In The Loop Travel
  • Home
  • Destinations
    • The Americas
    • Caribbean
    • Mexico
    • Europe
    • Asia/Pacific
    • Africa
  • Fitness
  • Cruising
  • Travel Tips
  • Videos
  • Work With Us
  • My Work
  • About
  • Colorado Craft Brewery Guide
  • Media Kit
  • TBIN Influencer Network

Hiking the Greenwich Steps to Coit Tower in San Francisco

12/27/2018

3 Comments

 
Picture
By John Roberts

Most people know about San Francisco's hilly geography and the city's famous Lombard Street that twists and turns and is reputed as "The Crookedest Street in the World" because of its eight tight hairpin turns over the course of one neighborhood block.

These hills can also be explored through the unique experience of an urban hike on the city's Stairway Walks. I discovered one of the routes up Telegraph Hill during a visit to the port via my cruise on Crystal Serenity. A friend of mine who lived several years in San Francisco knows that I am always looking for something active to try and asked whether I had heard of the Stairway Walks.

I told her that I had not, but that I was also intrigued. Erica pointed out that one of the routes was pretty close to our ship's location near Pier 23. The Greenwich Steps take you through a quaint neighborhood and lead you up to the looming Coit Tower. At the top, you get an amazing panoramic view of San Francisco Bay, the bridges and even Lombard Street, which is close by.

Let me take you along on my hike from the San Francisco cruise port up to Coit Tower so you can give it a try when you visit. I love finding free activities as a way to explore a city, and this is a nice heart-pumping outing that takes no more than 90 minutes to get to the top and back. Plus, Coit Tower offers a neat little museum and gift shop to explore as well. (More on Coit Tower follows once we reach the top.)

Ready? Let's go.
Crystal Cruises Crystal Serenity in San Francisco
Crystal Cruises' Crystal Serenity at the pier in San Francisco.
Crystal Serenity at San Francisco Cruise terminal
The San Francisco cruise terminal sits right in the heart of the Embarcadero and close to many attractions along the Bay.
Our ship, Crystal Serenity, was docked at the James R. Herman Cruise Terminal. As you leave the ship, you can look up to the hills and see Coit Tower, my destination.

As you cross The Embarcadero, the great wide sidewalk that leads to all things San Francisco along the Bay, you are heading straight toward Telegraph Hill and the Greenwich Steps stairway walk that goes up to Coit Tower.

This spot along the pier is a wonderful launching point for several popular activities you can enjoy while on your cruise stop in San Francisco. To the southeast is the Exploratorium science museum, the Bay Bridge and the San Francisco Giants home field, AT&T Park. To the west is the Golden Gate Bridge. In that direction, you'll pass Pier 39 and all the sea lions, Fisherman's Wharf, Ghirardelli Square and the Aquatic Park Cove.

Read more: Why You Should Spend Time in San Francisco Before Your Cruise
 
To get to the start of the Greenwich Steps, I followed Battery Street to Greenwich Street and the start of the hike.
Picture
Just across the street, you can see up to the Telegraph Hill neighborhood and Coit Tower rising at the top.
Picture
Turning around, you can still see Crystal Serenity at the pier. Now, I'm on the other side of the Embarcadero and getting closer to the start of the stairway walk.
Greenwich Street in San Francisco
I reach Greenwich Street, and the tiny green sign indicates I'm in the right place.
Picture
You can see the base of the Greenwich Steps at the end of the street.
Picture
Picture
Greenwich Steps in San Francisco
I started up the steps not really knowing what I would see and how long it would take to get to the top. They are steep, rising quickly into a unique community of hillside homes. The steps themselves are a "street," and the the steps, landings and paths that create the route into the neighborhood.

I noticed other tourists huffing and puffing their way up (or down), and I also saw fit residents using the steps as part of their running workouts (that's impressive).
Picture
One of my first views as I climbed the Greenwich Steps. You can start to see the San Francisco Bay despite the foggy day. Also, you see the top of Crystal Serenity peeking above the buildings.
Picture
Telegraph Hill Greenwich Stairs at Coit Tower
Still on the way up, I'm making progress and finding some flatter terrain as I pass by the homes located in the shadow of Coit Tower on Telegraph Hill.
Homes in Telegraph Hill neighborhood in San Francisco
The homes are pretty up here, and I wonder how hard it is to move all your furniture into these residences.
Picture
Residents also utilize the property on the opposite side of the staircase to create beautiful wild gardens.
Picture
I emerged from the lower half of the stairway walk to reach a street. We're about halfway there.
Picture
Before continuing up, I wander to a wall along the street to see what the view looks like.
Picture
The second section of the two-part staircase up to Coit Tower is constructed with pretty red bricks.
Picture
I start up the second half of the hike and notice the steps getting a little bit more crowded with tourists who joined the route at the midpoint or who parked at the top and are wandering down.

