San Francisco Ghost & True Crime Tour
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September 2026
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Who is going?
Adults
Age 13 and over
Children
Age 12 and under
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Free cancellation up to 24 hours before. Same price on Viator, Outty earns a commission.
Traveler rating
4.1/5
Based on 13 traveler reviews. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.
Quick answer
Is San Francisco Ghost & True Crime Tour worth booking?
San Francisco Ghost & True Crime Tour is a 3-hour experience in San Francisco, United States, from $60 per person. It scores 57 out of 100 on the Outty Ranking, which we label “Worth a Look”, based on a 4.1/5 rating across 13 reviews. Cancellation is free up to 24 hours before the start time. Same-day spots are currently showing.
- Outty Ranking
- 57 / 100
- Rating
- 4.1/5 (13)
- Duration
- 3 hours
- From
- $60 per person
On our Notorious SF: Ghost & Crime tour we visit the sites of Hollywood scandals, red light areas, opium dens, gang violence, Gold Rush era lynchings & kidnappings – & enjoy cocktails in one or two historic bars. We sta
What you get
About this experience
On our Notorious SF: Ghost & Crime tour we visit the sites of Hollywood scandals, red light areas, opium dens, gang violence, Gold Rush era lynchings & kidnappings – & enjoy cocktails in one or two historic bars. We start with the Fatty Arbuckle affair, the original sex scandal that changed the public's perception of celebrity forever (& lead to the 'morality clause' in contracts). Then we stroll down Maiden Lane, which is lined with designer shops now, but 100 years ago was the city's main red light district. After that we visit Chinatown, an area of opium dens and gambling hellholes in days gone by. Next you'll learn about Gold Rush era SF. Then we dive down to the Barbary Coast, with its brothels & dance halls, often used to Shanghai unwary sailors (which is where the term originated). We end the tour at the oldest bar in San Francisco, the Old Ship Saloon. Join our Notorious SF: Scandal & Crime tour & be haunted by these ghastly ghosts from San Francisco's past for weeks.
What's included
Included
- We donate $1 for every guest to a non-profit, Climate Cents.
- Tour Guide
Not included
- Gratuities not included, because voluntary. Please allow 15-20% if you enjoy the tour.
- Drinks are not included.
What you'll see and do
Westin St. Francis (hotel)
We begin the tour with the Fatty Arbuckle affair, Hollywood's first ever sex scandal (here in SF). It's not just a lurid story - it's effects are still felt today in many ways. If the hotel is open there's the option of having a drink in the very nice bar in the lobby.
20 minutes here
Union Square
Discover a scandalous story about the statue at the center of Union Square.
10 minutes here
Maiden Lane
Learn how this lane - which is now a beautiful pedestrian street, was once the heart of San Francisco's red light district.
15 minutes here
Chinatown
SF's Chinatown is the oldest in the U.S. and for many years the Chinese immigrants here were strongly discriminated against. Criminals also preyed on them - opium dens, gangs and murder were all prevalent here. Learn of some of the personalities and crimes as you walk the streets.
30 minutes here
Comstock Saloon
This is one of the oldest bars in San Francisco, dating back to when the neighborhood was known as the Barbary Coast. We usually take 10-15 minutes to get a drink - don't worry, you won't be shanghaied!
15 minutes here
Columbus Avenue
One of the few buildings not to burn down in the Great Fire were the Hotaling warehouses. Is that because the whiskey inside was too important to lose?
15 minutes here
Portsmouth Square
Learn how the Gold Rush made SF what it is today. In those early years it was the Wild West, murder, robbery, kidnapping - and lynchings - were commonplace in this neighborhood.
20 minutes here
Jackson Square
This neighborhood used to be called the Barbary Coast and there wasn't a more dangerous place in the world. Robbery, assault, shanghaiing - it all happened here (but not anymore, don't worry :-).
30 minutes here
This the oldest bar in San Francisco, built on top of a Gold Rush ship that was deserted by its crew back in 1849. It's the perfect place to end the tour.
10 minutes here
Where it starts and ends
Meeting point
San Francisco
The guide will be checking in guests the Northwest corner of Union Square - Powell and Post Streets - opposite the St Francis Hotel, from 15 minutes before the tour is due to begin. Be sure to allow extra time for traffic and finding parking. We CANNOT wait for latecomers, there are other guests.
Hotel pickup
No pickup: everyone meets at the start point.
Ends at
Tour ends outside this historic bar (the oldest continuously operating one in San Francisco). It's a 15 minute walk from the meeting point (around one mile distance).
