Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
“the ramps.” All along the
extensive, three-part stairway
are gardens overflowing with
blue hydrangeas, azaleas, palms,
magnolias, and over-arching
pines and cypress trees. There
is also a bench where tired
walkers can rest. At the bottom
of the steps at Taylor and Vallejo,
stroll across the street to enjoy
the sun at tiny Coolbrith Park
5
.
From here you can see islands
in the bay, North Beach, the Bay
Bridge, and the lower Financial
District. On 4th of July, locals
series. At Nos. 5-17, plaster
garlands drape over the
doorways of this rare
earthquake survivor. Turn left on
Leavenworth Street, then right
onto Green Street. The block
between Hyde and
Leavenworth Streets is also
called “the Paris Block”
7
, a
reference to the house at No.
1050, which is reminiscent of
those in Paris. A number of
buildings on the block are on
the National Register of Historic
A local relaxing in Macondray Lane,
scene of TV's “Tales of the City”
6
Hyde Street
Continue west on Green Street
to Hyde Street where cafés and
shops cluster between Jackson
and Union Streets
8
. Lovers of
all things French will like
Cocotte (at No. 1521), the
boutiques, and charming
antiques shops. After browsing
here, catch a bus directly from
Hyde Street to various points
across the city.
6
Coolbrith
Park
5
2
Tips for Walkers
Starting point:
The stone
stairway at Jones and
Vallejo Streets.
Distance:
0.75 miles (1.2 km).
Getting there:
Take the Hyde-
Powell cable car or the 45 Muni
line to Vallejo Street and walk
east two blocks.
Stopping-off points:
On Hyde
Street, Frascati (at 1901) caters to
neighborhood regulars with a
pan-European menu of paella,
and coq au vin in a cozy setting.
The young and the hip hang out
on leather love seats in the
window of Bacchus Wine & Sake
Bar (at 1954).
4
1
3
Places, including the last
firehouse built for horse-drawn
vehicles, and, across the street,
the flamboyant 1857 Freusier
Octagon House, with its
mansard roof and cupola.
gather here to watch the
fireworks display.
Macondray Lane to
Green Street
Proceed north on Taylor
Street to Macondray Lane
6
on the left, which is
accessed by a creaky
stairway winding through
dense vegetation. Along the
two-block walkway are
shingled “Edwardian” cottages,
ballast stones from sailing ships,
and rustic country houses
set in flower gardens. This was
the setting for Barbary Lane
in Armistead Maupin's
Tales of
the City
book and television
Hyde Street, with its French-style boutiques, cafés, and antique shops
Scenic Yosemite Valley, Yosemite National Park
