Secret stairs and special places on Russian Hill

Hidden away between the paved streets are stairways dating back to the beginnings of San Francisco development. These walkways are legal streets and the front doors of the address are the only entrances to most. Easements dating back to the 19th century grant access through the adjacent property and building for heavy goods a furniture moving. Also included is a few shots from nearby streets and the Cable Car Museum.

Russian Hill is directly to the north from Nob Hill, to the south from Fisherman's Wharf, and to the west of the North Beach neighborhood. At the northern foot of the hill is Ghirardelli Square, which sits on the waterfront of the San Francisco Bay, Aquatic Park, and Fisherman's Wharf. A trip down the winding turns of Lombard Street and across Columbus Avenue to the east leads to the neighborhood of North Beach. Down the hill to the west, past Van Ness Avenue, are Cow Hollow and the Marina districts.

The neighborhood's name goes back to the Gold Rush era, when settlers discovered a small Russian cemetery at the top of the hill. The cemetery was eventually removed, but the name remains to this day.