Stairway Walks in San Francisco

by Adah Bakalinsky

This is a fully updated and expanded edition of a best-selling Wilderness Press classic. Now with additional walks and 16 pages of full-color photographs, Stairway Walks in San Francisco contains step-by-step route descriptions that include notes on historical background, architecture, and other points of interest. Accompanying each of the 27 walks is an easy-to-follow map with corresponding numbered walk directions and public transportation information. Locals and tourists alike have used the book for over 20 years to explore San Francisco’s beautiful neighborhoods.

Genres: Travel, Nonfiction, Reference, Historical

251 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1984

Reviews

[Chad · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great choice for visitors to SF who have done all the standard tourista stuff. Good when paired with "Cracks in the Asphalt" by Alex Hatch.

[Katie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent comprehensive book of the 600+ stairways in SF. Use the 'quick-step' instructions if you simply want to follow along new stairway-filled routes in the City. I've been getting to know the City better during SIP via this book!

[Jen · Rating 4 out of 5]

I use this book regularly to plan walking adventures in San Francisco. I recommend the current version for its slightly improved layout, but past editions are fine as well. Years ago I did some of the suggested stairway walks, but now I mostly plan my own walks; the list of stairways in the bank of the book, by neighborhood and with ratings and notes, is very useful for planning purposes. This is a great book overall; my only wish would be for a pull-out map that included all of the stairways. Excellent for exploring both lesser known neighborhoods of San Francisco and more popular tourist areas.

[Illiterate · Rating 4 out of 5]

Deservedly iconic. Updated by a new coauthor.

[Hillary · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is fantastic. Adah uncovers hidden gems in out of the way San Francisco neighborhoods. Adah covers history, neighborhood stories, architecture, and botany within each walk, with each one takes about two hours and features several stairways around the city. Out of 27 walks, I have done about half, and have yet to be disappointed. I highly recommend this book to anyone in SF.

[Suzanne · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have lived in San Francisco for 20 years and this book has led me to places I never would have known about! We always try a few walks when my family comes to town. The newest edition (7th) has more walks added. I enjoy learning about historical aspects of the neighborhoods, as well as architectural details. I would highly recommend this book for both visitors & residents!

[Ellie Lum · Rating 5 out of 5]

this is the best book to get to know San Francisco. It takes you to so many hidden streets you would never see on your own. It is such a wonderful way to adventure in such a beautiful city. Best tourist book ever.

[Cassandra · Rating 5 out of 5]

I went on all 27 walks in 2011. A great way to explore the city.

[Ayuko · Rating 5 out of 5]

For your stairway obsession.

[Reader · Rating 5 out of 5]

I first bought this book, an earlier version, in 1988. Since then, I've bought two more versions as the walks keep getting updated or new ones added. It's so worth it. This book changed my life for the better. I am an explorer who loves to discover new places. If one were to walk the walks listed in this book, you will know San Francisco better than the people who live in San Francisco. It's truly amazing what you will discover in this book. Yes, you will need to be in somewhat good shape to enjoy these stairway walks, or at least have a goal to get in good shape. My kids often groan when I say we are going on a stairway walk, because they know they will have to work at it. But when they are on the walk, they love what we discover and see. We also make it a tradition to eat somewhere near by the walk which is a good reward after the climb.
I actually used the first edition as a date book. Didn't have a lot of money in college, and I found this treasure in the college book store. Went a lot of great double dates where people who thought they wouldn't want to live in San Francisco changed their minds while taking one of these walks. It's that inspiring.
Do yourself a favor, if you're in the area or will be in the area: purchase this book. I think it will change your life, or at least your perspective, as it did mine.

[Kathryn · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great way to walk your way through the city! Got us out to areas we might not have otherwise explored. Most walks have fun facts included about the neighborhood or specific buildings/stairs on the walk. It would have been great if she had included a distance for each walk to better plan the time to see each.

[Shannonguidry1gmail.com · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great information

Excited to tour the city and actually know where I am going. Great detail and descriptions. I like the maps.

[AS · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you love walking and you love San Francisco, this book is heaven : )

[John D.]

Keep this in your knapsack while walking the streets of SF. Great exercise and source of local history. Keep,it handy.

[Cassandra · Rating 3 out of 5]

I really like the walks and am grateful this book exists to make it easier for me to explore the city. As a walk book, however, it isn't as in depth as I would prefer. The chapters provide maybe one or two facts about the area and then navigation instructions. Very few walks describe points of interests or much about the stairways that I would expect from a tour. The 8th edition from 2014 has 31 walks. Most are unique, but some, like Lands End, are just following paths that exist independently of the book. "The Trees of San Francisco" is another walk book with
12 walks pointing out specific trees and buildings. I hope future editions have length, difficulty, ascent and descent and other features to help prepare.

Upper market #18 was a nice walk with some impressive long stairways. I supplemented this walk with "The Trees of San Francisco" walk because it has very little beyond the path to offer. There are some very nice trees along this walk, including coast redwoods on Vulcan stairs.

Russian Hill South #4 had few stairways but the book did describe a number of buildings and historical points, which I liked. The area is just very nice to walk with interesting urban planning and architecture.

Bernal Heights West #24 is a very scenic walk with frequent short stairwells and gardens. I imagine it is more beautiful when flowers are in bloom, but it is still beautiful in January. This walk has a couple different points of interest with background information.

Forest Knolls #16 has some nice views but is not in my top ten. It's a unique area, and I would recommend this walk for the completionist.

Diamond heights, Fairmount heights and Glen Park Canyon #25 is an energizing walk. The canyon feels like a hike. The walk is one of the more strenuous in the book. Some very interesting houses.

St. Francis Wood #12 is an easy stroll through a fancy neighborhood.

Sunnyside #28 is probably the shortest walk in the book: two stairwells within a couple blocks. Nevertheless, they are nice little parks and would be a great daily walk for someone in the neighborhood.

[Temoca · Rating 4 out of 5]

While in San Francisco my friends and I stumbled on one of these famous stairway walks. It's funny coming on this because on a previous trip with these same friends, we didn't walk up stairs, but a steep hill which quickly became known as the "climb to Heaven."

The stairs we came on were on Telegraph Hill on one side of the Coit Tower. Beautiful views of the bay, gardens, and the city. I was talking to a family and the woman mentioned this book. The next stop at a San Fran bookstore and I bought this book. It looks like this book will be a well-loved guide for future climbs to Heaven. I'm excited about that idea!

[Anne · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book and am looking forward to further exploring some of the far reaches of the city. Probably would have enjoyed more with more background in architecture as much of the writing focused on such things. Was surprised that I had done many of the walks while randomly wandering around the city.

[Thomas · Rating 2 out of 5]

I wil br reading this book for a while. I am not sure when I wiull complet all of teh walks. Each of the walks does have map and a considerable amount of detail. You ahve to read go, stop read, and then go again

[M0rfeus · Rating 4 out of 5]

Excellent for local hikes in the City!

[Rowena · Rating 3 out of 5]

great for nice sunday afternoons!

[Tracey · Rating 4 out of 5]

My friend Peter did some of the photography for this book.

[Kim · Rating 5 out of 5]

made me realize how beautiful our city is

[Monica · Rating 5 out of 5]

do these walks,it will enrich your life! get out of your car, and start walking the city's stairwells, seeing it from every angle. You will be delighted! promise.

[Ratalouie]

Read the 1995 edition

[Carolyn]

Actually we are using the 9th edition (co-authored with Mary Burke) to explore the stairways of San Francisco. We purchased the 6th edition about 10 years ago and completed all of the walks.