San Francisco is undoubtedly a hilly place, and this challenging 5-mile walking tour doesn’t shy away from the steepness. Instead, it takes you off the beaten path and onto some of the city’s stairways for an incredible exploration of several neighborhoods and downtown attractions. While meandering through SF’s Russian Hill, Telegraph Hill and North Beach neighborhoods, you’ll come upon some hidden gems, jaw-dropping views, and world-famous sites. Climb to Coit Tower via the Filbert Street Steps; ascend Lombard Street, often referred to as the crookedest street in the world; and discover a tiny park overlooking St Peter and Paul Church, where Marilyn Monroe and Joe DiMaggio took their wedding pics after tying the knot at San Francisco City Hall.

Urban hiking tour of San Francisco
Climb the city’s famous hills and take in fantastic views on this strenuous 3-hour walking tour
Ascend Telegraph Hill to Coit Tower, walk up Lombard Street and stroll through North Beach
Visit lesser-known cultural landmarks and hidden lookouts
Get an excellent workout climbing numerous staircases!
Choice of morning or afternoon departures

What's Included

Professional guide
Narrated city hiking tour

Gratuities
Coit Tower elevator

Meeting And Pickup

Meeting point

Levi's Plaza
1105 Battery St, San Francisco, CA 94111, USA
Departure Point: Levi's Plaza Park, corner of Battery and Filbert streets Directions: BY MUNI (light rail): • F Line to Embarcadero and Greenwich station • Head southwest through Levi Plaza until you reach Filbert Street and BatteryBY BUS: • Bus line 82X to Battery and Filbert • Or bus lines 2, 4, 8, 18, 24, 27, 38, 44, 54, 56, 58, 72, 72X, 74, 76 to Sansome Street and Filbert. Then, head south on Sansome Street. Turn left onto Filbert Street and take a 5-minute walk to Battery Street

Start time

01:30 PM

End point

This activity ends back at the meeting point.

What To Expect

This three-hour urban hiking adventure starts off at Levi’s Plaza Park, where your guide will be waiting (be sure you’re sporting your most comfortable shoes). Once there, get immediately into your workout with a heart-pumping climb up the Filbert Street steps along Telegraph Hill. The steps are separated into three sections, providing great excuses to stop, take in the incredible panoramic views and snap a few picks. Along the way, keep your eyes and ears open for the wild parrots of Telegraph Hill. You’ll usually hear these beloved birds before you see them.

Atop Telegraph Hill is the 210-foot-tall Coit Tower, an art deco monument and one of San Francisco’s most iconic landmarks. Climb to the top, savoring unprecedented views of the city itself, the Golden Gate and Bay bridges and Alcatraz Island.

Next, ascend a hidden staircase to Jack Early Park—a tiny lookout offering superb views of Alcatraz and Pier 39—before heading toward San Francisco’s Russian Hill neighborhood. Getting here requires a steep walk up Lombard Street, one of the city’s best known streets due to its unusual crooked section.

As you hike, climb and take in the views, your tour guide will share bits of local history and take you past some fun pop culture landmarks such as Macondray Lane, author Armistead Maupin’s inspiration for Barbary Lane in his Tales of the City novels.

Lastly it’s off to North Beach, San Francisco’s lively Italian neighborhood. Explore its alleyways and learn about its interesting past before returning to your starting point via a stroll down the Greenwich Street Stairs.

Levi's Plaza Park

5 minutes • Admission Ticket Free

Coit Tower

Admission Ticket Free

Jack Early Park

10 minutes • Admission Ticket Free

Telegraph Hill

Admission Ticket Included

Russian Hill

Admission Ticket Included

Lombard Street

Admission Ticket Included

North Beach

Admission Ticket Included

Filbert Steps

Admission Ticket Included

Greenwich Steps

Admission Ticket Included

San Francisco Bay Bridge

Admission Ticket Free

Macondray Lane

Admission Ticket Included

SS. Peter and Paul Church

Admission Ticket Free

Additional Info

Confirmation will be received within 48 hours of booking, subject to availability
Not wheelchair accessible
Due to the distance and intensity of the hike, this tour is not recommended for children 12 years and younger
Tour runs rain or shine. If it is raining and you would prefer not to attend, you may reschedule or request a refund
Comfortable shoes or hiking boots and dressing in layers is recommended
Bringing water is recommended
Minimum numbers apply. There is a possibility of cancellation after confirmation if there are not enough participants to meet requirements. In the event of this occurring, you will be offered an alternative or full refund

Service animals allowed
Near public transportation
Not recommended for travelers with back problems
No heart problems or other serious medical conditions
Travelers should have a moderate physical fitness level
This tour/activity will have a maximum of 20 travelers

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.

Traveler Photos

Reviews

5.0

11 reviews

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

Reviews by Viator travelers.

Showing 1-6 of 11 reviews

Really enjoyed seeing and hearing about...

Melanie A, Sep 2017

Really enjoyed seeing and hearing about hidden treasures of the city on this tour. The guide Greer was well informed, knowledgable, passionate and helpful I wouldn't consider myself to be fit, I found some of the steep hills difficult but I enjoyed the tour all the same; no pain, no gain.

Greer was outstanding! The tour was...

Robert_F, May 2017

Greer was outstanding! The tour was very informative and brought us to several outstanding scenic view points. The walk is definitely strenuous as stated in the write-up. Many hills and flights of stairs, but definitely worth the effort! Greer adjusted the pace to the group's comfort level.

This tour was fantastic! We visited...

Jason S, Jan 2017

This tour was fantastic! We visited some popular city attractions e.g., Coit Tower and Lombard Street, but many other lesser known neighborhood pocket parks with outstanding views of the city and bay. With all the hills in the city, it's much more than a walking tour -- certainly an exhilarating urban hike! Our guide -- Greer -- was personable and knowledgeable. We highly recommend this hike!

What a wonderful way to see San...

Elizabeth R, Jul 2014

What a wonderful way to see San Francisco, it's a strenuous walk but Alex made sure there were plenty of breaks to take photos and catch our breath. The size of the group made it easy to accommodate everyone's tastes and interests. I would certainly do more walks around the city.

I recently moved to San Francisco and...

Julie T, Mar 2014

I recently moved to San Francisco and signed up for an Urban Hike to become better acquainted with my new hometown! On this hilly walk, I explored some of the city’s famous spots (like Coit Tower and Lombard Street), as well discover hidden gems (such as Jack Early Park and Macondrary Lane). Our tour guide, Alex, was really friendly and shared some engaging stories about the locations we visited. The hike isn’t too strenuous, you’ll definitely get a good calf workout. I’d suggest wearing comfortable walking shoes and bringing a bottle of water. Whether you’re a local or here on vacation, I highly recommend this tour!

This is one of the best things I've...

katjpedersen, Mar 2014

This is one of the best things I've ever done in San Francisco. I thought I knew this part of town, but I was wrong. Alex took us to places we never would have found on our own, spicing it up with a little history and some great exercise. She is so full of fun and energy - the afternoon just flew by!