Filbert Steps
Categories: Landmarks & Historical Buildings, Local Flavor [Edit]
Neighborhoods: North Beach/Telegraph Hill, EmbarcaderoFilbert St & Sansome St
between Sansome Street & Coit Tower
San Francisco, CA 94111
- Good for Kids: Yes
19 reviews
Neighborhood: Marina/Cow Hollow
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55 Reviews for Filbert Steps
Very long stairway, the best part of visiting Coit Tower is doing these steps. You feel like you're walking through a bunch of peoples' back yards.
How does one get the legs of a supermodel/elite athlete/action figure, while being able to enjoy some of the finest abodes in SF? Win the lottery, get plastic surgery and buy a place up there.
Since I am still waiting for my lottery numbers to be picked, with no whammys, I use the time that I would normally be spending my non-existent winnings on doing these stairs. Some other stairs are at an insane incline, while some others are really more like a gentle slope, but this Goldilocks says these are just right.
Plenty of places to stop and stretch, with a pulchritudinous view at the top. Can't beat it.
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The steps are better than the tower at the top, one example of the journey being better than the destination. So many interesting gardens and flowers! It's good exercise and of course great views.
I feel sorry for the mailman. Does he/she have to go up and down every day?
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I am convinced that the people who live along the Filbert Steps:
1. Do not work for a living. The kind of money required to buy something like this and hold on to it is won or inherited. Okay maybe they do work for a living if it was inherited but I highly doubt it. They probably run the family business, also inherited. And
2. Do not own cars because god knows parking wouldn't be worth owning one. They probably have a car hiring service. See attribute 1. And because of 1 & 2, they have
3. Great legs
Number 3 I am ABSOLUTELY sure of because all through college I walked up hills/stairs like that and still have a smashing set.
So to the residents of the Filbert Street steps, I am highly jealous of you since your view is AMAZING. There are no words for what you are able to see out your window every morning. And the idea of waking up to the parrots sounds wonderful. I hope you thank God/Allah/Jehovah/The Universal Spirit/Your Higher Self/Your blatant good luck everyday for what you have. You should.
And for those of you who actually do fall into #2, Go team light carbonfoot!
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Beautiful plant life and a good workout.
If I lived closer, i'd walk the steps each day as my workout. It really gets the legs burning. I also like stopping halfway and watching tourists battle the steps.
I was really bored last night and decided to hit up Filbert Steps since it's been on my list for awhile. I wasn't disappointed at all even though it was so dark we couldn't appreciate all the little gardens on the sides. The flowers were blooming and we could smell every single one of them.
We parked up by coit tower and walked down to Sansome and then walked up again. I could see how it could be romantic and all, but going at night made it a little more difficult to be walking down steps, enjoying to the cute gardens, and paying attention to each other at the same time. Taking breaks to check out little alleys along the way make the hike up easier for us.
If I could ever afford it, I would buy a house up here in a heart beat. I would come back here again on a sunny day so I could take pictures :) In fact, I would come back here on the next sunny day that comes along. This is why I love our city so much. There's a hidden paradise at every 10th street corner.
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It was dark yet we really liked the little gardens on the sides.flowers were so lovely and we could smell all of them. I wish i could have bought a house there.
Conquer the steps, and having bragging rights.
I climbed up this romantic path, lined with foliage and fresh blooming flowers with a gimp leg... and it was totally worth it.
You get pretty warmed up climbing it. Towards the top, you can leave the steps for a dirt hike and sneak up on tourists enjoying the Coit tower view.
On the way down, you can slide down the steep handle bars (if you dare)(and have good balance), it helps if you have leather gloves to serve as brakes.
Pretty view and great place for active people. Great bonding activity!
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Of course I'm partial to the steps on my side of the city, but you can't deny the Filbert Steps are in a class of their own--leafy, bohemian, labyrinthine..."hidden gem" would be an understatement. An apartment here might be the closest thing to European living you can get in this car-obsessed land. Imagine having to take 300 steps every time you leave the house--and that includes taking the garbage out. I wonder what kind of surcharge the movers have for places up here?
Anyway, don't miss the Greenwich steps 1 block north. Or "The Wild Parrots of Telegraph Hill" (available on Netflix).
