Lyon Street Steps

The absolute best workout you can get for free. The stairs will kick your ass even if you do them once, but the view is so worth all the heavy breathing. Sometimes gets a little crowded but everyone is friendly and keeps out of each others way. Even if you aren’t in the mood for a workout– the view and people/​house watching is spectacular and shouldnt be missed!

[Out-​of-​Towner Review]
Sweat. Check.
The view. Check.
People watching. Check.
Public Heart. Check.
Beautiful Homes. Check.
Funny thing is, there are two sets of steps here and there are THREE different streets you can use to park to get to any beginning or end of either set. But we didn’t know that, so like touristy Sacramentans we started at the very bottom (insert Drake voice), no we’re here!
We did this leisurely, but I loved seeing people use them for their workout. I was sympathy sweating for them. Definitely a spot that has high foot traffic, but it’s a great, quick little spot to visit. You get a great view of the bay and a semi decent view of the Palace of Fine Arts.
I loved seeing another «Public Heart» here too. Finding these all over the City makes me smile. It’s interesting that there is a gorgeous home right at this spot, but it’s gorgeous, to say the least!
Tourist or local, they’re good for everyone!

Gorgeous set of steps that provides picture-​perfect views of Alcatraz and the Bay while running alongside a number of mansions, including that of Sen. Dianne Feinstein, in an exclusive neighborhood.
Although many West Bay locals go up and down these steps as part of their workout routines, there usually isn’t a whole lot of douchery or entitlement on display here, as joggers and tourists alike usually watch out and make room for others accordingly. Definitely worth a visit, especially as part of a walk through Pacific Heights.

Gorgeous set of stairs they lead you up to a great view of the bay. It was clear but not sunny in the November Sunday but the view was still amazing. Lots of people doing exercise here as the staircases provide quite the cardio! If you are visiting and stopping by in the marina, check it out, it’s definitely a new fave place of mine!

This is a must visit plce of San Francisco for sure if you like beautiful views! I would imagine it’s hard to get to this area if you don’t have a car, but it’s worth the Über fare, trust me! There are some cool things to see on the way to the top of the view, so remember to stop by and take pictures.
One slightly annoying catch about this place was that there’s always somebody working out and running up and down the steps, so you’re always in somebody’s way.
While you’re here in the city remember to visit the Moraga steps too!

I went to Lyon and Green St.
Parked.
It’s a dead end leading to Lyon Street Steps but where Lyon meets Green, there’s a house that was used as Grove High School in Princess Diaries. I have nieces. I love Princess Diaries.
Lyon Street Steps are two sets of steps with one of the hearts of San Francisco between the two sets. These steps connect Pacific Heights to Cow Hollow. all 244 steps of them. It’s a good workout. Just ask all the people that run up and down these steps. People lapped me. It was a little ridiculous. The top of the steps are at Lyon and Broadway where you can take in some views. You can take in this view all the way back down actually but you can appreciate it more at the top where you don’t have to worry about each step you take and people passing you by.

«I LEFT MY HEART IN SAN FRANCISCO»
After reading the little placard that was by the heart, I understand why I hear that phrase a lot. It stated that the Hearts of San Francisco, this golden heart was one of 130 sculptures beautifully and inspired heart sculptures that were created by local Bay Area artists in an exhibit of public hearts project that was debuted in 2004. Never realized that there were that many hearts. I’d love to see all the hearts in my lifetime.
I was on a hunt for hearts during my past SF day trip with a friend. She told me about this Lyon Street Steps that beholds a golden heart. It’s another hidden gem spot located in the Pacific Heights neighborhood. Such a beautiful sight to take pictures at and also overlooking the neighborhood. SF must love their stairs, I’ve seen so many during this one day trip to SF. Of course, we weren’t prepared for hiking another set of stairs after coming from the mosaic steps. But I’ve seen a few people do their cardio here. Although it looks pretty intense, it’ll probably take me a while just to get up there. haha.