There are 209 steps in the lower section and 178 in the top half that reaches Coit Tower. This second section has a more natural feel under a forest-like canopy and with pretty red brick steps and landing. It also has more switch-backs along the top half. 

It takes about 20 minutes to make my way from bottom to top, moving at a moderate but fairly steady pace. The hike will definitely get your heart pumping.
Picture
Proof that you are indeed in the wilds of San Francisco.
Picture
Picture
At the top, a statue of Christopher Columbus sits at the center of the parking lot at Coit Tower.
Coit Tower is a white concrete column that rises 210 feet from the top of Telegraph Hill, which itself is at an elevation of 275 feet. Telegraph Hill is one of the city's 44 hills and one of the original "Seven Hills."

Coit Tower features an observation deck reached by elevator. You can buy tickets to get to the deck and have 360-degree views over the city ($9 adults, $2.25 kids, $6 seniors, $6.50 city residents). The structure is named for Lillie Hitchcock Coit, a wealthy resident of the city and a well-known patron of San Francisco's volunteer firefighters. She died in 1929 and left money that was used to build a monument to the firefighters (in Washington Square) and the tower, which opened in 1933. An impressive gallery of mural frescoes depicting daily scenes of life in the area is located on the ground floor, and it's free and open to the public.
Murals at Coit Tower in San Francisco
The mural frescoes in Coit Tower are free to explore o the first floor.
Picture
Here's a view from the top of the hill out of a window on the first floor of the tower.
I had a look around and then descended on the same route to spend some time on the Embarcadero in search of a cold beer as a reward for a thrilling hike. I settled in at the International sports bar in North Beach at 1000 Columbus Avenue, caught the NFL games, chatted with some locals and reveled in another fun day in San Francisco.

Thanks for reading,
JR
Subscribe today to get the latest reviews, tips and tricks to help you have your best adventure ever.

3 Comments

Why You Should Spend Time in San Francisco Before a Cruise

9/18/2018

1 Comment

 
San Francisco cruise pier 27
By John Roberts

I have taken two cruises from San Francisco.

One time, it was a 17-day voyage through the Panama Canal on a repositioning cruise that would end in Fort Lauderdale. That cruise on Celebrity Infiniti stopped at ports in Monterey, California, Cabo San Lucas and Mazatlan, Mexico, Guatemala, Costa Rica, Panama, Colombia and Caribbean islands. It was a long and rewarding journey.

My other cruise from San Fran went north to Alaska on Regent Seven Seas Mariner. Combining the beauty of an Alaska adventure with a luxury cruise experience? Pure bliss.

I already knew the itineraries would be amazing, but each time I got on the ship to sail away from San Francisco, I realized that I wished I had allotted more time to visit that great U.S. destination. Regrettably, I had planned for just one overnight before embarking on my cruise.

Next time, I'll take more time to enjoy the city because there are so many things that are easy to do right neat the cruise port. Here are seven cool things to check out before your cruise in San Francisco.
Ghirardelli Square in San Francisco
Ghirardelli Square
This area got its start in the 1800s as a chocolate factory. Today, it's a sprawling modern specialty retail and restaurant complex with so much to offer.

Ghirardelli Square is one of the iconic sites near the waterfront area and serves as a model around the United States for successful restoration projects involving old manufacturing facilities.


San Francisco Brewing Co. has opened there, and you'll also find restaurants like McCormack and 
Kuleto's Seafood and Steaks and The Pub BBQ, as well as a cheese shop, artist and culinary programs, mini golf, and the namesake chocolate boutique, of course.
Fisherman's Wharf in San Francisco
Pier 39 sea lions in San Francisco
Fisherman's Wharf
This is THE hot spot along the San Francisco Bay, with so many activities available. We like to go for the restaurants and bars because it's scenic spot to enjoy the sunset while enjoying good food (seafood reigns here) and cocktails. The Fisherman's Wharf neighborhood is a bustling spot -- with nice wide pedestrian areas -- that runs approximately from Ghirardelli Square east to Pier 35.

