Delicious Fun Food And History Tour Of North Beach And Beyond!

Our North Beach tour was a highlight of our week in SF. We live in Santa Cruz and are familiar with North Beach, but this authentic insider experience was fascinating. Blandina has lived in the neighborhood for decades and was able to share both the Italian and Bohemian past and present. She was generous with her information, time, and energy. We cannot give enough positive feedback for this special woman and learning about all the points of interests and businesses we have walked past dozens of times over the years.

Blandina oozes charm, kindness and fun and it shows by how the North Beach Community greets her as she strolls down the street. Having lived, worked and loved in this neighborhood since at least the 70s Blandina knows the history of every building, mural and person! You will get nothing but the best food and a wonderful one of a kind experience. Locals, tourists, foodies and and music lovers, Blandina's fabulous tours has it all. Can't wait to return spend another awesome day learning and having fun with Blandina!

Blandina Farley’s Fabulous Tours was an awesome experience! We went on both the North Beach and San Francisco Music Hall of Fame at Music City tours. Blandina is engaging, funny, and filled with knowledge of the rich history of San Francisco — in particular the North Beach area as well as the art and music scene. The North Beach tour was full of fun facts, amazing sights, interesting architecture, mouthwatering eats, co-mingling cultures, and a kaleidoscope of colorful characters! There were also some “behind the scenes” experiences that only a local like Blandina can offer! And the SF Music Hall of Fame at Music City tour was incredible! Musician-themed hotel rooms, rentable recording studios, historical photographs, memorabilia, and more! Blandina's backstories, coupled with the narratives and stunning photographs of performers adorning the walls, pull you into a bygone era leaving you with a longing to relive the unique love felt when your soul is moved by music. The hotel and Music Hall of Fame are but pieces of a much larger venue— literally a city within a city dedicated to music. It is sure to be an epic addition to the San Francisco music scene as well as the overall experience of the city when the full vision comes to fruition! And Blandina made it all come alive! Spending those few hours with her felt more like spending time with a friend than being on a tour! It was obvious as we proceeded through the neighborhoods how involved Blandina is with her community and how much love the locals have for her! If you want a personal, immersive experience of North Beach or the Music Hall of Fame at Music City in San Francisco, Blandina Farley’s Fabulous Tours is a “must do!”

What an absolutely lovely day! Blandina was knowledgeable, sweet, a true friend of the community, we were absolutely thrilled by the experience! If you are looking for that personal touch, we highly recommend Blandina!

We had such an amazing day exploring North Beach with Blandina. She is really special; a San Francisco icon. Knows the area so well with personal stories. We visited off the beat and path delicious restaurants, unique stores and churches. Saw lots of historical murals. It was so fun!!. She knows so much and is so generous. Whether you are a local or a touris this is a must opportunity to have a great time with a one-of-a-kind tour guide.

Blandina takes pride in her North Beach Little Italy neighborhood in SF. She knows so many details of a lot of the stores, restaurants, churches that have been around for 100 years. Everyone knows her! She is very knowledgeable about the music scene and all our local celebrities like Santana, Grateful Dead, Joplin, jack kerouac, etc. There are a few treats to indulge in at a few places like Stella bakery, Palermo Deli, Mario’s Bohemian cigar shop, Z Cioccolato. It was great to see the inside of St. Peter’s and Paul’s church and St. Francis church to see the marble from Italy and the stained glassed windows. It was also awesome to go into the Biordi Ceramic shop to see all the beautiful and colorful ceramic pieces imported from Italy. What an experience to go into the Macchiarini Metalworks Gallery and meet Dan. His family have a lot to do with burning man that is in Nevada now and used to take place in Baker Beach in SF. We each had a chance to work with recycled aluminum cans and use the press to make a coin each that I will use as a Christmas ornament on my tree. If you get a chance to come to San Francisco it is so worth it to book a Blandina Farley Fabulous Tour!

It's always a fantastic time with Blandina! She knew everyone we walked by on the street, and has so many fantastic stories to tell! She led a group of older adults and catered to the various needs to make sure everyone had a good time. If you're a local or visitor, I highly recommend North Beach walking tour!

