The secrets of San Francisco’s stairways: an interview with Mary Burk (Part 1)

What makes San Francisco “San Francisco”?

Here at Walk SF, we think one of the key ingredients is the 900+ public stairways you’ll find in all corners of the City.

San Francisco’s stairways connect people and neighborhoods with art, nature, recreation, discovery, and of course, those spectacular views.

Our love for the city’s stairs are why Walk SF created the SF Stair Challenge in 2023, and will host the second on May 4, 2024 (get your tickets now!).

For me and countless residents and visitors, our love for stairways was ignited by Adah Bakalinsky’s classic guidebook, Stairway Walks in San Francisco, first published in 1984.

I had the honor of sitting down with Adah’s long-time collaborator on the book, Mary Burk, to talk about everything to do with stairs in the lead-up to the SF Stair Challenge. Read on for some of Mary’s stairway secrets.

Note: Adah is now 100 years old (a testament to walking stairs regularly). Mary has been the lead author of new editions of Stairway Walks in San Francisco since 2013. We’ll publish a second part of this interview with Mary in the fall, when the 10th edition of Stairway Walks of San Francisco comes out.

Q: So, let’s get right to it: what are your favorite stairs in San Francisco?

Mary: The Hidden Garden Steps at 16th and Kirkham. I’m in awe of the tilework – and the artists, Aileen Barr and Colette Crutcher, who put it together.

Q: How do you think Adah would answer that question?

Mary: Adah’s favorite are the Moraga Steps (near the Hidden Garden Steps with tilework by the same artists). She got to help a lot at the dedication when they were completed.

Q: How did you fall in love with stairs?

Mary: I first learned about Adah’s book in 1997 from a librarian friend. I then went on every single walk, “devouring” the book in about 3 months. It was so fun to discover all the hidden gems that Adah laid out.

Q: What are the oldest stairs in San Francisco?

Mary: I used to think that the Filbert Steps were the oldest, but parts have been replaced. So some of the oldest (intact) are probably the ones we have in the Presidio – around Upton and Kobbe Avenues and Barnard Hall. They’re so pretty with all their rock work.

Q: What are the newest stairs in San Francisco?

Mary: One of them is the Tompkins Avenue Stairway Garden near the Alemany Farmers’ Market. They were built within the last 10 years with a geometric pattern. It’s really nice there because of the organizations that are keeping the project and neighborhood going.

Q: What’s the longest stairway in San Francisco?

Mary: I think those are the ones leading down to Marshall’s Beach. The step count I have is around 500. If you do the extended walk and include the sand ladder, you get closer to 700!

Q: What’s your advice for people just getting started in walking stairs?

Mary: Don’t be intimidated. Take it slow and know that you don’t need to do the whole walk. There are always interesting and usually free things to do at the beginning and end of each route. Walking is one of the best ways to get active, regain mobility, and reclaim enjoyment in our lives.

Q: What do you think Adah would want people to know about walking stairs in San Francisco?

Mary: Trust in serendipity. Go out and see what you find. Interesting things will find you in San Francisco!

Banner image by Guy Joaquin