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Vallejo Steps area Review

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Vallejo Steps area

  • Address: Taylor and Vallejo Sts., steps lead up toward Jones St., Russian Hill, San Francisco, CA | Map It

Fodor's Review:

Several Russian Hill buildings survived the 1906 earthquake and fire and remain standing. Patriotic firefighters saved what's come to be known as the Flag House (1652-56 Taylor St.) when they spotted the American flag on the property and doused the flames with seltzer water and wet sand. The owner, a flag collector, fearing the house would burn to the ground, wanted it to go down in style, with "all flags flying."

The Flag House, at the southwest corner of Ina Coolbrith Park, is one of a number of California Shingle-style homes in this neighborhood, several of which were designed by Willis Polk. Polk also laid out the Vallejo steps, which climb the steep ridge across Taylor Street from the Flag House. If the walk up the steps themselves is too steep for you, it's possible to park at the top of the steps by heading east on Vallejo from Jones. The Polk-Williams House (Taylor and Vallejo Sts.) was designed by Polk, who lived in one of its finer sections. The architect also designed 1034-1036 Vallejo, across the street from the Polk-Williams House.

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