Stairway Projects in Russian Hill

The stairways/steps below are maintained by individual associations. These groups raise funds for the ongoing improvements and do regular maintenance. If you are interested in volunteering or contributing to one of these projects please leave a message at the RHN message center (267-0575), and we will forward your message to the appropriate organization.

If you see or hear wild parrots on your walks on these stairs, you have not lost your mind. These are the famous Wild Parrots of Telegraph Hill who have decided to take an outing to our neighborhood.

Chestnut Street Stairway Garden(Chestnut Street between Larkin and Polk - Culebra Terrace)

This shady stairway leads from a cul-de-sac off Larkin down the steps. The primary flora are the magnificent Monterey and Canary Island pines. From the bottom of the steps, Chestnut Street continues to Polk Street.

Green Street Steps Garden (Green Street between Jones and Taylor)

From the corner at Green and Jones, walk east to the beginning of the steps. Note the houses on the left (north) and condominiums on the right (south) as you proceed from Jones to the steps. These are featured on the Green/Macondray walk.

Greenwich Garden Path (Hyde to Leavenworth)

From the corner of Hyde and Greenwich, walk east to the bottom of the cul-de-sac to the beginning of the stairs. At the corner of Hyde and Greenwich, note the rose garden, developed by a resident of the nearby building. The stairs begin on the right side and zig-zag down the hill. The neighbors have been working on the planting of these stairs for many years. Note the granite bench, halfway down, that was recovered from a street curb.

Sterling Steps (Greenwich Street between Hyde and Larkin)

Sometimes called the Greenwich Stairway, these stairs begin just beyond the wall on Greenwich where the hill begins descending to Larkin Street. Neighbors transformed what was formerly a weedy patch into a gloriously blooming flower garden. Descending further, the stairs continue down through a woodsy area to Larkin.

  

 

Vallejo Stairway Garden (Vallejo Street between Jones
and Taylor)

These steps start at the balustrade at the east end of the paved part of the 1000 block of Vallejo Street. (They zig-zag down to Taylor Street past historic buildings. See Summit Walk.)

Originally a "goat path" between Taylor and the Summit, c. 1914, the path was converted to a stairway under the leadership of Horatio Livermore. Willis Polk designed these as part of the Vallejo Street improvements at Jones Street.