Macondray Lane

Macondray Lane, in San Francisco

Macondray Lane is a charming pedestrian and green lane of Russian Hill, in San Francisco. The San Francisco audio-guided tour stops here to evoke this secret passage, which is said to have inspired a famous novel about the city.

A secret and literary lane

Macondray Lane is one of the most charming and preserved lanes of San Francisco, nestled on the side of Russian Hill. This pedestrian and paved way, lined with lush gardens, wooden cottages and steps, seems a thousand miles from the bustle of the city. It is said to have inspired the famous Barbary Lane, the setting of the famous series of novels Tales of the City by Armistead Maupin. Nearby is also the ideal place to photograph the leaning houses of the hill. It is a secret and poetic corner.

What to see

Here you wander in the paved lane lined with lush gardens, wooden cottages and steps, away from the bustle, on the side of Russian Hill. Macondray Lane is said to have inspired the Barbary Lane of the Tales of the City novels. It is a secret and poetic stop, to be explored on foot.

Practical information

Macondray Lane lies on the side of Russian Hill, in San Francisco, reachable on foot by stairs. It is a public pedestrian lane freely accessible; the gardens lining the passage are partly private. It is best to stay discreet and to bring good shoes for the steps.

What novel is Macondray Lane said to have inspired?

The famous Barbary Lane, the setting of the famous series of novels Tales of the City by Armistead Maupin, about life in San Francisco.

Where is Macondray Lane?

On the side of Russian Hill, in San Francisco, in California.