I have lived in Noe Valley for over four years and walk the hills and stairs daily with my dog, Pepper. Some of my most-liked Instagram posts and Pinterest pins are pictures I took on my daily walks, so I decided to map out the best viewpoints and walking routes to help you visit the best views in Noe Valley.
If you like mapped walking routes, my most viewed post is a route to hike to Twin Peaks.
The Neighborhood – Noe Valley aka Stroller Valley
Noe Valley is one of the most adorable and picturesque neighborhoods in San Francisco. It is a quiet, family-friendly neighborhood filled with gorgeous Victorian and Edwardian homes. In addition to being beautiful, Noe Valley is sheltered from some of San Francisco’s famous fog by Twin Peaks, making it one of the sunniest neighborhoods in The City. It is also known as “Stroller Valley” and you will see lots of babies and dogs throughout the neighborhood, but especially along 24th Street and Slow Sanchez. The neighborhood has many hills and stairs throughout, which lends itself to some amazing views.
Map of Noe Valley
This map includes pins with locations of the best views in Noe Valley. It also has various other points of interest in the neighborhood like cute streets, cafes, and some fun landmarks. I organized the posts into two suggested walking routes to visit most of the viewpoints. This neighborhood is filled with hills and stairs so make sure to wear comfortable shoes.
The Viewpoints
The best views in Noe Valley are saved on the map as viewpoints. The criteria I used to determine the best views are places that have Instagram-worthy views. Many of the locations are at the top of stairs or hills and you get views towards downtown, Twin Peaks, or towards the East Bay. I included most of them in walking routes below with photos.
Walking Route – Noe Valley to Dolores Heights
I love walking up to the top of the Sanchez Street hill on a day that is sunny and clear in Noe Valley and being able to see fog in other areas of the City. Sometimes, I am lucky enough to catch it with fog on Twin Peaks, on the Bay to the North, and to the South. Of course, it is beautiful when it is clear and you can see in every direction, but it is amazing to see the different micro climates around San Francisco from one location. Also noteworthy, many of the amazing homes at the top!
Noe Valley Town Square
Begin at the Noe Valley Town Square on 24th Street. It is a perfect meeting place and they even have a farmers market on Saturdays.
Head up the hill on Vicksburg Street. The block between 23rd Street and 22nd Street is adorable with well maintained Victorian homes. At the corner of 22nd Street, look downhill towards the Mission before turning onto 22nd Street. Neighbors gather at this hilltop on 4th of July to watch the fireworks in the Mission.
On 22nd Street, make sure to look up towards Twin Peaks before turning up the hill on Sanchez. This block is steep!
Sanchez Street Views
When you reach Hill Street, you will notice some modern mansions at the top of the hill. This little area is known as “Tech Row”. At the corner of 21st Street and Sanchez is a brand new home built for one of the Instagram founders, designed by Aidlin Darlin Design.
The best view from here is on the Northwest corner of 21st Street and Hill Street looking towards downtown.
After you admire the view and catch your breath from climbing that hill, continue on Sanchez and take a left on Liberty Street.
Liberty Street Stairs
At the intersection of Liberty and Rayburn you will have a perfect view towards Twin Peaks with stairs and gardens below. Enjoy the view and head down the stairs and admire the homes on this part of Liberty Street.
Turn left at Castro until you reach 22nd Street.
22nd Street Jungle Stairs
Head up the stairs on 22nd Street. When you reach the top of the first set of stairs, turn around to check out the view behind you.
Continue on 22nd Street and you will have another perfectly framed view towards Twin Peaks and more stairs to walk down.
At the bottom, turn left onto Diamond Street and head down the hill to 24th Street.
Back to 24th Street
Once you make it back to 24th Street, peruse the shops and take a break on the adorable downtown corridor of Noe Valley. I saved some of my favorite places on the map. Novy is a Greek restaurant that has outdoor seating in a parklet that allows dogs. Valley Tavern is a bar on the list that has a lovely back patio. Unfortunately, they do not allow dogs inside or on the patio but they are allowed on the street parklet. Valley Tavern also allows you to bring in outside food, like sandwiches from Subs, Inc.
Walking Route – Upper Noe Hills and Stairs
This walking route to see some of the best views in Noe Valley begins and ends at Noe Café on the corner of Sanchez and 26th Street. It is a lovely neighborhood café that can serve as a meeting place before or after the walk. They serve coffee and snacks to fuel up before the walk, and beer for after the walk.
Slow Sanchez
Head south on Sanchez Street. This part of Sanchez between 23rd Street to 30th Street is known as “Slow Sanchez”. San Francisco designated many streets as “Slow Streets” during the pandemic to help with social distancing. This is one of the slow streets that still remains and neighbors are often out walking on this stretch of Sanchez. Make sure to stop at the house at 1430 Sanchez and push the music button on the garage for a little dance break!
Head up the hill on Duncan Street and up the stairs.
Duncan Street Stairs
Turn around at the top of the stairs and admire the view behind you towards Bernal Heights. This is a great place to catch the sun rise in the morning.
Head south on Noe Street for several blocks. When you reach the Laidley Street, look for the light post with a sign for Harry Street.
Harry Street Stairs
It can be easy to miss, but there are stairs at the sign that lead you uphill to one of the best hidden stairs in San Francisco. You will head uphill and the stairs will turn into wooden steps that have settled in some places. I love looking up and seeing how uneven the stairs are. Make sure to look behind you occasionally, there are peek-a-boo views to downtown as you go up.
At the top of the stairs, you will see a remodeled Mid-Century Modern home in front of you. This area is known as Fairmount Heights and has many Mid-Century Modern Homes on the hillside.
Turn right on Beacon Street.
Billy Goat Hill
Billy Goat Hill will appear on your right. Head down the path and make sure to stop and admire the viewpoint towards downtown halfway down. If you are lucky, you may spot a coyote wandering along the hill.
When you reach the bottom of Billy Goat Hill, head up Castro Street.
Castro Street Viewpoint
Continue up the hill and up the stairs when you cross 28th Street. When you cross Duncan Street, you will find a small grassy hill with views towards downtown. There is a bench at the top if you need a rest after climbing those stairs. Continue down the hill and make sure to check out the yard art at the bottom. There are stairs that will lead you back down to 27th Street.
If you haven’t had enough hills yet, you can turn left up Newburg Street. At Newburg and Duncan you can look back towards downtown. It is a cute view with colorful homes and the City in the background.
Continue downhill on Castro Street and head back to where you started at Noe Café, or continue on Castro to 24th Street.
The End
I hope you enjoyed the walking routes and the best views in Noe Valley. Let me know in the comments below if you have other favorites viewpoints in Noe Valley or want to know other things to do in the neighborhood.
If you like this route and want more, here is a walking route from Noe Valley to the top of Twin Peaks.
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