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Beautiful many many steps that take you from the bottom of Filbert to the top of the Coit Tower. I enjoy the Filbert Steps whenever I run from South Beach to North Beach. The steep steps of Telegraph Hill is a nice reprieve from the strenuous cardio run, it allows me to workout the butt muscles and catch my breathe. The quaint and cozy cottage homes coexist with the trees and lush plants, simply breathtaking! But where are the parrots? The view midway and at the top of the steps is fabulous, while the workout: priceless.
When I reach the top, I return to running mode and slalom my way into North Beach towards E' Tutto Qua or Cafe Greco for a rewarding cup of a triple latte and a brisk walk back to South Beach.
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There was a time when I could jog from the bottom of Sansome, all the way to the top and be only slightly winded. That was a long time ago. Before the parrots, and when the steps were made of wood. Boooo to the cement steppers.
I've been here a few times since then. Now, I walk very slowly, pace myself and usually stop 4 or 5 times before coming up and out near Pioneer Park.
Still an astonishing view at night, right next to Coit Tower and an easy walk down to the Grant and Green, for a welcome brew. Late at night the steps allow you to listen to the quiet of San Francisco in the early hours, watch the ships go do what ships do while gazing over the bay to Richmond, Oakland and Alameda.
On a clear night, anyway...
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My 100th review goes to this local gem of San Francisco, Filbert Steps. You can park your car along Sansome Street, and hike up to Coit Tower via the Filbert Steps. It's not a super difficult trail, but I did found myself panting a bit along the way, and make frequent stops. It's all worth it when you turn around and see the amazing view of the city, revealing more and more as you hike up further.
The most scary section, for Acrophobia (fear of height) like myself, would be the lowest section of the stairway that's made of concrete and steel. Once you get over that, then you'll see the wide concrete steps running through historical art-deco houses and gardens.
Keep going up till you are close to the Coit tower, and then found the little garden that's right under the tower. Lay on the grass, catch your breath, close your eyes, and imagine the world swirling around you...
Similar to the Tuesday, noon siren, if you were anywhere in the vicinity of North Beach, Telegraph Hill, China Town, Financial District and/or SoMa... chances are you heard a high pitched YOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWW WWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWW WWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWW WWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWW sound Thursday a.m. at around 10:30 a.m.
That was me. Going up.
Sorry about that.
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There is no earthly indulgency which cannot be cleansed by a trip up these stairs. 482 steps (think I'm lying? count them yourself) take you from Levi Plaza to the top of Coit Tower (counting the steps at the top of the Coit Tower elevator). Think of a trip up the steps as a three-day-weekend version of a trip to Lourdes. And you just can't beat the view.
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Walked to Coit Tower after breakfast at Mama's and then walked down the Filbert Steps. After walking down with the gorgeous views... I had a better appreciation for the poor souls walking up.
We also passed a couple who were moving into an apartment halfway down the steps and my heart goes out to them and it looked like NO SIMPLE FEAT!!!
Beautiful place to go for a walk...
This also one of my favorite places in the city. I love walking up these stairs and looking at all the historic houses, the beautiful gardens and views of the city. At certain times of the day (almost around 1P), the Parrots of Telegraph Hill show up and is that a sight to see. Good sights, good exercise, good atmosphere, and again, good for the soul. I've been dying to rent a place here, anyone reading this that lives there, you want to sublet! :)
Great views, awesome foliage, cool houses. Filbert steps has all this and a cool little bench about a quarter of the way up for you to chill, soak in the view and think about how lucky you are to live in this city. Had to take one star away though because the trees block what would otherwise be some spectacular views of the bay. Oh well you can't win em all.
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Really nice hike! Passes through a lot of quaint homes, wooden steps, domestic cats, huge trees, flowers!
Its probably 300+ steps, and is a great place to burn up some calories.
The Filbert Steps are a true San Francisco treat. I climbed from bottom to top, enjoying the beautiful gardens and views the whole way. I was kind of surprised that there could be such lush, tropical-looking gardens in the city.
The steps climb through angel's trumpet trees and giant banana plants. I loved the nice gardens people had planted for others to enjoy.
