SF: Food + History + Art Tour

What makes the SF: Food + History + Art tour different from other SF food tours? There are no cupcakes or amuse bouches – we give you "real" food that's authentic to San Francisco and California, and tell you real history.

Food: The Mission District is renowned for having some of the best food in San Francisco. Although the Mission District is known for being at the epicenter of Latino culture here (and birthplace of the Mission Burrito), its food scene is in fact very varied - and very good. We take you on a tour of the best spots in the neighborhood, so you can have authentic SF food, such as Salvadorian pupusas, street tacos and Mexican tamales. As well as some of the most delicious chocolate you're ever tasted.

History: San Francisco has a fascinating story too. The neighborhood's Misión San Francisco de Asís is the birthplace of modern SF. We'll give you an overview of the city's history, from the dog days of the Spanish Empire, to being part of Mexico, to the Gold Rush era, through the Great Fire and up to today, as the city transforms once again. You'll have a chance to learn all about this fascinating city.

Art: We have some amazing art in the city (especially if you think of the world class museums in the Bay Area), but the Mission District is arguably the best neighborhood for public murals. We'll visit the Balmy Alley Mural Project, as well as enjoying amazing street art like the Women's Building. It's also a great way to get a better understanding of this often complicated - and sometimes misunderstood - city.

Join us on our SF food history and art tour and TRULY experience the best of San Francisco.

Our tours can sell out. If you can't make a booking email [email protected], telling us when you want to go and how many guests are in your party. If we can squeeze you in we’ll let you know.

*Walking distance: 2 miles.

*Tour starts 12 noon Sunday, Elsy's Restaurant, 2893 Mission St, San Francisco (meeting point photo).

*Tour finishes 3 pm, corner 18th and Church St.

*There are 3-4 food tastings included, each around 20 minutes, for the equivalent of a normal 3 course meal.

*There’s a big range of food options and all types of diet can be accommodated (vegetarian, vegan etc). Be sure to email us if you have any dietary restrictions.

*We donate $1 for every guest to Climate Cents, a climate change organization.

This tour is in English. If your English isn’t fluent this may not be the best option for you. We do not offer this tour in any other language at this time.

Drinks are not included.

This is a walking tour and we move at a reasonable pace. If you have mobility issues please book a private tour.

We never cancel tours in advance due to the weather conditions. Be sure to wear layered clothing, we can get four seasons in a day.

Aim to get to the meeting point 10-15 minutes early. If you’re late you may miss the tour.

Contactless payment for gratuities available, please allow 15-20%.

Pupusas: Thick corn tortillas stuffed with a range of different fillings. The national dish of El Salvador and a favorite food across Central America. We’ll visit one of our favorite Salvadoran restaurants: La Santaneca, popular with Salvadorans who want a taste of home, or Elsy’s, where they've been making pupusas since 1978.

Street tacos: Two or three bites of grilled meat with diced onions, cilantro, salsa and a squeeze of lime, all wrapped in corn or flour tortillas. Smaller, simpler and more intensely flavorful than a typical restaurant taco. We’ve never had better ones in the Mission than Taqueria Vallarta’s.

Tamales: Soft corn-based dough filled with meats and/or cheeses and steamed after being wrapped in corn husks. So time-consuming to prepare it's reserved for special occasions. Many restaurants in the Mission don’t, but they’re the house specialty at La Espiga de Oro and Café de Oro.

Hot Chocolate: Part of Mexican cuisine for thousands of years and, according to ancient legend, a gift of the Mayan rain god, Chuah. We definitely think Dandelion’s, with its small-batch, single-source chocolates, is a heavenly delight.

*We do not accept incentives from any restaurant in order to take you there. All locations that we visit on this SF food tour are chosen to fit the experience, not get us a commission.*

Host or Publisher Real San Francisco Tours