 blocks are steeper.
Address: Grand Avenue Library, 306 Walnut Ave., South San Francisco.

Colma – Sunday, July 20 from 11 a.m. – 1 p.m.

Join us for a one-hour walk through the Japanese Cemetery. You will learn about its founding, the stories of some of its famous underground residents and monuments to honored groups, and the unique style of the cemetery. This will be followed by a brief walk or drive to the Colma Historical Museum and a light buffet at 1500 Hillside Blvd. (Easy parking on the street and at the museum’s parking lot.)

RSVP: cha@colmahistory.com or 650-757-1676 with your name, # of people, & contact number.

Difficulty Level: Easy. There are a few steps to enter the cemetery Columbarium.

Address: Japanese Cemetery entrance, 1300 Hillside Blvd., Colma (easy parking on street).

Pacifica – Saturday, July 26 from 12 p.m. – 1 p.m.

The Pacifica Historical Society will lead a historical walk of the Sharp Park district. Pacifica’s history includes the villages of the Ohlone people, the place where the Portola expedition camped, the coming of the Ocean Shore Railroad, speakeasies, rum runners, the building of a castle and a pier, historic homes, and stories of individuals who left enduring legacies on the coast. Find out how Pacifica became a city and how it got its name, and visit our museum after the walk, where refreshments will be served.

RSVP: Required at info@pacificahistory.org or a message at 650-355-1909.

Difficulty: Easy. ADA accessible sidewalks.

Address: Meet at the Pacifica Coastside Museum, 1850 Francisco Blvd., Pacifica.

Half Moon Bay: Burleigh H. Murray Ranch State Park – Sunday, July 27 from 10 a.m. – 12 p.m.

Join us on a leisurely two and a half mile, two-hour hike along Mills Creek at Burleigh H. Murray Ranch State Park.  Enjoy one of our area’s hidden treasures as you learn about the lives of the first pioneers and farming families.

RSVP: Required at https://bit.ly/4caShHi.

Difficulty Level: Moderate. Mostly flat, unpaved dirt road.

Address: Burleigh H. Murray Ranch State Park, Half Moon Bay (Murray Ranch Access Road off of Higgins Canyon Road).

San Bruno – Saturday, August 2 from 10 a.m. – 12 p.m.

Join San Mateo County Historical Association President Mitch Postel in an exploration of San Bruno’s historic business district. Starting at the intersection of San Mateo Avenue and El Camino, the walk down San Mateo Avenue includes the original EIMAC building where vacuum tubes were produced for broadcast and radar transmitters during World War II. The tour will feature a stop at the Welch Family’s private slot machine collection, a rare treat in itself.

RSVP: Not required.
Difficulty Level: Easy. Note the private slot machine collection is not ADA accessible.
Address: Intersection of San Mateo Avenue and El Camino Real (in front of apartments at 400 San Mateo Avenue)

Woodside – Saturday, August 2 from 1 p.m. – 3 p.m.

Tour the Woodside Town Center with Woodside History Committee members. Starting at the Woodside Community Museum, view important Woodside commercial district buildings including Independence Hall and the Pioneer Saloon. The tour lasts about 30 minutes. Tours will be offered from 1 p.m. – 3 p.m.

RSVP: Not required.

Difficulty Level: Easy. Sidewalks and parking lots, slight slope.

Address: Woodside Community Museum, 2961 Woodside Road (behind Village Pub).

Woodside: Folger Stable – Sunday, August 3 at 10 a.m. 

Tour the Folger Estate Stable Historic District at Wunderlich Park. Learn about the history of the main stable, Carriage House, Chinese built stone walls, the blacksmith barn and dairy house. Take a trip back in time to learn about the agricultural uses of the property, the development of the Folger Coffee Company, the architectural legacy of the estate, and the influence of horses to the American West and Woodside history.

RSVP: Not required.

Difficulty Level: Moderate. The tour is mostly on flat pavement, bricks or cobblestones, there will be portions on uneven terrain and a couple of short hills. The route will be modified based on the group. For questions, contact fhwp2961@gmail.com.

Address: Wunderlich County Park, 4040 Woodside Road, Woodside. Parking is limited. Meet at the picnic area adjacent to the parking lot.

Burlingame – Sunday, August 3 from 1 p.m. – 2 p.m.

Join the Burlingame Historical Society as we explore Tales from Auto Row. Led by a long-time Burlingame Auto Row salesman and classic car enthusiast, the tour will visit several of the earliest Auto Row locations in Burlingame. Discover the history attached to these gorgeous buildings and see how they have transformed over time.

RSVP: Not required.

Difficulty Level: Easy.

Address: Burlingame Train Station, 290 California Drive, Burlingame.

Half Moon Bay – Sunday, August 10 from 2 p.m. – 3 p.m.

Join us outside the Coastside History Museum in front of the old County Jail at 505 Johnston St. for a docent-led walking tour of historic buildings along Half Moon Bay’s Main Street. Then at your leisure tour the free admission, old County Jail and new Coastside History Museum inside the old vehicle barn, where docents are ready to guide you through the exhibits.  Please contact hmbhamary@gmail.com for more information.

RSVP: 650.299.0104, ext. 220 or education@historysmc.org.

