San Francisco is the city of hills at the end of a peninsula of undulating topography. There are approximately 50 hills in San Francisco. Many other streets cannot be navigated by stretch-limos. A common site is to see such a vehicle grounded, frame resting on pavement, after unsuccessfully trying to get off a San Francisco hill.

Rather than face the hills, hire a Quicksilver TownCar and leave the driving to an experienced San Francisco driver. Ask Quicksilver TownCar reservation, 800.468.9622, for help.

Like Rome, San Francisco has seven famous hills: Telegraph Hill, Nob Hill, Russian Hill, Rincon Hill, Mount Sutro, Twin Peaks and Mount Davidson. The highest of them -- Mount Davidson, is 927 feet.

The Steve McQueen movie Bullitt was filmed in and around San Francisco hills in late April 1968. The famous car chase features a Mustang and a Dodge Charger in a wild drive on several picturesque San Francisco hills. The chase segment starts off, with the Charger trailing the Mustang in Bernal Heights, while Russian Hill served as the base for many of the memorable chase scenes.

Today the comfortable and legal way to visit these sites is have your Quicksilver TownCar www.qstc.net, driver show you on your way San Francisco International Airport.

City development prevents 360 degree views -- at least for pedestrians -- from Forest Hill, Red Rock Hill and Gold Mine Hill in Diamond Heights, and Mount Olympus. While high rise buildings block the view from Nob Hill, Russian Hill and Pacific Heights.

Microclimates: San Francisco Hills create an area of remarkably varied geography that helps create a great number of microclimates. The winds in the area are distributed above the hills and along the little valleys that lie in their shadows. The terrain here creates marked differences in climate conditions from neighborhood to neighborhood or even from hill to hill. There are palm trees growing in the warmth of the Mission, wind sheered Monterey Cypress along the Pacific Edge and wild parakeets, made famous by another movie, live in the trees on many hills.

Many hillside streets dead end because the slope is too steep. The street that simply ends where the hill grade is unsafe for a roadway. Another unusual hill roadway is Russian Hill's famous "crookedist" street, a series of photogenic switchbacks down the east facing side of the hill.

Reaching The Top

Eureka Peak at 904 feet has fantastic Vistas: This is the northern peak of Twin Peaks. Follow Twin Peaks Boulevard to its end. This street circles both peaks of Twin Peaks. To the north of Eureka Peak is the easy view point that is enclosed by Christmas Tree Point Road. This is an outcropping of land called Christmas Tree Point.

Buena Vista Heights is 575 feet more great views: This hill lies within Buena Vista Park. The park itself is bounded by curving streets with Haight Street to the north, Buena Vista Terrace to the east, Buena Vista Avenue East to the south and Buena Vista Avenue West to the west. To walk to the summit, you can reach the entry to the park trail at the intersection of Lyon Street and Haight Street.

Clarendon Heights tops out at 850 feet: This is one of the tallest hills in San Francisco and the 977-foot Sutro To wer that sits atop it is the highest point in San Francisco. Take Dellbrook Avenue southeast off Clarendon Avenue, then take La Avanzada Street east off of Dellbrook Avenue, follow La Avanzada Street to the top of the hill where you will find the Sutro Tower.

In addition to parakeets, the hills are also home to many pranks such as the escape of ten thousand superballs rolling down a San Francisco hill/street in 2007.

After your break visiting the hills, your Quicksilver driver can have you at San Francisco International airport is a half hour for your flight home.