Its western end is at Lyon Street on the east edge of The Presidio and, spanning eastward, it crosses several large thoroughfares, including Van Ness Avenue and Columbus Avenue, and ends its drivable length at Kearny Street, on Telegraph Hill below Coit Tower.

The easternmost length of Filbert Street is a walkway through Levi's Plaza ending at The Embarcadero.

"[1] From there, the steps run down to an eastern stub of Filbert Street and the walkway through the plaza to The Embarcadero.

As on paved streets, several fire hydrants and a solitary parking meter are located along the steps.

The feral parrots of Telegraph Hill, which were the subject of the 2003 documentary The Wild Parrots of Telegraph Hill, may often be seen along the Filbert Street steps.