Posted by Julian Michelucci
Today was the first time I had ever really explored the secret stairs in Sausalito. This visit was long overdue. In January, I was meandering around Bridgepoint Way with friends and family, and I spotted Excelsior Lane. But aside from that, I never had taken the time to really explore.
Today was the perfect day. The weather was fantastic and the sky was crystal clear. The views of Sausalito definitely represent San Francisco in a positive way. I'm not sure that any stairway in the East Bay has better or closer views of San Francisco.
I started off on somewhere in the middle of Bridge Way St. The shops were fantastic, Sausalito has many charming restaurants. I have to admit that for a minute I felt like skipping the stairs and just hanging out on Bridge Way. But I knew that I had to complete my objective.
The first stairway I found is called the El Monte Lane. (Video Below) El Monte Ln contains somewhere around 125 steps and as shown in the photos below, there are 3 different sections, upper, middle, and lower. Upon ascending these steps, I turned right on Bulkley Ave. I did find an enormous white mansion, but couldn't really spot any secret stairs. So I headed south towards Bridgepoint Way.
The 2nd stairway is called Reade Lane. This is an alley off of Bridgepoint. I almost skipped it since it appeared as if it was just 10 or 12 steps led to the middle of nowhere. I chose to explore it anyways. An amazing surplus of 40 steps sits just left and past the alley. I was pleasantly surprised and realized that that's what stairway/ urban exploring is all about!
The 3rd stairway is the Excelsior Lane, also off of Bridgepoint. (Video below) It's a medium stairway in terms of length, but it's a neat scene, and probably one of the more known sports in Sausalito. Great view, you can enjoy gazing at the bay, the water fountain, the downtown, the sail boats, and the clear sky.
The 4th stairway is called the ''North Street Steps.'' This is probably one of my favorite stairways of the whole bay area. 121 steps in all, this stairway is right next to Tiffany Park, there is also a plaque at the base of the steps which reads; ''Little Mother of Old Town''. I also loved the lighted pillar. But the views of San Francisco, the bay Bridge, and Alcatraz are astonishing. When I reached the top of the stops I decided to stare at the view for about 10 minutes. Admittedly, I had no water to drink. I was thirsty and a very nice lady actually offered me a water bottle.
I walked left on Richardson St after ascending to the top of the ''North Street'' Steps, and about a hundred feet away found the 2nd street steps. These are 46 steps along a sidewalk.
Today was the first time I had ever really explored the secret stairs in Sausalito. This visit was long overdue. In January, I was meandering around Bridgepoint Way with friends and family, and I spotted Excelsior Lane. But aside from that, I never had taken the time to really explore.
Today was the perfect day. The weather was fantastic and the sky was crystal clear. The views of Sausalito definitely represent San Francisco in a positive way. I'm not sure that any stairway in the East Bay has better or closer views of San Francisco.
I started off on somewhere in the middle of Bridge Way St. The shops were fantastic, Sausalito has many charming restaurants. I have to admit that for a minute I felt like skipping the stairs and just hanging out on Bridge Way. But I knew that I had to complete my objective.
The first stairway I found is called the El Monte Lane. (Video Below) El Monte Ln contains somewhere around 125 steps and as shown in the photos below, there are 3 different sections, upper, middle, and lower. Upon ascending these steps, I turned right on Bulkley Ave. I did find an enormous white mansion, but couldn't really spot any secret stairs. So I headed south towards Bridgepoint Way.
The 2nd stairway is called Reade Lane. This is an alley off of Bridgepoint. I almost skipped it since it appeared as if it was just 10 or 12 steps led to the middle of nowhere. I chose to explore it anyways. An amazing surplus of 40 steps sits just left and past the alley. I was pleasantly surprised and realized that that's what stairway/ urban exploring is all about!
The 3rd stairway is the Excelsior Lane, also off of Bridgepoint. (Video below) It's a medium stairway in terms of length, but it's a neat scene, and probably one of the more known sports in Sausalito. Great view, you can enjoy gazing at the bay, the water fountain, the downtown, the sail boats, and the clear sky.
The 4th stairway is called the ''North Street Steps.'' This is probably one of my favorite stairways of the whole bay area. 121 steps in all, this stairway is right next to Tiffany Park, there is also a plaque at the base of the steps which reads; ''Little Mother of Old Town''. I also loved the lighted pillar. But the views of San Francisco, the bay Bridge, and Alcatraz are astonishing. When I reached the top of the stops I decided to stare at the view for about 10 minutes. Admittedly, I had no water to drink. I was thirsty and a very nice lady actually offered me a water bottle.
I walked left on Richardson St after ascending to the top of the ''North Street'' Steps, and about a hundred feet away found the 2nd street steps. These are 46 steps along a sidewalk.
Bridgepoint way, Downtown Sausalito
El Monte Steps, lower
El Monte Steps, middle
El Monte Steps, upper
An old home on Buckely Ave
Excelsior Ln
Reade Ln
Reade Ln
North St Steps, lower
North St steps, upper
View on top of North ST Steps
2nd Street Steps