Elevator down/Escalator up

Lyon steps and view north

Every morning fitness enthusiasts run up and down the Lyon steps. The steps do offer excellent cardiac opportunities, but I prefer the views. Combine the steps with a tour through the Presidio's southeast corner and you have an alternative to an hour at the gym (or running up and down steps).

Streets: West Pacific Avenue, Lyon Street, Lyon steps, Lombard Street, Presidio Boulevard, Sumner Street, Liggett Avenue, and Lovers' Lane
Neighborhoods: Presidio, Lower Pacific Heights, and Cow Hollow
Length: entire loop is 1.65 miles
Character: residential and woods
Starting coordinates:  37.792143° -122.448686°

Walk it:
Begin from a small parking pullout along West Pacific Avenue (alternate parking usually available along the street further west as well, or on the surrounding city streets). Walk uphill toward Presidio Boulevard, pausing to note the end (or beginning) of Andy Goldsworthy's Wood Line, on the left. At the stop sign, cross to the other side of West Pacific, then cross Presidio Boulevard at the crosswalk. Turn left onto Broadway (not signed as such here). This paved "road" heads uphill -- good views to the left are somewhat screened by eucalyptus. At the gate, turn left onto Lyon, then immediately begin to descend. Ah, the views! The Palace of Fine Arts, the bay, and Angel Island shine in the morning sunlight. At the bottom of the first set of steps note the gorgeous little garden and stately manor on the right. Descend to cross Vallejo Street and drop down the second set of steps, which are steeper and can be slippery when wet. Straight ahead is a curious site -- a small grove of tall redwoods. At the base of the steps you'll be back on Lyon Street proper. Now you'll pass those redwoods, some of the tallest native trees in the city. Once past six houses on the left the Presidio wall picks up. When I last walked here I heard and saw some of our "city parrots" in the trees along the street. When you get to the Lombard gate, turn left. The Letterman complex is off to the right (good exploring if you want to stretch the walk). Switch to the opposite side of the street at the crosswalk and continue on Lombard to the intersection with Presidio Boulevard. Turn left and cross to the far side of the street. An easy climb past pretty houses brings you to Sumner Street. Turn right and almost immediately, turn left onto Liggett Avenue. There's no sidewalk here so stay as far off the pavement as you can manage. Before Liggett meets Clark Street, turn left onto a wide paved sidewalk, Lovers' Lane. This sidewalk is one of San Francisco's oldest streets -- soldiers in the Presidio used it to walk into "town," hence the name. Almost immediately, turn left into the eucalyptus forest and look for the other end of Wood Line. Follow the sinuous line of eucalyptus trunks uphill (gets a bit steeper and more sandy at the end). When you see the end of the line, turn right to Lovers' Lane, left to West Pacific, and right to return to your car.

Andy Goldsworthy's Wood Line