As I was nearing the top, another lady passed me, huffing and puffing in her workout clothes. I was getting a workout too, but a very beautiful and rewarding one!
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My pal and I decided to try "urban hiking" and figured that these steps would be our first shot out of the gate. We're both in the "pretty plus" category and were HUFFING AND PUFFING the whole way, but we made it. The skinny folks sounded like they were going to die too, so we knew it wasn't just OUR out of shape asses. When we recovered and could actually talk again we wondered out loud about how people actually live there -- How much would it suck to come home drunk? Does the UPS man deliver to your door?
Cardio and logistics aside, this place is one of those hidden gems that makes San Francisco the most beautiful city in the world.
Wow what a hidden gem. If you're up for a hike straight up a hill - do this! beautiful gardens, quaint houses, amazing views, & parrots! The reward for hiking up these steep stairs is Coit Tower and the amazing views from the top of the hill.
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Our office is right at the front of these steps so everyday I get to watch tourists look at their maps, then look at the steps, then the map, then the steps again....wondering if these are the "Filbert Steps" since there's no sign for them.
If you haven't seen or better yet climbed them, go. Seriously, the old wooden steps that make up the Filbert Steps are a great hidden spot in the city. It's fun to wonder how the hell people that live here moved their furniture up these narrow steps. There's a garden about half way up and cool views of the bay all the way up.
Plus if you climb up and over from the Samsome end you end up in North Beach, where you can treat yourself to a nice fat plate of pasta and gelato.
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This is the perfect 20 minute vacation. Leave the city and your worries behind. Commune with nature, and listen to the parrots. For the length of the steps, you are completely surrounded by lush, green vegetation. Most of all, envy the people that are lucky enough to live there.
Tip: Bring a camera.
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I ran into this by accident while trying to look for the Parrots of Telegraph Hill, and what a find! I had a great time looking at the scenery with a friend. Although, we didn't get to actually feed/see/take pictures with the parrots we did spot a few of them flying about.
Beautiful gardens and houses! Just make sure you pace yourself or you'll be gasping for air. =P
You can go all the way up to the top and go check out the Coit Tower while you're at it.
Stumbling upon hidden spots like the steps is one of the things that makes you think a) damn this city is great and b) I love exploring. The houses are beautiful, the steps are steep, the views are breathtaking.
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These steps are awesome. I've walked from bottom to top and top to bottom before, but today the man and I just walked up Montgomery to Filbert and started up the stairs there. I am so out of shape! Just walking up the hills on Montgomery tired me out. My legs didn't want to go any further. The man practically had to drag me up. Okay, not that bad, but I WAS tired. I was huffing and puffing all the way up. The gardens lining the steps are absolutely beautiful and the view is breathtaking (and not just because I was out of breath either!).
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Views are worthy of the trek either up or down. Your choice. Note going down the steep steps is not easy on the knees.
Just a beautiful spot. Feel very out of shape after the trek but that is my issue.
Amazingly cool spot and a great workout too! I love descending, looking at the bay bridge and saying Hi to the parrots. I wish the parrots would give us a schedule though so we know when NOT to talk them up and then take visitors and have them not be there!
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Holy crap I nearly died on these steps - not a good idea to do this hike on the spur of the moment without the right shoes, a hat and maybe a bottle of water. Aie. Pretty gardens from what I remember... oy.
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I don't like going down on . . . these stairs. Vertigo to the point where I think I see Jimmy Stewart dangling off of the steps. But the workout is awesome...that is, of course, if you like to kick your own ass urban workout style.
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Check out my morning commute! I'm lucky to live at one end of the steps and work on the other, so I get beautiful views of the Bay and GG bridges each morning and evening, as well as a great workout.
This is, apparently, one of the few places in California where you can grow lilacs. If these are your favorite fragrant flower, as they are mine, someone's actually got one growing here! For out of towners coming to ogle the parrots, keep going up and over the hill, keep going and get some lunch in nearby North Beach.
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This place is great; enjoy the gardens and interesting pathways but remember to respect those who live there and try not to oogle too much over the parrots :-)
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One of those hidden SF gems. If you take your visitors here, they will think you are brilliant (unless they are whiny outta shape losers that only want to go to Fisherman's Wharf).
