Gold Rush Women: Untold Stories of San Francisco’s Trailblazing Pioneers

Schedule

Wed Dec 03 2025 at 02:00 pm to 04:00 pm

UTC-08:00

Location

Saints Peter and Paul Church | San Francisco, CA

Step into San Francisco’s Wild Gold Rush Era—Through the Eyes of the Women Who Made History.
About this Event

🌟 Midweek Trailblazer Rate — Just $29.95! 🌟

Book by October 31, 2025 to save on all Wednesday & Thursday tours August 6, 2025 through March 30, 2026


🚶‍♀️ Walk through Gold Rush history—from a woman’s point of view.Join Go Roam Tours for a bold, inclusive walking tour uncovering the powerful women and gender-nonconforming people who shaped early San Francisco but were left out of the textbooks.

From brothel madams to suffragettes to artists to entrepreneurs, “Gold Rush Women” reveals the untold stories of women who defied the odds and redefined the West.

More About the Tour:

Uncover the untold stories of the bold, brilliant, and scandalous women who helped shape San Francisco during the Gold Rush. From entrepreneurs and entertainers to outlaws and activists, this walking tour explores the city’s vibrant past through the fierce women who defied the odds—and left their mark.

On this 2-hour guided walking tour through North Beach, Chinatown, and the Financial District, you’ll discover:

· Mary Ellen Pleasant, a Black businesswoman, abolitionist, and self-made millionaire known as the "Mother of Civil Rights in California."

· Ah Toy, San Francisco’s first Chinese madam who took on the courts—and won.

· Lola Montez, scandalous performer, political influencer, and global celebrity.

· Juana Briones, entrepreneur, healer, and early Californio landowner.

· The hidden lives of women pioneers, sex workers, suffragists, and unsung heroines who risked everything for fortune, freedom, or fame.

👣 This walking tour brings history to life in the streets where it happened—perfect for history buffs, culture seekers, and anyone curious about the powerful women of the past.

📍 Location: Starts in San Francisco’s historic Jackson Square

🚶‍♀️Walking distance: ~1 mile

🎟️ Tickets: $34.95 | Discounts for students, seniors, and youth

🗓️ Offered: Thursdays–Sundays

💡 This tour reclaims women’s and gender-expansive history—one city block at a time. Book your spot and walk in the footsteps of the fearless.

Perfect for: Solo travelers, history lovers, LGBTQIA people, feminist locals and visitors, and anyone curious about women's and gender-expansive people's history.


About Your Tour Guide:

Throughout the tour, your guide—Heather Cassell, award-winning feminist journalist and publisher and San Francisco Bay Area native—shares the story of women who shaped San Francisco from its days as Yerba Buena to the mad rush for gold to the club era and suffrage movement during the Gilded Age.

Whether you're a visitor, a longtime local, or exploring your own place in the women’s movement, this tour offers a toast to the people, places, and movements that built San Francisco—and continue to shape its future.

Where is it happening?

Saints Peter and Paul Church, 666 Filbert Street, San Francisco, United States
Tickets

USD 0.00 to USD 33.80

Icon
Know what’s Happening Next — before everyone else does.
Go Roam Tours

Host or Publisher Go Roam Tours

Ask AI if this event suits you:

Discover More Events in San Francisco

Bay Area Excursion:  High Tea & "Into the Woods"
Wed, 03 Dec at 10:15 am Bay Area Excursion: High Tea & "Into the Woods"

San Francisco Playhouse

ENTERTAINMENT MUSIC
Parking North Alabama Lions at San Francisco Dons Mens Basketball
Wed, 03 Dec at 11:30 am Parking North Alabama Lions at San Francisco Dons Mens Basketball

War Memorial At The Sobrato Center

North Alabama Lions at San Francisco Dons Mens Basketball
Wed, 03 Dec at 11:30 am North Alabama Lions at San Francisco Dons Mens Basketball

