Virtual Tour of the Barbary Coast

Your Guide: Gloria Lenhart

We are pleased to announce our latest Online History Adventure. It’s a mobile SF history app developed by local walking tour guide Gloria Lenhart.  “Bohemians, Beats and the Barbary Coast” leads you on a virtual stroll through one of San Francisco’s oldest neighborhoods. You’ll follow the footsteps of Mark Twain, Emperor Norton, Jose Sarria (the Nightingale of Montgomery Street) and others who infused the Barbary Coast with bawdy fun and creative energy.

This tour begins at the SFHS Museum at 608 Commercial Street. There are 10 stops along the route. You’ll visit the Montgomery Block, the Belli Building, the Columbus Tower, and City Lights bookstore.  You’ll visit the Canessa Printing building, once home to the Black Cat Café, a gathering place for bohemian artists and one of the city’s first gay nightclubs.

Quizzes, audio recordings, a map of the route and street views of each stop via Google earth make this journey one you shouldn’t miss.  It’s free, it’s fun, and you can enjoy the tour from the comfort of your armchair. Note that you’ll need to take this tour on a mobile device.

You can find this adventure on the Apple or Google App Stores:

Please follow the links above from your device, or go to the respective App store and search for City Explorer San Francisco – install it, then download “Bohemians, Beats and the Barbary Coast.”

Alternately, scan the QR code below with a QR code reader on your smartphone. (You can download a free QR code reader on the App Store.)

We hope you enjoy the tour!

Team SFHS