Fillmore Street Stairs

The Fillmore Street Stairs were carved into the steep slopes of Pacific Heights in nineteen fifteen. They were built as part of the citywide preparations for the Panama Pacific International Exposition, an event designed to showcase San Francisco to the world after the destruction of the nineteen oh six earthquake. These steps provided a practical way for visitors and residents to navigate the drastic vertical shift between the rising mansions of the heights and the lower-lying Marina District. At the time of their construction, the city was eager to emphasize its modernity and accessibility through these infrastructural upgrades. Today, they serve as a physical connection through one of the city's most exclusive neighborhoods, where the terrain is so vertical that standard sidewalks are impossible, forcing the street itself to become a staircase.