Lyon Street Steps

The Lyon Street Steps are a steep public staircase in the Pacific Heights neighborhood of San Francisco, California, running along Lyon Street between Green Street and Broadway. The stairs connect the residential streets above with the Presidio Wall and the lower Presidio Heights area. Visitors can take the Muni 22 Fillmore bus to Green Street and Fillmore Street and walk west, and street parking is limited in this residential area. No permit or fee is required, as the stairs are a public right of way. The route is about 0.4 miles (0.6 km) round trip, takes 20 to 30 minutes, and climbs roughly 150 feet (45 m) over 288 steps, which suits the easy class by distance though the climb is sustained and demanding on the legs. The surface is concrete steps with landings and handrails, separated by short flat blocks of Lyon Street, with a landscaped garden at the base. Shade is limited, and the stairs face the afternoon sun and wind. Landmarks include the garden terraces beside the steps, the neighboring grand mansions and the Presidio entrance area, with views from the top across the Presidio, the Marina District, the Bay and Alcatraz. Many locals use the steps as an outdoor stair workout and repeat the climb several times, so visitors should keep to one side and give way to runners. The top landing at Broadway is the natural turn-around point, and visitors can continue into the nearby Presidio for a longer walk. There is no drinking water, restroom or shelter at the steps, so planning ahead matters. The steps are slippery in rain, and the early morning and sunset hours are the most scenic but also the busiest with exercisers. Visitors should respect neighboring homes by keeping noise low.