The Streets of San Francisco
San Francisco’s streets were more like how I remember them last week when I was huffing and puffing up and down those towering hills.
I was staying at the top of Nob Hill, one of the seven famous hills in the city, although the list of the city’s hills is nearer to 50.
San Francisco’s incredible topography was caused by millions of years of tectonic plate movements. As the plates scrape past each other, kinks and splits in the fault cause mountains and valleys to form.
Nob Hill is 376 feet high and the walk up California Avenue with the Bay Bridge behind you (photo) should not be attempted after a few pints. The reverse walk downhill is not recommended in leather soles!
However, upon research the gradient of this climb ‘just’ 22.2%, whereas the walk up Filbert between Leavenworth and Hyde is 31.5%.
It’s nice atop Nob Hill, an area known for its mansions and fancy hotels as well as the Grace Cathedral. To the east is the superb Chinatown, one of America’s best, and just a few blocks downhill on California at Bush Street, I came across this fabulous dive bar called Summer Place.
It had just newly re-opened post pandemic and is was busy and brilliant. Get an Uber back though as the cocktails were rather wholesome.
Last year when I was in the city it was thoroughly demoralizing. San Fran had always been one of my favourites, but it was deserted accept for vagrants and boarded up windows, and the whole place was clouded in the smell of marijuana.
Yet, this time the downtown area was industrious, cheery and radiant. It was a pleasure to see.
Chicago Addick 
Hi so you’re a Hilly Billy we do a frequent trip to the Valley Floyd Road,I highly recommend a visit to Wembley when we lift at least two cups.
Thats encouraging CA. We went a couple of years ago and it was horrendous. Vagrants and drug addicts everywhere. I had been several times before and was shocked at how bad it was. Have they actually cleared it up or were you just lucky ??
AA – it was a small sample in that I was only really between Nob Hill and the Financial District, but I walked the same streets that last year were disgusting and frankly dangerous. I watched homeless dudes injecting themselves with what I could only assume was heroin. Last week it was an all round cleaner and happier place. Reminding me of the enchanting city it once was.
I love San Francisco. It is my third fave city after New York and Sydney. I once rented a car to see the sights and drive over the Golden Gate bridge. On the way back I thought I was Steve McQueen, but without the death and destruction.
😃. Great city to drive. Lombard Street has to be top 10 must do drives!