Testimonials

What The Media Has Written About Us

San Francisco Magazine

In 1997, we were known as San Francisco Then … and Now, “San Francisco Magazine” awarded us 4 stars!

AAA’s “VIA Magazine”

“Take a walking tour called San Francisco Then . . . and Now. The 2½-hour tour immerses you in San Francisco’s history, from the Barbary Coast to the Beat generation.” – Laura Hilgers, AAA’s “VIA Magazine,” November 2002.

What People Who Have Taken the Tour Say

“Take this tour on your first day – there would not be a better way of getting to know this favorite of cities. Peter’s relaxed style, passion and exceptional knowledge outstrip anything you will read in print. Residents too would learn a lot.” – Julie Coulson, Wellington, New Zealand

My friends from New York and I had a marvelous time on your tour. I wish the tour could have gone on for hours and hours!!! It was so great to see things afterwards that you had discussed and now they meant something to me – they were not just facades of buildings anymore, there was life behind it! The stories of all the people and why areas and buildings have the names they have – fascinating. You breathed life into San Francisco for me and made me realize it has a past, present and definite future! Thank you again. – Adrienne Paraspolo, New York City

“Peter Moylan knows San Francisco. Period. His encyclopedic knowledge of
what happened, where it happened, who happened it to whom, and why is
unsurpassed. If you want to jump into the history of The City, I know no
better way than to join him on a tour.” – Alex Clemens, Barbary Coast Consulting.

“I often run into Peter Moylan. He always has a San Francisco story I’ve never heard. A great yarn spinner.” – Bruce Bellingham, former San Francisco Examiner columnist, author and bon vivant.

“I never thought I’d learn so much about American History.” - A guest from England

“Thanks again for sharing all your knowledge of the history of the City. For anyone curious about the history of San Francisco, your tour was by far the best one that I went on.” – Georgette Hayes, Massachusetts

“This tour was fascinating, a history lover’s dream. The stories he told were funny and one’s I found myself sharing with other people. I will recommend the tour to everyone I know.” - Natalie Heins, Hillsborough, California

“The tour was great – just the right combination of factual material and anecdotes. Peter obviously loves San Francisco and made us love her too.” - Doris Briggs, Naples, Florida

“San Francisco is such an interesting city with a history that ties in with the history of the whole country. And you made this all come to life with your tour. I should love to go on your tour again to try to absorb more of this fascinating story.” - Sheila Bauhan, Boyce, Virginia

“Many thanks for a very enjoyable and super-informative walking tour of San Francisco recently. I am amazed that you can cover so much in a couple of hours. Starting in the grand lobby of the St. Francis Hotel, which itself holds so much historical value, and continuing past Union Square, Chinatown, and the area known as the Barbary Coast, we enjoyed learning all about the 1906 earthquake, the building and re-building of the city, the Gold Rush, the Silver Barons, and the completion of the railroads. I had no idea that San Francisco had such a colorful past. And thanks for setting us straight on the real story of Coit Tower!” - Anne Stephens, San Ramon, California

“The tour with Peter gave unique insight to San Francisco’s history. Now when I hear about places like the Barbary Coast, it has a whole new meaning.” - Cheryl Hayward, Brighton, Ohio

“I used to live in San Francisco, but never knew what a colorful history it had – now I see why they call it “Baghdad by the Bay.” - Carolyn Zezima, New York, New York

“Very good! The highlight of our trip.” - Jan Shields, La Jolla, California

“We discovered this tour at the last day of our visit, and we were so glad to have found it. The tour brought a whole new dimension of richness to the great city, and left us with a taste for another visit soon.” - Bill and Pat Forst, Gibsens, British Columbia, Canada

“It was great! I thought you were going to just tell facts. But you told stories!” – 17 year old High School junior who said she hated walking and history before the tour started!

Bill Cusack’s Excellent Adventure

Bill Cusack, from Chicago, spent four days in San Francisco enjoying what really makes this City special. He sent this email to his friend, and we are honored by Bill’s comments:

“Hey Phil, My trip went well. I was at breakfast at Cafe Flore on Sunday from 8 – 9. I … went to the Most Holy Redeemer Church at 18th and Diamond – the priest combined the gospel and the homily into a little one man play – it was a hoot.

I got to walk across the Golden Gate Bridge, do the night tour of Alcatraz, visit the Dada Exhibit at the California Palace of the Legion of Honor and hear the Sunday afternoon big organ concert. Also I checked out the new Four Seasons Hotel, have a buffet breakfast at the Mark Hopkins …on top of Nob Hill, see Lily Tomlin in “In Search of Intelligent Life in the Universe,” finally see “Beach Blanket Babylon“ … a corned beef buffet dinner at Lefty O’Doul’s on Geary just west of Union Square.

The best part of the four day/three night trip was the walking tour by Peter Moylan. What a great presentation and storyteller. I highly recommend this tour to you and especially for friends visiting. Peter even had time to have lunch with us at a little Italian place at the corner of Union and Columbus (Mario’s Bohemian Cigar Store). See you next trip.” – Bill Cusack, Chicago.

By the way, I would recommend every place Bill mentions.