Architecture Groups San Francisco

From Walking with a Guide (Nature,Architecture,History)

Architecture, Design & Drinks is a casual monthly gathering for people who work in, around, or are inspired by design. We meet on the last Friday of each month to unwind, trade ideas, and connect. No agenda, no pressure. Whether you’re an architect, designer, creative, or simply design-curious, this is an easy way to expand your circle and have meaningful conversations in a relaxed setting. New faces are always welcome. Grab a drink, join the conversation, and stay as long as you’d like.

13 attendees

The Liberty-Hill/Southwest Mission Victorians, & SF Earthquake History Tour

Sat, Oct 31, 5:30 PM

From Walking with a Guide (Nature,Architecture,History)

**\*Don't be a no-show. *See the Group's no-show policy below.*** Don't be a no-show and lose your membership in the Group. Attendance is always taken and no-shows recorded. As we do these tours it's nice to see and learn about the Victorian houses and SF history. But it's always kind of sad that we can't see the fabulous interiors many of the houses have. We'll visit the *"Golden Fire Hydrant"* and walk the 20th St. Fire Line where fire-fighters and citizens held the line and saved the Mission from going up in flames. Actually the north side of 20th St. starting at Dolores St. was demolished to create a fire break. The difference between the north and south side of 20th St. here is startling. [3755-20th St. is on our tour today. It is a beautiful 1889 Victorian. These interior photos show some of the beautiful interior details typical of a Victorian of this era.](https://www.redfin.com/CA/San-Francisco/3755-20th-St-94110/home/713440) [Here is a link to detailed histories of seven Victorians East of Noe Valley.](https://archive.org/details/victorianallianc1093unse/page/n19/mode/2up?view=theater) We'll see some of these and many others on today's tour. [Another link to one of the oldest houses on today's tour.](https://noehill.com/sf/landmarks/sf136.asp) [Here's a simple link that will allow you to support the Meetup and add a thank you.](https://www.paypal.com/donate/?business=TJ8W6VVEGJ6BS&no_recurring=1&item_name=%0AIt%27s+very+nice+of+you+to+respond+and+give+support.%0AThank+you%2C%0AJordan&currency_code=USD) One of our go to restaurants after the tour has been Udupi Palace for Indian vegetarian food at 21st & Valencia. Also across the street is Ritual Coffee Roasters. Tartine Bakery is four blocks away at 18th and Guerreo. And there is always Park Coffee at 18th & Dolores with Bi-rite ice cream across the street. *The information below is provided if you are interested in more details about SF Victorian architecture.* **Looking at a San Francisco Victorian, what to look for:** *(There are five Styles)* * Flat front Italianate- (earliest Victorians). (French 2nd Empire appear) * Italianate with slanted bay windows. * San Francisco Stick Style (also called East Lake). Simpler square bay windows now used. Overall much more elaborate decoration, ornament and gingerbread used. * Queen Anne Tower House&Witches Cap, with angled or rounded bay windows & front gable * Queen Anne Row House, 1, 1-1/2 or two stories. Large front gable. Possible moongate entry. Features & "Gingerbread" Type of Entry & Doorway(maybe a rounded or partial Moongate entry)- Decorative Ironwork- Floral Decor-Garlands (one of many types of decorations known as \*"Gingerbread") Fish scale&Diamond shingles- Towers & Witch's Cap- Stained Glass or Beveled Glass- Carvings of grotesque faces- Sunbursts- often painted gold color, half or full. Gables (Queen Anne's) in a variety of material- (mainly redwood) Newel Posts and Finials on Tower tops and roof peaks- Fernando Nelson built thousands of homes in SF. Over many, many decades. We'll also see clusters (2 to 17) of Victorian homes systematically built for the average working person by a development company, "The Real Estate Assoc." THEA, from 1870 to 1880. Not quite magnificent but many still standing. Development of woodworking mills South of Market provided the ornaments with which to add the "gingerbread" to the Victorian houses There was an Old English custom using fancy cutouts of gingerbread to decorate wedding cakes. The term gingerbread was subsequently used for the decorating of Victorian houses. The secret ingredient was redwood. It could be carved, sawn, or turned, or soaked and press molded into almost any design *Periods* **1860 - 1870s *Italianate*:** Buildings were vertical in emphasis with rounded classical detail. Earliest had flat windows & flat roofs with false roof fronts. **1880s *Stick Style* (also called East Lake):** The early buildings in this genre relied heavily on plane vertical board decorations. Squared off bay windows appear. **Late 1880s and 1890s *Queen Anne*** : Gingerbread would be applied to both the Stick and Queen Ann styles in San Francisco. Sloping roofs appear. Gables and towers. In Queen Ann surfaces are covered in a variety of patterns with fish scale and diamond shingles, lap siding and masonry, sometimes all in the same building. Victorians Around Dolores Park Explored, and Houses Burned in the 1906 EQ/Fire*Rooflines in the Queen Anne were irregular, combining the witches hat roof on a rounded or octagonal tower,* sometimes decorated with a spool work of gable braces. Frieze bands of foliated patterns wrapped around towers and tall chimneys. Horizontal proportions prevailed over the general vertical emphasis of the previous styles. [If you would like a scholarly and detailed explanation with photos, click.](https://sfplanning.org/sites/default/files/documents/preserv/bulletins/HistPres_Bulletin_18.PDF) After the 06' earthquake apartments in substantial buildings became popular with well-to-do San Franciscans. [To check for a possible, for sale/open house tour, click this link.](https://www.realtor.com/realestateandhomes-search/Mission-District_San-Francisco_CA/type-single-family-home/show-open-house)

