Hidden Stairways of San Francisco
Recommended by 100% of travelers
Badge of Excellence
San Francisco, USA
- 2 hours (approx.)
- Mobile ticket
- Offered in: English
Overview
See a side of San Francisco that many visitors overlook—and soak up the city’s local feel—on this small-group walking tour. Pick between morning and afternoon start times, and meet your guide in the Inner Sunset neighborhood. Over the course of 2 miles (3 kilometers), you’ll enjoy a leisurely stroll as you ascend hidden staircases, explore secret gardens, and soak up the city’s picturesque views well off the tourist track.
- See a different side of San Francisco on this leisurely walking tour
- Discover the city’s hidden staircases, gardens, and other scenic corners
- Learn all about the city’s culture and history from your guide’s stories
- This small-group tour is capped at 10 to keep things personal
What's Included
- Certified guide
Meeting and Pickup
Meeting point
- 800 Judah St, San Francisco, CA 94122, USA
Meet Greg on the steps of St Anne of the Sunset Church 850 Judah St. San Francisco, CA 94122.
End point
This activity ends back at the meeting point.Operating hours.1:00 pm
What To Expect
1
Golden Gate Bridge
2
Golden Gate Park
3
Downtown San Francisco
4
Salesforce Tower
5
Inner Sunset
6
Golden Gate Heights
7
de Young Museum
8
California Academy of Sciences
9
Hidden Garden Steps
10
Lincoln Park Steps
11
Hidden Garden Steps
12
16 Avenue Tiled Steps
Additional Info
- Confirmation will be received at time of booking
- Not wheelchair accessible
- Service animals allowed
- Near public transportation
- Travelers should have a moderate physical fitness level
- This tour/activity will have a maximum of 10 travelers
Supplied by
Cancellation Policy
You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance of the experience for a full refund.
Traveler Photos
Featured review
Amy_K
Greg gives SF background, history, and fun facts with a sense of humor. It’s obvious that he has cultivated personal relationships with residents along his tour route and brings a sense of pride and respect to the city in which he lives. His tour is predetermined, but his ability to tailor the presentation to a specific audience is apparent.
Reviews
5.0
based on 253 reviews
Cheryl_A, Mar 2026
Greg was so informative. We had a really enjoyable time. This is certainly a must do on your itinerary.
Response from Host, Mar 2026
Thank you Cheryl!
Chantia_K, Mar 2026
This is an awesome activity to do solo or with friends. My friend came in town and we booked this, Greg was very knowledgeable. Lots of great SF facts in addition to facts about the various stairways. Really loved that along the route residents were welcoming and also offered their own cool fact or 3 to this experience. Although you don’t HAVE to take one, TAKE THE GIFT AT THE END! I’m going to book this for my work team, such a great experience!
Response from Host, Mar 2026
Thank you so much Tia, lovely to meet you both!
Jessica_S, Dec 2025
Nice walk, interesting facts, another view of San Francisco. Mesmerizing bay views. Greg was super friendly and kind
Response from Host, Dec 2025
Thanks Jessica!
Amy_K, Dec 2025
Greg gives SF background, history, and fun facts with a sense of humor. It’s obvious that he has cultivated personal relationships with residents along his tour route and brings a sense of pride and respect to the city in which he lives. His tour is predetermined, but his ability to tailor the presentation to a specific audience is apparent.
Response from Host, Dec 2025
Thank you so much Amy, delighted you enjoyed!
Patrick_B, Nov 2025
Wonderful SF neighborhood walk combining SF history, art and amazing views. So much fresh air and so many great stories. Greg is so engaging and fun!
Response from Host, Nov 2025
Much appreciated and delighted you enjoyed!
Holly_W, Nov 2025
If you have been to San Francisco before and are looking for something "off the beaten path," this is a MUST tour. Greg was so enjoyable, funny, and knowledgeable. It is definitely a hidden stairways tour, but truly it's so much more than that. I don't want to go into too many details, because you deserve to be as happily surprised and pleased as we were. Some tour guides do it for the money. You can tell Greg loves what he does ~ 10 stars!!
