Steiner St, Western Addition

Steiner Street runs parallel to the louder, busier, flashier Fillmore Street from Dubose Avenue to Chestnut Street. Along the way you'll experience less traffic, fewer buses, and fewer traffic lights. You'll also pass by several parks and some of the finest Victorian architecture in San Francisco.

Of the architectureal highlights, the "painted ladies" bordering Alamo Square are among San Francisco's iconic sights. (Remember the beautiful townhouses in the opening credits of Full House?) But don't overlook some really lovely Victorians around the intersection of Golden Gate and Steiner. They are among my favorite in the city. It is worth noting that one of the large houses at that intersection is actually a quirky, charming, and affordable bed and breakfast.

Steiner is largely residential along most of it's length, but there are a few scattered businesses. At its northernmost end, in the block between Lombard Street and Chestnut in the Marina, it's wall to wall restaurants along both sides of the street. In that one block, there's something to satisfy every taste and every budget. It's a frequent destination for me.

Right next to Fillmore, the street has access to lots of amenities, some urban retail, great food in the Lower Haight, lots of salon services and proximity to parks and public transit. It is admittedly getting a little close to some of the shadier areas and is bordering some of the higher crime areas but still a relatively peaceful street.