Staircases: step in right direction

Lyon Street steps: The wide and well-maintained Lyon Street steps attract many fitness enthusiasts. From Broadway the view north through a stand of redwoods and eucalyptus and over the Palace of Fine Arts dome is worth contemplating if the sidewalk isn't too crowded with people on green mats doing crunches with purple balls and barbells. less Lyon Street steps: The wide and well-maintained Lyon Street steps attract many fitness enthusiasts. From Broadway the view north through a stand of redwoods and eucalyptus and over the Palace of Fine Arts dome ... more Photo: Siana Hristova, The Chronicle Photo: Siana Hristova, The Chronicle Image 1 of / 30 Caption Close Staircases: step in right direction 1 / 30 Back to Gallery

Beyond getting us from point A to point B, public staircases provide so much more: an efficient workout, a vantage point for taking photographs, a respite from the world below.

And in hilly country, the Bay Area has more than its fair share of stairways, each with its own personality.

Some are hidden, some are in every guidebook and some are unique works of art.

Everyone has their favorite staircase, so trying to rank them or provide a comprehensive list was not our goal when we sent Chronicle reporters to climb them.

With summer approaching, we went looking for staircases that were worth sharing.

Upward, march!