Jackson Square Historic District, San Francisco
Jackson Square, located in San Francisco, was once a part of the infamous Barbary Coast, known for its crime and prostitution. However, today it stands as the oldest commercial district in modern-day San Francisco. This area was constructed on a fill site, where remnants of abandoned ships are believed to still rest beneath the ground. In the 1850s, the buildings here were crafted from brick and adorned with ornate ironwork, reminiscent of San Francisco's Gold Rush era.
While some historical buildings remain, the present-day Jackson Square has undergone significant changes and is now known as the "interior designer's district." It has transformed into a hub for English-style furniture from the 18th century, antique carpets, 19th-century French paintings, and even contemporary 21st-century designs, all coexisting within the same vicinity. The area has gained fame for its art and antiques, attracting visitors who can explore its rich history through guided walking tours, marvel at Californian art, and admire European posters displayed in galleries.
For those interested in enhancing their living spaces, Jackson Square hosts highly reputed dealers offering a wide array of furnishings and wall coverings. Additionally, for the culinary enthusiasts, the neighborhood houses some of the finest restaurants, ready to satisfy any appetite.
While some historical buildings remain, the present-day Jackson Square has undergone significant changes and is now known as the "interior designer's district." It has transformed into a hub for English-style furniture from the 18th century, antique carpets, 19th-century French paintings, and even contemporary 21st-century designs, all coexisting within the same vicinity. The area has gained fame for its art and antiques, attracting visitors who can explore its rich history through guided walking tours, marvel at Californian art, and admire European posters displayed in galleries.
For those interested in enhancing their living spaces, Jackson Square hosts highly reputed dealers offering a wide array of furnishings and wall coverings. Additionally, for the culinary enthusiasts, the neighborhood houses some of the finest restaurants, ready to satisfy any appetite.
Want to visit this sight? Check out these Self-Guided Walking Tours in San Francisco. Alternatively, you can download the mobile app "GPSmyCity: Walks in 1K+ Cities" from Apple App Store or Google Play Store. The app turns your mobile device to a personal tour guide and it works offline, so no data plan is needed when traveling abroad.
Jackson Square Historic District on Map
Sight Name: Jackson Square Historic District
Sight Location: San Francisco, USA (See walking tours in San Francisco)
Sight Type: Attraction/Landmark
Sight Location: San Francisco, USA (See walking tours in San Francisco)
Sight Type: Attraction/Landmark
Walking Tours in San Francisco, California
Create Your Own Walk in San Francisco
Creating your own self-guided walk in San Francisco is easy and fun. Choose the city attractions that you want to see and a walk route map will be created just for you. You can even set your hotel as the start point of the walk.
Fisherman's Wharf Walking Tour
Fisherman’s Wharf in San Francisco—here, the smell of salt air meets the scent of sizzling crab, and history rubs elbows with souvenir shops... Once a scrappy working harbor, this stretch of the city’s waterfront is now one of San Francisco's most iconic and visited destinations. Over the years, it's seen it all—gold fever, immigrant grit, and now, selfie sticks galore.
The... view more
Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 1.5 Km or 0.9 Miles
The... view more
Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 1.5 Km or 0.9 Miles
Chinatown Walking Tour
San Francisco’s Chinatown is the oldest Chinese community in North America and one of the largest outside Asia. Established in 1848, this compact area has played a key role in preserving Chinese heritage, including language, religion, and customs, for generations of Chinese immigrants to the United States. Over time, a modest enclave for Chinese laborers has flourished into a major tourist... view more
Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 0.9 Km or 0.6 Miles
Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 0.9 Km or 0.6 Miles
Famous Architecture Walking Tour
San Francisco is one of the world's top travel destinations, famous for its spectacular tourist attractions like Alcatraz Island, Fisherman's Wharf, and the Golden Gate Bridge. But besides that, it also boasts a huge variety of world-known architecture fit to delight the eye of any beholder. Let's give ourselves an aesthetic treat, too, and check out some of the city's most... view more
Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.3 Km or 1.4 Miles
Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.3 Km or 1.4 Miles
Castro District Walking Tour
It's a well-known fact that San Francisco is the place where the gay and lesbian culture flourished in its modernity in the mid-20th century. The Castro District, where the rainbow flag is flying high, houses several iconic locations that have played pivotal roles in LGBTQ+ history and continue to be celebrated today.
One such is the Castro Theater. This renowned landmark, which has been... view more
Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 1.4 Km or 0.9 Miles
One such is the Castro Theater. This renowned landmark, which has been... view more
Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 1.4 Km or 0.9 Miles
Union Square Walking Tour
Union Square, a bustling hub in the heart of San Francisco, is a place where locals and tourists alike gather to enjoy a mix of shopping, entertainment, and cultural attractions. In addition to being the third largest shopping area in the United States, the square features an array of restaurants, theaters, and a wonderful concentration of fine art galleries.
One of the prominent landmarks in... view more
Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 1.5 Km or 0.9 Miles
One of the prominent landmarks in... view more
Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 1.5 Km or 0.9 Miles
North Beach Walking Tour
North Beach—also known as San Francisco’s Little Italy—is one of the city’s most storied neighborhoods, whose personality is far bigger than its footprint. Once upon a tide, this area was literally a beach before landfill projects in the late 1800s expanded the city’s coastline. Early on, it became a hub for dockworkers, fishermen, and merchants, who built a tight-knit, working-class... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 1.8 Km or 1.1 Miles
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 1.8 Km or 1.1 Miles
Useful Travel Guides for Planning Your Trip
Divine Artisan Chocolates in San Francisco
San Francisco is home to the most delicious artisan chocolates! From the historic Ghirardelli Chocolate Factory to New American TCHO chocolates, there are many local chocolate boutiques and factories to visit where you might be treated to a few samples. From exotic flavors such as lavender-walnut...
14 Souvenirs That Scream San Francisco
Home to many historic landmarks, such as Golden Gate Bridge, Chinatown and Alcatraz, San Francisco is closely associated with many iconic images of the American culture, such as Levi's jeans, baseball, and hippie movement. Modern Frisco carefully preserves its legacy by keeping it alive...










