Blog, California, Destinations, North America, San Francisco, United States
The Most Beautiful Mosaic Staircases in San Francisco
Jan
Last updated on April 9th, 2025 at 10:26 am
Are you visiting San Francisco and have heard all about the famous hills, some of which have beautiful mosaic staircases? Then you are in the right place because I love going on walks and searching for the beautiful hidden stairways scattered throughout the city. Many of these staircases in San Francisco are near other famous tourist attractions, so you don’t need to go too far out of your way to see them.
At the top of these steep staircases, you’ll even get some of the best views in San Francisco or uncover quiet parks to rest your burning legs after the climb!
If you’re wondering how these mosaic staircases came to be, well, first you have to understand that San Francisco is filled with steep hills. To help locals climb the hills, some streets had staircases added.
On some of these staircases, neighborhood residents came together, forming community groups to create some beauty in the otherwise concrete steps. Some of the mosaic steps have a theme that plays as you climb up, while others create one beautiful image as you take a step back.
I’ve set out to uncover the most beautiful staircases and stairway walks in San Francisco. Here’s what I’ve found!
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San Francisco Travel Resources
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- Rent a car for awesome San Francisco day trips with rentalcars.com
- Must haves for your trip to San Francisco packing list: my favorite waterproof booties, this power bank to stay connected, and a reusable water bottle
Mosaic Stairs in San Francisco
The mosaic stairs are San Francisco’s most famous staircases, and they make an excellent addition to your three-day itinerary!
16th Avenue Tiled Steps
The 16th Avenue Steps, also known as the Moraga Steps, are perhaps the most popular staircase in the city. This 163-step stairway is a sea to stars theme with beautiful mosaic tiles of sea animals and shells at the bottom of the staircase, making its way to the stars, moon, and sun at the very top.
This theme is fitting because at the top of the staircase, you’ll have an amazing view of the Pacific Ocean in the distance, and if you continue up a little bit higher, Grand View Park offers awesome views of the city.
When planning your visit to the 16th Ave steps, know that it will be busy as it’s one of the most popular stairways in San Francisco!
You may have to park further away and walk to the steps. Don’t leave anything valuable in your car as this is a popular break-in area due to the Steps’ popularity.
Also, remember that this staircase was created by the people living in the neighborhood, so respect their property, keep noise levels to a minimum, and don’t block their driveways.
- Neighborhood: Golden Gate Heights Neighborhood
- Location: Moraga Street between 15th and 16th Avenue
- How to get here: Muni route 28 runs the length of 19th Ave. Get off at Lawton Street and walk up to the steps.
Hidden Garden Steps
Located in the same area, although not as popular as the Moraga stairs, are the Hidden Garden Steps. The mosaic design of this staircase showcases a garden theme and includes a long salamander, butterflies, and beautiful flowers.
I highly recommend visiting this staircase before you visit the 16th Avenue Tiled Staircase. It’s a short walk between the two, but parking here will be more convenient, especially on a busy weekend.
As above, do not leave any valuables in your car and respect the neighbors who created this beautiful urban artwork!
- Neighborhood: Inner Sunset
- Location: 16th Ave. in between Kirkham Street and Lawton Street
- How to get here: Take Muni 28 to Lawton and walk about 5 minutes to the staircase.
Things to do Near 16th Ave & Garden Street Steps
One of the great things about these two staircases is that they’re close to other fun things to do in San Francisco. They’re only a few blocks from delicious restaurants on Irving and Judah in the Inner Sunset. One of my favorite coffee shops, Home Coffee Roasters, is on nearby Noriega St. I highly recommend stopping there for a matcha (one of the best matcha lattes in San Francisco).
Don’t forget to check out Grandview Park at the top of the hill for amazing views of San Francisco.
To create a stairway walk out of both sets of steps, start by walking up the Hidden Garden Steps. Continue to Grandview Park, and from there, head down 16th Ave Steps, turning back to look at the mosaics at each landing.
If you start with 16th Avenue Steps, head up to Grandview park, and instead of walking down Hidden Garden Steps, walk down the 15th Avenue staircase (not much to see there) and turn left. This puts you in a position to walk back up via the Hidden Garden Steps and loop back to your car.
Lincoln Park Steps
In 2009, the Lincoln Park Steps were broken, graffitied, and decaying. A group in the community, Friends of Lincoln Park, came together to create the beautiful staircase you can visit today.
