The Story Behind Dylan’s Tours

The 25 cents that changed it all

Back in 2003, the world was a different place. Nokia phones were in every hand. Beyoncé had just gone solo. And in San Francisco, Dylan David was faced with an unexpected setback: a rejection for a bagging job at Trader Joe’s. Realizing that nighttime bartending wasn’t going to cut it, Dylan took a chance on an idea — and in doing so, changed the trajectory of his life.

With just 25 cents in his pocket — exactly the cost of a color flier at Kinko’s — Dylan climbed into his well-worn 1990 Dodge Caravan, printed a flier advertising a San Fran tour, and posted it on the wall of a single hostel. This simple act kick-started what would become a decades-long adventure showcasing his native city.

And just like that, Dylan’s Tours was born.

In his reliable ‘soccer mom’ minivan, Dylan took backpackers on unique tours through San Francisco. His tours offered more than the usual sightseeing; these were immersive excursions into the city that combined famous urban attractions with the wild beauty of the surrounding landscape.

Fast forward two decades later, and Dylan’s Tours has grown into a team of passionate local guides, each offering their unique insights into San Francisco. And yet, the essence of the tours remains unchanged: authentic, unscripted, and deeply in tune with the city’s pulse.

Dylan himself is still at the forefront, guiding operations from our office in North Beach, Little Italy, and ensuring every tour lands with the same captivating and authentic spirit as those first tours some twenty years ago.

That’s not to say the journey has been without its bumps…

Everyone has a COVID story, and San Francisco’s was not an easy one. Dylan’s Tours navigated the storm right alongside the city, confronting each challenge with resolve. Reflecting the resilient spirit of the city we cherish, we adapted and persevered, coming out stronger on the other side.

Now more than ever, we’re dedicated to reclaiming and showcasing the unique spirit that makes San Francisco so special.

Tour Guide at Dylan's San Francisco Tours
Tour Guide at Dylan's San Francisco Tours

Per

Minibus Tour/Bike Guide

Per’s enthusiasm for SF is only surpassed by his love for pinball. He plays in several tournaments each year around the world.

The Castro is his favorite ‘hood “It’s warm and the people are great.”

Tour Guide at Dylan's San Francisco Tours
Tour Guide at Dylan's San Francisco Tours

Rolando

Minibus Tour Guide

Favorite place to eat in SF: Sotto Mare (cioppino!)

We had Rolando as our tour guide and he is AMAZING! A fun, energetic, friendly guy, and native of San Francisco.” – Lindsay, UK

Patrick - Dylan's Famous Tour Guide
Patrick - Dylan's Famous Tour Guide

Patrick

Minibus Tour Guide

Patrick is a 4th generation San Francisco native. He enjoys showing all the visitors the beautiful redwoods of Muir Woods National Monument.

He hopes you are up for trivia and chocolate on his Dylan’s Famous Tour experiences!

Sean "Sully" Dylan's Famous Tour Guide
Sean "Sully" Dylan's Famous Tour Guide

Sean “Sully”

Minibus Tour Guide

Sean “Sully,” from Detroit, raised with horses, US Marine vet, computer tech, world traveler, loader operator in Antarctica, and an adventure travel camping road trip tour leader across North America.

His passion for history and culture lend to Sully’s unique storyline as he connects the past to the present.

Mark - Dylan's Famous Tour Guide
Mark - Dylan's Famous Tour Guide

Mark

Minibus Tour Guide

Meet Mark, the tour guide extraordinaire in San Francisco! With almost 40 years of living in SF, he’s practically a local legend.

Armed with wit, charm, pictures, and more fun facts than you can shake a cable car at, Mark is the go-to guy for an unforgettable journey through the quirky streets of SF.

Jake - Dylan's Famous Tour Guide
Jake - Dylan's Famous Tour Guide

Jake

Minibus Tour Guide

Jake is a born and bred San Franciscan. He enjoys the views from the top of a hill (fog included) and cheering on SF sports teams.

He suggests you bring a layer and hopes you try cioppino and It’s-It ice cream sandwiches.

Discover the real San Francisco

San Francisco is more than a collection of landmarks; it’s a constantly evolving cityscape, brimming with stories, culture, and natural beauty.

From the haunting history of Alcatraz to the majestic redwoods of Muir Woods, from the quaint waterfront eateries in Sausalito to the iconic fog dancing under the Golden Gate Bridge, San Francisco is truly one-of-a-kind — and it’s our privilege to share it with you.

We can’t wait to welcome you on one of our tours soon!

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