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The best way to do these steps is obviously the top down. But to be honest, it's not all that hard the other way around. Certainly less work than walking up twin peaks, but I guess not many people can be bothered to do that either.
The best stretch is from Sansome up to Montgomery. The steps start out all steep and concrete, but then halfway up they turn to wood with gardens and houses. It is like coming onto another world. The climate is very balmy since it's shielded by the hill. The lushness makes it feel so secluded. I am really envious of these homeowners. Although I still haven't figured out if there is a road or if they also have to hike all those steps. If you then go down the other side towards Russian Hill the difference in climate and vegetation is very apparent. Amazing.
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What a work out!!! My ingenious colleagues and I decided to run up the steps as part of our weekly running club. It was killer but a great view from the top of coit towers. At least the scenery kept my mind off the pain.
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One of the secret spots in SF that only locals would know about. Who needs a Stairmaster when you can climb up and over Coit Tower/Telegraph Hill?
The most interesting part of the Filbert Steps is that there is a single fire hydrant right in the middle of the Secret gardens. I can't imagine any firemen hauling that heavy hose up those steep stairs and managing to weave through the short canopy of the trees to lock into that hydrant. Nonetheless, it's kinda quirky that it is there. It's the first hydrant I've seen incased in its own wooden patio. Find it on Darrell Place.
Second most unique thing you find along the steps are, of course, the "secret" gardens. I am guessing the residents maintain these and boy! what a great job they do of it! They're lush and green and when I was there many of the flowers were in full bloom. The residents are creative using rock formations and picket fences. Everything is just aethstically pleasing!
Speaking of the residents, their houses are unique in their own rights. I love SF architecture with the Victorians and ornate buildings. You will find Spanish inspired abodes here... painted in a faded orange. I'd imagine it to be great fun living here and although space is limited, they make up for it in height. If you do pay a visit, please respect their privacy. Hikers, tourists, parrot watchers, and bored girls on their lunch break do frequent the steps... they must get annoyed of strangers on their front steps. ;)
When you admire and visit quietly, really observe everything around here. The steps are unique, but there are several other oddities to be noticed. Those annoying parrots are everywhere here and fun to watch. There are short pathways to kind of poke your head through.
If you descend down to the Greenwich St Steps, be wary that these are very steep and may not fair well for those with height phobias. My kneees buckled a few times as I crawled down.
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I had the great fortune to try my hand with en plein watercolors here last week with a watercolor society. Beautiful sunny weather, lots of great foliage & color and you could also hear many tourists huffing it UP the stairs (it's much easier to go down kids).
According to the watercolorists, it's a difficult site due to lack of three key ingredients: fore/middle & background subjects (and no place to sit). Despite that, I went ahead and found a charming path lined with cut logs/stone & made my 1st attempt. I'll need many more outdoor visits but will visit again & work on that painting!
There's also the Greenwich Steps too where the Wild Parrots movie was filmed...It also has charming backyards too.
This is a great place for getting a great cardio workout. You will be rewarded with great views of the Bay and Coit Tower at the end of your hike. It's a steep hike, but you can take breaks along the way.
This place is FANTASTIC. I like to go in the early am when all you can hear are the birds chirping and feel the cool breeze. It's great way to spend your morning.
And if you go at the right time you may get the chance to see the wild parrots of Telegraph Hill. The cute lively green parrots of movie and book fame. There are tons of them... hanging from trees, eating, flocking about the place, y'know, doing what birds do best.
You can get pretty close to them because they like to watch you while they hang upside down from tree branches, moving their heads in the spastic motions that parrots normally do. Though, I have tried petting and they ain't lettin' it happen. No matter though, because they are amusing enough just to watch anyway.
I've brought a few people to the stairs with me, and they always love it. It is a great exercise spot in the morning ( I'm talkin' 5 or 6am.) Jog up, walk up, whatever. It's great either way, because no matter what, you have the fresh morning air, the bay view, whimsical gardens, and maybe if you are lucky, the parrots.
Once on top of the hill it is spectacular. You get to see a 360 degree view of the Bay in the calm early morning light.
Quite awesome.
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