The Trouble with Harry 

Harry Steps, in Glen Park

Street: Harry
Neighborhood: Glen Park
Length: 350 feet
From: Beacon to Laidley
Character: Steps, residential

Billy Goat Hill

Curious bits: The trouble with Harry is that I don't have the money to live there! This gorgeous block long staircase of wood and cement accesses 5 houses, one of which has the most amazing huge yard.
Starting coordinates:  37°44'27.46"N 122°25'59.68"W

Walk it: Park at the top of Billy Goat Hill on Beacon Street and walk to the south (toward Miguel). Views of the City here are outstanding. Turn left onto signed Harry (is a street? a lane?). The first set of steps are wood and a bit rickety. About 1/2 way down, look to the right for an amazing estate, set way back from the steps, on a flat bench of real estate. The steps are well-shaded from surrounding trees and shrubs, blocking most City views. The last stretch is cement steps. At the end of Harry, turn left onto Laidley. This is a split street; either the higher or lower segment is fine. Check out the adorable, oddly-shaped old house on the corner of Laidley and 30th, before turning left into Billy Goat Park. The wide path zigzags uphill through grassland and big patches of blackberry brambles. Pause at the rock upcropping on the right to savor the views, then continue uphill to Beacon Street.

Cul de sac surprise

Street: Coventry Lane

Coventry Lane

Neighborhood: Westwood Highlands
Length: 0.04 mile
From: end of Coventry Court to Myra Way
Character: residential
Curious bits: this lovely alley is a steep paved path where you might see squirrels scuttering along the fences and hummingbirds buzzing overhead.
Starting coordinates:  37°44'11.71"N 122°27'9.54"W (Coventry Lane at Coventry Court)

Coventry Lane

Walk it: As most locals know and many visitors soon discover, several San Francisco neighborhoods are easier to walk or bike than to drive. Steep hillsides, meandering, narrow streets, and dead-ends constantly challenge drivers. Often while driving I can see where I want to go, but can't figure out how to get there. I find it much more relaxing (and healthy) to park the car and set out on foot. The high slopes of Westwood Highlands reward the walker, with steep alleys and steps that create delightful excursions. Start at the end of Coventry Court (there is always abundant parking on Cresta Vista). Signed Coventry Lane squeezes between houses and heads uphill. Fenced on both sides, the alley bends sharply right, bends sharply left, then ends at Myra Way. From here, turn left and carefully cross the street to the Mount Davidson entrance just past the bus stop. Walk up the hill for some of the best views in San Francisco. (If you want a proper hike, visit my Mount Davidson page on BAHiker.)

Resources for curious minds

San Francisco Aerial Views
David McClure's Neighborhoods of San Francisco
Pease Press Walker's Map of San Francisco
San Francisco Bike Map and Walking Guide
Adah Bakalinsky's Stairway Walks in San Francisco book

Fits and starts

Street:
Melrose Avenue

Intersection of Foerster and Foerster, pointing the way to a segment of Melrose. Almost as confusing in person.

Neighborhoods:
Sunnyside, Miraloma Park, and Westwood Highlands
Length:
From Congo-Sunnyside Rec Center steps (at Teresita): 0.25 mile; from Foerster-Mangels: 0.24 mile; from Sunnyside Playground-west: 0.07 mile
From:
Congo to Mangels, with an extra stub off Foerster (interrupted at Teresita)
Character:
Residential
Curious bits:
Melrose is unremarkable between Congo and Teresita. At Teresita it is effectively interrupted and doesn't regain its name again until the end of a spur of Foerster. Additionally, there is a separate two block segment of Melrose that runs from Sunnyside Playground, across Foerster and uphill in a short balloon cul de sac. I always wondered about this odd arraignment; maybe prior to the Sunnyside Playground the street was contiguous? With modern technology it's easy to navigate this street, but in the past Melrose must have bewitched delivery services.
Starting coordinates:
37°44'1.63"N 122°26'31.48"W (Melrose at Congo)

From the intersection of Foerster and Melrose, looking downhill to the balloon-shaped spur of Melrose. In the distance to the east views to the Sunnyside Rec Center and Teresita (on the left).

Walk it:
Parking is often scarce on Melrose at Congo; use patience to find a spot close by. From Congo, walk up Melrose, enjoying the views south. At the intersection with Teresita, bear left. After about 150 feet turn left again, and walk down the steps into the Sunnyside Recreation Center. Continue downhill on the paved path through the playground, then pick up Melrose again at the gate. After one short block, turn right onto Foerster. Another short stub of Melrose staggers up the hillside to the west, cross the street and walk up and back down if you like. Continue north on Foerster, one block past Teresita. Turn left onto a spur of Foerster. The narrow street ascends steeply. At a bend, the street morphs into Melrose. Look downhill here for a view of the balloon spur part of Melrose. Push on uphill, past the intersection with Stanford Heights. At Gennessee there are sweeping views south, past City College. Keep going on a relatively flat stretch of Melrose to end of the street at Mangels. Retrace your steps, or turn left onto Mangels and walk back to the intersection with Congo.

A gated street and knockout views

Streets: 

Knockash Hill and Edgehill Way

One of the two gated streets in the City? Knockash Hill.

Neighborhood:
Forest Hill Extension
Length:
Knockash Hill: 0.13 mile, Edgehill Mountain path: 0.07 mile, Edgehill Way: 0.37 mile (additional 0.08 mile segment of Edgehill Way not walked)
From:
Knockash Hill begins at Ulloa Street and ends at Edgehill Mountain Open Space. Edgehill Way begins at Garcia Avenue.
Character:
Residential, almost surburban in parts.

Path through Edgehill Mountain Open Space

Curious bits:
Knockash Hill is gated, but accessible (during the day) to pedestrians. Edgehill Way feels like a neighborhood in Berkeley Hills, with a variety of houses built from the 1920s to the midcentury and beyond. Lots of trees, amazing views, and a very quiet street. Great for walking.
Starting coordinates:
37°44'31.59"N 122°27'25.46"W (Ulloa at Knockash Hill)

Edgehill Way, near the top of the hill

Walk it:
For a fantastic 0.9 mile balloon trek, start at the Knockash Hill gate. Walk to the left of the vehicle gate and uphill into a small development of townhouse-type residences. A mine once operated near the church on the right. At 0.13 mile, the street ends at Edgehill Mountain Open Space. Continue on the path through eucalyptus and Monterey pine and cypress woods uphill to a spur of Edgehill Way. Note the midcentury houses hanging off the hill on the left. At the intersection with Edgehill Way turn right (love that big iron bear here). The other end of this balloon street comes into view on the right -- stay to the left and ascend some more. Press on uphill, past a lovely white art deco house on the right.  The street crests. A wall on the left (enjoy the warning sign) does not block views south to Mount Davidson. A private drive breaks off to the right, accessing the highest houses, which enjoy an elevation near 780 feet and the views that come with it. The street passes under some cypress trees which block views west. This stretch feels far from the City. Edgehill Way curves back to the right and meets itself. Turn left and retrace your steps back to the trailhead.