War Memorial At The Sobrato Center

TRIPS-ADVENTURES
December 2025 Dental Center Tour
Wed, 03 Dec at 01:30 pm December 2025 Dental Center Tour

UCSF Dental Center

Lola Young
Wed, 03 Dec at 04:00 pm Lola Young

Bill Graham Civic Auditorium

CONTESTS TRIPS-ADVENTURES
Sydney Rose
Wed, 03 Dec at 04:00 pm Sydney Rose

The Independent

TRIPS-ADVENTURES
The Golden Girls Live: The Christmas Episodes
Wed, 03 Dec at 04:00 pm The Golden Girls Live: The Christmas Episodes

Curran Theatre

ART THEATRE
Lisa Fischer
Wed, 03 Dec Lisa Fischer

SFJAZZ Center - Miner Auditorium

TRIPS-ADVENTURES
SF Ghost Hunting Tour in Chinatown with a Paranormal Investigator
Fri, 07 Oct at 07:00 pm SF Ghost Hunting Tour in Chinatown with a Paranormal Investigator

The Haunt SF Ghost Tours

ART THEATRE
Cultura y Comida: Mission District Food & Culture Tour
Wed, 27 Dec at 11:00 am Cultura y Comida: Mission District Food & Culture Tour

24th St Mission BART Plaza

DAY-OF-THE-DEAD PARADES
Amazing Scavenger Hunt! - San Francisco Ghost Rush
Sat, 22 Mar at 08:00 am Amazing Scavenger Hunt! - San Francisco Ghost Rush

2 New Montgomery St

ART TRIPS-ADVENTURES
Golden Gate Adventures & Cable Car Capers Audio Tour
Tue, 08 Apr at 08:00 am Golden Gate Adventures & Cable Car Capers Audio Tour

Conservatory Drive East

TRIPS-ADVENTURES ART
Public Tours at Arion Press
Thu, 12 Jun at 03:00 pm Public Tours at Arion Press

Arion Press

WORKSHOPS NONPROFIT
Historic Bars Tour + Bachata dancing every Thursday
Thu, 10 Jul at 05:00 pm Historic Bars Tour + Bachata dancing every Thursday

308 Columbus Ave

ENTERTAINMENT MUSIC
Tour de Bares Hist\u00f3ricos + Bachata todos los jueves
Thu, 10 Jul at 05:00 pm Tour de Bares Históricos + Bachata todos los jueves

308 Columbus Ave

MUSIC LIVE-MUSIC
Gold Rush Women: Untold Stories of San Francisco\u2019s Trailblazing Pioneers
Thu, 23 Oct at 02:00 pm Gold Rush Women: Untold Stories of San Francisco’s Trailblazing Pioneers

Saints Peter and Paul Church

BUSINESS WOMENS-HISTORY-MONTH
Gold Rush Women: Untold Stories of San Francisco\u2019s Trailblazing Pioneers
Thu, 30 Oct at 10:00 am Gold Rush Women: Untold Stories of San Francisco’s Trailblazing Pioneers

Saints Peter and Paul Church

BUSINESS WOMENS-HISTORY-MONTH
Halloween Vampire Tour of San Francisco
Fri, 31 Oct at 08:00 pm Halloween Vampire Tour of San Francisco

Nob Hill Neighborhood

HALLOWEEN TRIPS-ADVENTURES
Gold Rush Women: Untold Stories of San Francisco\u2019s Trailblazing Pioneers
Thu, 13 Nov at 02:00 pm Gold Rush Women: Untold Stories of San Francisco’s Trailblazing Pioneers

Saints Peter and Paul Church

BUSINESS WOMENS-HISTORY-MONTH
Gold Rush Women: Untold Stories of San Francisco\u2019s Trailblazing Pioneers
Wed, 03 Dec at 02:00 pm Gold Rush Women: Untold Stories of San Francisco’s Trailblazing Pioneers

Saints Peter and Paul Church

BUSINESS WOMENS-HISTORY-MONTH

What's Happening Next in San Francisco?

Discover San Francisco Events