Latest posts from our San Francisco expert:
Trekking up and Sliding down
There are many ways to get around in San Francisco. Renting bikes is a great option, as long as you steer clear of the (almost) vertical streets. Catching cabs is fine too, but they are more expensive than you might hope. The cable cars are classic and make for good pictures, but they can only take you through a tiny section of the city. My vote is get some good walking shoes and explore the dozens of staircases throughout the city. These staircases are not only a great way to get around, but they also lead through more residential areas and provide visitors with a good taste of the quaint and often hidden streets in SF. There are countless stairs that weave through our neighborhoods, but the stair walks that lead in and out of the Castro/Dolores Heights neighborhood prove to be some of the most rewarding. Start out tackling the Liberty Hill Stairs located on Sanchez between Liberty Street and 21st. A series of three staircases take you up to the top of Liberty Hill. From the top, you can see the Castro to your left, the Mission to your right, Noe Valley behind you and Downtown San Francisco in front of you. It is a spectacular spot to look out and get a lay of the land.
After all that vertical gain, you may be craving a little more fun and a little less work. Luckily there are some secret San Francisco slides located in the area. The Seward Slides are located on Douglas Street at Seward, just a few blocks west of Castro Street. These steep cement shoots are frequently visited by local adults and kids who happily cart cardboard up the hill. The slides are steep and short, but the thrill is memorable. There is usually plenty of spare cardboard so don't worry about that part, just keep your elbows tucked to your sides and head on down. In my opinion, there is no better way to balance an uphill hike, than a downhill slide.