Emperor Norton's Fantastic San Francisco Time Machine

Tours with history around every corner!

Emperor Norton's Fantastic San Francisco Time Machine is a lively, informative, and entertaining walking tour of historic San Francisco led by Emperor Norton I, Emperor of the United States and Protector of Mexico.
The tour last approximately 2.5 hours and is two miles long.
If you're visiting San Francisco, it's advisable to take our tour first, because you're going to learn about a lot of places you're going to want to re-visit!
Please note:
The tour is now available by charter only. Minimum cost is $120, which gets you up to four attendees. Additional guests are $30 each. Days available are Thursday-Saturday, subject to availability. Call or email for reservations.

T-Shirts are now available: emperor-nortons-store.printify.me/products

Emperor Norton's Fantastic San Francisco Time Machine departs from Union Square (meet under the Dewey Monument statue).
Learn the fascinating stories behind: Emperor Norton, the man and the myths • Union Square • The St. Francis Hotel • Maiden Lane • Lotta's Fountain • The 1906 earthquake and fire • Bummer & Lazarus • The Palace Hotel • Jackson Square • The Barbary Coast • Portsmouth Square • and much more!

We are also available for special events (including weddings, we are ordained), and can deliver PowerPoint lectures on a wide range of San Francisco-related historical topics. Custom tour itineraries are also available. Please email for details.

If access to the center of Union Square is blocked by an event, we meet at the corner of the Square at Geary and Powell.

As seen on the Travel Channel program Monumental Mysteries. Click here for details!

One of the San Jose Mercury News "12 Coolest Thing In The Bay Area You Didn't Know You Could Do."

Editor's Choice on "150 + Fun Things to Do in San Francisco."

Vacation Idea Magazine's One of the "25 Best Things to Do in San Francisco."

SF Weekly Best of San Francisco Readers Poll Winner: "Best Local Legend."

Emperor Norton's Fantastic Waterfront Time Machine
is also available as a charter. Contact us for further details.

We meet in front of the Ferry Building to hear the fascinating stories of The Embarcadero • The Emperor Norton Bridge • The Produce District • Coit Tower • The Labor Movement • Meigg's Wharf • The Muni F Line • Levi's Jeans • The Cannery • Irish Coffee • Pier 39 • Fisherman's Wharf and much more!
Cost is $120 minimum, which gets you up to four attendees, each additional guest is $30, available Thursday-Sunday, subject to availability.

Check out Emperor Norton's Fantastic San Francisco Time Machine on Yelp

Contact Links:

Email: emperornortontour@gmail.com
Phone: (415) 644-8513

Our Associates' Tours:

Drag Me Along Tours

Projects & Causes:

The Emperor Norton Legacy League
Norton the First: America's Emperor Documentary
Sign the Petition: Demand Ghirardelli Bring Back the Emperor Norton Sundae