Before you book
- Cancellation
- For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
- Languages
- en
- Ticket
- Mobile Only
- Runs on
- Sat
- Group size
- Up to 10 travelers per booking
- Operated by
- Real San Francisco Tours
Know before you go
- Service animals allowed
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
- Aim to get to the meeting point 10-15 minutes early. If you’re late you may miss the tour.
- Not recommended for children under 15 years old (adult content).
- By making a booking for this tour you agree to be bound by Real San Francisco Tours terms of service.
- We can go into two different bars for cocktails on this tour, each for 15 minutes. You do have to be over 21 y.o. to order an alcoholic drink – but you don’t have to be over 21 y.o. to do this tour.
- Please check dates/times carefully BEFORE making a booking.
- This is a walking tour and we move at a reasonable pace. Please book a private tour if you have mobility issues.
Photos
What travelers are saying
Outty’s summary of the themes that recur across 13 traveler reviews. Written by us, not quoted from reviewers.
Knowledge and storytelling
9 mentionsReviewers describe the commentary as informative rather than scripted.
The guide
6 mentionsTravelers single out the guide as the reason the experience works.
Traveler reviews
13 verified traveler reviews for San Francisco Ghost & True Crime Tour. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.
Fun
Jamie was a great tour guide full of great stories. We will definitely do more tours with Jamie! Highly recommend Jamie and can’t wait to do more tours with him
via Tripadvisor
This is not a ghost tour
We got a history lesson instead of a ghost/ crime tour. The guide was a fill in. He started the tour telling everyone he doesn’t believe in ghost. We did not follow the itinerary or have any breaks at the bars. I wish I had booked a different tour.
Response from the operator: We're really sorry that this guest didn't enjoy the tour, we always strive to make tours fun and interesting, it's why we do this. However there are a few inaccuracies in this review that we would like to correct. We don't know what the reviewer means by saying the guide was a fill in, since the guide does this tour regularly (and enjoys doing it). Guides aren't required to believe in ghosts in order to do the tour, people have different belief systems. What we love at Real San Francisco Tours are ghost STORIES, of which there are several very scary ones on this tour (and which the guide did tell the guests).The tour DID follow the usual itinerary and the guide asked the guests several times if they wanted to take a break in one of the historic bars that we pass, however the group declined. This guest could have told the guide that they wanted to stop and the tour would have done so. We'd really appreciate it if this guest could email us with more information about their experience, so that we can look into the issues in more detail. - Catalina
via Viator
Walking thru history
Jamie was our guide and he did a great job pacing the walking tour. The tour started at Union Square, looped around blocks and alleys, and ended up just south of China Town. There were great crime stories with a little bit of art, architecture, and history included. We heard about the Zodiac killer, Mark Twain, Diego Rivera, and Bruce Lee. We look forward to checking out other tours with Real San Francisco Tours and Jamie.
via Tripadvisor
Francisco Fun
Hands down the best walking tour I’ve ever been on! I don’t ordinarily take the time to leave a review, but I’ve found myself thinking about how much I enjoyed the tour many times over the last week. Not only did I learn a lot about San Francisco’s history, see far more than I expected, but I also I had a delightful time soaking in its beauty while in great company.
via Viator
Scam?
Unfortunately, I’ve had a horrible experience with this company. I was excited for this tour, but no one showed up. I was within the time frame, arrived at 6:02pm. The website clearly states that they will wait 5 minutes for late comers. Another group of 3 people showed up at 6:03pm. So, I hoped maybe the guide was just running late. Waited/looked around the whole area for 15-20min and no one was there. I did try to get a refund but they just fed me lies, saying someone was waiting there for 40min. They then said they would give me 25% off my next ticket! Why would I let them scam me out of more money? They could have at least offered another day for the tour. Honor what you say and if you made a mistake then own up to it!
Response from the operator: It's a shame this guest missed the tour, however as they state in this review, they were late for the tour. It doesn't say on our website that we wait 5 minutes for latecomers, it clearly states that if guests are late they may miss the tour and there are no refunds within 48 hours of the tour. We do try and wait at least 5 minutes for late-running guests, however that isn't always possible, hence why we emphasize to guests to be early. Once a tour has started it is very difficult to track down in a busy city like SF. It's the same as booking any other event - we have other guests, 90% of whom ARE on time and DO want to start the tour on schedule. Even so the guide waited for considerably longer than 5 minutes after the start time, but this guest never checked in. He wanted them to join it. We obviously want all of our guests to do the tour they booked. This guest didn't contact us to say that they were running late, which we could have potentially passed onto the guide, instead we first heard from them 10 days after their tour when they demanded a refund. It's important for all potential guests to understand that we're excited to do tours, it's why we organize them and why we have so many 5 star reviews on platforms such as Google and here on TripAdvisor, but we cannot take responsibility for guests getting to the meeting point on time, because it's totally out of our control. All guests need to do to have an amazing experience with us, is just to get to the meeting point before the tour starts (we recommend 15 minutes), and we'll take of all the rest.