If you want an insider’s guide to the heart of North Beach, this is the tour for you. Blandina is a decades long resident of this iconic SF neighborhood who shares her personal experiences with local luminaries like Lawrence Ferlinghetti and other bastions of the Beat Generation. She’ll take you through locations where it all happened, the alleyways that depict the heart of this colorful population, the most unique shops that offer wares and custom-made products you won’t find anywhere else, the Italian bakeries and delis where you’ll savor delicious pastries and sandwiches. Everyone at North Beach seems to know her. She’s just starting out, so you won’t find many reviews as of this date, but this means if you’re lucky like me, you’ll get a private tour. She’s by far the most personable walking tour guide I’ve ever had (and I’ve taken many). I accidentally left my credit card at a local bake shop, and because of her personal relationship with the vendor, she was able to retrieve it after closing and hand deliver it to me at the Embarcadero restaurant where I was dining that evening. Cannot say enough about Blandina and her walking tour, and I’ll be sure to request her service again next time I’m in the city!

Blandina gave our family a delightful personal tour of North Beach. We sampled delicious food from local Italian sandwich spots and bakeries, so much and so good that both teenage boys couldn't eat another bite. We also popped into a good variety of local shops that gave us a sense of the neighborhood - jewelry, clothing, gifts. All along, we walked and talked through the history of North Beach and how it had evolved over time. Best of all, around every corner, Blandina would introduce us to her friends and neighbors with a quick hello or a warm chat. It's the people that tell you the most about a place and Blandina delivered that beautifully.

Who's in a better position to make you discover a neighborhood than someone who has lived here for years? Blandina is the BEST tour guide I could have had. She knows everything about everything; the people, the places, and the places that used to exist as well. Everyone knows her, so you'll be seen as a VIP by her side! She is literally an encyclopedia! But not a boring one. Like a super colorful encyclopedia that makes you laugh. Thanks to her, I could truly feel the soul of North Beach. She introduced me to wonderful people, workers, store owners, and succeeded in making me feel close to them and their history. Every person was truly committed to making you feel welcome and part of the experience. She showed me what it was like to live in this vibrant neighborhood years ago, and how lovely it still is today. I STRONGLY recommend her tour (and the food is DELICIOUS!!!). You will not be disappointed! An unforgettable experience with a guide you can't find anywhere else :)

Blandina Farley’s tour of North Beach was fabulous ! We contacted her last minute and she was very accommodating for us. She’s very knowledgeable of the restaurants , history and culture in and around North Beach. Blandina was charming and knew almost everyone in the neighborhood ! I would highly recommend this tour!

We took Blandina's tour of North Beach today and although we have lived in SF for almost three years, we discovered new and interesting parts of the community we would have missed otherwise. We went to a fascinating metalwork and jewelry shop where one could make a commemorative Burning Man "coin", we visited a leatherworks shop which makes beautiful custom shoes and clothing, a wonderful pastry shop with delicious Italian pastries, the national shrine of St Francis of Assisi, and an Italian pottery and ceramics store. She also pointed out the unique street art features in the area. This tour was a great deal of fun and a wonderful way to experience and enjoy this part of San Francisco.

Blandina is a gem! She is obviously a well-known, & well loved, part of the community. She was warmly greeted by nearly everyone on the street. Blandina is a fountain of knowledge. She gave me a very detailed tour of North Beach. She is also very adaptive. At one point I began to not feel well. So we found a place to rest & recover while also continuing to learn about North Beach and those that live and work here! You can tell she has a great love for her neighborhood. She knows local lore and details of someone who has lived life here. I met many local store owners and tasted some amazingly delectable treats! I also learned of the history and culture of the area. The tour was much more than I expected. I enjoyed it so much that, at my insistence, we extended the day to include her Chinatown tour as well. At the end, I felt like I was a part of the neighborhood!

This tour let me see North Beach through a local's eyes. Blandina knew almost everyone in the neighborhood, I felt like we got special VIP treatment--everyone was so friendly and inviting. From walking into shops that I didn't know existed, to even trying food at places that I may have just walked past had I not been on the tour. I even had the opportunity to walk away with a little handmade souvenir that I participated in making at one of the shops! Her bright and fun flyer directly correlates with her warm and genuine personality. I know there are a lot of tour's in sf, but this one is run directly by Blandina-- you can tell that she puts her heart and soul into making sure you get the best experience possible. 10000x recommend.

