THE RISE OF STRIPPERS, COMEDIANS, AND BEATS
IN SAN FRANCISCO'S NORTH BEACH

Nude, Lewd, and Crude is a two-hour tour that discusses the rise of strippers, comedians, and beats in San Francisco's bohemian North Beach. We’ll cover the revolutionary—and revolting—activities that reinforced the City’s liberal and eccentric reputation.

Since the lawless years of the Gold Rush, North Beach has consistently been at the epicenter of everything that was anti-establishment. From the 1950s to the 1970s, San Francisco’s “Little Italy” gave rise to three new American institutions that pushed the limits: beatniks, strippers, and socio-political comedians—something to entertain and offend everyone.

For most post-WWII conservative America, the City’s behavior was disgusting; for the San Francisco locals, it was just another average Saturday night. Join us for a neon-packed nighttime walk around one of the City’s most popular neighborhoods and see what all the fuss was about.

Nude, Lewd, and Crude chronicles the famous (and infamous) nightlife of North Beach from the '50s to the '70s, and the broader historical context of the City that allowed these elements—exotic dancers, bohemian poets, and social satirists—to come together.

While this tour is not vulgar, it does contain one image of nudity and takes place in an area with strip clubs and their clientele.

tour distance: about 10 blocks tour duration: about two hours
 hills: one block of slighly downhill walking
ending location: near the San Francisco Brewing Company at 155 Columbus Avenue

Due to the location and some of the themes of this tour, it is for adults only.

  • See where LSD was manufactured (sorry, no free samples!)
  • The bookstore where books were banned, igniting the Beat phenomenon
  • The launch and demise of Lenny (“King of the Sick Comics”) Bruce's career...all on one block
  • The “Beat Speak” game—dig it, Daddy-o!
  • Café Trieste, where Francis Ford Coppola wrote "The Godfather"
  • The birthplace of jazz fused with beat poetry
  • The Condor, birthplace of topless dancing (sorry, no free samples!)

  • Plus plenty of nude, lewd, and (not that) crude fun facts

Advance purchase required. Tours usually sell out in advance!

Get information, check availability & buy tickets online:
Nude Lewd & Crude Comedy Walking Tour

Or to purchase by phone, call Zerve at 800.979.3370  or  212.209.3370 (int'l)
Here are our regular tours.
We can also customize a fun tour for your group or family.
write us for more information
CHASING THE DRAGON
disorient yourself in the history and mystery of Chinatown

COME OUT TO THE CASTRO
San Francisco’s gay village from top to bottom

FLASHBACK
from the Summer of Love to the Winter of Discontent

FULL EXPOSURE
an expose into the full history of North Beach
GO WEST, YOUNG WOMAN
ten daring divas who did it their way
HOBNOBBING WITH GOBS OF SNOBS
the stinkin’ rich and dirty money that built Nob Hill
LUSCIOUS LOBBIES
intimate interiors of Nob Hill & Union Square

NUDE, LEWD & CRUDE
the rise of strippers, comedians, and beats in North Beach

SAN FRANCISCO IN A NUTSHELL
the nuts and bolts of the City's history

SHAKE & BAKE
the heartbreak of the great 'quake

WHERE'S THE F-ING BEACH IN NORTH BEACH?
a neighborhood tour sponsored by the letter F

THE WHOLE SHEBANG
three individual tours squeezed into a deluxe three-hour tour of Nob Hill, Chinatown, and North Beach

 

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