Macondray Lane-San Francisco City Walk
(scroll to bottom for photo gallery)
Location: Macondray Lane is a two-block pedestrian lane extending end to end from Leavenworth Street to Taylor Street on San Francisco’s Russian Hill, and lies between Green and Union Streets.
For all web links, if a link doesn’t jump directly, copy and paste into browser. (Information links may change. We do our best to update.)
Suggested links on Macondray Lane:
https://www.sfstairways.com/stairways/macondray-lane-taylor-street-to-jones-street/
https://www.lonelyplanet.com/usa/san-francisco/the-hills-and-japantown/attractions/macondray-lane/a/poi-sig/384045/1329642
http://www.toursofthetales.com/macondray-lane.html
https://secretsanfrancisco.com/macondray-lane-sf/
Distance:
Macondray Lane is only two city blocks long without sharp inclines on the lane itself, but it is located at the top of one of the steepest hilly parts of San Francisco, so walking a few blocks to get there will provide a cardio workout. This pedestrian lane extends from Leavenworth Street to Taylor Street on Russian Hill, and lies between Green and Union Streets. It is possible to find street parking nearby and just walk the short lane for the charming scenery, or to include this as part of a longer walk from North Beach, Chinatown or the Fisherman’s Wharf area. (Click Hike Search by Area and look in the San Francisco section for other San Francisco City Walks or Hill Walks)
Considerations:
General note: All information is subject to change based on current health and safety guidelines.
• Parking rules are specific to each neighborhood and street in San Francisco. Check parking signs carefully if going by car.
• There are no public toilets in the immediate vicinity of Macondray Lane. The nearest might be the park restrooms at Washington Square.
• Heed health and safety notices, including wildlife alerts.
• San Francisco weather can switch between chilly and foggy and warm and sunny in the blink of an eye. We always bring layers.
The trail:
The steep, hilly parts of San Francisco feature several charming pedestrian-only pathways, often lined with charming architecture and quirky garden designs. Macondray Lane is one of the most storied of these, at least fictionally.
Armistead Maupin’s Tales of the City series used Macondray Lane as the inspiration for Barbary Lane. Filming of the series based on the stories was done at the stairs at Taylor Street, which is now clearly labeled. The entrance at Leavenworth is also marked by a sign and flower-covered gateway.
Macondray Lane is the kind of hidden treasure that makes San Francisco a city people fall in love with. The charm of its shady, narrow path, in part on cobbled stones, makes it feel like being on a secret adventure. The path itself is narrow and covered by trees, but the views from street corners at either end are stunning.
It is a residential pathway, so visitors should be respectful of residents’ privacy as well as avoid being too noisy. Macondray Lane has some similarities to the hill walk on Telegraph Hill, but is not hilly in and of itself, and is much shorter. See the suggested links above to read more about Macondray Lane.
It is possible to find street parking nearby and just walk the short lane for the charming scenery, or to include this as part of a longer walk from North Beach, Chinatown or the Fisherman’s Wharf area. (Click Hike Search by Area and look in the San Francisco section for other San Francisco City Walks or Hill Walks)
Macondray Lane-San Francisco City Walk Hike Notes were originally paired with the “Love Where You Live” Insights post.)
Check the Home page for the broader background story. Click Insights/Hike Update News for inspiring reflections. Browse hikes on the main Hikes page or on the Hike Search by Area page, and scroll to the bottom of each hike page to see full photo galleries.
If you’d like to support HikingAutism, check out the Support/Shop page! Check out selected articles and interviews under Media. Click World Walks to see or share favorite family-friendly walks! Stay in touch with Lisa Louis and HikingAutism via Contact. The Links page lists a loose collection of helpful information links. Feel free to share and follow on Facebook at HikingAutism, Twitter at @HikingAutism, Instagram at lisalouis777, and Bluesky @hikingautism.bsky.social
(scroll to bottom for photo gallery)
Location: Macondray Lane is a two-block pedestrian lane extending end to end from Leavenworth Street to Taylor Street on San Francisco’s Russian Hill, and lies between Green and Union Streets.
For all web links, if a link doesn’t jump directly, copy and paste into browser. (Information links may change. We do our best to update.)
Suggested links on Macondray Lane:
https://www.sfstairways.com/stairways/macondray-lane-taylor-street-to-jones-street/
https://www.lonelyplanet.com/usa/san-francisco/the-hills-and-japantown/attractions/macondray-lane/a/poi-sig/384045/1329642
http://www.toursofthetales.com/macondray-lane.html
https://secretsanfrancisco.com/macondray-lane-sf/
Distance:
Macondray Lane is only two city blocks long without sharp inclines on the lane itself, but it is located at the top of one of the steepest hilly parts of San Francisco, so walking a few blocks to get there will provide a cardio workout. This pedestrian lane extends from Leavenworth Street to Taylor Street on Russian Hill, and lies between Green and Union Streets. It is possible to find street parking nearby and just walk the short lane for the charming scenery, or to include this as part of a longer walk from North Beach, Chinatown or the Fisherman’s Wharf area. (Click Hike Search by Area and look in the San Francisco section for other San Francisco City Walks or Hill Walks)
Considerations:
General note: All information is subject to change based on current health and safety guidelines.
• Parking rules are specific to each neighborhood and street in San Francisco. Check parking signs carefully if going by car.
• There are no public toilets in the immediate vicinity of Macondray Lane. The nearest might be the park restrooms at Washington Square.
• Heed health and safety notices, including wildlife alerts.
• San Francisco weather can switch between chilly and foggy and warm and sunny in the blink of an eye. We always bring layers.
The trail:
The steep, hilly parts of San Francisco feature several charming pedestrian-only pathways, often lined with charming architecture and quirky garden designs. Macondray Lane is one of the most storied of these, at least fictionally.
Armistead Maupin’s Tales of the City series used Macondray Lane as the inspiration for Barbary Lane. Filming of the series based on the stories was done at the stairs at Taylor Street, which is now clearly labeled. The entrance at Leavenworth is also marked by a sign and flower-covered gateway.
Macondray Lane is the kind of hidden treasure that makes San Francisco a city people fall in love with. The charm of its shady, narrow path, in part on cobbled stones, makes it feel like being on a secret adventure. The path itself is narrow and covered by trees, but the views from street corners at either end are stunning.
It is a residential pathway, so visitors should be respectful of residents’ privacy as well as avoid being too noisy. Macondray Lane has some similarities to the hill walk on Telegraph Hill, but is not hilly in and of itself, and is much shorter. See the suggested links above to read more about Macondray Lane.
It is possible to find street parking nearby and just walk the short lane for the charming scenery, or to include this as part of a longer walk from North Beach, Chinatown or the Fisherman’s Wharf area. (Click Hike Search by Area and look in the San Francisco section for other San Francisco City Walks or Hill Walks)
Macondray Lane-San Francisco City Walk Hike Notes were originally paired with the “Love Where You Live” Insights post.)
Check the Home page for the broader background story. Click Insights/Hike Update News for inspiring reflections. Browse hikes on the main Hikes page or on the Hike Search by Area page, and scroll to the bottom of each hike page to see full photo galleries.
If you’d like to support HikingAutism, check out the Support/Shop page! Check out selected articles and interviews under Media. Click World Walks to see or share favorite family-friendly walks! Stay in touch with Lisa Louis and HikingAutism via Contact. The Links page lists a loose collection of helpful information links. Feel free to share and follow on Facebook at HikingAutism, Twitter at @HikingAutism, Instagram at lisalouis777, and Bluesky @hikingautism.bsky.social
