For this two-park hike, started up into beautifully forested Buena Vista Park via its main north entrance (Haight-Ashbury side, a block or so from Haight & Masonic), past people hanging out on the grassy slope and front steps. Continuing up paved and dirt trails and short older stairways, veering west, to the summit. First two pix.
Down the south slope with its view of Corona Heights Park a few blocks in the distance.
The whole southside was redone several years ago. 79 steps descend to the first of the east-west wood-railed pedestrian walkways. Continuing to the foot of the park’s longest stairway, 171 steps: 3 thru 7.
11 more very old wood steps down to the street from the slightly elevated paved trail that encircles the park.
Last time headed to the east and a short distance downhill for Corona Heights Park’s north slope with the tennis courts and the newer trail/steps up with its slippery pebbles. Go slowly on this one, especially if descending. I’d add some railings here and make it all stairs. It can be seen on Google Maps; they call it “New Corona Heights Trail.”
This time to the west. Upper Terrace onto Masonic and Loma Vista, onto Roosevelt with 42 steps (pic 8) down to Lower Terrace. At the foot of these turned left on Levant, near the top of Vulcan Stairway (219 steps), continuing north on Levant.
A few Levant homes: 9, 10, 11.
Levant/States to Roosevelt steps: pic 12.
From the Roosevelt westside park entrance started up the stairs, continuing on the steps to the left. About 100 to the top: 13 thru 17.
Buena Vista Park where I’d just come from: Pic 18.
From the top of these it’s a short distance to the summit viewrocks where people love to perch, pic 19.
Descending from the summit, older wood steps curve down the south side: 62 winding round to the lone bench, pix 20 thru 29.
If you count these first 62 from the summit to the bench, then continuing down the east side, there are around 192 from the summit to the foot at the park signs near the Randall Museum’s east entrance. I think these upper steps winding down from the summit should be included in the total staircount for the east side. From the upper bench to the foot are 130 steps.
The east steps are wood, uneven, older ones, with chainlink fences at the cliffedges sometimes serving as railings: 30 thru 35.
Paused to admire a raccoon in the first cage seen upon entering the Randall from the east entrance.
Many people use this roughly paved pathway from/into the park: 36, 37. This time noticed a couple of those caution cones along the trail. Might this mean long overdue improvements to this pathway are forthcoming? It could use some steps as it’s steepish.
Passed the little garden (pix 38, 39) still here at the north dead-end of Flint just outside the park, onto unique between-homes De Forest (18 steps, pic 40) that will take you to the top of Beaver.
From here it’s only a block downhill to Castro. Last pic: Castro near 16th.
Down the south slope with its view of Corona Heights Park a few blocks in the distance.
The whole southside was redone several years ago. 79 steps descend to the first of the east-west wood-railed pedestrian walkways. Continuing to the foot of the park’s longest stairway, 171 steps: 3 thru 7.
11 more very old wood steps down to the street from the slightly elevated paved trail that encircles the park.
Last time headed to the east and a short distance downhill for Corona Heights Park’s north slope with the tennis courts and the newer trail/steps up with its slippery pebbles. Go slowly on this one, especially if descending. I’d add some railings here and make it all stairs. It can be seen on Google Maps; they call it “New Corona Heights Trail.”
This time to the west. Upper Terrace onto Masonic and Loma Vista, onto Roosevelt with 42 steps (pic 8) down to Lower Terrace. At the foot of these turned left on Levant, near the top of Vulcan Stairway (219 steps), continuing north on Levant.
A few Levant homes: 9, 10, 11.
Levant/States to Roosevelt steps: pic 12.
From the Roosevelt westside park entrance started up the stairs, continuing on the steps to the left. About 100 to the top: 13 thru 17.
Buena Vista Park where I’d just come from: Pic 18.
From the top of these it’s a short distance to the summit viewrocks where people love to perch, pic 19.
Descending from the summit, older wood steps curve down the south side: 62 winding round to the lone bench, pix 20 thru 29.
If you count these first 62 from the summit to the bench, then continuing down the east side, there are around 192 from the summit to the foot at the park signs near the Randall Museum’s east entrance. I think these upper steps winding down from the summit should be included in the total staircount for the east side. From the upper bench to the foot are 130 steps.
The east steps are wood, uneven, older ones, with chainlink fences at the cliffedges sometimes serving as railings: 30 thru 35.
Paused to admire a raccoon in the first cage seen upon entering the Randall from the east entrance.
Many people use this roughly paved pathway from/into the park: 36, 37. This time noticed a couple of those caution cones along the trail. Might this mean long overdue improvements to this pathway are forthcoming? It could use some steps as it’s steepish.
Passed the little garden (pix 38, 39) still here at the north dead-end of Flint just outside the park, onto unique between-homes De Forest (18 steps, pic 40) that will take you to the top of Beaver.
From here it’s only a block downhill to Castro. Last pic: Castro near 16th.
1. Buena Vista Park, north side
2. Summit tree-art
3. East-west walkway on the south side
4. Main southside stairway
5. Foot of the main south stairs
6. 171 steps
7. Buena Vista Ave. East
8. Roosevelt to Lower Terrace
9. Levant, near top of Vulcan Stairway
10. Levant St.
11. Levant St.
12. Levant/States up to Roosevelt
13. West side of Corona Hts. Park, Roosevelt entrance at Museum Way
14. Turn left here and continue up
15. About 100 steps for the westside
16. Continuing up the west side
17. Top of the westside stairs
18. Buena Vista Park to the north
19. Top of the westside steps to the summit rocks
20. Summit view to the east
21. Starting down from the summit rocks, first around to the south
22. Older steps wind from the summit to the bench
23. Watch your step here
24. South trail between steps curving around to the east
25. More steps ahead
26. Continuing down to the bench
27. 192 steps for the east side
28. 62 steps down to the lone bench from the summit
29. 130 steps for the main east stairway if you start counting from the bench
30. These old steps are steep and uneven
31. Looking back up
32. Old chainlink fences for railings
33. The lower bench. Turn right to continue down the stairway.
34. Trailmap at foot of the stairs
35. Foot of the east stairway
36. How 'bout fixing this/adding some steps?
37. Fill me up, please!
38. De Forest center, right
39. Garden at the dead-end of Flint St.
40. Top of Beaver, Corona Heights 'hood. Foot of De Forest center, up to the park.
41. A favorite house, Castro & 16th St.
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