Response from Host, Nov 2025
Thank you so much for the wonderful review Holly - really appreciate it!
David_G, Oct 2025
Greg is awesome. A longtime local who's incredibly knowledgeable, as well as very kind and funny. The story of the hidden stairwys is amazing, and they are an inspiring and beautiful neighborhood achievement. I know San Francisco fairly well, but this was new territory for me, and well worth the time. I don't think there are better views of the city. Greg makes the tour great.
Response from Host, Oct 2025
Thank you David for the high praise, much appreciated!
Sobrina_T, Jun 2025
This was different. It was very informative and fun. It included some history, current information, with fun facts, and a good amount of exercise. Greg was so sweet, energetic, and welcoming.
Response from Host, Jun 2025
Thank you very much, really appreciate it!
BARB_R, May 2025
Great experience. The mosaic steps are beautiful. The guide is very knowledgeable about the area and how the stairs came to be.
Response from Host, May 2025
Thanks Barb!
Sushma_C, May 2025
Greg makes the walk really fun by immersing you in a brief cultural and economic history of SF. He is a great guide who comes prepared - I particularly loved that he took photos of all notable spots so that we don’t have to bother with it during our walk which was great because I could enjoy the walk even more. He also shows you interesting pictures of the neighbourhood from the past. 2 hr walk doesn’t seem much at all when you’re chatting and learning.
Greg alone made the experience super worth it!
Response from Host, May 2025
Really happy that you enjoyed and very much appreciate the kind review!
garygleck, May 2025
Great job by enthusiastic, knowledgeable, and compassionate guide. Greg was incredibly knowledgeable and articulate. He made sure the walk was comfortable for all despite the stairs and hills.
Response from Host, May 2025
Thanks Gary, glad you all enjoyed!
Paul_R, May 2025
Great experience! Greg was very knowledgeable and entertaining. Would definitely recommend this tour.
Response from Host, May 2025
Thanks so much Paul!
Delwyn_N, Apr 2025
If ur into mosaics this walk is awesome! Greg was a wonderful enthusiastic guide with a mound of information. Wear good walking shoes & enjoy.
Response from Host, Apr 2025
Thanks so much Delwyn, delighted you both enjoyed!
Denise_H, Mar 2025
Greg did a fantastic tour of the Hidden Stairways. He was very informative and personable. It was nice to visit a less touristy part of SF. I highly recommend.
Response from Host, Mar 2025
Thanks so much Denise!
Amy_E, Mar 2025
What a fantastic experience! We walked at a very manageable pace, taking in all the sights. The steps are beautiful! The scenery is amazing. Greg is such a wonderful tour guide. My grandson is 8, and he actually chose this excursion for our trip. I am so glad that he did! Greg really got him involved in the tour, teaching him, and all of us, many things about the history of the area. I highly recommend this enjoyable experience! Thank you, Greg, for an awesome experience!!
Response from Host, Mar 2025
Thanks Amy, it was a delight to host you both!
Carol_H, Feb 2025
Wonderful tour. Greg is the best guide I have ever had. He is knowledgeable, professional, enthusiastic, engaging, fun, and he is interested in getting to know his guests. We learned history of SF and the beautiful tiled stairways, saw lovely gardens and had expansive views of SF and coastline from hilltops. He took many photos of us and what we saw and sent a link to them afterwards, plus a gps video of our route should we want to repeat it on our own.
Response from Host, Feb 2025
Thank you so much Carol, you were delightful guests and I'm glad you enjoyed!
Jerry_W, Dec 2024
Amazing stories related to the concept of, and building of, the staircases. Guide was very knowledgeable about the history of San Francisco, as well.
Response from Host, Dec 2024
Thanks Jerry, glad you enjoyed!
