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 8 from 10 a.m. – 11 a.m.
Starting at the picnic tables near the parking lot, tour the Folger Estate Stable Historic District at Wunderlich Park (4040 Woodside Road, Woodside). 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, the influence of horses to the American West and Woodside history. This year the tour will feature the Dairy House built in 1874 that is currently in disrepair but planned for restoration. Parking is extremely limited on this site.
RSVP: Not required.
Difficulty Level: Moderate. Most surfaces are paved and even, some bricks/pavers, one steep segment. For questions, contact fhwp2961@gmail.com.
Address: Wunderlich County Park, 4040 Woodside Road, Woodside
Daly City – Saturday, July 15 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.
Millbrae – Sunday, July 16 at 12 p.m. – 2:30 p.m.
Join Millbrae Historical Society member Joe Teresi on a walking tour of historic sites of Millbrae as part of the City of Millbrae’s 75th Anniversary Celebration. The 2.2-mile looped walk will feature stops to view and discuss the oldest house in Millbrae and the historic Millbrae Southern Pacific Railroad Depot. Following the walk, watch an historic film about Millbrae in the Recreation Center at 477 Lincoln Circle (2:30 p.m.-3:30 p.m.). Meet for the walk at the Millbrae History Museum (open Saturdays 12- 4 pm) at 420 Poplar Avenue, Millbrae. RSVP requested.
RSVP and information: Joe at 650.455.4887
Difficulty Level: Easy (city sidewalks with moderate slopes)
Address: 420 Poplar Avenue, Millbrae.
Redwood City: Historic Union Cemetery – Saturday, July 22 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: 650.299.0104, ext. 220 or education@historysmc.org
Difficulty Level: Easy. Flat, dirt paths.
Address: 316 Woodside Road, Redwood City
Half Moon Bay – Sunday, July 23 from 1 p.m. – 2 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
Menlo Park – Saturday, July 29 at 10 a.m.
Menlo Park Historical Association Historian Bo Crane will lead a Victorian Days Tour of Menlo Park that is free and open to the public. The mile-and-a-half tour will cover eight Victorian residences built between 1892 and 1905 plus an 1869 mansion. Please be at the Caltrain Station, 1120 Merrill St., at 10:00 a.m. ready to walk. Bring water and sun protection. Questions can be directed to mphistorical@yahoo.com.
RSVP: Not required.
Difficulty Level: Easy, mainly flat, public sidewalks.
Address: Caltrain Station, 1120 Merrill St.
Pigeon Point – Saturday, August 5 from 10 a.m. – 10:45 a.m.
Celebrate National Lighthouse Day on a walking tour of the historic grounds of Pigeon Point Light Station. Meet at the picnic area. 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 National Lighthouse Day activities onsite.
RSVP required: Register online.
Difficulty Level: Moderate. Ground is mainly flat, but uneven and it is not entirely paved.
Address: 210 Pigeon Point Road, Highway 1, Pescadero. Directions.
Colma: Cypress Lawn – Saturday, August 5 from 2 p.m. – 3:30 p.m.
A docent-led trolley excursion will be presented around a beautiful arboretum and outdoor museum of mausoleums and memorials to the famous pioneers of San Francisco and California. Victorian outfits are encouraged, but not required. Meet at 1383 El Camino Real El Camino Real by the archway. Refreshments to follow the tour. As the trolley is limited to 24, RSVPs are required.
RSVP: 650.299.0104, ext. 220 or education@historysmc.org
Difficulty Level: Easy. Trolley not wheelchair accessible.
Address: 1383 El Camino Real by the archway
San Mateo – Sunday, August 6 from 10 a.m. – 12 p.m.
Explore the fascinating architecture of San Mateo’s National Register eligible Downtown Historic District. 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. Tour begins in the plaza in front of the Century 12 San Mateo movie theater on B Street, one block from the downtown Caltrain station. Comfortable shoes are recommended.
RSVP: 650.299.0104, ext. 220 or education@historysmc.org
Difficulty Level: Easy. ADA accessible.
Address: Plaza in front of Century 12 San Mateo on B Street (movie theater address is 320 2nd Ave, San Mateo)
Burlingame – Sunday, August 6 from 1 p.m. – 2 p.m.
Join the Burlingame Historical Society as we share with you the history of the quaint English village known as Willborough, in Burlingame. Bring water and a hat. The tour begins at the corner of Palm and Willborough Road.
RSVP: Not required.
Difficulty Level: Easy, flat walk on street and sidewalk.
Location: Meet at the corner of Palm and Willborough Road. Recommend parking on California or Palm Drive.
South San Francisco – Saturday, August 12 from 10:15 a.m. – 11:45 a.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. This tour will also be held in Spanish at 11 a.m.
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
San Bruno – Sunday, August 13 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 19 – 1 p.m. – 3 p.m.
Tour the Woodside Town Center with Woodside History Committee members. Starting at the Woodside Community Museum, the tour lasts about 30 minutes. Tours will be offered from 1 p.m. – 3 p .m.
RSVP: Not required
Difficulty Level: Relatively Easy.
Location: Woodside Community Museum, 2961 Woodside Road, Woodside
Pescadero – Sunday, August 27 at 1 p.m.
This year, Greg Timm, Pescadero historian, will lead a walking tour through the town of Pescadero. He will focus on the buildings that still are standing in the town, but also talk about the native population and the rancho of Juan Jose Gonzales, which occupied the Pescadero Valley. Before the tour, watch Greg’s Pescadero walking tour video for some great old photos with narrative leading you through the town, from buggy to automobile. We will gather for the tour in front of the Timm’s own historic 1863 vernacular Revival home at the southern end of Stage Rd. Questions are encouraged. Sensible shoes, sun hats and water are encouraged.
RSVP: 650.299.0104, ext. 220 or education@historysmc.org
Difficulty Level: Easy. Flat, paved ground.
Address: 80 Stage Road, Pescadero
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