The SF Stair Challenge
Join us for our epic new walk on Saturday, May 6, 2023!
NOTE: We are sold out for the 2023 SF Stair Challenge. Mark your calendar for Saturday, May 4, 2024, and also consider doing our Peak2Peak on September 9, 2023!
Are you a ticket holder? Please see the Information section below for important details.
4 miles. 2,000 steps. 100% pure fun!
Are you up for the challenge?
Take on a unique, scenic physical challenge connecting some of San Francisco’s best stairways into one epic route!
About the SF Stair Challenge
The first ever SF Stair Challenge will be held on Saturday, May 6, 2023. The 2023 route, crafted by our mastermind team of WalkLab volunteers, goes through the iconic neighborhoods of North Beach, Russian Hill, and Telegraph Hill. The total length is approximately 4.25 miles with about 2,000 stair steps.
This supported walk will have timed releases onto the route from 7:30AM – 10:00AM on Saturday, May 6. Participants will enjoy snacks and encouragement along the way, plus enjoy a mini-celebration at the end and a special keepsake for completing the first-ever SF Stair Challenge.
Run or race the route or hike it at a leisurely pace. Completing the route will take 1.5-2.5 hours depending. Do it solo or with friends and family. Walk it your way! This event will be a blast, plus all proceeds support Walk SF, a small nonprofit dedicated to making San Francisco the safest, most pedestrian-friendly city in the United States. Consider asking friends and family to support you in taking on the SF Stair Challenge. Contact guy@walksf.org for more information about how to set up a personal ‘friendraising’ page.
Information for ticket holders
Where to meet us: Joe DiMaggio Playground at 651 Lombard Street near the restrooms.
How to get there: Muni buses 8 Bayshore and 30 Stockton have stops at the park. Montgomery Station is the closest BART/Muni Metro stop (approx. 1.5 mile walk). Public parking garages are located on Vallejo Street between Stockton and Powell and at Pier 39 on Beach and Stockton.
What time to arrive: Please arrive within your start time window that you selected during the ticket purchase process. We’ll be releasing folks onto the route in stages to prevent overcrowding. Start times are from 7:30AM to 10:30AM. (Please note: Your ticket might show 7:30AM for the event start time as that is the first window. No need to arrive at this time unless you had selected 7:30AM – 8:00AM for your start time window.)
What to bring: Wear comfortable walking/hiking shoes. Dress in layers – the Challenge is rain or shine (bring a light rain jacket, in case). Bring a refillable water bottle (there are filling points at Joe DiMaggio Playground and parks along the route). We’ll have snacks available, but feel free to bring along your favorite goodies.
Restrooms: In addition to the ones at Joe DiMaggio Playground, there are two other public restrooms available along the route that are marked on the map you’ll receive.
Share your pics: Be in the running for special walking prize packs. Share on social with #SFStairChallenge and @walksf.
After-party: You’re invited to the SF Stair Challenge celebration! Join Walk SF’s executive director Jodie Medeiros and fellow Challenge finishers at nearby Kennedy’s Indian Curry House & Irish Pub in the outdoor patio area at 1040 Columbus Avenue (just 2 blocks away) from 11AM to 3PM.
Questions? Contact guy@walksf.org.
And thanks for hosting us, SF Recreation & Parks!
Banner Photo Credit: Sergio Ruiz