5 attendees

Tour Mansions in Pacific Heights then-SF Symphony, Dvořák 8

Sun, Nov 15, 5:45 PM

From Walking with a Guide (Nature,Architecture,History)

[Those with Concert tickets will be taken off the Wait-list. ](https://www.axs.com/events/937951/san-francisco-symphony-orozco-estrada-conducts-dvorak-7-tickets?cid=usaffevvnt) Do you have a ticket, (cost is as low as $27.00). This is a special tour today. End time shown is for the walking tour. After the tour, it's over to **Davies Symphony Hall for, Prokofiev Romeo and Juliet.** We can have lunch before the concert at the Max's Opera Cafe. I have seats around **R16**, in the Orchestra level. There is plenty of available free **parking** around the neighborhood and no restriction on weekends/holidays. After the tour go to the Symphony with us and have lunch there. Help out with Meetup expenses: (Recommended, $5./month for regulars, or $5.00 per Event, if irregular.) Venmo, @hermazon PayPal, herrmann48@comcast.net **(Don't be a no-show.)** It's good to give out name tags. I fill out the name tags just before I leave for the tour. This also gives me a way to take attendance. Name tags that are not picked up, are recorded as no-shows. *(See no-show listing for February in photos below.)* If you get too many no-shows recorded in your personal Meet-up profile you'll be cancelled from this Meetup. (To cancel your RSVP look for the, **"Edit Attendance"** tab at the bottom right hand corner of a notebook screen, left bottom for a phone.) If time allows, about midway through the tour we'll stop for a break atop Lafayette Park. The strange 19th century tale of Samuel Holladay and how he got away with building his mansion on the highest point in Pacific Hts., even though his residential real estate "empire", **was atop and within Lafayette Park**. This is a true tale and will be told with some of the old photos. There are restrooms at the Park and views and we'll describe the surrounding heritage Victorian houses, making our way back through some of the best examples of remaining Victorians in SF. Pacific Heights is best known for being one of the most affluent neighborhoods in San Francisco. This tour highlights the architecture, and some of the people who built, occupied and maintained these grand properties. About 30 of which will be on our tour with some information about each property. The walking tour is 3 miles. With the usual SF hills. \-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\- We'll pass by some Victorians. If you want to know more read-on! **Looking at a San Francisco Victorian, what to look for:** *(There are five Styles)* 1. Flat front Italianate- (earliest Victorians). 2. Italianate with slanted bay windows. 3. San Francisco Stick Style (also called East Lake). Simpler square bay windows now used. Overall more elaborate decoration. 4. Queen Anne Tower House&Witches Cap, with angled or rounded bay windows & front gable 5. Queen Anne Row House"Cottage", 1, 1-1/2 or two stories. Large front gable. Possible moon-gate entry. * Features & "Gingerbread" * Floral Decor-Garlands (one of many types of decorations known as \*"Gingerbread") * Fish scale&Diamond shingles- * Towers & Witch's Cap- * Stained Glass or Beveled Glass- * Carvings of grotesque faces- * Sunbursts- often painted gold color, half or full. * Gables (Queen Anne's) in a variety of material- (mainly redwood) * Newel Posts and Finials on Tower tops and roof peaks- We'll see clusters of Victorian homes systematically built for the average working person by a development company, "The Real Estate Assoc." THEA, in business from 1870 to 1880. Not quite magnificent but many still standing. *Periods* **1860 - 1870s *Italianate*:** Buildings were vertical in emphasis with rounded classical detail. Earliest had flat windows, with false roof fronts. **1880s *Stick Style* (also called East Lake):** Squared off bay windows appear. **Late 1880s and 1890s *Queen Anne*** : Gingerbread would be applied to both the Stick and Queen Ann styles in San Francisco. Sloping roofs appear. With gables and towers. *Rooflines in the Queen Anne were irregular, combining the witches hat rooftop on a rounded or octagonal tower*. Following the Victorians the next major architectural style were the Period Revival residences popular in the 1920s and 1930s. [If you would like a scholarly and detailed explanation with photos, click.](https://sfplanning.org/sites/default/files/documents/preserv/bulletins/HistPres_Bulletin_18.PDF)

