Urban Hike: Stairways of San Francisco
The Verdict
"Hit the Filbert Steps early when the wild parrots are out, then save the Tiled Steps for the climb back up."
What you need to know
San Francisco has hundreds of public stairways climbing its hillsides, many lined with gardens and worth a self-guided wander.
A few worth a stop: the Filbert Steps on Telegraph Hill, lined with gardens and wild parrots, climb to Coit Tower. The 16th Avenue Tiled Steps in the Sunset feature a sea-to-sky mosaic by Aileen Barr and Colette Crutcher. The Lyon Street Steps in Pacific Heights run straight up with Marina and Palace of Fine Arts views. The Vulcan Stairway off the Castro climbs through gardens past private cottages.
