Get a taste of local history through online walking tours. These 10 to 15-minute videos give an introduction to some of the historic places and themes throughout San Mateo County.

New online tours will be released at https://historysmc.org/victorian-days-walking-tours in July and August. The online tours will be posted by 10 a.m. on the days listed. Scroll below for more information.

ONLINE TOURS AND DATES

Saturday, July 18, 2020: Pescadero

Greg Timm, the Pescadero historian, takes a new approach for this virtual walking tour, pulling out rarely seen historical town photos, and telling the history of Pescadero’s years From Buggy to Automobile.

Sunday, July 19, 2020: Menlo Park

The Menlo Park Historical Association is taking advantage of the opportunity for more than the typical one-and-one half-hour walking route. This year Victorian Days tour highlights five religious structures, miles apart in Menlo Park, all dating in one way or another from the 1880s. As well as places of worship, the churches and the history of the town are forever intertwined.

Saturday, July 25, 2020: Pigeon Point Lighthouse

Come learn the story of Pigeon Point on this virtual tour of the light station. We will highlight various locations on the grounds of the park while we tell Pigeon Point’s story of tragedy, hope, and innovation.

Sunday, July 26, 2020: San Bruno

Join San Mateo County Historical Association President Mitch Postel in an exploration of San Bruno’s historic business district. Starting at the intersection of San Mateo Avenue and El Camino, the online tour includes the original EIMAC building where vacuum tubes were produced for broadcast and radar transmitters during World War II. The tour will feature a stop at the Welch Family’s private slot machine collection, a rare treat in itself.

Saturday, August 1, 2020: Burlingame

Burlingame was once home to a well-known and lucrative horse breeding operation, as well as one of the nation’s best polo fields. Both were located where Burlingame High School now sits. Join us in this eleven-minute video, Horsing Around Burlingame, where we explore Burlingame’s equestrian past.

Sunday, August 2, 2020: San Carlos

The San Carlos Heritage Association presents this abbreviated virtual tour of some historical sites in San Carlos. In the future, join our full tour see and hear more, especially the colorful stories!

Saturday, August 8, 2020: Cypress Lawn

Join us for the saga of two great San Francisco and Cypress Lawn families - de Young & Spreckels - and their tumultuous and tragic connection.

Saturday, August 15, 2020: San Mateo

Join San Mateo County Historical Association President Mitch Postel on an online tour of downtown Mateo. Starting with the historic Benjamin Franklin Hotel (44 E. Third Avenue), the tour will include the Medical Arts Building, railroad-era businesses on B Street, St. Matthew’s Episcopal Church, and the site of San Mateo’s Spanish-era mission outpost.

Sunday, August 16, 2020: Redwood City

Learn about Wellesley Park, the first exclusive neighborhood in Redwood City that was a starry-eyed dreamer's vision backed by prominent professionals from San Francisco. During the online tour, see what remains of this planned community that welcomed homeowners with a huge iron gate topped by a stag. Follow the path of homes that vary in architecture as much as the famous personalities that owned them.

Saturday, August 22: Folger Stable

During an online tour of the Folger Estate Stable Historic District at Wunderlich Park, learn about the history of the main stable, Carriage House, Chinese built stone walls, the blacksmith barn, and dairy house. Take a trip back in time to learn about the agricultural uses of the property, the development of the Folger Coffee Company, the architectural legacy of the estate, the influence of horses to the American West, and Woodside history.

Sunday, August 23, 2020: Half Moon Bay

The walk at Burleigh Murray Ranch is stepping back in time to learn how entrepreneur Robert Mills added to the history of Half Moon Bay. Along the way, we will check in with birds and flora of the area.

Saturday, August 29, 2020: Millbrae

Join Millbrae Historical Society member Joe Teresi on an online walking tour of historic sites of Millbrae, including the oldest house in Millbrae and the Millbrae Train Museum at the former Southern Pacific Depot.