The first thing I noticed when I took Blandina Farley’s Fabulous Tour of North Beach is that she’s as cute as they come, and an absolutly charming tour guide! The next obvious thing is that her tour IS fabulous - and FUN. Blandina REALLY knows North Beach, and she brings it to life for everyone fortunate enough to take her tour. I’ve lived in San Francisco for a few decades, and was introduced to North Beach soon after I arrived. I liked it so much that I moved to a little place near Washington Square about 25 years ago, and have never left. While I know North Beach quite well, I certainly know it a lot better thanks to Blandina! Whether you’re a local or a tourist, you’re sure to enjoy this excellent tour, and will almost certainly learn things about North Beach that you never knew. And you’ll meet a great bunch of people who own and run many of the small, neighborhood shops, galleries, and eating establishments. All-in-all a VERY enjoyable tour, and one you should definitely take!! Geno

Blandina has lived her tour so you get a very personal, knowledgeable glimpse at one of the most interesting, historically significant neighborhoods of San Francisco. No memorized script from Blandina!

      Blandina’s tour of North Beach was absolutely more than expected, we had a wonderful few hours… lf you are looking for an amazing fun and interesting few hours in this city definitely make time for this tour. Blandina is not only beautiful she is fascinatingly colorful and knowledgeable about her city. You will not be sorry. Its time well spent. Blandina has been in this city for more then 30 years and knows so many interesting facts of the amazing culture there. We walked through North Beach parks, cathedrals, cafes, tasted pastries and delicious food and really got a taste of the culture and history. We felt we were with someone famous and met so many of the proprietors that enjoy us coming to visit during the tour. Love to the beautiful Blandina and thank you so much for making us feel so welcome in your city. XOXO Sylvia Badenhausen

My husband and I had a blast on Blandina's tour of North Beach. Blandina was fun, charming and a wealth of information about the history, culture and evolution of the North Beach area. We were welcomed like locals into every shop and watched in awe as Blandina bantered with the staff like family. At each stop Blandina shared her impressive knowledge about each business's craft or specialty. We sampled so many delicious treats and appreciated beautiful craftsmanship and art. I can't wait to go back and take another tour!

Best afternoon on Blandina Farley ‘s Fab walking tour of North Beach!! Went into shops I’ve walked past for decades, tasted some classic treats I should’ve already, made a piece of art to commemorate the adventure (Emperor Norton!!), and learned so much more about my beloved SF from someone who lived and experienced some of the best times in our City by the Bay!! Visitors and locals- you really should treat yourself to this experience!! Thank you thank you ❤️

I live in San Francisco and was therefore even more amazed by all I learned on this tour! Blandina Farley knows every inch of this historic neighborhood and its contributions to international and local culture up to this minute. She's friends with all the locals- and introduces visitors to artists, artisans, restauranteurs and one-of-kind craftspeople. Her stories are fantastic, and the inside looks and attention we received at several stops revealed a North Beach I didn't know still existed. Highly recommended!

I called on a Saturday morning not knowing what to expect. We met up around 1pm. She was on time and has a very warm and friendly personality so we immediately clicked. She’s also very knowledgeable about the city and has lots of fun interesting historical facts that you will appreciate and likely not find anywhere else but her. She is very well-known in the neighborhood and clearly, also dearly loved by the local residents. The same warm hospitality is extended to her guests and I left feeling less like a tourist and more like a friend. I met some amazing and very talented people with rich illustrious histories dating back to the first settlers in the North Beach area. And then there’s the food of course. One of my main attractions to this area is the food and Blandina does an excellent job of incorporating this experience and knowledge into her tour. The area caters to all different pallets, tastes and preferences ranging from vegan, meat-lovers, seafood and even hand-baked sweet treats and delicacies as well as specialty pizzas. The time flies by and be sure to wait for the surprise gem towards the end of the tour. You’ll know it when you see it and you can’t miss it❣️