A hidden gem in the Pacific Heights neighborhood!
I was staying with a friend in Cow Hollow during my trip to SF. One afternoon, we decided to explore her neighborhood since it was a beautiful sunny day (apparently very rare in SF) and we eventually stumbled to the bottom of the Lyon Street Steps. What followed was experiencing one of the most beautiful spots in San Francisco.
There are several sets of steps. The middle of the staircase has a beautiful heart shaped sculpture — a great spot for a photo op. The very top of the steps has the most breathtaking panoramic views of the Bay Palace of Fine Arts, neighborhood mansions, Presidio forest and even Alcatraz in sight.
The steps are steep, but this spot is scenic and worth doing. It also seems to be a popular place for locals to work out as we saw several (athletic) people running up and down the stairs. Someone even did a few pushups and sit-​ups at the top — so intense.
Highly recommend the Lyon Steps for scenic views of the bay and a less touristy spot in the city! A beautiful spot in SF.

Wow, so many intense people working out here and with such impressive bodies, at that. Figures, as these stairs are in-​tense. Up close, the reward is definitely the beautifully landscaped and well-​maintained gardens, as well as impressive homes. The SF heart with a flying bird in the middle of the main garden was a pleasant find. As you reach higher and higher, the overlooking view of the bay is also a nice perk. Keep right to stay out of the way of the intense stair climbers. The area is a nice mix of tourists and locals, which I appreciated.

Amazing view of this gorgeous city if you go to the too sure will you will get your heart rate up.

If you’re looking to get your ass kicked by some steps, this set is more appropriate than the 16^th Avenue Tiled ones. Motivation will come as you watch tons of other people run up and down with you. Occasionally, there will be tourists who get dropped off at the top (lucky bastards) only to get winded just coming down.
Once you’ve done this however many times, you can cool off by continuing the walk at the bottom towards Palace of Fine Arts. The sidewalk to that area is wide so you walk or run comfortably.
At Lyon and Lombard St., you’ll get to these set of buildings that look like they’re in a park. You can walk through, lay on the grass, or use the bathrooms at Starbucks. Truly a lovely way to spend an afternoon!

Oh how I love outdoor training in San Francisco. The weather is always nice, the scenery is beautiful and there’s plenty of hills and stairs to challenge your runs. The Lyon street stairs is one of my favorite outdoor workout spots. The stairs are super long and get steeper towards the bottom. There’s no doubt that you’ll get a great cardio workout regardless of your athleticism.
Depending on when you go, you may run into bootcamp classes, teams and other exercisers. I like to make my rounds here in the mornings, just as the sun is rising and the temperatures are cool.
You get picturesque views of the bay, Palace of Fine Arts, Marina, etc. It’s also in a nice and bougie neighborhood and parking is pretty easy here.

Long steep set of stairs right next to the Presidio with the hearts (next to Dianne Feinstein’s house) and lots of exercisers. If you can avoid the sweaty people and make it up the stairs you’ll be rewarded with some great views of the Marina.

By far, this remains one of my favorite stairways in SF. On a clear day, the sweeping and grandiose views of the Pacific Height palatial residences, the GG bridge, Alcatraz, Marin County (Tiburon & Sausalito) and the BAY are just breathtaking and awe-​inspiring. I always blame the runner’s high or utter exhaustion and pain after completing stair climbs, but I’ve been known to weep over the beauty when I reach the top landing.
Not to mention, you can get a killer core, quad and glute work-​out here. A fellow NPC bodybuilding competitor almost killed me here during a training day this week. I ran the full stairs once, performed lunges, squats and calf-​raises and then, back to back stair climb repeats followed by more lunges, squats and calf-raises…and one more run up the full set of stairs and then, a half set of stairs. Needless to say, I was DYING by the time we hit our last set of lunges and squats.
If you happened to remember witnessing a little Asian lady crying at the bottom of the stairs while performing squats… well, that was me… hahaha. OMG! Best memories!

