How the Hunt Works

CLUES

The goal of the treasure hunt is to solve a series of puzzles, or clues. Each clue leads to a specific location, where the team must search for a hidden token proving they correctly solved the clue. The token might be wording on a historical plaque, the address of a unique buillding, a business name, or adhesive letters cleverly hidden.

Some clues require you to start at one location and follow a trail of landmarks to your final destination. Even people who are not proficient at solving puzzles can participate by looking for these hard to spot landmarks that make up the trail you must follow.

WORKING AS A TEAM

This is a collaborative problem-solving game. Be sure that all team members have a chance to read and discuss a clue before heading to a location. There are often multiple interpretations of a clue and rushing to judgement without weighing each possibility and its merits can lead to mistakes. Effective communication and collaboration will heighten the treasure hunting experience for everyone.Teams function best when everyone participates and decisions are made collaboratively.

The hunt is a fun but intense problem-solving exercise. If done properly, it is an outstanding team-building exercise. But it can be a sour experience for players who feel ignored or left out of the process. The main idea is for everyone to have fun and share the experience of collaboratively solving the clues, and finding the treasure at each clue site. Therefore, teams must stay together.

You may not separate, split up, or leave players behind. This means that everyone on your team must be at the same clue location, and must stay in visual and voice contact; within sight and earshot of one another. Half of your team cannot go around the block, and one or two players cannot run ahead of their teammates. This rule will be strictly enforced, and teams violating it will face sanctions.

A SET OF CLUES FOR EVERY PLAYER

Every player will receive a sealed set of clues along with their map in exchange for their ticket (purchased at a reduced rate in advance, or at full rate on the day of the hunt). Just before the hunt begins, one person from each team will come forward to pick up the team score sheet and street index. You will need to bring your tickets to the hunt. They cannot be refunded, but if someone from your team cannot make it to the hunt, you can sell their tickets.

TEAM NAMES & SPECIAL AWARDS

Each team should choose a name for itself, the more inventive the better. Two special awards are given to the teams with the cleverest names -- usually a pun connected with the animal associated with that year of the Chinese zodiac (2007 is the Year of the Boar), or the best name that reflects the film noir genre.

To be considered for the Team Name Awards, teams must purchase their tickets and pre-register their team name by February 27th.

To read about the Team Names Awards and other prizes, go the Prizes & Team Scores page.

MAPS & SCORESHEETS

Every player receives a detailed map of the hunt area, and a set of clues. Each team receives an alphabetical street index (corresponding to the map) and a score sheet (printed on waterproof paper) on which to record the information which proves the team solved the clue.

HOW LONG DOES THE TREASURE HUNT LAST?

The hunt begins at 4:30 p.m., and ends at 9:00 pm back at Justin Herman Plaza. As soon as possible after 9:00 p.m., Jayson Wechter will announce the winners and award prizes to the top five teams in each division of the hunt.

SOLVING CLUES

The clues will refer you to a specific location, or clue site within the hunt playing area (the boundaries are typically Market Street, the Embarcadero, Francisco Street, and Powell Street), marked on the map each player receives.

YOUR TEAM ACTUALLY MUST GO TO THE SITE IN ORDER TO RECEIVE CREDIT FOR SOLVING THE CLUE.

The first part of a clue often refers to a location -- a street, landmark, business, etc. The second part often refers to objects or activities that are only obvious once you've reached that location. Not everything in a clue will make sense until you get to that area.

Don't over-analyze the clues; don't fixate on one or two words. If you search in one area for ten minutes without success, you're probably in the wrong place and should move on to another clue.

You will not be required to enter private property (including homes, stores or restaurants) or to do anything illegal in order to find the letters.

Your map and street index are your best friends, and by themselves should help you solve many of the clues (especially in the Beginner's Hunt). A telephone book is another useful tool. Many teams find that a dictionary and almanac are helpful. Feel free to consult authority figures and other publicly available resources to assist you in solving clues. Ask yourself, "Who would know?"

For example, one year, a rather difficult clue required players to determine the pseudonym under which T.E. Lawrence (Lawrence of Arabia) enlisted in the Royal Air Force in 1922 (the name was "Ross" and it led to Ross Alley, a narrow one-block long street in Chinatown). Many players checked a biography of Lawrence available at a bookstore. But one imaginative team, realizing that the local libraries were closed, called the public library in Honolulu (where it was three hours earlier); the librarian gladly provided the information.

ETIQUETTE AT CLUE SITES

You will probably encounter homeless people at the clue sites. Please be considerate and respectful of them. Feel free to contribute to their sustenance, or to offer them bribes in return for guiding you to what you're seeking.

WHAT TO BRING TO THE TREASURE HUNT

Definitely bring:

1. Comfortable footwear (you will do a lot of walking and / or running in the course of the hunt)
2. A flashlight - the brighter the better.
3. A ruler.
4. Layered clothes, and possibly a backpack to carry them in.
5. A spirit of adventure and a zest for new experiences.

Helpful but optional items:

1. A San Francisco White Pages telephone directory.
2. Snacks or drinks in a backpack.
3. A zip-lock bag or other waterproof cover for your clues and map (if it's raining).
4. A digital camera.
5. An almanac, dictionary or other reference works.
6. Highlighter and pens for marking your map.
7. A calculator.
8. Strongly recommended: a clipboard or piece of foamcore for your answer sheets (9-1/2”x11”)

Everyone gets a detailed map of the playing area, and every team receives an alphabetic street index. You're encouraged to bring your own maps, guidebooks or reference works to aid in solving clues. While familiarity with San Francisco geography is an advantage, the ability to collaboratively solve a puzzle and work as a team are more important.