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 dueling site, a jail, a slot machine collection and a lighthouse.
Please note that many of the tours require reservations.
“Emperor Norton” and friends at the Cypress Lawn Walking Tour, 2016
Woodside: Folger Stable – Saturday, July 20 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.
Colma – Sunday, July 21 from 2 p.m. – 4 p.m.
Colma is celebrating its 100th anniversary of incorporation. It commissioned an outstanding public art mural that chronicles its history from Ramaytush Ohlone times to the present. Join the Colma Historical Association for a 45-minute presentation with PowerPoint by the artist Julie Engelmann sharing her research, details of the mural, and the process of painting it. You can check out her portfolio including Colma’s MURAL at www.artbyjul.com. The presentation is followed by light refreshments and an optional drive-by (your car) or walk-by tour of the mural.
RSVP: Required at 650.757.1676.
Difficulty Level: The Colma Community Center is ADA accessible. The in-person viewing of the mural can be done via a drive-by (in your car) or easy-moderate level walk-by on an incline.
Address: Colma Community Center, 1520 Hillside Blvd., Colma. Parking in lot and on street.
Menlo Park – Saturday, July 27 from 10 a.m. – 11:30 a.m.
Menlo Park Historical Association Historian Bo Crane will lead a mile-and-a-half tour which will cover the changing Menlo Park Allied Arts neighborhood that was mapped in 1892, but WILL NOT include a tour of Allied Arts itself. An 1885 barn and 1910 mansion are on the tour, while other houses are from the 1920s and 1930s.
RSVP: Required at 650.299.0104, ext. 220 or education@historysmc.org.
Difficulty Level: The mainly flat tour will almost exclusively use streets without sidewalks, characteristic of the neighborhood.
Address: Meet at the corner near Arbor Road & MIddle Ave, park along the curb in the upper 400 block (495, 485, 475, 450, 440, etc).
Daly City – Saturday, July 27 from 12 p.m. – 12:45 p.m.
Daly City History Guild Museum & Archive president Mark Weinberger will lead a tour of the famous but often overlooked Broderick-Terry Duel Site located in the tiny park of the same name situated near Lake Merced and on the San Francisco-Daly City border. The tour will take place within this small park which abuts the San Francisco Golf Club. Visitors will view a plaque, State Landmark Number 19, and granite shafts which tell of the notorious duel that took place on September 13, 1859. A story will unfold about how former CA Supreme Court Chief Justice David S. Terry mortally wounded U.S. Senator David C. Broderick in part over the issue of slavery. This is considered to have been the last duel in California history. After the tour concludes, participants are invited to visit the Daly City History Museum located a short distance away where light refreshments will be served. Tour will begin just outside the park entrance on El Portal Way. Street parking is plentiful.
RSVP: 650.299.0104, ext. 220 or education@historysmc.org
Difficulty Level: Easy. Gravel paths and short distance light walking.
Address: Park entrance near 80 El Portal Way (off Cliffside Drive), Daly City. Museum is located at 6351 Mission Street, Daly City.
Half Moon Bay – Saturday, July 27 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
Half Moon Bay: Burleigh H. Murray Ranch State Park – Sunday, July 28 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 here.
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 3 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: 650.299.0104, ext. 220 or education@historysmc.org
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 3 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).
Pacifica – Saturday, August 3 from 6:30 p.m. – 7:30 p.m.
Pacifica, a visitor-serving destination on the Peninsula since Portolá visited in 1769 which led to the European discovery of San Francisco Bay. See an original house built by the Ocean Shore Railroad as an example of summer resorts intended to expand recreation and business on the San Mateo County Coast. View an original building that provided respite for working girls from San Francisco. Hear the history of Sam’s Castle constructed as a haven after the San Francisco Earthquake of 1906. End the tour with a view that was enjoyed by the original inhabitants of Pacifica, the Ramaytush Ohlone tribe.
RSVP: Not required.
Difficulty Level: Easy. Flat elevation, mainly sidewalks.
Address: Meet at the Pacifica Coastside Museum, 1850 Francisco Blvd., Pacifica.
San Mateo – Sunday, August 4 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. Comfortable walking shoes are recommended.
RSVP: 650.299.0104, ext. 220 or education@historysmc.org
Difficulty Level: Easy.
Address: Meet at plaza in front of Century 12 San Mateo on B Street (movie theater address is 320 2nd Ave, San Mateo).
Burlingame – Sunday, August 4 from 1 p.m. – 2 p.m.
Join the Burlingame Historical Society as we explore Burlingame’s history hiding in plain sight! We will depart from the Burlingame Train Station as we walk to show historic spots right in (and near) the downtown area that you might have overlooked before! Where was the creek that flooded the train station every year? Where was the first city hall? The first movie house? Discover the answers on a one-mile walk. Limited shade; bring a hat and water
RSVP: Not required.
Difficulty Level: Easy. Mainly flat ground.
Address: Burlingame Train Station, 290 California Drive, Burlingame.
Colma: Cypress Lawn – Saturday, August 10 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 by the Archway at 1383 El Camino Real, Colma. 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: 1383 El Camino Real, Colma by the archway
South San Francisco – Saturday, August 10 from 1:30 p.m. – 3 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
Foster City – Sunday, August 11 from 10:30 a.m. – 12 p.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 fchistory1971@gmail.com. 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.
Pescadero: Pigeon Point Light Station – Saturday, August 17 from 11 a.m.-11:45 a.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 here.
Difficulty Level: Moderate. Ground is mainly flat, but uneven and it is not entirely paved.
Address: 210 Pigeon Point Road, Highway 1, Pescadero. Directions.
Redwood City: Historic Union Cemetery – Saturday, August 24 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 25 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 here.
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)
Pescadero – Sunday, August 25 from 1 p.m.-3 p.m.
Join local historian Greg Timm for a pleasant walk through historic Pescadero. Starting at the 1863 Knapp House, view some small exhibits and photographs on display. Then, the group will travel down Stage Road. The tour will include stops at the historic cemeteries Mount Hope and St. Anthony’s where you will be introduced to the “guests” and learn about their lives in Pescadero. Please bring sun hats, drinking water, and wear sensible shoes. To make the most out of the tour, please view the Greg Timm Pescadero Walking Tour on YouTube in advance to learn more about Pescadero in the days from buggy to automobile.
RSVP: Not required. For questions, email gctimm@yahoo.com or text 831.420.7880.
Difficulty Level: Moderate. Stage Road is flat, paved ground. Cemetery-side hill, ground uneven.
Address: Meet at the Knapp House, 80 Stage Road, Pescadero, south of the flagpole.
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