The 48 Hill challenge (in 7 sections)
About the event
SAN FRANCISCO’S 48 HILLS — WALK #1 OF 7 The Original City: Rincon → Nob → Russian → Telegraph Hill
San Francisco is famous for its hills—but there are a lot more than the famous seven.
By one count, 48 named hills rise across the city, each with its own history, neighborhoods, views, stairways, hidden corners, and stories.
So we’re going to walk them.
This is Walk #1 in a new 7-part San Francisco Urban Explorers series that will take us across all 48 hills—one section of the city at a time.
We begin where San Francisco itself began to take shape: The Original City.
Starting near Rincon Hill, we’ll make our way through the heart of downtown and climb Nob Hill, Russian Hill, and Telegraph Hill, finishing at one of San Francisco’s great landmarks, Coit Tower.
Along the way we’ll pass through and explore places including Union Square, Grace Cathedral and Huntington Park, Macondray Lane, Lombard Street, and the Greenwich/Filbert Steps—with plenty of lesser-known discoveries in between.
As always, this isn’t just about getting from point A to point B. We’ll slow down enough to notice the layers of San Francisco: its history, architecture, changing neighborhoods, hidden pathways, spectacular views, and the stories underneath our feet.
The 48 Hills series will consist of 7 separate walks. Join us for one, several, or take on the challenge of walking all seven and experiencing San Francisco from the ground up.
Bring comfortable shoes, water, layers, curiosity—and be ready for hills. After all, this is San Francisco.
Walk #1: The Original City Rincon Hill → Nob Hill → Russian Hill → Telegraph Hill
San Francisco Urban Explorers — discovering the city one step at a time.