2 attendees

Julia Morgan in Piedmont

Sun, Nov 8, 6:30 PM

From Walking with a Guide (Nature,Architecture,History)

Julia Morgan designed about twenty houses in Piedmont. Eleven of these can be incorporated into a walking tour. One of the houses was created from a watercolor of an English cottage in Croydon, England, requested by a client. A first for Julia Morgan. See the photo of the water color here. And we'll get a chance to make the comparison. Plus, we'll stop by the location of the first brown shingle house in the Bay Area. Rev. Worcester's house from 1876. Maximum distance will be between 3 to 4 miles with uphills. Wear sturdy footwear. Sunscreen advised. Dress in layers. Bring water. (I'm working on finding a great, everyday, locals' favorite restaurant, not too far from the tour. If you have one of your own, please let me know, as an option for lunch.)

18 attendees

Modernism-Architecture Tour, Berkeley's Mid-Century Moderns

Sat, Nov 21, 6:30 PM

From In-Person Tech Events San Francisco|Seattle|Dallas|Austin

*(\***Don't be a no-show and lose your membership in the Group. See the Group no-show policies at the bottom.**)* * *(For those familiar with the Bay Area's, "Eichler" style houses, here's your chance to discover where they came from.)* * Optional afterwards we'll drive down one mile to the Gourmet Ghetto for lunch. ***\-\-\-1st Bay Tradition* to *Mid-Century Modern House Tour*\-\-\-** *(EXTERIORS)* You can truly get the feeling of what the architects and landscape designers in the 1930s through the 1960s intended, compared to the nearby earlier, 1st Bay Traditional work of Bernard Maybeck, John Gayland Howard, Edwin Lewis Snyder(period revival was his specialty) and John Hudson Thomas. The modernist architects work we'll see today include; William Wurster, Roger Lee, Donald Olsen, Charles Warren Callister, John Hans Ostwald, Robert Klemmedson(the magnificent Japanese villa at #14 Maybeck Twin Dr.) and my personal favorite, Louise Rigg and her house at 170 Tamalpais Rd. Some of these 2nd Bay Tradition modern houses still have original furniture and have undergone no or little change since they were first constructed. The gardens were designed in keeping with the era of bringing the outdoors into the house, facilitated by huge windows. You will also see incredibly wide views of the bay and peninsula rarely found in other locations. The design, layout and construction requirements of these houses facilitated maximizing the awesome views these houses afforded. *Meeting Location:* We are meeting on the sidewalk where Rose Walk meets Euclid Ave. Halfway between Cedar St. & Eunice St. (Nearby address, 1400 Euclid Ave.,Berkeley Without the incredible work of the *Berkeley Architectural Heritage Association,* going back to the 1970s, the information for these Berkeley tours would not be available. A summary of some of this information can be found in their tour guide book, "41 Berkeley Walking Tours". For more details visit their website. *(\***Don't be a no-show.**)* It's good to give out name tags for socializing, which I do. I fill out the name tags 24hrs. before the meeting time. This also gives me a way to take attendance. (See photo below of Feb.& early Mar. no-show names.) Name tags that are not picked up, are recorded as **no-shows.** If you get too many **no-shows** recorded in your personal Meet-up profile (Only Organizers can view.) you'll have to be cancelled from this Meetup. (To cancel your RSVP beforehand (please at least 24 hrs.), look for the, **"Edit Attendance"** tab at the bottom right hand corner of the screen.)

