Russian Hill
About Russian Hill
Russian Hill is a residential neighborhood on the hill north of Nob Hill, between Polk Street and the bay. Mostly known for Lombard St.
What to See & Do
Macondray Lane is a wooden staircase walkway between Jones and Leavenworth Streets. Armistead Maupin used it as the model for Barbary Lane in his Tales of the City novels. Ferns, flowering vines, and adjacent gardens line the railings.
The Vallejo Street steps cut between apartment buildings between Mason and Jones and offer views of the bay. The terraced gardens along the stairway are visible from the public walkway.
George Sterling Park is at Hyde and Lombard. Benches on the upper terrace face west toward the Golden Gate Bridge.
Jack Kerouac stayed at 29 Russell Street, on the eastern slope of the hill, in the early 1950s. He has said in interviews that he typed much of “On the Road” there. The building is a private residence; the street view is visible from the public sidewalk.
Where to Eat & Drink
Polk Street runs along the eastern edge of the neighborhood. Turtle Tower serves Northern Vietnamese-style pho. Swensen’s Ice Cream at 1999 Hyde Street (corner of Hyde and Union) is the original Swensen’s location.
The Character
Russian Hill is a primarily residential neighborhood. Most foot traffic concentrates on the Lombard Street switchbacks. The interior of the hill is a network of small streets, staircases, and gardens connecting them.
Getting There
The Powell-Hyde cable car runs along Hyde Street through the neighborhood and is the easiest way to reach the top of the hill. From there, the downhill walk passes most of the pathways.
