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Lyon Street Steps: Photos and Tips to Visit
by Jill Loeffler •
The Lyon Street Steps are a great off-the-beaten path attraction in San Francisco. They cover two blocks on the side of a steep hill in Pacific Heights with gorgeous views from the top.
There are so many things I love about visiting these steps.
The views from the top are amazing. On a clear day, I love the views of the Palace of Fine Arts, the blue waters of the SF Bay, and parts of Marin.
This is a photo of the top half of the Lyon Street Steps. This section is beautifully manicured with this lovely piece of art that has aged over time.This staircase is popular with the locals since it will get your heart pounding.
With more than 300 steps within the two blocks, you will quickly see why trainers bring their clients here for a workout.
I usually only spend 10 to 15 minutes here and typically visit when I'm checking out something nearby such as Billionaire's Row or the Presidio.
My photos of the Lyon Street Steps are from several visits. You will notice the aging of the artwork from one picture to the next.
Disclaimer: I receive a small commission from some of the links on this page.
About the Lyon Street Steps
This photo shows you the gorgeous views from the top. This was on a sunny day in the late summer, with a bit of fog settling in over the San Francisco Bay.This staircase runs north and south along Lyon Street in the Pacific Heights neighborhood. The street is too steep for a road, so instead, they added stairs.
The top of the stairs starts at Broadway and Lyon Streets.
The bottom of the staircase is at Vallejo Street.
This section of the stairs offers the best views. It's also gorgeously maintained with plants, flowers, and one of the hearts of San Francisco at the bottom.
This is a view looking up the stairs from Lyon and Vallejo.
This is another photo of the top section of the Lyon Street Steps. I took this several years ago when the artwork was still fairly new to the space.This section has eight flights of stairs. If you need a rest, there are plenty of spots to step aside and soak in the beauty all around.
The top of the second section starts at Vallejo and runs about a half block south toward Green Street.
This section offers greenery on both sides, but the stairs are smaller, not as wide and the garden is less ornate than the first set at the top.
The second section is also quite a bit steeper than that first. This is a photo of me looking down at this set of stairs.
This photo is at the top of the second block or section of Lyon Street Stairs. This section is VERY steep.The bottom set of the Lyon Street Stairs has two flights of stairs.
In total, you will find 332 steps.
When to Visit
The Lyon Street Steps are open to the public 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. They are free to visit and are a fun hidden gem in SF.
If you plan to work out, the best time to visit is early morning.
This should allow you to arrive before the trainers and their clients arrive for their morning workout.
It's also less crowded in the mid-afternoon. This is when everyone is usually at work and not running up and down the stairs.
If you visit when it's crowded, my tip is to walk down on the right and up on the left.
If you are with a group, walk down single file to allow those running and jogging the stairs to get around you easily.
Make sure you and your group are on the inside or the outside of the stairs.
This will also allow those working out to get by your group easily.
What to Do Nearby
There are several excellent places to check out near the Lyon Street Steps. These are just a few of my recommendations.
- Billionaires' Row: The section of Broadway between Lyon and Divisadero is called Billionaires' Row. This is where you will find some of the priciest real estate in San Francisco. Several well-known SF residents have homes on this stretch of Broadway. You can stroll this section on your own or join SF City Guides free walking tour of this area. It runs most Sunday mornings at 11 am. Visit their site to check the schedule and sign up for this tour. Find some of their other free tours here.
- Famous Houses: You will also find some famous houses close by. If you are a fan of Princess Diaries, you might recognize the house at 2601 Lyon Street as the front of Anthony R Grove High School in the movie. You will find this at the bottom of the Lyon Street Stairs. Others nearby include the house from Mrs. Doubtfire (2640 Steiner Street), the house used in Party of Five (2311 Broadway Street), and the outside of the house used in the TV show Full House (1709 Broderick Street). You can also check out the Movie Tour, which includes a cruise past many of these famous houses.
- Presidio: On the western side of the Lyon Street Steps is the Presidio. This former army base is a great place to go hiking, biking, or hang out on the beach. It's where you will find the Disney Museum, the National Cemetery, and some art pieces by Andy Goldsworthy. You can enter through the Lombard Street Gate four blocks south of the stairs right on Lyon Street.
- Palace of Fine Arts: You will see the magnificent dome of the Palace of Fine Arts at the top of the stairs which is a fun, free place to visit. The original building was a temporary structure built for the 1915 Panama Pacific Exposition. It was such a popular building that they quickly worked on it to make it a permanent piece in SF history. Here you can admire the lovely decorations and picnic on the lake.
- Walt Disney Museum: You'll also find the Walt Disney Museum not too far away from the steps. Inside the Presidio, this fascinating museum looks at Walt Disney's life from his early days up until his death. Find advanced tickets here.
Here are a few more fun activities around San Francisco.
How to Get to the Lyon Street Stairs
The top of the Lyon Street Stairs is at the end of Broadway at Lyon Street. Once you see this sign, you know you are in the right place.
From Fisherman's Wharf
From Fisherman's Wharf, the best way to get here is to take the 8 from Powell and North Point Streets and transfer to the 45 at Columbus Avenue & Union Streets.
Take this to the stop at Union Street and Baker Street. From here, you will walk one block west along Union Street to Lyon, take a left, and start to walk up the hill.
You will arrive at the bottom of the Lyon Street Steps after about a block and a half.
Lyon Street Staircase from Union Square
You can also quickly get here from Union Square. You have two options.
You can take the 45 and follow the instructions above to get there.
You can also pick up the 2 at Sutter and Stockton Streets. Get off at the stop at California and Presidio Avenue.
You will then walk up Lyon Street to Broadway (six blocks and the last few blocks have STEEP hills).
You will then be at the top of the Lyon Street Stairs.
Additional Staircases Around Town
Filbert Street Stairs: One of the most famous staircases in SF is the Filbert Street Stairs. They take you from the flat area near the waterfront to the top of Telegraph Hill and Coit Tower. Find pictures and more about climbing these stairs.
Greenwich Stairs: One block away from the Filbert Street Stairs are the Greenwich Stairs. These aren't as popular or busy, which is why I love exploring them. They also take you to the top of Telegraph Hill, so that you can visit Coit Tower. See pictures and learn more about them here.
My 8 Favorite Staircases: In addition to these colorful steps, you will find other great staircases all around town. These are just a few more of my favorites.
Comments? Questions? Suggestions?
I would love for you to join me in my private Facebook group!
It's a great place to interact with me and others who know the area well.
You can ask questions, get advice for your upcoming stay, and then share your photos and advice with others when you return home. It's a great community and the fastest way to get answers to those nagging questions about your visit!