3 attendees

PLATFORMday: In-Person Platform Engineering Event | San Francisco | Q4 2026

Fri, Nov 6, 5:00 PM

4.5

**PLATFORMday: In-Person Event on PLATFORM ENGINEERING, SAN FRANCISCO** https://platformday.com/2026-san-francisco-q4/ Conference focused on platform engineering, infrastructure, developer experience, and the tools and practices that help engineering teams build, scale, and operate modern platforms. 🫆[ SPEAKERS & TOPICS](https://platformday.com/2026-san-francisco-q4/) FREE ENTRANCE, STILL NEED REGISTRATION 🎟️ **Important:** Meetup RSVPs are for interest only. Registration is required and is handled exclusively through Luma [here.](https://luma.com/platformday-san-francisco-2026-q4?lm_source=embed)

From Walking with a Guide (Nature,Architecture,History)

Russian Hill - Stair Paths, Historic Districts, Victorians, Apt.Bldgs.&Cottages

Sun, Nov 22, 6:30 PM

If you can support the Meetup by helping with expenses. [Here is a Venmo link.](https://venmo.com/code?user_id=3262702482882560580&created=1757371525) Here is my Paypal account. '[herrmann48@comcast.net'](http://herrmann48@comcast.net'/) *With an original "craggy", chaparral covered landscape, and even though a* manageable distance to the heart of 19th century San Francisco, Russian Hill remained sparsely populated. Caused by the terrain making for difficult accessibility & residential construction. This led to Russian Hill being sought out by certain rebels and those who wanted relief from the hubbub of the City becoming a haven for a, "bohemian aristocracy" of writers, poets, artists and their benefactors. While Nob Hill became known for its "Castles in the Air". Russian Hill's *Castles* were its "Cottages in the Air". Along our way we'll take a look at some of those, "Cottages in the Air". We'll examine Historic Districts and the lane that was the setting for "Tales of the City" and see how the pattern was set for the development and evolution of Russian Hill into the modern era. We have beautiful stair paths with gorgeous views to walk along today. We'll talk about the substantial and varied architecture and even see a small cluster of Victorians that somehow survived the 06' Fire. With many stair paths to climb and descend, I would definitely wear sturdy footwear. No sandals or flimsy footwear today. I can't resist going out for lunch afterward, being only a stones throw from North Beach. (Anybody have a fantastic recommendation?) Otherwise my go to for lunch/brunch afterwards is La Mediterranee at Fillmore & Sacramento for their Middle Eastern sampler plate along with Moroccan mint tea with a refill to go.

Halloween Houses upper terrace and Buena Vista Ave East.

Sat, Oct 31, 5:00 PM

From SF Sketchers

From Indie Tom's "Hidden Backroad's Adventures" !

There are many houses in his area who love to decorate. Check them out . Please don’t block driveways or sidewalks. Closest restrooms are at the Randall museum.8 min walk.

