Download free tours-to-go with San Francisco podcasts
Posted by admin on Feb 19, 2008
MP3 players are taking on a new and increasingly popular role as private tour guides to some of the world’s most sought-after destinations.
Whether you’re planning a leisurely walking tour to explore San Francisco’s unique architecture, landmarks, and neighborhoods, or looking to explore the city’s art and music offerings during your visit, there’s bound to be at least one podcast that can point you in the right direction.
All of the podcasts listed here are free!
American Institute of Architects (AIA) San Francisco Walking Tours
AIA San Francisco’s first podcast series, ArchCasts, is part of a public outreach campaign to help demystify and explain the design process to the general public. These ArchCasts highlight several of the city’s most admired buildings from an architectural point of view, including the Ferry Building, the Hallidie Building, and the in-progress Contemporary Jewish Museum.
Chronicle Podcasts: Audio Tours
The San Francisco Chronicle offers several podcast channels, including a series of unique audio tours. Take a hike along the 1906 Great Quake’s "Ring of Fire," or tour North Beach or the Inner Sunset District near Golden Gate Park. The Chronicle also produces podcasts on a wide variety of Bay Area-relevant topics, from sports and politics to local music and film.
De Young Museum
The de Young’s podcast series offers news and features about current and upcoming exhibitions, and interviews with artists, museum visitors, curators, conservators, educators, and others.
Geogad
Geogad Mobile Tours turn your MP3 player into a personal mobile tour guide. Incorporating voice narration and pictures, Geogad allows you to tour at your own pace and in the order that fits your interests. Available San Francisco tours include the Ferry Building, Fisherman’s Wharf, Market Street, and Union Square.
Pacific Noise
Pacific Noise is an internet TV show and guide to local bands in San Francisco. Each week they broadcast some part of the city’s indie music scene, aiming to amplify the potential of the Bay Area music community.
San Francisco Museum of Modern Art
SFMOMA Artcasts is a monthly series presenting audio and video interviews with artists, writers, curators, and visitors as they respond to exhibitions and artworks on view at SFMOMA. Save $2 on museum admission when you present your MP3 player loaded with the current SFMOMA Artcast at the museum box office. One discounted ticket per MP3 player.
Sparkletack: The San Francisco History Podcast
Sparkletack is a labor of love created and maintained by Richard Miller, who in his spare time researches and shares fascinating stories about San Francisco history through his blog and podcasts. It’s "history made accessible without dumbing it down," with podcast topics ranging from the origins of the names of the streets in San Francisco to the reign of the quirky Emperor Norton.
Tourcaster: Getting to Know San Francisco
Before visiting the City by the Bay, listen to pertinent information to help you get around San Francisco like a seasoned traveler in this free podcast.
Wells Fargo History Museum
The Wells Fargo History Museum is a project of the Wells Fargo corporation, a company originally founded during the Gold Rush which provided banking, mail, and stagecoach services during the early days of California statehood. Wells Fargo museums present historical perspectives, personal stories, and artifacts from those early pioneering days, and their podcast episodes highlight exhibitions and treasures from the corporate archives, as well as interviews with museum curators and educators.