FAQs

Visiting the House

Haas-Lilienthal House

Pacific Heights Walks

Saturday Walking Tours

Miscellaneous FAQs


Visiting the House

Do we need reservations to visit the House?
What hours are you open?
Can we tour the House on our own?
Where are you located, and how do we get there?
Are you disabled-accessible? Are there are stairs?
Is this an appropriate tour for children, and how much does it cost for kids?
Can we take both tours? (This applies to Sundays only)
How do I book a private tour?
I'm interested in renting the House for a party – can I just drop by & see it?
Can we ever tour for free?
What non-member discounts do you offer?
How do I become a Member?
What member discounts do you offer?
Do you offer student discounts?
I am (or my guests are) not fluent in English – what are my options?
We can't make it any of the hours you are open. What are our options?
Do you have parking?
Can I talk to someone in your Bookstore?
How can I become a docent or cashier (or other type of volunteer) at the House or Heritage?

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Haas-Lilienthal House

What hours are you open?
Are you open on holidays?
Is the House decorated for Christmas? (for Halloween?)
Where are you located, and how do we get there?
Can I take photographs?
Is the House disabled-accessible?
How strenuous is the Pacific Heights Walking Tour? Are there hills?
Is this tour appropriate for Children?
Can I bring a large group?
How long does the tour take?
We can't make it any of the hours you are open.What are our options?
Can we see the House on own – just walk through?

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Pacific Heights Walks

When do these tours happen?
Where does the tour start/end, and how do we get there?
How long does the tour take?
How strenuous is the Pacific Heights Walking Tours? Are there hills?
Is this tour appropriate for Children?
Is this tour a fabulous introduction to many different styles of architecture and building types?

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Saturday Walking Tours

Information coming soon

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Miscellaneous FAQs

What is a Preservation Easement?
What do the Survey Ratings Mean?
How can I help?
Who should I contact?
Glossary

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Visiting the House

Do we need reservations to visit the House?
You do not need reservations - just show up anytime during open hours.
What hours are you open?
We are open Wednesdays and Saturdays from 12 to 3, and Sundays from 11-4. As long as you arrive during those hours, you can take a tour.
Can we tour the House on our own?
No, sorry, we don't offer any self-guided tours, but we guarantee you'll learn so much more by going on a guided tour! If you can't make it during open (museum) hours, you can still see the outside.
Where are you located, and how do we get there?
We are in the eastern part of SF's Pacific Heights, at 2007 Franklin Street, between Washington & Jackson Streets. Franklin is a northbound, one-way street that is 1 block west of (& parallel to) Van Ness Avenue, one of San Francisco's major thoroughfares.

Because parking can be tricky in our neighborhood (and is 2-hour parking at that) we recommend public transportation. Muni bus lines 1, 12, 19, 27, 47 and 49 all run within a few blocks, and we are near the end of the California Cable Car Line.

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Are you disabled-accessible? Are there stairs?
Because we are a historical building, unfortunately we're not fully accessible (yet), so tours aren't really recommended for those with mobility issues. There are a couple of stairs leading into the entrance, then a few down into the House, and 2 full flights of stairs (taken separately) during the tour. The tours usually last about 45 minutes to an hour, and are either standing or walking. Some specials arrangements can be made ahead of time (we have a very small elevator that requires an additional person to operate) but generally we don't have the resources to be able to offer its use to the general public.

Is this an appropriate tour for children, and how much does it cost for kids?
Children are welcome! The tour covers a broad range of topics, some of which will likely be interesting to the younger set. You might want to mention to your docent before the tour starts, if there are any special areas of interest they might be able to address. Admission is $5 for children 12 & under; babies/infants are free, but we must ask that strollers be left in the Ballroom during the tour. Please remind your little ones about "museum manners" and not touching!
Can we take both tours? (This applies to Sundays only)
Taking both the House and the Walking tour is a GREAT way to get to know the City! If you take the first House tour of the day on Sunday, that should give you enough time to catch your breath before starting the Walking tour at 12:30; otherwise, come back to the House with your walking tour guide, and wait for the next House tour.
How do I book a private tour?
Please call
Cate Conmy at 415/ 441.3000 x24 to book a private tour.