Not sure if I derped and if there is more to these steps but as I was walking toward the Presidio Park, I came upon the steps. I didnt realize it warranted its own Unilocal page since I thought it was part of the Presidio. It has a nice view of the city as you walk down and it will lead you to the Palace of Fine Arts or the park. This is a short staircase but I guess if you came here to work out and went up and down the stairs, then it would be legit. Make sure to take a photo with one of the SF hearts!

Who needs a stairmaster when you have the Lyon Street Steps? This is a popular place for people getting their fitness on. However, I wasn’t coming here to run up and down the steps while carrying two 5-​gallon water jugs. I actually just wanted to check out the garden in front of Senator Feinstein’s home and also see the view from the top of the staircase. This neighborhood is filled with multi-​million dollar homes only one could dream of living in. Ocean views are beautiful and the Lyon Street Steps with surrounding landscaping add to the appeal of the area. One of the 130 hearts around the city are found here — makes for a nice photo-​op. There are two sets of stairs but nothing too challenging unless you plan to join the cross-​fitters!

The perfect place to exercise in the northern /​Marina /​Pacific Heights area of SF. First, parking is free all Saturdays and Sundays (a rarity in SF), and there’s a ton of it. Second, everyone is nice and not pushy like other workout /​makeout point /​tourist /​sky viewing areas.
The stairs are separated in sections and with one of the beautiful SF Hearts art displays. Your water bottles and bags are safe and likely won’t be stolen. People are there to jog or walk up the well maintained stairs that lead to a breathtaking view of the city, the Palace of Fine Arts, and the Bay.
Love it. Come workout and get a great view.

This is definitely a hidden treasure of SF. My group of friends exploring SF just finished exploring the 16^th Avenue Tiled Steps and they hated me for wanting to stop by another steps tourist attraction. We parked in the neighborhood and walked to the set of stairs. Originally, we weren’t going to go up because the firs set of stairs looked boring and plain so we sent our two guys to go up and tell us if it’s worth it to go up to the 2^nd flight of stairs.
And they reported back that it is pretty! So the girls made the trek up the stairs, slowly but surely. And at the second set, there is one of those SF hearts and it was decorated with flowers all around. After a few minutes of catching our breaths, we squeezed in a few photo ops and continued on our exploring SF agenda.

Another Gem in San Francisco with an AMAZING view!!! This view looks out into the ocean towards Alcatraz and the end of the warf/​where the presido is. The Lyon Street Steps are located in Pacific Heights above the Palace of Fine Arts.
These stairs are no joke! It is a great way to enjoy beautiful scenery while getting a killer workout. They have about 3 blocks worth of stairs upward. Many locals come here to run up and down the stairs to get their work out. While tourists climb to the top to enjoy the view. Either or Lyon Street Steps are the perfect for either or.
Now that I know what I am in for, I will definitely come more prepared with running shoes and workout gear, because the workout we got just walking up and down was great, I can only imagine the workout someone could get running up and down!!!

Left… Left… Left, Right, Left!
If you’re interested in undergoing your own personal bootcamp then search no further! Lyon Street Steps will whip your tush right into shape.
Unassumingly so, I took the challenge of these steps as if it were a piece of cake. Half way up the first flight, I was already panting and out of breath. My calves and thighs were buuuurning.
After reaching the very top, I paused for a moment to regain my strength and slowly began to descend down the stairs. Thank goodness for side rails; my legs felt like jelly and I feared I might tumble down the rest of the way.
Roughly three days after, my legs were still sore. I’ve been maneuvering myself throughout the city like a bow legged cowboy, Yosemite Sam style, grimacing each time I dropped something on the floor and had to stoop down to pick it up.
With all that said, no pain, no gain. These steps will surely deliver results if you stick with it long enough. Then again, I’m still a work in progress. I’ll let you know when I get thurrrr.
This is an awesome way to challenge your endurance and a great addition to any workout regimen!
Atten-​hut!