North Beach Walking Tour San Francisco: Church Visit

Italian marble altar and sea lions from 150 feet up

A guided walking tour of North Beach in San Francisco takes you through the neighborhood's Italian heritage, Washington Square Park, Saints Peter and Paul Church, and Lombard Street's famous curves, ending with an included ticket to the SkyStar observation wheel for sweeping views of the bay. The tour runs 90 minutes with a live English-speaking guide. You can book the tour alone or add the SkyStar Wheel admission. A private version is also available if you prefer a smaller group.

Step-by-step itinerary

Stops and time spent at each

1. Saints Peter and Paul Church15m
2. Lombard Street10m
3. 13th Arrondissement15m

Explore North Beach and iconic landmarks

• Visit Washington Square Park
• Tour Saints Peter and Paul Church
• See local focaccia bakery
• View Lombard Street curves
• Visit Pier 39 sea lions
• Ride SkyStar observation wheel gondola

The experience

The tour starts in North Beach, the neighborhood that became San Francisco's "Little Italy" after waves of Italian immigration. Your guide walks you through Washington Square Park, the city's first public park, and explains how it served as temporary housing after the 1906 earthquake and fire. You'll see the vintage lampposts and Coit Tower in the distance, then step inside Saints Peter and Paul Church to see its Italian marble altar and hear the stories behind its celebrity connections. The church was where Joe DiMaggio and Marilyn Monroe were married.

Along the way, the guide shows you the neighborhood's colorful shops and bakeries, including a focaccia bakery that's been operating since 1911. You'll get an unexpected viewpoint of Lombard Street and learn why it was engineered with those tight curves in the early 1900s. The route ends at Pier 39, where sea lions bask on floating docks in the sun. Your guide explains why they gather here while you snap photos.

If you choose the option that includes the SkyStar Wheel ticket, you'll ride in a glass-enclosed gondola 150 feet above the city for sweeping views of San Francisco Bay and the surrounding skyline. The ticket is included with that option. The tour-only version skips this part. A private version keeps the group smaller if you prefer that setup.

What’s included

• Professional guide in English.
• guided walking tour of North Beach covering Washington Square Park, Saints Peter and Paul Church, Lombard Street, and Pier 39.
• SkyStar Wheel admission ticket if you choose that option at checkout.

Options for this experience

2 options

Group Tour OnlyGuide in English · Available from 20 Nov · 09:30Walking tour of North Beach, lasting 75 minutes, tour only

Private tour of North BeachGuide in English · 6 departure times: the first at 09:00, the last at 14:00

You'll see the exact price of each option when you check availability.See dates and prices

Before you book

Days and timesEvery day7 departure times: the first at 09:00, the last at 14:00

Book up toStart time

AgesAdult (12 and older) · Child (5 to 11 years) · Infant (under 5): free

GroupUp to 25

Live guideEnglish

Meeting point and pickupNo hotel pickup: you go to the meeting point. Ends at a different place from where it starts.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.

Prices and times updated today

Good to know

Low physical effortPets welcomePublic transport nearby

Operated by ExperienceFirst

Is this one for you?Book the tour-only version if you want the neighborhood walk and the stories without the observation wheel. Add the SkyStar Wheel ticket if you want the 150-foot views of the bay and skyline as the finale. Choose the private tour if your group prefers a smaller gathering than the standard group size.

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Top questions

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Child (5 to 11 years); Infant (under 5): free.

What is Saints Peter and Paul Church and why does it matter to North Beach?

Saints Peter and Paul Church is one of North Beach's most recognizable landmarks, built in the heart of the Italian neighborhood. The church has a notable connection to San Francisco's celebrity history: Joe DiMaggio and Marilyn Monroe were married there. Inside, you'll see its Italian marble altar and elegant interior.

Why is Lombard Street famous and what will I see on the tour?

Lombard Street is known for its famously crooked design, engineered with tight curves in the early 1900s to make the steep hill passable. The tour gives you an unexpected viewpoint of the street and its surrounding cityscape, and you'll learn the engineering story behind those curves.

What's included in the SkyStar Wheel option?

The SkyStar Wheel option includes a ticket to ride in a glass-enclosed gondola 150 feet above San Francisco. From there, you get sweeping views of the bay and the city skyline. If you book the tour-only option, you skip this part and the tour ends at Pier 39.

How long is the North Beach walking tour?

The tour runs 90 minutes and covers Washington Square Park, Saints Peter and Paul Church, a North Beach bakery, Lombard Street, and Pier 39. If you add the SkyStar Wheel ticket, the observation wheel ride is part of that time.

Will I see the sea lions at Pier 39?

Yes. Pier 39 is known for the sea lions who bask on floating docks in the sun. Your guide explains why they gather there, and you'll have time to snap photos of these animals.

Is this tour suitable for someone who isn't very fit?

The tour is suitable for all physical fitness levels. It's a walking tour through a neighborhood with some hills, but the pace is guided and the distance is covered over 90 minutes, so you move at a manageable speed.