Just ahead and to the right is the Chestnut Stairs. The Chestnut Stairs have 2 sides. I took the right side. I was starting to get my heart rate up with it's steep steps, and continued uphill and turned right onto Larking. Another steep set of steps onto George Sterling Park. Walked to the other side of the park and turned left on Greenwhich. Once I reached Hyde, turned left again and reached the famous Lombard Steps.
Lombard Street was very crowded on this Tuesday. But I can say that people were really filled with joy and grateful to be there. I even saw a man sticking out his head and body out of the car he was in to get a good picture, and cheered for joy with the crowd. The garden looked really healthy. I walked down these 200 plus steps.
Turned right onto Leavensworth and climbed up the big hill. Just after passing Union St, took the alley on the left side of the street and continued till reaching Jones St. Crossed Jones St onto Macondray Lane, which is an alley, not accessible by car.
The word that comes to mind when entering this alley is tranquility. It's not very far from Lombard St. Lombard Street is famous and a tourist attraction. Macondray Lane is not and is in fact considered a hidden gem. If you ever come visit Lombard St, make sure to also check out Macondray Lane because this gives you a different experience. 3 things I really appreciate about this lane: It's very well kept, it's peaceful, it features a water fountain with Buddha, and it also comes with a great view of the Coit Tower.
Turned right onto Taylor. I can just walk up to Inna Coolbirth Park. But I don't want to do that. If I have the time, I want to challenge myself. So instead of walking straight up, I took the steep Green Stairway. This is more than 130 stairs and just another fabulous gem and very green and leafy. It matches it's name.
So I'll end up going around in a square instead of going straight up to Inna Collbirth Park just to get in the extra steps and to see more on my hike. After ascending the Green Stairs, my heart is pumping. At the end of the block is Jones St. I turned left onto Jones St, and then turned left again on Vallejo.
Though not very long in stairs, Vallejo Stairs carry one of the best downtown views. There are many views in the city but what makes this view unique is that you feel almost like you're on top of the city. It comes right before the Inna Coolbirth Steps.
After going down and crossing the street, the Inna Coolbirth Park awaits you. I love this stairway and it's the perfect stairway to finish up Russian Hill. You can rest on any of the many benches and just stare at the Coit Tower or TransAmerica Building.