Urban Hiker SF

Updated July 2025    When I moved to San Francisco in 2007, my dad got me a copy of that year's Zagat restaurant guide and a copy of Stairway Walks in San Francisco Stairway Walks in San Francisco . These books became part of a growing collection that helped me explore my then-new home.    With the holiday season approaching, gifts are on many people's minds. Here, I've chosen five of my favorite books about San Francisco, any of which would make a great gift for people who live in and love San Francisco. Full disclosure: I mention one of my own books here, but I do think it does make a fun gift! At the bottom of this list, I suggest some other books that I have not read yet, but that may also be great for lovers of San Francisco.   My Favorite Books for Lovers of San Francisco Stairway Walks in San Francisco is a classic for urban explorers. The tenth edition includes 39 walks in neighborhoods as diverse as the city itself: F...

San Francisco is home to TEN beautiful mosaic stairways ( see map here ), but they were all inspired by one. The 16th Avenue Tiled Steps Project (2005) The 16th Avenue Tiled Steps project began in early 2003 when Sunset residents Jessie Audette and Alice Xavier decided to bring people together while beautifying their neighborhood. Aileen Barr and Colette Crutcher were chosen as the project artists. The 163-step mosaic features a landscape that spans from the bottom of the ocean all the way to the sun in the sky. The inspiration for the steps came from Selarón’s staircase , a mosaic staircase in Rio de Janeiro named after artist Jorge Selarón. The ribbon-cutting ceremony was held on August 27, 2005–which the mayor’s office proclaimed “16th Avenue Tiled Steps Day.” Location: Moraga Street between 15th and 16th Avenues Hidden Garden Steps (2013) Inspired by the 16th Avenue Tiled Steps, the neighboring Hidden Garden Steps were conceived in January 2010 and completed in November ...

Distance: 3.6 miles Elevation Gain: 740 feet High Point: 1,630 feet Difficulty: Moderate Time: 1 hour 15 minutes Fitness: Walkers, hikers, runners Family Friendly: Yes Dog Friendly: Yes, off-leash walking is permitted. Amenities: Picnic benches and a portapotty are available at the Quarry Picnic area where the hike starts and ends. A few other benches are found along the trail. Contact: East Bay Regional Park District GPS: 37° 54' 1.4868'' N 122° 15' 0.2952'' W Map to: Quarry Picnic Site, Wildcat Canyon Road, Berkeley, CA Strava Route: https://www.strava.com/activities/1378805274   About Tilden Regional Park: Once Ohlone ancestral land, this area then was used by the Spanish and then Mexicans who began ranching here. Americans continued the ranching tradition and eucalyptus forests were planted around 1910 by Frank C. Havens' Eucalyptus, Mahogany, & Land Company. Tilden Regional Park became a park on July 16, 1936 and was named for Charles Le...

Distance: 6.8 miles Elevation Gain: 1,055 feet High Point: 1060 feet Difficulty: Moderate to Challenging Time: 2 hours 45 minutes Fitness: Walkers, hikers, runners Family Friendly: Parents with small children can do an out-and-back on the Wildcat Canyon Trail for an easier hike. Dog Friendly: Off-leash; on-leash walking on Nimitz Way. Watch out for coyotes if you have a small dog. Amenities: Porta potties and picnic area at in the Alvarado Staging Area; picnic area; a few benches along the trail. Contact: East Bay Regional Park District GPS: 37° 57' 7.2396'' N 122° 19' 6.3912'' W   Map to: Alvarado Staging Area, Park Avenue, Richmond, CA Strava Route: https://www.strava.com/activities/1360164196 About Wildcat Canyon: Covering 2,427 acres, Wildcat Canyon is a popular destination for hikers, runners, mountain bikers, horseback riders—and wildlife. The park houses a wide range of animals including, but not limited to: deer, squirrels, foxes, coyotes,...