Self-guided San Francisco Walking Tour for Women’s History Month, March 2022

We’re proud to celebrate Women’s History Month at Planet as a time to encourage reflection on Women’s History, the progress made and the progress still needing to be made, and to support and give back to women by way of patronage at women owned businesses throughout San Francisco. We’ve created this self-guided walking tour that begins at San Francisco’s famed Coit Tower and will take you to a few other historical points as well as women owned bars and restaurants throughout the city, ending with another beautiful view at Cupid’s Span where you can take in the beauty of the bay and the Bay Bridge while reflecting on the incredible contributions women have made to our beautiful city.

Start at Coit Tower 

1 Telegraph Hill Blvd, San Francisco, CA 94133

Since its completion in 1933, Coit tower has become a classic piece of San Francisco’s skyline, providing a 360 degree viewpoint of the city from its 210 foot tower located in Telegraph Hill. Coit tower was named after Lillie Hitchcock Coit, a wealthy and eccentric patron of the city’s firefighters, who in 1929 when she passed away, left a substantial bequest “for the purpose of adding beauty to the city I have always loved.” It was these funds that were used to build Coit Tower in honor of the volunteer firefighters that were so beloved by Lillie Hitchcock Coit. The interior of the tower has another window into history showcasing murals depicting struggles of life during the depression.

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California Historical Landmark 1024: Briones Rancho Site 

Washington Square, RH2R+F5, San Francisco, CA 94133

Just a few minutes walk from Coit Tower is the California Historical Landmark honoring Juana Briones who was a pioneer of the historical district of North Beach in San Francisco. At the site of this small park, Juana Briones raised cattle and grew vegetables for sale to ship crews. She also gave sanctuary to refugees and was revered as a healer and caregiver. She is honored as a humanitarian, astute businesswoman, community builder, and mother of eight children. 

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Enjoy Oysters and other SF Classics at Betty Lou’s Seafood and Grill

318 Columbus Ave., San Francisco, CA 94133

Just a few minutes walk down Columbus Ave. will bring you to Betty Lou’s Seafood and Grill. With over 30 years of experience working together in restaurants, this spot is run by the matriarch, Betty Lou Pesce, her partner. With a long history in North Beach, Betty Lou’s serves San Francisco classics including great oysters, clam chowder and cioppino. 

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Reflect at the “Comfort Women” Monument 

651 California Street, San Francisco, CA 91118

Few memorials speak of women, even less of their suffering, courage, endurance and determination to achieve justice. This memorial speaks  of all that and more, depicting three young women from Korea, China and the Philippines standing on a pedestal holding hands, while a statue of Kim Hak-sun, a Korean activist, gazes up at them. From 1931 through 1945 during World War II, hundreds of thousands of girls and women from 11 countries were sexually enslaved by the Imperial Japanese Armed Forces. They were subjected to exploitation and unspeakable pain and torture every day of their lives. They were the “ Comfort Women” for the Imperial Japanese army, a euphemism for sex slaves. More than 75 years later, their long struggle demanding justice for this unprecedented government-run system of wartime sexual enslavement is not over.  In 2015, the San Francisco Board of Supervisors unanimously passed a resolution to build a Memorial to the “Comfort Women” in the City and to educate the community about stopping human trafficking of women and girls. This clear mandate by the City of San Francisco, which has supported peace and justice through its vibrant history, and the “Comfort Women” monument, are meant to serve as an international beacon of hope around the world.

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Drinks and Appetizers at E&O Kitchen

314 Sutter Street, San Francisco, CA 94108

Director of Operations and Executive Chef, Sharon Namh was born in Korea and raised in California where she found her love of cooking and baking. Sharon’s strong association with her cultural roots, and her professional experience create a dynamic cooking style that is a combination of informal know-how and well-honed skills. This combination is displayed at E& O’s modern asian restaurant and lounge in the heart of San Francisco’s vibrant Union Square, where Namh creates exciting and bold flavors in modern Asian dishes. 

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Dinner at Lao Table 

149 2nd St. San Francisco, CA 94105

This  women-owned Thai restaurant located in the SOMA district of San Francisco has been praised not only for its incredibly spicy dishes, but also for the beauty with which they present their dishes. This is the perfect place to stop and enjoy a drink accompanied by their incredible $38 Happy Hour platter including oysters and other thai inspired bar bites, or go all out with their delicious classic thai dinner offerings! 

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Finish at Cupid’s Span, Rincon Park 

The Embarcadero & Folsom St. San Francisco, CA 94105

Complete your self-guided walking tour by making your way to the giant outdoor sculpture of Cupid’s arrow, called Cupid’s Span. This huge fiberglass and steel sculpture is a piece created by Dutch-American Sculptor, Coosje Van Bruggen, in collaboration with her husband Claes Oldenburg. Accenting the bay this piece was inspired by  San Francisco’s reputation as the home port of Eros, the god of love. Leydier and Penwarden wrote, “Love’s trade-mark weapon naturally evokes the city’s permissive and romantic reputation, while formally its taut curve resonates wonderfully with the structure of the famous suspension bridge in the background.”

Free Guided Walking Tour – Saturday, March 4, 2022

Notable Women in History: A Walking Tour to the Old Mint– The National Park Service and the San Francisco Maritime are offering a free guided walking tour along which, you will stop and discuss several significant women’s history landmarks. (RSVP ahead of time via the link.) 

Time: 10:00 am Meet at the Hyde Street Pier Entrance