The San Francisco Stairway Project began with a simple goal: document the city’s public stairways through a map, a spreadsheet, and photographs—and inspire more people to explore them.

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Now, our map is turning into an app! SF Stairway Spotter (launching October 2026) will make it easier to discover stairways, track the ones you’ve visited, and earn badges along the way. Join our mailing list (click subscribe at the bottom of the page) to hear about the launch and get updates.

 

Start exploring today

Want to start exploring now? Use the map below, open the full-size Google Map, or explore the companion spreadsheet, which includes stairway details and the map legend.

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Choose a neighborhood, click the map pins to see photos, and head out to explore. If you’d like to track your visits before the app launches, make a copy of the spreadsheet and add a column to check off the stairways you’ve visited.

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Have questions? Take a look at the FAQ. If you spot an error, have a stairway photo to share, or just want to say hello, contact me below. I’d love to hear from you!