10 Stairways In San Francisco You Must See
Being the hilliest city in the United States, San Francisco is home to more than 600 public stairs, thanks to which walking around the steep streets is much easier. But where to find the most colorful ones? Most of those stairs are situated in residential neighborhoods, far away from the landmarks that attract tourists, but still providing breathtaking views. Because hidden gems are the best way for everyone to explore the city and to enjoy its charms!
Are you a fan of the unbeaten paths? Looking for something different from the top list to visit in San Francisco? Do you enjoy street art and quiet spots? If you check all those boxes, you’re not a regular tourist in a city. You are a wanderer.
Either getting lost in the city or purposely looking for the hidden gems, we often end up searching for a place that is just not there!
How many times have you searched for a place that you saw on someone else’s photos, but the location wasn’t clear? Home many times did you go to a place expecting to see something, just to realize the address is wrong? It’s happened to me. More than once. That’s why I give you all the exact locations of the suggested places in my post- no waste of time and no disappointments.
So here’s where to find the most colorful stairs in the City by the Bay, away from the crowds. First six spots are all mosaic stairs!
1. 16TH AVENUE TILED STEPS
16th Avenue Tiled Steps are probably the most popular ones in this list. Officially opened in 2005, this 163-step stairway is a neighborhood collaboration, with each step having its own mosaic panel.
Located next to one of the underrated San Francisco parks, Grandview Park, 16th Avenue Tiled Steps are impressive not just with the colorful mosaic elements they have, but also with the amazing view from the top. On a clear day, the ocean looks super blue and you get to enjoy the Sunset neighborhood from above. There’s also a beautiful garden in the base of the stairway.
Exact location: 16th Avenue & Moraga St. / 37.756216, -122.473675
2. HIDDEN GARDEN STEPS
Two blocks away from 16th Avenue Tiled Steps, you can find Hidden Garden Steps. Another beautiful mosaic project that turned out to be a favorite walking spot for people from the neighborhood.
Just 15 steps less than 16th Avenue Tiled Steps, Hidden Garden Steps is also a neighborhood collaboration, for which everyone who contributed had a chance to write a date or a name as part of the artwork of the tiles. This resulted in colorful and full of stories tiles, dedicated to loved ones.
Exact location: 16th Avenue & Kirkham St. / 37.7598277802382, -122.47358271542049
3. LINCOLN PARK STEPS
Pretty unknown, located at the very end of California Street next to the 32nd Avenue, Lincoln Park Steps are another art deco style piece in San Francisco.
Welcoming you to Lincoln Park, this stairway is pretty wide and the more you walk towards the top, the better view of the Golden Gate Bridge you have.
Lincoln Park Steps is a good spot of starting to explore the park they belong to- here you will find the impressive Legion of Honor Museum, as well as breathtaking views, part of the Lands End trail.
On the opposite side of the park you can explore Sutro Baths and Cliff House- landmarks that have been part of San Francisco’ history for more than a 100 years.
Exact location: California St & 32nd Avenue / 37.78386647091579, -122.49358191663694
4. ATHENS-AVALON GREEN PLACE
Far away from where all the tourist spots are, there is a narrow and colorful stairway called Avalon-Athens Green Place. It’s situated in the Excelsior neighborhood, which I bet almost no one who has visited San Francisco for a short time knows. The neighborhood borders McLaren Park and it’s known for having names of European cities and countries for its streets and avenues (Madrid, Prague, Munich, Dublin, France, Italy, and more).
Exact location: 743 Avalon Ave / 37.72601864105003, -122.42587047173186
5. KENNEY ALLEY STAIRS
In the same neighborhood, 20 minutes away by walking from Athens-Avalon Green Place, you can check out Kenney Alley Stairs.
Right between France Avenue and Italy Avenue, on London Street, there’s a hidden part where a stairway takes you to the opposite Mission Street. Small and colorful, Kenney Alley Stairs dates back to the beginning of the 1900.
Exact location: 640 London St. / 37.719086431125966, -122.43821243342178
6. TOMPKINS STAIRS
Another highly unpopular stairway destination is Tompkins Stairs. Close to Bernal Heights, one of my favorite 180 degree views of San Francisco, Tompkins Stairs is also really far away from the tourists eyes. Unless you are a real explorer and you get to see it unintentionally, there’s almost no other way for you to end up there if you’re in San Francisco just for a few days.
The place has scheduled garden days and as they say on the sign- it’s made “From neighbors to neighbors”.
Exact location: 200 Putnam St. / 37.737908691415406, -122.41138621775141
7. MIRALOMA STAIRS (Dragon Tale Staircase)
Close to local’s to-go hike Mt. Davidson, Miraloma Stairs is another mosaic stairway that is deeply hidden from the main landmarks in the city. You can combine visiting it with checking out Twin Peaks.
Miraloma Stairs, also known as The Dragon Tale Staircase, is the newest mosaic stairway in the city (popped up during the pandemic in 2020) and probably the busiest as well, since it’s on the way to one of the local schools. Colorful and impressive, this stairway is another example of how the city handles the forgotten paths and turns them into real art pieces.
Exact location: 207 Bella Vista Way / 37.73822328190461, -122.44994001762973
8. LYON STREET STEPS
Lyon Street Steps is a favorite exercising spot for many locals and a great walking experience for tourists. Approaching from the upper part (Broadway), you get to enjoy a beautiful view of the bay and the Palace of Fine Arts while walking down.
Lyon Street Step is also a home of one of the San Francisco hearts- the SF General Hospital initiative for fundraising that includes heart sculptures, created by local Bay Area artists. So far there are more than 130 hearts located all over San Francisco, some of them placed in public places or businesses, some of them in private homes.
Exact location: 2990-2996 Lyon St & Broadway / 37.79384359579295, -122.44649804462024
9. INA COOLBRITH PARK
One of my favorite places in the whole city! Secluded, quiet, with an amazing view. Yes, you will most likely go out of breath while walking the steep stairs, but trust me, you will forget everything once you take a look from up there.
This is a well known sunset watching spot for the people from the neighborhood, but it has been getting more popular for the last few years. Still considered a hidden gem, though.
I dare you to not take a look while walking all the way up, so you can get there and leave the view speaks for itself.
If you walk a little further up, there’s a small grass space where you can put a blanket on. Pretty nice spot for sunset dates!
Exact location: Vallejo & Taylor / 37.79848642049242, -122.413405558495
10. VALLEJO STEPS
Down the street, just a few blocks away from Ina Coolbrith Park, there’s another hidden gem with a great bay view.
This small part of Vallejo between Montgomery and Kerney, provides a gorgeous view to the Bay Bridge, along with a colorful flower scenery.
Exact location: 400-432 Vallejo St. / 37.79918232823857, -122.4044055374671
Check out the near Filbert Steps with a similar view, going all the way up to Coit Tower!
Exact location: 202 Filbert St. / 37.80231507103266, -122.40352871945224