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I'm interested in renting the House for a party – can I just drop by & see it?
Short answer: No, not really - unless you take (& pay for) the regular House tour. Please see Long Version.

Long version: Because showing the House as a museum is a different function from showing the House as a potential rental site, different people are trained with different information. During museum hours, our primary responsibility is to our paying visitors, so we ask that you contact Barbara Roldan for an appointment to see the House outside of those hours. She has the distinct advantage of being able to answer all your rental questions about capacity, caterers, insurance, etc., whereas the docents do not. It is a BEAUTIFUL, memorable place to have a wedding, party or even meeting!
Can we ever tour for free?
• We do not currently have any scheduled free-admission days, but will post it on our website when/if we do.
• If you get a membership for a friend as a gift, they can bring you on House tours for free!

What non-member discounts do you offer?
We currently have 2 discount programs:  
1. AAA - show us your AAA card and get 10% off the General Admission price (actually, 10.6%, which rounds down more neatly to $7!) and
2. "Preferred Travel with VISA" - Show us your "Preferred Travel with VISA" card (& pay with your VISA) for a savings.
3. "GoSanFranciscoCard" program...   please check the www.GoSanFranciscoCard.com site.

How do I become a Member?
Click on Membership which will allow you to sign up online. Otherwise, please call our office for a membership packet: 415/ 441.3000.

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What member discounts do you offer?
Members can take any of our tours for free, along with varying numbers of guests (this will be covered in your membership packet.)   In addition to free tours for family and friends, members also receive 20% off on everything we sell in the bookstore!
Do you offer student discounts?
We do not currently offer any student discounts, but check the "non-member discounts" question above, just in case!
I am (or my guests are) not fluent in English – what are my options?
If going on a public tour and translating discreetly yourself is not an option, you may wish to call about the possibility of arranging a private tour. Though they are a bit more expensive, your guests will get understand the guide a more personalized attention. (Pending their availability, we currently have docents able to lead House tours in: French, Italian, Spanish, German and Chinese.) We are working on making printed copies of the House tours available for use during the tour (or purchase) in a variety of languages, including: French, Italian, Spanish, German, Chinese, Japanese, Korean and Russian.
We can't make it any of the hours you are open. What are our options?
Please call
Cate Conmy at 415/ 441.3000 x24 to book a private tour.
Do you have parking?
There is no on-site parking. Parking in the neighborhood is limited, but there are paid-parking garages within a few blocks.
Can I talk to someone in your bookstore?
The bookstore is open when the Haas-Lilienthal House is open for tours. Otherwise, contact
Cate Conmy at 415/441-3000x24.
How can I become a docent or cashier (or other type of volunteer) at the House or Heritage?

Please contact our Volunteer Program Coordinator, Cate Conmy at 415/ 441.3000 x24. Training to become a docent takes 8-10 weeks, and is generally offered twice a year and training for cashiering usually just takes about 90 minutes! Other volunteer options vary - please call for more detailed information! Leave your name and mailing address if you reach voicemail, and a volunteer information packet will be sent out to you.

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Haas-Lilienthal House

What hours are you open?
The Haas-Lilienthal House is open to the public on Wednesdays and Saturdays from 12-3, and on Sundays from 11-4.
Are you open on holidays?
We are generally closed on Christmas eve, Christmas and New Year's Day. All other holidays we TRY to be open, but this varies depending on our volunteers.   Please call our General Recorded Information line (or check back here) within a month of the holiday in question.
Is the House decorated for Christmas? (for Halloween?)
The House is beautifully decorated throughout for the winter holidays, including a stunning 13' tree in the front parlor. Depending on any October weddings that may be scheduled, we are sometimes decorated for Halloween as well - please call to find out!
Where are you located, and how do we get there?
We are in the eastern part of SF's Pacific Heights, at 2007 Franklin Street between Washington and Jackson Streets. Franklin is a northbound, one-way street that is one block west of Van Ness Avenue. Muni bus lines 1, 12, 19, 27, 47 and 49 all run within a few blocks.
Can I take photographs?
Photographs/videos made without the use of flash (or other special lighting) are allowed. Flash photography is not permitted as it can be damaging to the old/fragile objects in the House - so bring high-speed film, or plan on purchasing postcards of the House.
Is the House disabled-accessible?
Because we are a historical building, unfortunately we're not fully accessible (yet), so tours aren't really recommended for those with mobility issues. There are a couple of stairs leading into the entrance, then a few down into the House, and 2 full flights of stairs (taken separately) during the tour. The tours usually last about 45 minutes to an hour, and are either standing or walking. Some specials arrangements can be made ahead of time (we have a very small elevator that requires an additional person to operate) but generally we don't have the resources to be able to offer its use to the general public.

