Lower Nob Hill Neon Walking Tour

Friday 12/20 | Register
5:00 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 sometimes called the Tender Nob because it is situated below Nob Hill mansions and above the Tenderloin District. Discover these beautiful signs perched above local watering holes, small hotels, corner stores, beautiful garages, and old-school eateries. Tour led by SF Neon founders Al Barna and Randall Ann Homan featuring neighborhood history with architectural/design insights. Be prepared to walk for approximately 1.5 hours, 1 block uphill.

Cow Hollow Neon Walking Tour

Sat 1/4 | Register
5:15 pm

Wander between Lombard and Chestnut Streets and discover vintage neon signs for motels, movie theaters, donuts, and a diving lady. Spend an evening under the neon glow with SF Neon authors and photographers Al Barna and Randall Ann Homan. This twilight tour feature local history with architectural and graphic design insights to San Francisco’s unique legacy of surviving neon signs. Photography and a lively Q&A are encouraged. Be prepared to walk 1.5 hours, with rest stops.

Downtown Neon Walking Tour

Thu 1/9 | Register
5:00 pm

This tour has hidden neon gems that still light up the night, reminding us when San Francisco’s nightlife was ablaze with neon. The Downtown neon tour includes several neighborhoods from Front Street, the Palace Hotel, and Union Square back streets. Spend an evening under the neon glow with San Francisco Neon authors and photographers Al Barna and Randall Ann Homan. Tours feature local history with architectural and graphic design insights to San Francisco’s unique legacy of surviving neon signs. Be prepared to walk for 1.5 hours with rest stops. Photography and a lively Q&A are encouraged.

Roxie-Mission Neon Walking Tour

Sat 1/25 | Register
5:15 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 San Francisco Neon historians Al Barna and Randall Ann Homan. 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. We start at the New Mission Theater and end at the Roxie Theater. Be prepared to walk for 1.5 hours with rest stops. Photography and a lively Q&A encouraged.

Chinatown Neon Walking Tour

Sat 2/8 | Register
4:45 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 and includes neighborhood history with architectural/design insights. Be prepared to walk for approximately 1.5 hours, with rest stops.

North Beach Neon Walking Tour

Check back Spring 2025

Alameda Neon Walking Tour

Check back Spring 2025

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. This hour and 15 minute tour is hosted by Alameda’s local historian, Devi L. Dahl. Space is limited so book early.Photography and a lively Q&A are encouraged.