Apr 30, 2024
North Beach Icon - 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!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Sep 15, 2023
Fabulous Fun! - 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!”
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Jul 16, 2023
“North Beach immersion”. Stories of an amazing community ….. - 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!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Jan 14, 2023
Not to miss fun - 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.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Dec 31, 2022
Blandina’s Fabulous Food Tour of North Beach - 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!
Review provided by Viator
Jun 13, 2022
A Hidden Gem if The City! - 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!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
May 3, 2022
Most unique NB 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!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Mar 13, 2022
Wonderful Experience - 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.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Mar 7, 2022
Amazing tour in Little Italy with an amazing guide! - 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 :)
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Feb 1, 2022
Great tour! - 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!
Review provided by Tripadvisor