See a side of San Francisco that many visitors overlook—and soak up the city’s local feel—on this small-group walking tour. Pick between morning and afternoon start times, and meet your guide in the Inner Sunset neighborhood. Over the course of 2 miles (3 kilometers), you’ll enjoy a leisurely stroll as you ascend hidden staircases, explore secret gardens, and soak up the city’s picturesque views well off the tourist track.

See a different side of San Francisco on this leisurely walking tour
Discover the city’s hidden staircases, gardens, and other scenic corners
Learn all about the city’s culture and history from your guide’s stories
This small-group tour is capped at 10 to keep things personal

What's Included

Certified guide

Meeting And Pickup

Meeting point

850 Judah St
850 Judah St, San Francisco, CA 94122, USA
Meet Greg on the steps of St Anne of the Sunset Church 850 Judah St. San Francisco, CA 94122. You'll receive communication the day before with further transit/parking instructions.

End point

This activity ends back at the meeting point.

What To Expect

Additional Info

Confirmation will be received at time of booking
Not wheelchair accessible
Service animals allowed

Near public transportation
Travelers should have a moderate physical fitness level
This tour/activity will have a maximum of 10 travelers

Operated by Gregory McQuaid

Cancellation Policy

You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance of the experience for a full refund.

For a full refund, you must cancel at least 24 hours before the experience’s start time.
If you cancel less than 24 hours before the experience’s start time, the amount you paid will not be refunded.
Any changes made less than 24 hours before the experience’s start time will not be accepted.

Cut-off times are based on the experience’s local time.
This experience requires good weather. If it’s canceled due to poor weather, you’ll be offered a different date or a full refund.
This experience requires a minimum number of travelers. If it’s canceled because the minimum isn’t met, you’ll be offered a different date/experience or a full refund.

Traveler Photos

Featured review

CarmenN_R

Great experience, magnificent walk in a beautiful cool day. The guide, Greg, was knowledgeable, friendly, and very professional. He will prepare you for the experience. We learned so much history about wonderful City of San Francisco. I recommend it.

Reviews

5.0

129 reviews

Total review count and overall rating based on Viator and Tripadvisor reviews

Reviews by Viator travelers.

Showing 1-10 of 129 reviews

Much better that I could ever imagine

Reginald_W, Aug 2023

The guide was amazing, knowledgeable and made the event memorable. The history if San Francisco was shared in an intimate way. The stairways were beautiful and the views were great.

Response from Host, Aug 2023

Thank you Reggie, pleasure to host you and Falicia!

Another beautiful part of San Francisco.

Maryanne_H, Jul 2023

Greg is the man. This was an amazing, beautiful walk. My husband and I arrived in SF from Sidney the day before so taking this walk was going to prove challenging for us. But like to description says it is suitable for so levels of walkers. Greg’s knowledge of the area and his genuine concern that you’re enjoying yourself is top notch. Add my husband would day “you gotta go”!

Response from Host, Jul 2023

Thanks so much Maryanne, pleasure to host you both!

Unique and fun

Heather_S, Jul 2023

Unique and interesting tour. Greg was fantastic! Best part is he takes a ton of photos and airdrops them to you at the end of the tour. We got a small parting gift as well as recommendations to nearby eateries. Loved it.

Response from Host, Jul 2023

Thank you Heather, really glad you enjoyed!

Great Experience

Tudor_P, Jul 2023

Greg was a great guide, who was very knowledgeable and friendly. Apart from taking us on a very scenic tour, he also provided us with a lot of information on the history of SF. Would definitely recommend this tour.

Response from Host, Jul 2023

Thanks so much Tudor, always good to show a local a different part of San Francisco!

Our hidden tour

David_H, Jun 2023

The guide was so helpful, informative and entertaining. Amazing steps, wonderful succulents, incredible views

Response from Host, Jun 2023

So glad you enjoyed!

Not just about stairs

Laura_M, May 2023

Even as a local, I got to learn not just about the stairs we visited, but more about San Francisco also. Very interesting tour.

Response from Host, May 2023

Glad you enjoyed Laura, thanks!

Try something different!!

Gail_A, May 2023

I highly recommend this tour. It is incredibly unique. You see neighborhoods that you might never have seen. Unique views. And the tour guide Greg, is such a nice guy, has many interesting facts to share as well as photos of what you’re seeing looked like before it was developed. I give this tour an A+. I shared my experience with several ppl at the hotel I stayed at because I was so pumped about it.

Response from Host, May 2023

Thank you Gail, very happy that you enjoyed!

A true joy!

Susan_L, May 2023

I had an awesome experience with Greg as my tour guide. He is filled with interesting and clever information offered with a warm charm making the fabulous views and time for our group so very well spent. My suggestion; grab a space on his next tour and be prepared to enjoy every minute. Heights can be challenging if thats your question, yet with banisters and Greg‘s patience and no pressure attitude you can rest assured you're in good hands. Thanks again Greg! I havent stopped taking about you and our group; who were wonderful as well.

Response from Host, May 2023

Thank you Susan for the kind words and lovely review, delighted you enjoyed!

Great views, lots of fun!

Nancy_S, May 2023

The steps are beautiful and the and views are amazing! Greg is both charming and a font of information. Learned lots about San Francisco.

