Russian Hill-Macondray Lane District

The Russian Hill-Macondray Lane District spans two blocks between Leavenworth and Taylor Streets with wooden steps and views toward the northern waterfront. The area features historic wooden buildings nestled along the steep slopes, creating a cohesive neighborhood of residential structures.

The neighborhood developed in the late 1800s and survived the 1906 earthquake, with its oldest building dating to 1878. This resilience shaped its evolution as a continuously inhabited Italian-American residential area.

Italian-American families shaped this neighborhood by settling here and building community as merchants, physicians, and skilled craftspeople throughout the early decades.

A pedestrian pathway connects the steep streets through multiple entry points from Green Street and Taylor Street. Comfortable shoes are recommended since wooden steps and slopes make up much of the terrain.

The neighborhood inspired the fictional Barbary Lane in Armistead Maupin's novel Tales of the City. This link between real architecture and literary imagination draws fans of the story who want to walk where their favorite characters lived.

Location: California

Architectural style: Spanish Colonial Revival architecture

GPS coordinates: 37.79917,-122.41194

Latest update: December 14, 2025 09:40