Difficulty Level: Easy, ADA accessible.

Address: Coastside History Museum, 505 Johnston St., Half Moon Bay

Colma: Cypress Lawn – Saturday, August 16 from 11 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.

Join us for a captivating docent-led Historical Trolley Tour through our beautiful grounds. Step back in time as you learn about the pioneers laid to rest at Cypress Lawn Memorial Park. You are welcome to enhance the experience by donning your finest Victorian attire, though it’s not a requirement. The tour will commence at 1370 El Camino Real in Colma, across from the archway. Light lunch after the tour. As the trolley is limited to 24, RSVPs are required.

RSVP: Required at 650.299.0104, ext. 220 or education@historysmc.org
Difficulty Level: Easy. Trolley not wheelchair accessible.
Address: 1370 El Camino Real, Colma – across the street from the archway

Pescadero: Pigeon Point Light Station – Saturday, August 16 from 2 – 2:45 p.m.

Celebrate International Lighthouse Weekend on a walking tour of the historic grounds of Pigeon Point Light Station. Meet in front of the first hostel. Hear tales of whalers, bootleggers, shipwrecks, the building of the lighthouse, the “Wickies” and their families, and the anticipated restoration of the tower (currently closed to the public). Visit the Fog Signal Building to view the magnificent First Order Fresnel lens and explore the exhibits. Stay after the tour and enjoy Lighthouse Day activities.

RSVP: Required at http://bit.ly/4n3PKFR.

Difficulty Level: Moderate. Ground is mainly flat, but uneven and it is not entirely paved.

Address: 210 Pigeon Point Road, Pescadero. Meet at the tour sign in front of first hostel cottage.

Redwood City: Historic Union Cemetery – Saturday, August 23 from 10 a.m. – 11:30 a.m.

Historic Union Cemetery Association Board members will lead a tour starting at the kiosk near the entrance at 316 Woodside Road, Redwood City. The Historic Union Cemetery first opened in 1859 on a six-acre triangle of land just outside of downtown Redwood City.  With a little over 2,400 graves, many contain San Mateo County founding families and pioneers. Closed in 1918, the cemetery was named a California Historic landmark in 1967 and was placed on the National Register of Historic places in 1983.

RSVP: Not required.

Difficulty Level: Easy.

Address: 316 Woodside Road, Redwood City.

Half Moon Bay: Burleigh H. Murray Ranch State Park – Sunday, August 24 from 10 a.m. – 12 p.m.

Join us on a leisurely two and a half mile, two-hour hike along Mills Creek at Burleigh H. Murray Ranch State Park.  Enjoy one of our area’s hidden treasures as you learn about the lives of the first pioneers and farming families.

RSVP: Required at https://bit.ly/4caShHi.

Difficulty Level: Moderate. Mostly flat, unpaved dirt road.

Address: Burleigh H. Murray Ranch State Park, Half Moon Bay (Murray Ranch Access Road off of Higgins Canyon Road)

San Mateo: St. John’s Cemetery Tour, Sunday, August 24, 12:30 p.m. – 1:45 p.m.

Join members of the Board of Directors and staff on a fascinating walking tour through the historic grounds of St. John’s Cemetery (est. 1885) as you learn about the early founders and leading citizens of San Mateo, Burlingame and Hillsborough. Visit two of the largest and oldest family funerary monuments in Northern California, the Parrott Mortuary Chapel and the Bowie Mausoleum. Light refreshments following.

R.S.V.P Required: 650.299.0104, ext. 220 or education@historysmc.org. Limited to 25 guests.

Difficulty Level: Easy, mostly paved pathways with some walking on uneven turf.  Shade is at a premium.

Address:  910 Oregon Avenue (X street Yale) San Mateo.  Limited on-site parking.

Pacifica – Saturday, August 30 from 12 p.m. – 1 p.m.

The Pacifica Historical Society will lead a historical walk of the Sharp Park district. Pacifica’s history includes the villages of the Ohlone people, the place where the Portola expedition camped, the coming of the Ocean Shore Railroad, speakeasies, rum runners, the building of a castle and a pier, historic homes, and stories of individuals who left enduring legacies on the coast. Find out how Pacifica became a city and how it got its name, and visit our museum after the walk, where refreshments will be served.

RSVP: Required at info@pacificahistory.org or a message at 650-355-1909.

Difficulty: Easy. ADA accessible sidewalks.

Address: Meet at the Pacifica Coastside Museum, 1850 Francisco Blvd., Pacifica.

Foster City – Sunday, August 31 from 10:00 a.m. – 11:30 a.m.

The Foster City Historical Society is delighted to offer a very unique tour exploring Foster City by boat! The boat tour will explore local history via one of the famed lagoons.  Once aboard, we will travel first by Leo Ryan Park, view some of our famed islands and living places on them, see the Captain’s House, go by a couple of our historic bridges and see the pump station.

RSVP: Required at https://fostercitylife.org/boat-tour/. Space is limited, so make your reservations as soon as possible.

Difficulty Level: Medium. Boat is not ADA accessible. No restroom stops once boat tour starts.

Address: Meet at the Foster City Recreation Building, Waterfront area, 650 Shell Blvd.  Ample parking in the large parking lot that is located right at the waterfront area.