Russian Hill-Paris Block Architectural District

The Russian Hill Paris Block Architectural District is a rare, flat enclave nestled within the famously steep topography of San Francisco. This quiet stretch of Green Street escaped the 1906 earthquake and fire, allowing a collection of homes dating back to the mid-nineteenth century to remain standing when much of the city around them was reduced to ash. Residents of the area famously protected these structures, refusing to evacuate even as flames approached the hillside. This singular act of defiance preserved a diverse architectural timeline, where you can see building styles ranging from Italianate frame houses to Beaux Arts apartments all on one block.