Up the Stairs and Around the Corner

The other evening I left work to meet someone over in North Beach. There's nothing extraordinary about this except that while my office is in the neighborhood next to North Beach, the two areas are separated by a rather steep hill: Telegraph Hill. Of course, one could take the easy way and hoof it up Broadway and over, but I like the scenic route, especially with all of this gorgeous weather we're having.

This means a trek up the famous Filbert Street stairs. An ancient stairway set into the cliff face of Telegraph Hill that goes from modern concrete up to rickety old wood the higher you progress. Along the way one can view the old clapboard houses of old Bohemian, hippie-dippie San Francisco - isn't it amazing hose those quaint little places have the most spectacular views? You'll pass lush gardens full of roses, bougainvillea, morning glories, palm trees and even the occasional cat. But make no mistake, no matter how adorable the journey is, those stairs are brutal. 

But once arriving at Montgomery Street, one catches a glimpse of Coit Tower shining in the sunset, as well as the spectacular building known as the Mulloch Apartments or 1360 Montgomery. Built in 1936, this is an Art Deco masterpiece of white stucco and glass blocks. It's streamline-moderne style is made more memorable by the metal relief murals by Alfred Dupont depicting California history.

Of course, if you're an old movie buff, you'll love the fact that this building (and the Filbert Street steps) features prominently in the old film noir Dark Passage with Humphrey Bogart and Lauren Bacall. This is a fun and somewhat twisted movie - definitely one of my favorite noirs and also one of my favorite San Francisco films.

Steps, building, movie - add these three to your list of things to do!