You can't miss the most-famous residents at the wharf. Pier 39 is home to the colony of sea lions that haul out onto the floating docks in the bay and create a delightful ruckus (and not so delightful smell). Hundreds of these creatures are always on display, splashing around and wrestling with each other.

Also, within this stretch, you'll find bike rental shops, access points to ride the famed cable cars, tour operators running day cruises in the bay, plenty of retail outlets and the ferries to Alcatraz Island.
Alcatraz Cruises in San Francisco
Alcatraz Island 
The island is a National Historic Landmark, and aside from being known as the home of the infamous federal penitentiary, Alcatraz also is site of the first lighthouse and first U.S. constructed military fortress on the west coast. It's a top destination for many visitors, especially if it's your first time in San Francisco.

Book your ferry trip and Alcatraz tickets online through Alcatraz Cruises ahead of your trip because Alcatraz tours almost always sell out.  
Aquatic Cove in San Francisco
Aquatic Park
San Francisco Maritime National Historic Park (just across the street from Ghirardelli Square) is an area of beach and protected cove that offers a haven for avid swimmers and place for pretty sailboats to anchor. Swim clubs train and hold events in the bay that is mostly encircled by the long and curved municipal pier. There is a maritime museum on site.

Not brave enough for a dip in the always-chilly waters? No worries. Just plop down in the stadium seating, on the seawall or at a grassy patch at nearby Victorian Park -- or take a stroll on the pier -- while enjoying the sunset or sunrise.
Hyde Street Pier in San Francisco
Hyde Street Pier
This long historic ferry pier is part of the San Francisco Maritime National Historic Park and is situated at the edge of the Fisherman's Wharf neighborhood. The pier offers a variety of interesting interactive exhibits and has retired landmark vessels anchored that are worth a visit to learn more about the region's seafaring history.
Buena Vista Cafe in San Francisco Irish Coffee
Buena Vista Cafe
Located at 2765 Hyde Street, Buena Vista Cafe sits at the end of Fisherman's Wharf near the Aquatic Park.  Buena Vista is the reputed home of the first Irish Coffee in the U.S., and you can drop in to warm up with the same recipe that brought the concoction to the States in 1952.
San Francisco Bay Trail
Bay Trail
San Francisco is a fantastic city explore on a run or by biking. The Bay Trail offers a wonderful way to easily get in a workout while enjoying the scenic surroundings. The 500-mile planned trail features a nice stretch that is easily accessible near the port area.

Start on the Embarcadero anywhere between the Bay Bridge in the south and r
un or pedal northwest past the cruise port, Pier 39, Fisherman's Wharf, municipal pier and into the hills until you reach historic Fort Mason. In this direction you are heading toward the Golden Gate Bridge and Land's End. You can find multiple bike rental outfits in Fisherman's Wharf and the surrounding area.

Thanks for reading,

JR
Subscribe today to get the latest reviews, tips and tricks to help you have your best adventure ever.

1 Comment

Running through San Francisco and then a Cruise Sailaway

5/24/2018

0 Comments

 
Bay Trail in San Francisco
A run along the Bay Trail heads up into the hills for these views of the Golden Gate Bridge.
​Day 2
Embarkation day in San Francisco
Highlight: A morning run along the Bay Trail took us up a hill to spectacular views of the Golden Gate Bridge. The mostly sunny skies and warmer temps were a nice turn for the better after a mostly gloomy and chilly Saturday the day before. We made sure to pop by to see our loud and smelly sea lion friends at Pier 39, of course.
What else: We boarded Regent Seven Seas Mariner, had a nice long nap and enjoyed a scenic sailaway out of the Bay before dining at Sette Mari, watching the main theater showing of Disney's Bears and heading off to bed in our well-appointed suite.
This is part of the Trip Report for our Alaska Cruise on Regent Seven Seas Mariner. Our trip reports aim to show you how you might enjoy a similar travel experience. Happy travels! John
0 Comments
<<Previous

