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It’s around 400-500 steps and once you get past this first part, it rises straight up through gardens and neighborhoods and literally right to people’s front doors. The steps are lined with quirky homes with amazing views of the bay. The steps were originally built for fishermen to be able to walk from their jobs on the docks to their homes in North Beach.
The steps are a workout, but worth doing for the views and you can make a day of it if you circle back through North Beach to the Embarcadero again. Or you could always call Uber to get back.
There are steps in the sidewalk in case you need them. An elementary school was right here and my boys were wondering how kids biked up this hill!
Once you hit North Beach you will find a park, and so many restaurants, shops and little cappuccino stops. We decided to make like locals and grab a slice of famous Tony’s Pizza Napletano, complete with crooked table on a very sloped street. Seriously was the best pizza I’ve had maybe ever. I still want to go back. The crust and the sauce were amazing. You can wait for an inside table at the restaurant, but we opted to grab a slice at the kiosk next to it and keep on truckin’.
One iconic spot is City Lights Bookstore, famous hangout of the Beat generation.
Its’ still perfectly crumbly and grungy and filled with a fabulous collection of books.
It’s a great stroll down this very long street. Kids will especially enjoy all the tiny stores filled with candy from Japan, small tokens, and toys. Beautiful silks are all over as well.
I love Chinatown. Such a wonderful place to spend an afternoon. And the instrument is an erhu! Very plaintive, usually, but occasionally played to simulate horses on the Mongolian plain:).
Oh my! One of my most favorite cities in the world (went there as part of my honeymoon 😉
I must say you look young enough to be your son's girlfriend in the last picture; gorgeous photo x
Such a great tour of SF!!! I love Chinatown. It's full of fun things to see. The whole city is!! You do look fabulous my friend:)
Let's plan lunch very soon.
xx Jennifer
Kim dear, You always capture such color, vibrancy and beauty with your images. San Francisco is the perfect place to get lost and explore, just as you suggested. I have never walked the Filbert Steps, but I'm adding it to my list. Love your quirky finds along the way. We spent 5 days in the city around New Years and I had so many images I had to edit severely. San Francisco is so photogenic! Thanks for sharing this special day with your handsome family. You've been on my mind each day. Hugs and love my friend.
xx, Heather
Lisa thank you about that instrument…Was hoping someone knew. I agree love Chinatown!
Vanessa you are too kind. Hope you are doing well! x
Jennifer, Isn't Sf fun? Gosh there is still so much I want to do and see there. Yes love to see you soon. xo
Heather I loved your SF trip photos too! Thank you for the notes and thinking of me. xo
Kim,
My husband and I were in SF 2 years ago and took that exact same walk from Union Square to Coit Tower up through Chinatown and North Beach. We ate at Tony's as well and browsed through City Lights book store. Coit Tower was closed that day so we could only view the ground floor…the morning we were leaving to head home my husband wanted to try Coit Tower again while I was finishing packing but I was too worried that he wouldn't get back in time for our airport shuttle!
You took some great photos…thanks for sharing. Hope you are doing well.
Linda