Discover the City by the Bay like a local!

Duration

3.5 Hours

About

This four mile loop weaves through the largest Chinatown on earth, climbs from the Cable Car Museum to the peak of Russian Hill, and cruise along the Italian enclave of North Beach to the Mecca of Beatnik culture. Beginning at the Friendship Gate, we’ll travel through the colorful back alleys of the oldest Chinatown in the world, browse its exotic markets, and visit the first Chinese temple in America, the Tin How Temple.

At the Powerhouse we'll see what makes the fabled cable cars tick, then ascend Russian Hill, winding through the whimsical, verdant Macondray Lane––one of the City's most beautiful hidden streets and the basis for Barbary Lane in Armistead Maupin's colorful fiction series Tales of the City.

Coast through North Beach and enjoy the traditional trattoria patios, old-school bars, and handmade cuisine that bring the historic Italian charm to life. We’ll check out City Lights Bookstore, Vesuvio Cafe, and other landmarks of the Beat Generation before ending our loop back at the Friendship Gate.

Highlights include:

The First Chinese Temple in America Cable Car Powerhouse Russian Hill Panoramas Whimsical Macondray Lane San Francisco’s Beatnik Mecca

More info

Difficulty: Hills and one large staircase Distance: 4.26 mi / 6.85 km Hill Count: 2 Stair steps: 314 Max Elevation: 637ft /212m Min Elevation: 28ft /9m