Guy_M, Dec 2024
This is a great way to hear and see San Francisco from an enthusistic local with a passion for his city. The steps were facinating and their story was extaordinary. The reviews I had read before the tour were excellent but I considered it Outstanding. A great way to spend 2 hours leaning about SF!
Response from Host, Dec 2024
Thanks for being outstanding guests!
Jacqueline_P, Aug 2024
Greg is the perfect guide! Our family found the tour super interesting and educational in some beautiful surroundings. He even kept my teenagers engaged which is no easy task..! I would thoroughly recommend this tour..
Response from Host, Aug 2024
Thank you Jackie, delighted the family enjoyed!
Megan_B, Aug 2024
Loved the tour- really excellent guide with great stories and insights! Loved all the stairways - such beautiful art!
Response from Host, Aug 2024
Thank you Megan - delighted you enjoyed!
Robin_C, Jun 2024
Three adults and three 8 year olds. It was so much fun, so interesting and our guide was amazing. Lots of interesting information shared. So much better than sitting on a tour bus. We all left feeling impressed that this outing was even better than we expected.
Response from Host, Jun 2024
Thanks so much, delighted to host you all and glad the kids enjoyed themselves!
Frank_L, Jun 2024
Greg was an outstanding guide; knowledgeable, personable, prepared, and enthusiastic! Steps and gardens were spectacular. One of the best tours we have ever been and we have been on many. Don’t miss this one!
Response from Host, Jun 2024
Thank you Frank! Delighted you enjoyed and appreciate the high praise.
Betty_S, May 2024
Greg McQuaid was our guide and you couldn’t have asked for a more informative, helpful person to take you through the tour and tell the history of the area. He even knows residents we passed on the way.
Response from Host, May 2024
Glad you enjoyed!
Laura_K, May 2024
Greg was so nice and an excellent tour guide. Not only do you get to see two beautiful staircases surrounded by beautiful gardens, Greg also gives you a great overview of city history and facts. The walk itself was not too bad, you do have to climb a lot of stairs obviously, but Greg went at a great pace that it never felt like it was unmanageable. It was a great introduction to San Fran and I would highly recommend it.
Response from Host, May 2024
So glad you enjoyed - thank you 🙏
Lynda_L, May 2024
Greg was absolutely awesome. The tour was well paced and full of information but not at all boring. Highly recommended to anyone who wants something a bit unique rather than the usual tourist sights. Thanks Greg.
Response from Host, May 2024
Thanks so much, really glad you enjoyed!
Angelique_D, May 2024
i enjoyed very much the activity. Greg is a very interesting and cultivated guide We learned a lot of intersting things about San Francisco.
Thank you Greg
susan_a, Apr 2024
Thé views from tops of stairs are amazing; tour guide Greg was chock-full of tidbits about Bay Area; the artwork of the stairs and the history behind the art was very interesting. Definitely would recommend for you individuals who appreciate a walk with a purpose and views.
Response from Host, Apr 2024
Appreciate the kind words Susan and delighted you enjoyed!
Karanda_e, Apr 2024
This tour takes you around a different neighborhood to take in the sights and views of the entire city. Greg is very knowledgeable about the history of the steps and surrounding plants.
To note: this tour has a lot of steps and hill walking. While it is at a leisurely pace, it may make it difficult for those with mobility issues.
Response from Host, Apr 2024
Glad you guys enjoyed...thanks so much!
Tara_B, Apr 2024
The tour was a great way to learn about the history of the city while also enjoying the beautiful mosaic steps and views of the city. Greg is incredibly knowledgeable and had us all engaged - from the teens to the parents.
Response from Host, Apr 2024
Thanks so much Tara, glad you all enjoyed!
Mona_H, Apr 2024
My kids loved it, they still talk about ut to this day. My daughter remembers all the facts our tour guy said and shares it with people when we come into town.
Response from Host, Apr 2024
Thanks Mona, glad everyone enjoyed!
From $37.00
per personup to 24 hours before the experience starts (local time)
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