A hidden San Francisco gem has been discovered. Several Bay Area Residents utilize the stairway for exercise.

The Lyon Street Stairs, located at the Historic Presidio Park, is a treasure that is hidden from tourist and locals.

The stairway is a beginning to a memorable walking tour or workout entirely free for users.

The Lyon Street Stairs are located on Lyon Street, below Broadway and above Green Street.

Lyon Street runs north and south along the east side of the Presidio. The portion between Broadway Street and Vallejo Street is the Lyon Street Steps.

“I am fortunate enough to live about six blocks away, and even though I’m not a fan of the marina workout crowd, I do love adding these steps in when I go over the hill on a run to the bridge,” says Brenda Lapell of San Francisco, who was in the middle of her workout.

The Lyon Street stairs provide the opportunity to partake in a outdoor workout. In fact, a majority of the people at the park were people doing their routine workout.

“I love running the Lyon Street Steps,” said Chelsy Williams of Daly City. “They are always a challenge, no matter how fit you are. I give extra props for those who do the bottom half. It is much harder.”

The 288 step stairway leads to a walking tour of the rest of Presidio Park. The park is filled with walking paths as well as hiking and climbing locations.

El Presidio was historically a military outpost of New Spain (Mexico), settled in 1776 along with Mission San Francisco. This location served as a military post from 1776 until 1994 when it became a national park.

The National Park Service manages 20 percent of the coastal part of the land while the Presidio Trust, established by congress in 1996, manages the interior 80 percent, including about 800 buildings and other manmade features.

The trust’s mandate is to enhance the Presidio as a public resource while making it financially self-sufficient, which was accomplished by 2005.

In 1872, there was a proposal in congress for the Presidio to become a San Francisco city park. The army reported that 800 acres were required for national defense, provided barracks be relocated. Despite Congressman Albert M. Cole’s attempts, however, the Presidio reservation remained intact.

This park is just about 50 percent larger than the Golden Gate Park, about 1,491 acres versus 1,017 acres.

Presidio is also more historically interesting than other parks as it has an intensive and impressive military history beginning in 1776.

The park also feels less crowded, even though it includes 800 buildings and modern redevelopments.

This destination is perfect for a free and interesting good time. If you are a person in search of an inexpensive outdoor workout, this is the place to go.

When looking for your next outing hot spot, be sure to remember the Lyon Street stairs at the Historic Presidio Park.