Gold Rush Women: Untold Stories of San Francisco’s Trailblazing Pioneers

Wed Sep 03 2025 at 10:00 am to 12:00 pm UTC-07:00

Saints Peter and Paul Church | San Francisco

Go Roam Tours
Publisher/HostGo Roam Tours
Gold Rush Women: Untold Stories of San Francisco\u2019s Trailblazing Pioneers Step into San Francisco’s Wild Gold Rush Era—Through the Eyes of the Women Who Made History.
About this Event

🌟 Midweek Trailblazer Rate — Just $29.95! 🌟

Book by October 31, 2025 to save on all Wednesday & Thursday tours August 6, 2025 through March 30, 2026


🚶‍♀️ Walk through Gold Rush history—from a woman’s point of view.Join Go Roam Tours for a bold, inclusive walking tour uncovering the powerful women and gender-nonconforming people who shaped early San Francisco but were left out of the textbooks.

From brothel madams to suffragettes to artists to entrepreneurs, “Gold Rush Women” reveals the untold stories of women who defied the odds and redefined the West.

More About the Tour:

Uncover the untold stories of the bold, brilliant, and scandalous women who helped shape San Francisco during the Gold Rush. From entrepreneurs and entertainers to outlaws and activists, this walking tour explores the city’s vibrant past through the fierce women who defied the odds—and left their mark.

On this 2-hour guided walking tour through North Beach, Chinatown, and the Financial District, you’ll discover:

· Mary Ellen Pleasant, a Black businesswoman, abolitionist, and self-made millionaire known as the "Mother of Civil Rights in California."

· Ah Toy, San Francisco’s first Chinese madam who took on the courts—and won.

· Lola Montez, scandalous performer, political influencer, and global celebrity.

· Juana Briones, entrepreneur, healer, and early Californio landowner.

· The hidden lives of women pioneers, sex workers, suffragists, and unsung heroines who risked everything for fortune, freedom, or fame.

👣 This walking tour brings history to life in the streets where it happened—perfect for history buffs, culture seekers, and anyone curious about the powerful women of the past.

📍 Location: Starts in San Francisco’s historic Jackson Square

🚶‍♀️Walking distance: ~1 mile

🎟️ Tickets: $34.95 | Discounts for students, seniors, and youth

🗓️ Offered: Thursdays–Sundays

💡 This tour reclaims women’s and gender-expansive history—one city block at a time. Book your spot and walk in the footsteps of the fearless.

Perfect for: Solo travelers, history lovers, LGBTQIA people, feminist locals and visitors, and anyone interested in women and gender-expansive people.


About Your Tour Guide:

Throughout the tour, your guide—Heather Cassell, award-winning feminist journalist and publisher and San Francisco Bay Area native—shares the story of women who shaped San Francisco from its days as Yerba Buena to the mad rush for gold to the club era and suffrage movement during the Gilded Age.

Whether you're a visitor, a longtime local, or exploring your own place in the women’s movement, this tour offers a toast to the people, places, and movements that built San Francisco—and continue to shape its future.

Event Venue

Saints Peter and Paul Church, 666 Filbert Street, San Francisco, United States

Tickets

USD 0.00 to USD 33.80

Sharing is Caring:

More Events in San Francisco

Business Expansion Event
Wed, 03 Sep at 06:00 pm Business Expansion Event

South San Francisco Conference Center

Men's-MAX Quarterly Dinner at The University Club of San Francisco!
Wed, 03 Sep at 06:00 pm Men's-MAX Quarterly Dinner at The University Club of San Francisco!

University Club of San Francisco

Shekoh Confections: Chocolate-Making Class
Wed, 03 Sep at 06:00 pm Shekoh Confections: Chocolate-Making Class

Shekoh Confections

Mission Loter\u00eda Pop-Up Game Night: Out The Road
Wed, 03 Sep at 06:00 pm Mission Lotería Pop-Up Game Night: Out The Road

Out The Road

How to Stop Worrying About the Future
Wed, 03 Sep at 06:30 pm How to Stop Worrying About the Future

Manny's

Post-Proust Book Group
Wed, 03 Sep at 06:45 pm Post-Proust Book Group

Mechanics' Institute, 4th Floor Board Room

Tough Guy Book Club - San Francisco Chapter
Wed, 03 Sep at 07:00 pm Tough Guy Book Club - San Francisco Chapter

Olfactory Brewing - 2245 3rd St, San Francisco, CA 94107-3125, United States

The Comedy Stampede
Wed, 03 Sep at 07:00 pm The Comedy Stampede

Azucar Lounge

Mission City Swing: 3rd week of the class series & Boogie by the Bay JnJ #6!
Wed, 03 Sep at 07:00 pm Mission City Swing: 3rd week of the class series & Boogie by the Bay JnJ #6!

The Russian Center of San Francisco

Fat Dog at Rickshaw Stop
Wed, 03 Sep at 07:00 pm Fat Dog at Rickshaw Stop

Rickshaw Stop

Fat Dog, Weep Wave, Godly the Ruler in San Francisco
Wed, 03 Sep at 07:00 pm Fat Dog, Weep Wave, Godly the Ruler in San Francisco

Popscene @ Rickshaw Stop

San Francisco is Happening!

Never miss your favorite happenings again!

Explore San Francisco Events