Russian Hill Tours
1 Review
This neighborhood in the northeast section of San Francisco features mostly high-end real estate with enviable views of San Francisco Bay, but it’s also home to one of the city’s top attractions—the crooked block of Lombard Street. One of San Francisco cable car travels straight up and down the hill on Hyde Street, drawing lots of visitors to this otherwise residential area.
The Basics
With its location adjacent to Ghirardelli Square, Fisherman’s Wharf, North Beach, and Nob Hill, Russian Hill is part of many city sightseeing itineraries, but most tour buses won’t travel up the steep hill itself. Opt for an urban hike, food walking tour, or Segway tour for a more in-depth look at the neighborhood, which is one of San Francisco’s prettiest.
Ina Coolbrith Park at Taylor and Vallejo streets is a tiny spot with a lush garden, benches, and bay views—it’s a great place to take a short break if you’re exploring the neighborhood on foot.
Things to Know Before You Go
- There is a lot of metered and free street parking available, but pay attention to posted signs about prohibited parking during street cleaning or other times.
- Wear shoes appropriate for walking down steep grades.
- Hyde and Leavenworth streets at either end of Lombard Street’s switchbacks are busy San Francisco roads; blocking traffic while trying to take pictures is not recommended.
How to Get There
Russian Hill sits roughly between Van Ness Avenue, Broadway, Columbus Avenue, and Bay Street. For the most quintessentially San Francisco experience, take the Powell–Hyde cable car line north from Union Square. The neighborhood is also accessible via Muni buses 19, 41, and 45.
When to Get There
For photos of Lombard Street without the crowds or serene views of the city and bay, go in the early morning before tour groups arrive. In August, the Polk Street Blues Festival features live entertainment, food stands, and arts and crafts booths.
Polk Street
On the western edge of Russian Hill and down into Nob Hill, Polk Street is a popular destination for shopping, dining, and nightlife. After a day of climbing up and down some of the city’s steepest blocks, check out Polk Street’s bar scene to mingle with the locals.
Address: Russian Hill, San Francisco, California, USA
6 Tours and Activities to Experience Russian Hill
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Russian Hill Gourmet Food Tour
Russian Hill is one of San Francisco's most popular neighborhoods for shopping, eating and sightseeing. Discover it all on this 3-hour walking and tasting experience that visits seven different shops and restaurants. With a small group, you'll visit a butchers shop, a cheesemongers, a bakery and a gelato shop. What's more, you'll take in amazing views of the bay and classic San Francisco architecture while hearing tales from San Francisco's frontier-era history.
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From
$97.07
From
$97.07
Face masks required for travelers in public areas
Face masks required for guides in public areas
Guides required to regularly wash hands
2-Day San Francisco Hop-on Hop-off Bus Tour + Night Tour
Explore San Francisco at your own pace. Make the most of your time in San Francisco with our flexible hop-on, hop-off sightseeing tours. Explore the city's sights at your own pace - you'll have the freedom to hop off the tour at any of our conveniently located stops, and rejoin when you're ready.
Golden Gate Bridge
Fisherman's Wharf, Pier 39
Union Square
Ferry Building Market Place
Chinatown
Little Italy
Nob Hill, Russian Hill
Civic Center
Haight Ashbury (the Hippies Street)
Golden Gate Park
Treasure Island
Bay Bridge
Sausalito
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From
$79.00
From
$79.00
Face masks required for travelers in public areas
Face masks required for guides in public areas
Hand sanitizer available to travelers and staff
2 Day Hop-On Hop-Off Tour
Make your own travel itinerary for the day while in San Francisco with this 2-day hop-on hop-off bus pass. Ride a double-decker bus throughout the city, and hop off and back on at any of the stops along the route. This bus offers multiple routes with audio commentary filled with historical and fun facts about the areas you pass. See some of SF’s most popular places, such as Pier 39, the Palace of Fine Arts, the de Young Museum, and War Memorial Opera House.
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From
$78.99
From
$78.99
Face masks required for travelers in public areas
Face masks required for guides in public areas
Face masks provided for travelers
San Francisco Urban Hike: Coit Tower, Lombard Street and North Beach
San Francisco is undoubtedly a hilly place, and this challenging 5-mile walking tour doesn’t shy away from the steepness. Instead, it takes you off the beaten path and onto some of the city’s stairways for an incredible exploration of several neighborhoods and downtown attractions. While meandering through SF’s Russian Hill, Telegraph Hill and North Beach neighborhoods, you’ll come upon some hidden gems, jaw-dropping views, and world-famous sites. Climb to Coit Tower via the Filbert Street Steps; ascend Lombard Street, often referred to as the crookedest street in the world; and discover a tiny park overlooking St Peter and Paul Church, where Marilyn Monroe and Joe DiMaggio took their wedding pics after tying the knot at San Francisco City Hall.
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From
$57.60
From
$57.60
San Francisco Fishermans Wharf Tourist Scavenger Hunt
This tourist scavenger hunt will take you from Fishermans Wharf to Russian Hill and North Beach! In fact, it will take you to all the major sites, museums and lookout points, as well as a few hidden gems.
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From
$35.30
per group
From
$35.30
per group
Face masks required for travelers in public areas
Social distancing enforced throughout experience
2-Day Hop-On Hop-Off Tour & Alcatraz
CURRENTLY NOT OFFERED UNTIL JANUARY 2021!!!
Alcatraz Island Visit
3 great bus tours on one value ticket!
Official City Tour + Night Tour.
FREE Madame Tussauds entrance ticket included.
FREE Walking Tour included.
Unlimited Hop-on Hop-off usage for 48 hours.
24 Stops along the way.
See all major sites of San Francisco.
Explore the city at your own leisure.
Major Highlights: Downtown San Francisco, Fisherman's Wharf, the world famous Golden Gate Bridge, Golden Gate Park, Treasure Island, and much more.
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From
$149.99
From
$149.99
Face masks required for travelers in public areas
Face masks required for guides in public areas
Social distancing enforced throughout experience
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