    Categories

    All
    Africa
    AIDA Cruises
    Alaska
    Albatros Expeditions
    Alicante
    AmaWaterways
    Amber Cove
    American Queen Steamboat Company
    American Queen Voyages
    Amsterdam
    Antarctica
    Antigua
    Arctic
    Arizona
    Aruba
    Asia
    Atlas Ocean Voyages
    Australia
    Austria
    Avalon Waterways
    Backroads
    Bahamas
    Barbados
    Barcelona
    Belize
    Blue World Voyages
    Bonaire
    Bora Bora
    Brooklyn
    Budapest
    Burma
    Cabo San Lucas
    Cadiz
    California
    Cambodia
    Cancun
    Caribbean
    Carnival Cruise
    Celebrity Cruises
    Celestyal Cruises
    Christmas Markets
    Cologne
    Colombia
    Colorado
    Corfu
    Costa Rica
    Cozumel
    Craft Beer
    Croatia
    Crystal Cruises
    Cuba
    Curacao
    Dominican Republic
    Dubrovnik
    Egypt
    Emerald Cruises
    Emerald Waterways
    Europe
    Expat Life
    Explora Journeys
    Fathom Travel
    Fitness
    Florida
    Fort Lauderdale
    France
    French Polynesia
    Galapagos
    Galveston
    Germany
    Grand Cayman
    Greece
    Grenada
    Guatemala
    Halifax
    Harmony Of The Seas
    Hawaii
    High Line Park
    Hiking
    Holland America
    Hong Kong
    Houston
    Hungary
    Ibiza
    Iceland
    Isla Mujeres
    Italy
    Jim Thorpe
    Key West
    Kotor
    Labadee
    Lake Minnewaska
    Las Vegas
    Lisbon
    Lithuania
    London
    London Eye
    Maine
    Malaga
    Mexico
    Miami
    Minnesota
    Mississippi River
    Monte Carlo
    Montenegro
    Monterey
    Montreal
    Moorea
    MSC Cruises
    MSC Divina
    Netherlands
    Newfoundland
    New Jersey
    New Orleans
    New York
    New York City
    New Zealand
    North Carolina
    Norway
    Norwegian Cruise Line
    Nuremberg
    Oceania Cruises
    Oregon
    Orlando
    Panama
    Panama Canal
    Passau
    Paul Gauguin
    Paul Gauguin Cruises
    Pennsylvania
    Philadelphia
    Pickleball
    Ponant
    Portugal
    Prague
    Princess Cruises
    Puerto-rico
    Queens
    Regensburg
    Regent Seven Seas
    Rome
    Royal Caribbean
    Saint-Tropez
    San Francisco
    Santorini
    Scenic Cruises
    Scottsdale
    Seabourn
    SeaDream Yacht Club
    Sicily
    Silversea
    Sintra
    Sorrento
    Spain
    Star Clippers
    St. Maarten
    St. Thomas
    Symphony Of The Seas
    Tahiti
    Travel Gear
    Travel Tips
    Tunisia
    Turkey
    Turks And Caicos
    UnCruise
    Un-Cruise Adventures
    UnCruise Adventures
    Universal's Islands Of Adventure
    Uniworld
    Utah
    Utica
    Utica Boilermaker 15K
    Vienna
    Vietnam
    Viking Cruises
    Washington
    Windstar Cruises
    Wisconsin

    Archives

    January 2023
    December 2022
    October 2022
    September 2022
    August 2022
    July 2022
    May 2022
    April 2022
    March 2022
    February 2022
    January 2022
    December 2021
    November 2021
    October 2021
    September 2021
    August 2021
    July 2021
    June 2021
    May 2021
    April 2021
    March 2021
    February 2021
    January 2021
    December 2020
    November 2020
    October 2020
    September 2020
    August 2020
    July 2020
    June 2020
    May 2020
    April 2020
    March 2020
    February 2020
    January 2020
    December 2019
    November 2019
    October 2019
    September 2019
    August 2019
    July 2019
    June 2019
    May 2019
    April 2019
    March 2019
    February 2019
    January 2019
    December 2018
    November 2018
    October 2018
    September 2018
    August 2018
    July 2018
    June 2018
    May 2018
    April 2018
    March 2018
    February 2018
    January 2018
    December 2017
    November 2017
    October 2017
    September 2017
    August 2017
    July 2017
    June 2017
    May 2017
    April 2017
    March 2017
    February 2017
    January 2017
    December 2016
    November 2016
    October 2016
    September 2016
    August 2016
    July 2016
    June 2016
    May 2016
    April 2016
    March 2016
    February 2016
    January 2016
    December 2015
    November 2015
    October 2015
    September 2015
    August 2015
    July 2015
    June 2015
    May 2015
    April 2015
    March 2015
    February 2015
    January 2015
    December 2014
    November 2014
    October 2014
    September 2014
    August 2014
    July 2014

    RSS Feed

Copyright © 2013 | All rights reserved | Ewing, New Jersey.
Contact | About | Media Kit