Article Source: County of San Mateo - CA
FREE Historic Walking Tours Throughout San Mateo County This Summer
Complementing
its Victorian Days at the Old Courthouse, the San Mateo County History
Museum is offering FREE walking tours throughout the Peninsula this
summer. From Daly City to Pigeon Point, visit cemeteries, museums,
stables, downtown sites, interesting residential areas, a historic
railroad depot, a jail, a slot machine collection and a lighthouse.
Victorian
Days is also a FREE event and features family activities that inform
youngsters about life in the nineteenth century. It takes place from 10 a.m. – 2 p.m. on Saturday, August 9.
Below is a list of the walking tours as of June 11, 2025. Please note, many of the tours require reservations.
Victorian Days Walking Tours 2025
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.
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.
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.
Difficulty: Easy. Flat ground, about one mile. Comfortable walking shoes are recommended.
Address: Provided upon registration.
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.)
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).
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.
Difficulty: Easy. ADA accessible sidewalks.
Address: 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.
Difficulty Level: Moderate. Mostly flat, unpaved dirt 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).
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).
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.
Difficulty Level: Easy, ADA accessible.
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 by the Archway at 1383 El Camino
Real, Colma. Light refreshments 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.
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.
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.
Difficulty Level: Moderate. Mostly flat, unpaved dirt road.
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.
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.
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.
Difficulty: Easy. ADA accessible sidewalks.
Address: 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.
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.
For More Information Contact:
Mitch Postel
San Mateo County History Museum
650.299.0104
Riechel
Reports - Events
- City
of San Bruno CA