Explore the WELL-KNOWN, and HIDDEN GEM STAIRS OF SAN FRANCISCO with my SF STAIR CLIMB MAP!

I love running stairs! Especially in this city because the views are absolutely breathtaking. We can learn a lot from the act of running stairs in San Francisco because as creatives and business owners sometimes we are so driven and so busy, we forget to celebrate our accomplishments and we forget to breathe. But I hope that you will download my SF STAIR CLIMB MAP and remember to take the time to ENJOY THE VIEW FROM THE TOP!

I discovered I love running stairs after giving birth to my first child, Sonoma Rose back in 2003. We were living in Twin Peaks and I would take her on walks in the stroller around the neighborhood. Out of circumstance and necessity, I figured out how to get a vigorous workout in while on these walks when she was a newborn. Like most newborn babies she wanted to be held all the time which made it feel impossible to get a Tae Bo workout in (Haha, I’m so dating myself!). But she loved being in the stroller so I’d take her on long walks in the neighborhood. Since we lived in a hilly area there were lots of stairs, and I would park her stroller at the bottom of the stairs and sneak a quick run up and back down. Then we’d walk around a little more… then come to another set of stairs and do it again.  I’d do that two or three times at first, then started working up to five or six times, then ten… and so on.

I lost a lot of weight quickly and realized this was the best bang for my buck, I was hooked. Ever since then I have made it my mission to climb all the stairs throughout the city. I started noticing they are everywhere! Some well-known ones like the 16th Avenue Tiled Steps in the Sunset, (pictured above and #9 on my map), in my current neighborhood. I absolutely love The 16th Avenue Tiled Steps and make it a point to run them several times a month. I never get used to them, they are brutal. But the view and the beauty are absolutely worth the work every single time. This city is also home to hidden gems like Harry Street Steps (# 18 on my map). 

My other favorite set of stairs to run are located at Lands End, also near my home overlooking the ocean at the edge of the city, (#6 on my map). This spot is great for group workouts any day of the week. A good friend of mine, Teresa used to run her “ROCK SOLID” group workouts here and it was so much fun and so beautiful. We would run the stairs and incorporate strength training exercises at the base of the stairs on the large platform then go for a hike or jog, oftentimes ending up at the Labyrinth, another cool spot for an amazing view!

I originally created a downloadable map and workout guide along with a google map for a client whose business is focused on fitness and wellness. When the SF STAIR CLIMB CHALLENGE campaign ended I was sad to see it go. I had spent a lot of time and energy creating it and had so much fun participating in the challenge and wanted to see it live on beyond a marketing campaign. So I’m reviving it now! Click below to download a printable version of the map and workout guide as well as a link to the google map that you can access anytime on your device which makes it super easy and convenient while on the go. You can click each location on the google map for details and get info about each location along with view photos.

I really hope you love it and discover some cool neighborhood spots to either take a leisurely climb with family, a friend, or a neighbor, or a kick-ass workout with amazing SF views at the top! If you post a picture to social media tag me @ARTdeezine for a chance to win prizes! I’ll be giving out cool SF art prints from my art gallery HUNT & GATHER. Here’s to taking time to enjoy the view at the top my friend! XO:)