Billionaires Row between 2776 and 2880 Broadway and other San Francisco, CA Off The Beaten Path Tips

The most expensive part of the most expensive neighborhood in one of the nation's most expensive cities is the last few blocks of Broadway Street. It is called Billionaires Row. Many luxury homes occupy this part of Broadway Street.

The most expensive are 9 houses that belong to:

1) Fred Pavlow, Add-a-Garage, 2776 Broadway.
2) Trevor Traina, stepson of Danielle Steele, 2780 Broadway.
3) Norman Stone, heir to insurance tycoon W. Clement Stone, 2790 Broadway.
4) Peter Haus, Levi Strauss heir, 2800 Broadway. In 1996, Haas' Levi holdings were valued in a news report at $2.2 billion.
5) James Klingbeil, of Am. Apt. Communites, 2808 Broadway.
6) Peter Sperling, U. of Phoenix heir, 2845 Broadway. In 2003 he had about $1.5 billion.
7) Larry Ellison, Oracle founder, 2850 Broadway. In 2003 Forbes set his worth at $18 billion.
8) Gordon Getty, Getty Oil heir, 2870-2880 Broadway. In 2003 Forbes Magazine estimated his fortune at $2.1 billion.
9) George Jewett, Weyerhaeuser heir, 2990 Broadway.

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One of San Francisco landmarks (197th to be exact), this mansion was built for and belonged to sugar baron Adolph Spreckels in 1913. It was designed by 2 architects - Kenneth MacDonald Jr. and George Applegarth.
People like Jack London and Earl Cummings were guests in this house.

The owners were famous too - the bronze goddess Victory standing in the heart of Union Square, was modeled after Alma de Bretteville Spreckels, known for her enormous influence in the San Francisco art community. That lady was quite a character - walking naked to her outdoor swimming pool for all the neighbors to see. She could not care less. ;-)

Made of Utah limestone, this building is really magnificent till today. Looks more like a museum than a private residence.

Its 55 rooms are currently occupied by one of the wealthiest SF residents - famous romance writer Danielle Steel who has been living there since 1990. Back then she paid something like $13 million and, rumor has it, a few years ago someone offered her $50 million for the property. She passed. :-)

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Other Contact: 2080 Washington (Lafayette Park)

You can become a part of a local San Francisco meeting where people get together and explore the city by foot. MeetUp.com is the place where you can find the dates and places for future meet ups.

In the past, there had been tours to Bay Model in Sausalito, tour of greatest SF mansions in Pacific Heights neighborhood and many others.

NO FEE, but you better register and RSPV if you plan on attending.

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Spent a couple of hours there and enjoyed the place. Wish it was less crowded though. I am sure walking in piece and quiet among the huge redwood trees would of been amazing.

FEE: $5 per person.

ADVICE: Come early. Otherwise the place will be packed and the parking lot will be full. We came around noon on a weekend and ended up parking way down the road and had to walk back to the park gates for 15 minutes each way.

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Website: http://www.visitmuirwoods.com/

Built in 1866 by a blacksmith with 11 kids, it remains a private residence till today. The blacksmith already made his fortune (during the Gold Rush era) when he built the house. And this white Italian style mansion looks awesome.

Pierce Street where it is located is very steep, but I sure did not regret about passing and looking at this gorgeous house. I wonder who owns it now..

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Other Contact: Pacific Heights: 2727 Pierce Str

SF City Guides has been offering walking tours to the public for over 30 years. Nowadays, more than 20 thousand people participate in it annually.
It is run by locals, who have to pass an exam in order to qualify and become a tour guide.

To make your pick, go to the website and choose a neighborhood you want to explore.

TIME: Usually in the morning (first tours start at 10am, last tours start at 2pm). Some tours are offered every month throughout a year, others run for a couple of months only on weekends.
DURATION: 1 to 2.5 hours.
PRICE: Free but donation is very much appreciated (guide will pass an envelope at the end of a tour).
GUIDES: Are recognized by City Guides logo badges.
RESERVATION: No need. Just show up. Although party of 8 and more people is required to contact CG few weeks in advance, organize a separate tour and pay for it.

I have done 3 tours so far:
- Pacific Heights Mansions tour. 13 people showed up and we have been looking at some pretty spectacular mansions for 2.5 hours. Our guide has been doing the tours for 8 years, so he knew a lot of interesting stuff.
- The Palace Hotel tour. 9 people showed up and we spent 1.5 hours walking through hotel, learning about its history and people who made that history.
- Coit Tower tour. 13 people showed up and we spent 1 hour looking at the murals from the 30s. Heard many stories about painters and people depicted in their murals.

Had a wonderful time on all of them!!! Highly recommended.

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Tourists swarm Lombard Street (the crookedest street which has 27% grade) on a daily basis, but little do they know that there is another street in San Francisco - Vermont, which offers similar experience (it has 14.3% grade).

Located in the ignored Potrero Hill neighborhood (McKinley Square), it has 5 full turns and 2 half turns.

Little is known about its past and how it came to be, but my guess is that with a boom of automobile industry in the 20s, residents decided to make the street more accessible for cars and multiple turns were the way to do it.

If going to Potrero neighborhood just to see the street is not enough, bare in mind that Hill also has better than average views of the City and Bay.

TO GET THERE: buses 27, 10 (from the downtown) + some walking. Or just go to Trip Planner and find the best rout for you.

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A good way to see the neighborhood at its prime is during the Haight-Ashbury Street Fair, held on the second Sunday of each June.

DIRECTIONS: Catch any of #5, #6, #7 or #71 buses on Market street.

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Every Monday, except holidays, a trained volunteer leads groups through the War Memorial Opera House describing its architecture, construction, new improvements, colorful history and performance highlights. Your tour will walk you through the boxes and auditorium, behind the footlights to backstage areas, into the wig and make up department and other areas as available.

These tours are only held during the opera seasons which normally is between September and May/June.

HOURS: 10am, 11a, 12pm, 1pm and 2pm.
LOCATION: 201 Van Ness avenue at Hayes.
TO GET THERE: From downtown, take MUNI subway S line/Castro and get off at Van Ness Outbound station. Use Trip Planner to find the best route for you.
DEPARTURE POINT: All tours leave from the Grove Street entrance of Davies Symphony Hall. Group tour reservations should be made two weeks in advance. For further information, contact Performing Arts Center Tours at (415) 552-8338.

NOTE: City Hall also offers FREE tours (Mondays to Fridays. At 10am, 12pm and 2pm) and it is located nearby.

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Phone: (510) 524-5220
Website: http://sfwmpac.org/topnav/general_info.html
Other Contact: education@sfopera.com

Created on the Women`s Building, this colorful mural was painted in 1994 by 7 female artists and their many helpers.
"The theme has many messages: the healing power of women's wisdom over time, the contributions of women throughout history, and the making of history by women from all corners of the earth.."

LOCATION: 3543 18th Street between Valencia and Guerrero Street.
TO GET THERE: Take Bart subway from Market Street and get off at 16th/Mission.

NOTE: Every 2nd and 4th Sunday of a month, SF City Guides offers a free tour called Murals & Multi Ethnic Mission. This tour starts at and includes Maestra Piece Mural. Meet in front of the Women`s Building at 12pm.

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Phone: (415) 431-1180
Website: http://www.womensbuilding.org/public/about/mural.html