via Tripadvisor
Good to know
- Duration
- 3 hours
- Free cancellation
- Up to 24h before
- Minimum age to book
- All ages
- Availability
- Bookable today
- Runs on
- Sat
- Hotel pickup
- No pickup, meet at start point
- Booked in 30 days
- 5
- Verdict
- Worth a Look
Why this scores 57
The Outty Ranking is a weighted composite. Here is how this experience performed on each component.
San Francisco Ghost & True Crime Tour: questions travelers ask
Practical detail on this experience, plus the wider planning questions for San Francisco.
How much does San Francisco Ghost & True Crime Tour cost?
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Prices start at $60 per person. The final price depends on the date, the time slot and the number of travelers, and peak weekends in San Francisco usually price higher than midweek mornings. Live pricing and remaining availability are confirmed on the booking screen before you pay.
How long does San Francisco Ghost & True Crime Tour take?
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Plan for about 3 hours from start to finish, not counting travel to the meeting point. Most travelers leave another 30 minutes on either side so the rest of the day in San Francisco is not rushed.
Is San Francisco Ghost & True Crime Tour worth it?
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It holds an Outty Ranking of 57 out of 100, which we label "Worth a Look". That score blends traveler sentiment (4.1/5 across 13 reviews), the depth of that review evidence, recent booking momentum, value for money against comparable last minute in San Francisco, and how flexible the cancellation terms are.
Can I cancel or reschedule San Francisco Ghost & True Crime Tour?
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Yes. Cancel free up to 24 hours before the start time for a full refund. Inside that window the booking is non-refundable, and no-shows are not refunded.
Is San Francisco Ghost & True Crime Tour suitable for kids and families?
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Yes, all ages are welcome. Families should still weigh the 3-hour running time, and strollers are easier on the earlier, quieter departures.
How far in advance should I book San Francisco Ghost & True Crime Tour?
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Around 5 people booked this in the last 30 days, so popular slots go early. Two to three weeks ahead is comfortable in shoulder season, while summer weekends and holidays in San Francisco can sell out a month out. Same-day spots do open up when other travelers cancel, so it is worth checking if you are already in town.
What should I bring or wear?
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Bring photo ID, your booking confirmation on your phone, a refillable water bottle and comfortable shoes. Dress for the weather in San Francisco and add a light layer if any part of the 3-hour experience runs outdoors or after sunset.
Where does San Francisco Ghost & True Crime Tour start and how do I get there?
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The exact meeting point and directions are on your voucher once you book, and they sit in central San Francisco within reach of public transport. Arrive 15 minutes early: late arrivals are treated as no-shows by most operators.
What are the best things to do in San Francisco?
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San Francisco packs Alcatraz, Muir Woods, Napa and the bay into day-trip range, which makes booking order matter more than anywhere else in the US. Alcatraz sells out weeks ahead, wine-country vans fill on weekends, and the best food walks in the Mission and Chinatown cap at a dozen people. Our ranking favours small groups and guides who live in the neighbourhood they walk. On Outty we rank every San Francisco experience on the same 0 to 100 scale, and alongside this one the highest scorers right now include Small Group Yosemite and Giant Sequoias Day Trip from San Francisco, Golden Gate Bridge Muir Woods Sausalito with Optional Alcatraz, Chinatown, North Beach, Little Italy: 7 Tastings & History. The city page groups everything into most popular, highest reviewed, last minute and family-friendly so you can build a day around what actually delivers.
When is the best time to visit San Francisco?
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September and October, the city's real summer, once the fog season breaks. Booking patterns follow the same curve: prices and queues climb in peak weeks, while shoulder season gives you better availability on the top-ranked experiences and more room to change plans.
How many days do you need in San Francisco?
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Three full days covers the headline sights without sprinting. A workable rhythm is one anchor experience each morning, such as this one, an unhurried afternoon in a single neighborhood, then a food or nightlife booking in the evening. Five days lets you add a day trip outside the city.
Do I book through Outty or through the operator?
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Outty ranks and explains the experiences, then hands you to Viator to complete the booking with the operator directly. The price is the same as booking on Viator yourself, and Outty earns an affiliate commission on the referral, which is how the rankings stay free to read.
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