Response from Host, May 2023

Delighted you enjoyed Nancy, thanks!

A pleasurable and scenic walk

Jotsina_V, May 2023

The tour guide and his various stories. Very knowledgeable and interesting. His passion was evident and he did not disappoint. The little gifts at the end were unexpected and such a good surprise.

Response from Host, May 2023

Glad you enjoyed!

Greg was ace 👌...

Laura_C, Apr 2023

Greg was ace 👌 This was so much fun Beautiful steps and art Beautiful views Amazing amount of information- history culture the neighbourhood etc Loved doing something a bit different in a city

Response from Host, Apr 2023

Thank you Laura, pleasure to meet you!

Charming sights and guide - perfect gem of a tour for visitors and even locals, too

Angela_L, Apr 2023

What a unique and thoroughly engrossing walking tour! Those hidden stairways were just lovely secret gems that we felt so privileged to know and learn about. We have been to SF many times visiting family but wanted to do something touristy and yet a little off the beaten path. A native San Franciscan we talked to afterwards hadn’t ever been to these steps nor to the amazing vantage point that we were taken to for breathtaking views of the city. Greg is super personable, entertaining, and knowledgeable about the area; he even managed to engage our children (10 and 13) with easily- delivered, just-right-sized tidbits of history, pop culture, and botanical fun facts along the way! He was very familiar with and on good terms with many locals (both two- and four-legged!) in the neighborhood, so we felt like we had an insider’s guide to the area. Greg also offers unique, thoughtful features in his tour, including taking the best photos for us and compiling them into a cute memento at the end. We would be remiss not to mention the succulent that he gives everyone, too! 😀 Would totally recommend this tour to tourists and locals alike!

Response from Host, Apr 2023

Thank you Angela, that's a truly wonderful review and I'm delighted everyone enjoyed!

Added bonus to your day/trip

Kewanda_M, Apr 2023

The Hidden Stairways of San Francisco was delightful two hours of history, breath taking views, and an awesome guide with great suggestions for food and activities. Greg was full of knowledge, friendly, and professional. I would definitely recommend this activity.

Response from Host, Apr 2023

Thank you, really glad you enjoyed!

Best photo opps and fun outing.

Anonymous, Mar 2023

Great views and tour of the stairs. Lots of opportunities for great pictures. Our tour guide Greg was very friendly and knowledgeable about the area. After the tour, it’s a short walk to enjoy the rest of the day in Golden Gate State Park.

Response from Host, Mar 2023

Thanks so much, glad you enjoyed!

Great tour

Allison_R, Feb 2023

Greg was a wonderful tour guide and enjoyed his wonderful knowledge of his area, would highly recommend to most people as is was relatively easy walk. Views were spectacular

Response from Host, Feb 2023

Thanks Allison, so glad you enjoyed!

The Best Views EVER

Sherri_R, Jan 2023

This walking tour is a great way to explore a unique part of San Francisco, learn a little about it's history, and see some amazing views! The pace was moderate, with occasional stops to catch your breath on the hills and steps. You could see the Farallon Islands, Point Reyes, Golden Gate Bridge, Robin Williams Tunnel, and all the skyscrapers clearly from the top of Turtle Hill. Amazing views, knowledgeable and friendly guide, and great experience!

Response from Host, Jan 2023

Thank you Sherri, delighted you enjoyed!

The best walking tour I’ve been on!

robbin_s, Nov 2022

The best walking tour I’ve been on! I have been on a lot of walking tours, this was the best. Greg was the perfect host, well prepared, obviously Greg has a great love of the city. He was enthusiastic about sharing San Francisco city trivia which is always very interesting. Even though I grew up in the San Francisco Bay area I learned a lot from Greg. I also appreciated hIs caring and considerate attitude towards safety measures about walking the city and attention to all levels of physical abilities and interests. He even had bottles of water available and provided samples of succulents from his home garden for each person to take home as a beautiful memory of our walking experience. We are definitely planning on taking another one of city Greg’s tours.

Response from Host, Nov 2022

Wow, thanks so much for the glowing review Robbin, it was an absolute pleasure to host you both!

Made it memorable

Rahul_B, Nov 2022

Greg is so engaging and inclusive in his style. Great asset to SF bound tourists. His ability to bring to life stories about the ordinary is amazing.

Response from Host, Nov 2022

Thank you very much Rahul, appreciate it!

The New Yorkers

olga_z, Nov 2022

Greg was great!!!! Very knowledgeable about the area. Even sent us all off with a succulent from his garden. The tour is so much more than just the stairs of which were amazingly beautiful. The view from the very top was outstanding! We were very fortunate to have a crystal clear day to add to the beauty.

Response from Host, Nov 2022

Really appreciate it Olga, hope you are having a nice time in California!

Great cheery and...

Dorothy_J, Nov 2022

Great cheery and informative guide. Fun to walk and talk with. It was such a joyful experience. This was one of my favorite walks around San Francisco. Normally I’m stuck in busier and crowded with people sites. Looking at the ocean and waves was like being in Hawaii. Such a reasonable price too! You will love the mosaic work.

Response from Host, Nov 2022

Thanks so much Dot, glad you both enjoyed!