San Francisco's Barbary Past: A Self-Guided Audio Tour

This self-guided GPS audio tour takes you on a meander through a beautifully preserved corner of San Francisco. Through North Beach, the home of the beats, punks and jazz to Jackson Square where Gold

This self-guided GPS audio tour takes you on a meander through a beautifully preserved corner of San Francisco. Through North Beach, the home of the beats, punks and jazz to Jackson Square where Gold Miners came to weigh gold, carouse and sleep. The route begins at the corner of Columbus and Broadway. The intersection may be reached by taking BART to Montgomery Street and walking east on Montgomery, or by MUNI bus. Taking this tour in the daytime is lovely because of the bay views, but the evening is also magical. The cafes are bustling and the bookstores and bars offer both ticketed and free jazz, poetry readings and other entertainment. Along the way you can stop at City Lights Books, Cafe Vesuvio, The Beat Museum, Neibaum Coppola, Cafe Pucchini and Stella Bakery. The tour is ready whenever you are and the audio plays automatically at exactly the right time and place using your smartphone's GPS and the VoiceMap mobile app, which also works offline.

From: $0.00

Location: San Francisco

What's Included

Lifetime access to San Francisco's Glowing Literary Lights tour
VoiceMap Application
Offline access to audio, maps, and geodata
Flexibility to explore at your own pace with a self-guided GPS tour
Directions to the starting point so that when you’re in the right place, the tour will start

Community Discussion

Q&A

Q: Is there an age limit for doing this audio tour? Would a 12-year-old enjoy it?

A: There's no strict age limit for the Barbary Past tour. It's really about the kid's interest. Most of the narrative might go over a younger person's head, but if they're into history or literature, they could enjoy it! Some stops like City Lights Books might spark their interest too, especially with all the cool stories and local culture.

Q: What happens if the weather is bad on the day I want to do the tour?

A: The great thing about this tour is that you can choose when to do it! If the weather's bad, just reschedule for a day with nicer weather. Also, since it's self-guided, you can duck into cafes or shops along the way if it rains. Just keep an eye on the forecast!

Q: How does the GPS audio actually work? Is it easy to use?

A: The GPS feature is super user-friendly! Once you're at the starting point, the audio starts playing automatically as you walk along the route. Just make sure you have the VoiceMap app downloaded and your phone's GPS turned on. If you lose signal, the tour works offline too, which is a lifesaver.

Discussions

Considering the Barbary Past audio tour as a gift, any thoughts?

I’m thinking of getting this self-guided audio tour for my sister’s birthday. She loves history and the beats era! I read that the tour goes through North Beach and Jackson Square, which are both so iconic. I wonder if it’s something she can do with her friends too? Any tips on the best times to go?

Just finished the Barbary Past tour—what an experience!

OMG, I just did the Barbary Past tour last weekend, and it was amazing! The audio guided me right through all the cool spots in North Beach. I stopped at City Lights and even caught a poetry reading! The GPS worked like a charm. Highly recommend it for anyone who’s looking for a unique way to explore San Francisco!