Roxie-Mission Neon Walking Tour

Thu 4/10 | Register
7:15 pm

The Mission District of San Francisco has an a rich collection of neon and legacy businesses: from bars and barbershops to grocery stores and cinema treasures. Take a twilight tour with SF Neon’s Al Barna. This tour features eclectic local history with architectural and graphic design insights to San Francisco’s unique legacy of surviving neon signs. It is a treasure hunt to discover these beautiful signs in the heart of this vibrant neighborhood. Be prepared to walk for 1.5 hours with rest stops. Photography encouraged.

Lower Nob Hill Neon Walking Tour

Wed 4/16 | Register
7:15 pm

From gritty to glittery, zig zag through the historic corridors of Post, Sutter, and Bush Streets; vintage neon glows all along the way. This tour wanders through the residential neighborhood between Nob Hill and the Tenderloin District. Discover unique storefronts and signs perched above local watering holes, small hotels, corner stores, beautiful garages, and jazz clubs. Photography encouraged. Tour lead by Al Barna and features eclectic neighborhood history with architectural/design insights. Be prepared to walk for approximately 1.5 hours, 2 blocks uphill. 

Alameda Neon Walking Tour

Sun 4/13 | Register
7:00 pm

This tour route winds through a quiet bungalow neighborhood and the commercial corridors of Alameda, architecture insights and historical backstories included. From the grandeur of the Alameda Theater neon blade sign to the nearly invisible Pop Inn, downtown Alameda boasts a fine collection of vintage signs. Photography encouraged. This tour is hosted by SF Neon’s Al Barna and Randall Homan. Be prepared for a flat walk for an 1 hour and 15 minutes, with rest stops.

North Beach Neon Walking Tour

Wed 5/1 | Register
7:15 pm

North Beach has an impressive array of classic watering holes, bakeries, cafes, and restaurants in a neighborhood that is famous for vintage neon and bohemian history. It is a treasure hunt to discover these beautiful signs hidden in plain sight. Take a twilight tour with San Francisco Neon founders Al Barna and Randall Ann Homan. Tour feature local history with architectural and graphic design insights to San Francisco’s unique legacy of surviving neon signs. Be prepared to walk uphill and flats for 1.5 hours with rest stops. Tour begins on Broadway and ends near Washington Square.

Chinatown Neon Walking Tour

Sat 5/3 | Register 7:00 pm

Walk with us to find forgotten vintage neon signs in the streets of Chinatown, back alleys and backstories are included. It is a treasure hunt to discover these beautiful signs hidden in plain sight. We save the best for last: the glowing signs are at the end of the tour at twilight. Tour led by SF Neon founders Al Barna and Randall Ann Homan with neighborhood history and architectural/graphic design insights to the legacy of vintage neon signs, each one made by hand. Be prepared to walk for 1.5 hours, with rest stops.

99 PERCENT INVISIBLE

Listen to “Tube Benders”, a deep dive into the topic of neon signs, featuring John Law, Shawna Peterson, and SF Neon. Produced by Avery Trufleman of 99% Invisible, a KALW NPR radio show on architecture and design.

MUNI DIARIES

Listen to an illuminating story told by SF Neon authors Al Barna and Randall Ann Homan “SF Neon tells the story of the giant neon dancing leg of Mason Street.” Produced by the MuniDiaries.com, This is a San Francisco neon mystery that remains unsolved!

Visit our online neon bookstore for a list of books published by Giant Orange Press, the publishing arm of SF Neon and Neon Speaks Festival and Symposium. Fast U.S. shipping. Contact us for international orders and bookstore orders.

SF Neon T-shirts: Limited Editions

Each year for Neon Speaks we design a new limited edition t-shirt.
High quality printing, 100% cotton.
We still have a few different designs, while they last.