The Victorian Alliance of San Francisco

will present its annual House Tour

Featuring

San Francisco's Presidio Heights

Sunday, October 19, 2008, from One to Five P.M.

Cable cars brought a scattering of Victorian residents to Presidio Heights after 1878, although it was still the outskirts of the city, and more than a decade before water and gas were piped in. By the turn of the century, affluent business and professional leaders were increasingly drawn to the generous sites with breathtaking views of the Golden Gate and nearby Presidio woods. Renowned architects of the day, including Bernard Maybeck, Julia Morgan, Ernest Coxhead, Albert Farr and Willis Polk, were adapting classic European designs to the natural look favored by contemporary arbiters of taste. Their trend-setting creations are found today along the Presidio wall... homes of great dignity with casual elegance and rustic charm... styles which became known as the First Bay Tradition.

This promises to be a memorable tour through homes opened especially for this event, including LePetit Trianon, a luxurious replica of its namesake at Versailles which hosted a generation of famous musicians in concert, a variety of classically-styled townhomes, and a renowned Maybeck residence which is still the cherished home of its original family. Of special interest will be a church considered one of the earliest Arts & Crafts buildings in California.

Proceeds of this tour will benefit the restoration of a
Bernard Maybeck masterpiece, the Palace of Fine Arts.

This is a self-guided tour with much to see, so an early start is suggested. A van will circle the route for those who wish to use it, and comfortable shoes are always desirable.

Parking in this area is difficult, but public transportation is very good. See details below.

Tickets will be available on the day of the tour at 3240 Jackson Street. (Advance ticket-holders are given a different starting point.)

Tickets

Advance tickets, if ordered before October 1st, are $40 each.
A discount is available for groups of ten or more.
After October 1st, the price is $50.

Advance tickets will be sent out beginning in August, for mail orders only.

PayPal Buyers will bring their PayPal receipt for entry to the tour.

For further ticket information contact: suzeplace@mindspring.com

Tickets may be purchased for $50 on the day of the tour at 3240 Jackson Street

Public Transportation From:

Within San Francisco on Muni streetcars and buses:

• #1 California, to Presidio or Maple, 6 minute intervals
• #2 Clement, to California & Presidio or Maple, 15 minute intervals
• #3 Jackson, to Jackson & Presidio, 15 minute intervals
• #33 Stanyan, to Cherry & Sacramento, 20 minute intervals
• #43 Masonic, to Presidio & Jackson or California, 15 minute intervals

Ferry Building at Foot of Market Street:

• Cross Embarcadero to Drumm, walk 2 blks to Clay and take #1 California outbound

BART at Montgomery Street Station:

• Use Sutter exit, and take Muni bus #2 Clement or #3 Jackson outbound

BART at Embarcadero Station:

• Use Drumm exit, walk 2 blks to Clay, and take #1 California outbound

CalTrain at Fourth and Townsend:

• On King Street, take Muni streetcar J Church outbound to Embarcadero stn, use Drumm exit, walk 2 blks to Clay and take #1 California outbound

CalTrain south of Millbrae:

• Transfer to BART at Millbrae, go to Montgomery station and follow instructions for BART

Marin or Sonoma County:

• Take Golden Gate Transit to Fillmore Street, walk 1 blk north to Chestnut, and take #43 Masonic outbound
• OR arrive in San Francisco by ferry and see above instructions from Ferry Bldg.

AMTRAK Richmond Station:

• Take BART to Embarcadero Station and see above instructions for BART

SFO Airport:

• Take BART to Montgomery station and see above instructions for BART

Oakland Airport:

• Take shuttle from airport to Coliseum BART station, take BART to Embarcadero Station and see above instructions for BART

NOTE: Estimated time intervals are based on Muni schedules.

Victorian Alliance Home Page - Advance ticket order form

Drawing: Kit Haskell of Gingerbread, San Francisco