7 attendees

SF Halloween Party moved to Mill Valley

Sun, Nov 1, 3:00 AM

This fun party has been moved to Mill Valley. Halloween always boasts the year’s best party! Everyone is so much less-inhibited. This year we celebrate at a lovely restaurant right on the water at Harbor Point Tennis Club, where the world’s top tennis players compete each year! Meet new friends and compete for prizes for the best costumes (optional). Dance to your favorite hits with Top [DJ Darryl K](http://www.djdarrylk.com/)! Adults of all ages welcome. **[DISCOUNT TICKETS](Halloween%20always%20boasts%20the%20year%E2%80%99s%20best%20party!%20Everyone%20is%20so%20much%20less-inhibited.):** $50/advance or $60/door. WHERE: **[Lighthouse Restaurant at Harbor Point](https://lighthouse-restaurants.com/)**, 475 E Strawberry Dr, Mill Valley CA. Free parking! WHEN: Saturday, October 31, 2026, 8-11pm. CO-SPONSORED by *The Society of Single Professionals, Singles Bay Area*, and dozens of singles organizations and meetups. All events benefit [The Seva Foundation](https://www.seva.org/), to restore sight to the blind. MORE PARTIES at [www.thepartyhotline.com](). · [Peninsula Speed Dating for 30s/40s](https://www.hilton.com/en/hotels/sfosadt-doubletree-san-francisco-airport-south-blvd/), Oct 25, South San Francisco · [Rooftop Party at Spectacular Hotel](https://www.eventbrite.com/e/rooftop-party-at-lovely-napa-hotel-tickets-2001262960387?aff=oddtdtcreator&keep_tld=true), 40+, Oct 25, Napa · [Fresh Start Social](https://www.eventbrite.com/e/fresh-start-social-for-divorced-or-separated-tickets-2002479534192?aff=oddtdtcreator&keep_tld=true), adults of all ages, Oct 29, San Francisco · [Halloween Party](https://www.eventbrite.com/e/halloween-party-for-single-professionals-21-49-tickets-1999052946175?aff=oddtdtcreator&keep_tld=true), 21-49, Oct 31, San Francisco · [Halloween Party](https://www.eventbrite.com/e/halloween-costume-party-dance-for-single-professionals-50-tickets-1999054831815?aff=oddtdtcreator&keep_tld=true), 50+, Oct 31, Mill Valley · [Halloween Party](https://www.eventbrite.com/e/silicon-valleys-largest-singles-halloween-costume-party-tickets-2003215472403), adults of all ages, Oct 31, Sunnyvale · [Peninsula 50+ Mixer](https://www.eventbrite.com/e/peninsula-mixer-for-50-tickets-1999055415561?aff=oddtdtcreator&keep_tld=true), Nov 1, Burlingame · [East Bay Party for 50+](https://www.eventbrite.com/e/east-bay-party-for-single-professionals-50-tickets-2003647069321?aff=oddtdtcreator&keep_tld=true), Nov 8, Walnut Creek · [Silicon Valley Speed Dating](https://www.eventbrite.com/e/silicon-valley-speed-dating-for-40s50s-tickets-2002851209884?aff=oddtdtcreator&keep_tld=true), 40s/50s, Nov 11, Palo Alto · [Asian Singles & Those Who Love Them](https://www.eventbrite.com/e/asian-singles-those-who-love-them-tickets-2002765438339?aff=oddtdtcreator&keep_tld=true), adults of all ages, Nov 15, Newark/Fremont · [East Bay Speed Dating](https://www.eventbrite.com/e/east-bay-speed-dating-for-30s40s-tickets-2003486273376?aff=oddtdtcreator&keep_tld=true), 30s/40s, Nov 18, Lafayette · [Wine Tasting & Party in The Sonoma Wine Country](https://www.eventbrite.com/e/wine-tasting-party-for-single-professionals-in-the-sonoma-wine-country-tickets-2002850867861?aff=oddtdtcreator&keep_tld=true), 40+, Nov 22 · [Holiday Speed Dating](https://www.eventbrite.com/e/holiday-speed-dating-for-30s40s-tickets-2003037664575?aff=oddtdtcreator&keep_tld=true), 30s/40s, Dec 2, San Jose · [Marin Christmas Mixer](https://www.eventbrite.com/e/marin-christmas-mixer-for-single-professionals-40-tickets-2003038885226?aff=oddtdtcreator&keep_tld=true), 40+, Dec 13, Tiburon · [Silicon Valley Christmas Mixer](https://www.eventbrite.com/e/christmas-mixer-for-single-professionals-50-silicon-valley-tickets-2003040458933?aff=oddtdtcreator&keep_tld=true), 50+, Dec 15, Campbell · [New Years Eve Bash](https://www.eventbrite.com/e/bay-area-singles-new-years-eve-gala-2027-tickets-2003431606867?aff=oddtdtcreator&keep_tld=true), adults of all ages, Dec 31, Sunnyvale · Hispanic Singles & Those Who Love Them, adults of all ages, Jan 7, SF. Details soon! · Marin Mixer for 50+, Jan 17, Tiburon. Details soon! FOLLOW US ON **[INSTAGRAM](https://www.instagram.com/singlesbayarea/)**. **[VIDEO](https://www.instagram.com/p/DETWrxSvvvW/)** from our New Years Eve Bash. PLEASE NOTE: The number of people who RSVP on this meetup doesn't reflect all who have registered or will be attending. We promote our events on 26 different singles meetups and dozens of major websites, including *Facebook, Twitter, Yelp, Yahoo, Google*, etc., plus email blasts to thousands of Bay Area singles.

