Filbert Street (San Francisco) facts for kids
Filbert Street is a famous street in San Francisco, California. It starts near The Presidio and stretches across the city. The street crosses busy areas like Van Ness Avenue and Columbus Avenue.
As it reaches Telegraph Hill, Filbert Street becomes very steep. It then turns into a special pedestrian stairway. This unique part is known as the Filbert Street Steps.
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The Filbert Street Steps
The Filbert Street Steps are not a regular street. They are a series of stairs that go down the very steep east side of Telegraph Hill. This is where Filbert Street would be if the hill wasn't so incredibly steep!
Grace Marchant Garden
As you walk down the steps, you'll pass through the beautiful Grace Marchant Garden. A resident named Grace Marchant started this garden in 1949. Today, people who live on the steps still take care of it. They also help pay for its upkeep.
Unique Neighborhood
Many homes in this area can only be reached by using these steps. It's a very unique neighborhood! You might even spot some unusual things along the steps. For example, there are fire hydrants and even a single parking meter, just like on a regular street. The steps eventually lead down to a small part of Filbert Street. From there, a walkway takes you to The Embarcadero waterfront.
How Steep is Filbert Street?
San Francisco is famous for its steep hills. Filbert Street is one of the steepest!
Filbert Street's Gradient
The steepest part of Filbert Street has a gradient of 31.5%. This means for every 100 feet you go forward, the street drops 31.5 feet. This very steep section is a one-way street going down. It's located between Hyde and Leavenworth streets. Another street in San Francisco, 22nd Street, shares this same steepness.
Other Steep Streets
While Filbert Street is very steep, some other streets around the world are even steeper:
- A short section of Bradford Street in San Francisco is said to have a 40% grade.
- Lombard Street, known for its curves, started with a 27% grade.
- In Los Angeles, some streets like 28th Street in San Pedro reach 33.3%.
- Canton Avenue in Pittsburgh is known for a 37% grade.
- Baldwin Street in Dunedin, New Zealand, was once considered the world's steepest residential street. It has a maximum grade of 35%.
- Currently, Ffordd Pen Llech in Harlech, Wales, holds the Guinness World Record. It is officially the steepest street in the world, with a grade of 37.45%.
The Wild Parrots of Telegraph Hill
As you explore the Filbert Street Steps, keep an eye out for the famous wild parrots! These colorful birds live on Telegraph Hill. They were even the subject of a 2003 documentary film called The Wild Parrots of Telegraph Hill.
