I love the neighborhood known as San Francisco’s Russian Hill and it’s main drag for great shopping and delicious cafes, Polk Street. I lived on Polk & Lombard (that crazy crooked street!) for many years and loved the Russian Hill neighborhood. It’s quite pretty and cozy, tucked up among the big hills that take you down into North Beach, once you hike up and over their steep 18% grades! It’s a ‘hood built on the hills to be sure. Big old mansions, including many beautiful Julia Morgan shingled beauties, and jammed packed with apartments, arm in arm with amazing views of the city and the bay. It’s home, as well, to Armistead Maupin’s Tales of the City Macondray Lane - a lovely place to take a stroll. Just wear comfy shoes!

[image above: Russian Hill Pet Grooming, and the infamous Macondray Lane]

[Old Russian Hill Market, and the view at sunset]

[Cherry blossoms in bloom, and Cat Seto’s Paper Studio]

[ Swallowtail - one of my very favorite shops, and an aging old Victorian]

[Apartments in the sky, and old gilded glories]

[Beautiful bay windows, and Atelier de Modistes bridal boutique]