Marc Pomerleau
Marc Pomerleau, creator and leader of the 5-star Airbnb Experience, The Fighting History of SF Chinatown, has partnered with Cynthia Yee of Chinatown Magic, owner of the longest-running San Francisco Chinatown Ghost Tour.
Marc’s unique perspective, deep research, and powerful storytelling will transform your awareness of Chinatown, San Francisco, its people, its history, and the connections that tie the past to the present. And maybe, just maybe, give you a deeper appreciation of what it means to be human.
Marc will be leading two tours:
1. The Fighting History of SF Chinatown will tour you through the rough and tumble tales of San Francisco’s gold rush era, the Chinese immigrant experience, Bruce Lee, racism, the tong wars, the socioeconomic realities of human trafficking, political corruption, the drug trade, prostitution, the modern era gang wars, AND how it all impacts Chinatown’s present and unfolding future.
This 2-hour tour includes candid discussions of historical events and covers mature subject matter and may not be suitable for children or sensitive adults.
2. Supernatural SF Chinatown will deliver San Francisco Chinatown ghost stories and delve into the fascinating historical and cultural context for Chinese supernatural folklore. We’ll also explore the actual, bizarre and sometimes chilling events that brought these stories into being.
This 90-minute tour will entertain and delight while bringing historical events and the zeitgeist of the day to life. Believers and skeptics alike will gain insight into Chinese attitudes about the supernatural, see Chinatown alleyways with new eyes, and leave wondering about what really lies beyond the known world.
Marc’s commitment to safety
We are committed to your safety and practice COVID-19 guidelines—including limiting group size, adhering to social distancing guidelines and ensuring that all participants wear a mask.
Reviews for Marc’s The Fighting History of SF Chinatown tour:
Dara January 2020 Really worthwhile and informative! And this is coming from a local. I learned so many things that I never knew despite growing up here. You won't regret taking this tour!
Samnichols26 February 2020 This was sick. Marc guided us through Chinatown in a way that you're just not going to get anywhere else. This felt like the real history of the neighborhood. I felt like I got a tremendous value, and I would highly recommend this to anyone.
Brian November 2019 I decided to book Marc’s experience after I had read the overwhelmingly positive reviews, including one guest who describes this experience as “10x better than any Netflix documentary.” I can see why. Marc’s experience is less a walking tour than a cinematic experience that you walk through. I don’t really know how else to describe this - it’s one of the best experiences on Airbnb that I’ve taken. Additionally, the value is just incredible. I highly recommend this experience.
Orna February 2020 Marc shared eloquently fascinating stories about San Francisco's China Town which are not part of the formal narrative of the city. He is a great storyteller and knew his stuff extremely well. The two hours went by super quickly without a dull moment and unraveled a whole "new world", exposing a culture one wouldn't expect. The walk is easy and covers a small area. Our view of San Francisco and China Town will never be the same again!
Wing February 2020 Amazing experience, Marc is incredible and very detailed in his stories. He has a great way of telling stories and presenting them in a fun way. Highly recommend this, you will leave feeling like it was fun and like you learned something!
Liz January 2020 Wow. I've lived in the Bay Area my entire life, and in San Francisco for almost 20 years, and I never thought I could learn so much new content in such a unique way about my home town! Marc not only has an in depth knowledge of Chinatown and San Francisco's early history, he also presents the tour from a wholly different angle than other commercial history tours, regaling guests with stories of the enterprising marginalized immigrant communities and the gritty realities of prostitution, gambling and violence in our beloved Gold Rush town. An incredible tour for locals and visitors alike - DO NOT miss it!
Ifeanyi December 2019 This tour was incredible. Not muted, selective lessons in history but a raw, honest account of humanity and the cultures that blossomed in San Francisco following the gold rush. We walked the same alleys where the stories were set, 100-150 years later, and visited the past embodied in the art, the architecture, the people, and the economy of Chinatown. It was a trip; 10/10. Everyone deserves this awesome experience. Thank you, Marc!
Blake December 2019 Marc’s tour was better than anything I’ve done in San Francisco. Have lived almost my entire life in the Bay Area, but this tour completely changed my perspective on the city. If you are interested in great story telling and world building, Marc’s tour is a must do.
Lauren January 2020 this was exceptional! I learned so much and Marc's insights and knowledge really opened my eyes to Chinatown in a new way. Anyone - local or traveler - should do this.
Drew December 2019 This was such a cool experience and great way to better understand the history of Chinatown and San Francisco. I've lived here many years and this taught us so much!