Urban Hike: Stairways of San Francisco
The Verdict
"San Francisco has hundreds of public stairways climbing its hillsides. Filbert Steps on Telegraph Hill pass through gardens and wild parrots up to Coit Tower. The 16th Avenue Tiled Steps in the Sunset run sea-to-sky in mosaic. Wear real shoes."
What you need to know
San Francisco has hundreds of public stairways climbing its hillsides. 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 artist Aileen Barr (the same artist behind the Lincoln Park Steps). 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.