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How strenuous is the Pacific Heights Walking Tour? Are there hills?
There are no steep hills. The tour has been laid out so that the greater slopes are downhill and the uphill parts are more gentle. Wear comfortable walking shoes.
Is this tour appropriate for Children?
Children are welcome! The tour covers a broad range of topics, some of which will likely be interesting to the younger set. You might want to mention to your docent before the tour starts, if there are any special areas of interest they might be able to address. Admission is $5 for children 12 & under; babies/infants are free, but we must ask that strollers be left in the Ballroom during the tour. Please remind your little ones about "museum manners" and not touching!
Can I bring a large group?
Please call Cate Conmy at 415/ 441.3000 x24 to book a private tour.
How long does the tour take?
About one hour.
We can't make it any of the hours you are open. What are our options?
Please call Cate Conmy at 415/ 441.3000 x24 to book a private tour.
Can we see the House on own – just walk through?

No, sorry, we don't offer any self-guided tours, but we guarantee you'll learn so much more by going on a guided tour! If you can't make it during open (museum) hours, you can still see the outside.

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Pacific Heights Walks

When do these tours happen?
Every Sunday at 12:30pm.
Where does the tour start/end, and how do we get there?
The tour starts from the Haas-Lilienthal House, 2007 Franklin Street, between Washington and Jackson Streets.
How long does the tour take?
Two Hours.
How strenuous is the Pacific Heights Walking Tour? Are there hills?
There are no steep hills. The tour has been laid out so that the greater slopes are downhill and the uphill parts are more gentle. Wear comfortable walking shoes.
Is this tour appropriate for Children?
Children are welcome! The tour covers a broad range of topics, some of which will likely be interesting to the younger set. You might want to mention to your docent before the tour starts, if there are any special areas of interest they might be able to address. Admission is $5 for children 12 & under; babies/infants are free.
Is this tour a fabulous introduction to many different styles of architecture and building types?
Yes!
We can't make it on Sunday afternoon. What are our options?
Please call Cate Conmy at 415/ 441.3000 x24 to book a private tour.

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Saturday Walking Tours

information to come

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Miscellaneous FAQs

What is a Preservation Easement?
An easement conveys to a second party a partial interest or right in a property which places restrictions on the owner's use of the property. A preservation easement, in particular, is a legal instrument ensuring the protection of architecturally and historically significant structures by limiting the future owner's right to demolish the building or to make destructive alterations. The typical preservation easement applies to the publicly visible portions of the exterior of the structure (façades), but may extend to certain interior elements and even to the open space surrounding the building, if Heritage and the donor agree. When Heritage accepts a preservation easement, it receives the legal right to review and approve the design of proposed changes to the portions of the structure covered by the easement. All other rights and obligations of ownership, such as the right to sell or lease the property as well as the responsibility for maintenance, remain vested in the owner. To bind future owners of the property, a preservation easement runs with the title to the property. Find out more about Easements.

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How can I help?
You can help in many ways. One way you can help is to volunteer your time. Another way you can help is to donate money toward worthwhile preservation organizations like San Francisco Architectural Heritage. By becoming a member, you will receive information on the City’s preservation issues.

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Who should I contact?
If you need to contact someone within the organization, go to our Contact page. For other contacts, see our Links page.

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Glossary

 

 

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