This shaded stairway begins on a quiet cul-de-sac at Chestnut and Larkin and winds down through a grove of magnificent Monterey and Canary Island pines. At the base, you’ll land on Chestnut Street, which continues on to Polk.

For a charming detour, head left (south) onto Culebra Terrace. You’ll pass a collection of small, character-filled cottages before reaching another set of steps that climb up to Lombard Street.

From the corner of Green and Jones, head east toward the start of the steps. As you walk from Jones to the steps, take note of the houses on the left (north) and the condominiums on the right (south).   

From the corner of Hyde and Greenwich, take note of the rose garden, created by a resident of the nearby building. Walk east to the bottom of the cul-de-sac, where the stairs begin.

This dead-end lane begins on the west side of Leavenworth, just north of the corner of Union and Leavenworth. Walk up a steep set of stairs to discover this urban gem. When the walk splits, take the left lane (the right one is privately owned). The gardens along this quiet, yet public, street are lovingly cultivated by the neighbors. Less well-known than Macondray Lane, it remains a hidden treasure.   

To find the start of this lane, head to Green and Leavenworth. On the east side of Leavenworth, walk north toward the bay. Turn right into what looks like a parking lot. The lane begins mid-block, crosses Jones, and then leads down a wooden stairway to Taylor Street.   

This steep, wooded walkway descends from the 900 block of Union Street, between Jones and Taylor. It leads to an apartment building, a garden on the east side, and a house at the end of Marion Place.   

Sometimes called the Greenwich Stairway, these steps begin at the wall on Greenwich, where the hill starts to slope down toward Larkin Street. What was once a weedy patch has been lovingly transformed by neighbors into a beautifully blooming flower garden.

These steps begin at the balustrade on the east end of the paved 1000 block of Vallejo Street and zig-zag down to Taylor Street, passing by historic buildings along the way (see Summit Walk).   

Russian Hill’s Summit includes the highest point in Russian Hill, at 343 feet. More significantly, it includes some of the most important architecture and history of Russian Hill. Because of its historic significance, the area covered by this walk, the Vallejo Street Crest Historic District, was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1987.

This walk starts at the corner of Jones and Vallejo Streets. It includes the 1000 block of Vallejo Street, Russian Hill Place, the Vallejo Steps Garden descending to Taylor Street, Taylor to Broadway, Broadway to Florence, the Florence Street Steps, and Florence Street.

Learn more about the early builders, architects, bohemians, Livermores, and chronology of Russian Hill.

Russian Hill is a unique combination of urban elegance and rusticity. Virtually every block terminates in a spectacular view. There are miniature-scaled cottages and architect-designed apartment houses, formally landscaped gardens, and areas of comparative wilderness.

For this walk, you'll start at the southeast corner of Lombard and Hyde Streets.

Russian Hill is a unique combination of urban elegance and rusticity. Virtually every block terminates in a spectacular view. There are miniature-scaled cottages and architect-designed apartment houses, formally landscaped gardens, and areas of comparative wilderness.

For this walk, you'll start at the southeast corner of Lombard and Larkin Streets.

Begin your walk at the intersection of Vallejo and Jones Streets.

Walk north on Jones Street.

The guides listed below highlight walks in Russian Hill, each offering its own unique charm. More importantly, they provide interesting routes across San Francisco, perfect for those who love exploring the city's diverse neighborhoods and districts.

Walking San Francisco on the Barbary Coast Trail, Daniel Bacon, 2021. Another fantastic San Francisco walking tour, this guide weaves fascinating anecdotes about the city’s early days. While it only touches on Russian Hill, it explores the surrounding area in a unique and captivating way. The tour is marked by bronze plaques, similar to those on Boston’s Freedom Trail.

Historic Walks in San Francisco, Rand Richards, 2001. This book offers 18 walks through the city’s history, with the Russian Hill walk starting on page 347. It also includes short biographies of notable figures from the city's past.

Lunchtime Walks in Downtown San Francisco, Gail Todd, 1998. This book features walks that start in downtown San Francisco, covering areas not typically found in other guides. Among the highlights are two 'aerobic' walks: one in Russian Hill—'Aerobic Walk to Russian Hill South – Walk 24'; and another on Telegraph Hill—'An Aerobic Tramp on San Francisco’s Long Trail: The Filbert & Greenwich Steps – Walk 22.'

San Francisco: The Ultimate Guide, Randolph Delehanty, 1995. The book includes 16 self-guided tours of the city. Tour Six takes you through Russian Hill, highlighting the history and architecture of its buildings.

Stairway Walks in San Francisco, Adah Bakalinsky, 1995. One of San Francisco’s hidden gems is its collection of over 350 stairways, winding through the city’s hills and offering breathtaking views, alternative routes, and a fun way to stay active. This book includes two walks through Russian Hill, with a special focus on the hidden spots that make this neighborhood so unique.