A Walk Through Nob Hill and Russian Hill

Start a tour of Nob Hill and Russian Hill with a cable-car ride up to California and Powell Streets on Nob Hill (all lines go here). Walking two blocks west, you can pass all the Big Four mansions-cum-hotels on the hill. Peek at the Keith Haring triptych in impressive Grace Cathedral and stroll around beautiful Huntington Park. While on top of the hill, walk over to the southeast corner of Clay and Jones Streets, home to the art-deco Clay-Jones Apartments building (the highest point on Nob Hill). Next, enjoy the view of the Bay Bridge and the Transamerica Pyramid from the intersection, then head down to the Cable Car Museum to see the machinery in action. Next, make your way to Russian Hill—a cable car is a fine way to reach the peak—to visit some of the city's loveliest hidden lanes and stairways. At Mason and Vallejo Streets, head up the Vallejo Steps, passing contemplative, terraced Ina Coolbrith Park and private gardens. Take in the sweeping city and bay view from the top of the hill, then head right on Jones Street and duck under the trellis to shady Macondray Lane. For another alleyway photo-op, head a block west to Leavenworth and briefly backtrack south to see Waldo Alley, where clever locals dressed up its sign pole with red and white stripes as an ode to the namesake "Where's Waldo" puzzle-book character. From here it's a five-block hike to crooked Lombard Street. If you've still got some steam, go another block to see Diego Rivera's mural and the surprise panoramic view from the San Francisco Art Institute.