21 attendees

FREE Metal Shop Open Hours

Sun, Nov 15, 1:00 AM

From Ace Makerspace

YOU MUST RSVP/PURCHASE TICKETS THROUGH THE ACE MAKERSPACE WEBSITE: [www.acemakerspace.org/calendar](https://www.acemakerspace.org/calendar/) Bring your curiosity, questions and metal projects to the Ace metal shop and talk with the metal team. Anyone is welcome! No Membership is required. New Guests must [sign up for a FREE Guest Account and sign their liability waiver](https://www.acemakerspace.org/product/guest-account/) before this event starts. Add the FREE account on check out or sign up here → [FREE Guest Account](https://www.acemakerspace.org/product/guest-account/). Ace Makerspace is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit member-supported organization. All proceeds support Ace Makerspace and help us serve over 1200 people a year with innovative programs, equitable access to makerspace resources, and more creative, self-reliant communities in Oakland.

From Noisebridge Hackerspace

All things software infrastructure

Tue, Nov 10, 3:00 AM

Bring a laptop if you can. Meeting format: * Introductions. Background & goals/interests for the meeting. * Lesson or Demo * Questions & Discussion * Readings & Exercises, for future meetings Find [past notes & more information online](https://www.noisebridge.net/wiki/Meetups/Infra). Find us also in #meetup-infra of [Noisebridge's Discord server](https://www.noisebridge.net/wiki/Discord#Join_our_Discord).

OpenOakland - Civic Tech for the Community November Meeting

Wed, Nov 11, 2:30 AM

From OpenOakland

**Note this meeting is the second Tuesday to avoid election night** Join us for the monthly OpenOakland meeting. This event will bring together professionals, enthusiasts, and experts passionate about utilizing data to drive positive change in Oakland. **Pizza will be served!** The November Meeting will include: * Presentation on Object Oriented User Experiance * Review of current projects > **If you are interested in development, design, project management, user testing,** **domain research, or just want to get involved, please join us!**

13 attendees

Trusted by millions worldwide

430kMonthly events

60mMembers

4.5App store rating

200kGroups

Popular groups

VentureBeat AI Impact Series - SF

18 members

Architecture, Design & Drinks

1,083 members

Walking with a Guide (Nature,Architecture,History)

4,945 members

DZ Landscape & Designs

51 members

Software Architecture and System Design Training

127 members

Emerging architects sf

52 members

ARKitchen

45 members