While not as tall as the other two tiled staircases mentioned above, it is much wider and includes a bench at the top and in between the two flights of stairs with views of the Golden Gate Bridge.
If you’re after some good photos here, go early in the day. Once the sun is high, capturing the mosaic tiles’ vibrant colors is difficult. However, if it’s a foggy day, you’ll be able to have a great view of them!
- Neighborhood: Outer Richmond
- Location: 32nd & California Street
- How to get here: The 1 California bus runs here from downtown. Get off at 32nd and California, and you’ll be right next to the steps.
Things to do Near Lincoln Street Steps
The Lincoln Park Steps lead to Lincoln Park where you’ll find the Legion of Honor, a golf course, and the Lands End Trail (which I highly recommend walking!). Also in the neighboring Sea Cliff neighborhood is China Beach, a hidden gem amongst the beaches in San Francisco.
Miraloma Park Steps
A hidden set of mosaic stairs arrived on the scene in July of 2020 with the installation of the tiles at the staircase near Miraloma Park. Technically, this staircase is called the Miraloma Southern Gateway Tile Project, but that’s a mouthful. I’m going to call it the Inspiration Stairway.
Why? Woven amongst the colorful flowers are a variety of inspirational quotes, such as “The Secret of Getting Ahead is Getting Started” and “Integrity is doing the right thing even when no one is watching.” The quotes are fitting, considering the staircase leads to a playground.
- Neighborhood: Miraloma
- Location: Bella Vista Way & Dorcas
- How to get here: 36 & 44 bus lines service Miraloma neighborhood, and there are stops nearby
Things to do Near “Inspiration Stairs”
These Inspiration Stairs are near Mt. Davidson, San Francisco’s highest peak. This park is great for hiking and offers panoramic views of the city. Portola Drive offers a few small eateries, such as Tower Burger and Miraloma Taqueria, as does the nearby West Portal neighborhood.
Stairway Walks in San Francisco
Lace up your sneakers and grab your workout clothes because these stairway walks in San Francisco will leave you breathless, literally and figuratively.
Lyon Street Steps
A favorite of fitness buffs is the Lyon Street Stairs, located in the Pacific Heights neighborhood. This staircase starts at Green Street and rises two blocks, ending at Broadway Street.
The set of steps between Green and Vallejo is incredibly steep and nothing too special. But when you reach the landing, you’ll see the base of the second portion of the steps.
This portion of the staircase is lined with beautiful gardens and impressively large homes. It’s nice to imagine what life is like in those homes. When you reach Broadway, you’ll have amazing views of the Palace of Fine Arts and the Bay.
Additionally, one of the sculpture hearts is located here that can be found throughout the city.
If you don’t want to climb any of the staircases but want to see what all the fuss is about, park on Broadway and simply enjoy the view.
- Neighborhood: Pacific Heights
- Location: Lyon & Vallejo Street/Broadway/Green
- How to get here: The easiest way is by car or rideshare
Things to Do Near Lyon St Steps
The Lyon Street Steps are located directly next to the Presidio which is a lovely place to extend your walk, especially down the Lover’s Lane. On nearby Union, Filbert, and Fillmore streets you’ll find shopping, coffee shops, and a variety of restaurants.
Filbert St & Greenwich St Steps
This stairway walk is my favorite in San Francisco. Admittedly, the staircases themselves are nothing to write home about, but the walk is stunning.
This walk takes you 400 steps up to the top of Telegraph Hill through what is basically the gardens of the homes on the hill, to Pioneer Park and Coit Tower.
In addition to feeling like you’re walking through a secret garden, there are awesome views of the Bay Bridge along the way, and once you reach the top, views of the Golden Gate.
Wild parrots also call Telegraph Hill home, however, on my multiple walks here, I have yet to see them!
Wild parrots also call Telegraph Hill home; however, on my multiple walks here, I have yet to see them!
I recommend starting the climb on Filbert Street steps from Sansome. After the first portion of the staircase, you’ll reach Montgomery Street and just one more staircase to the top.
You can either check out Coit Tower or perhaps extend your walk down into North Beach. Alternatively, turn right and look for a sign for Greenwich Street, which has a brick staircase leading down; take it.
Once you reach Montgomery Street again, the staircase continues in front of a house. When I was there, the house was under construction, but a little cardboard sign pointed an arrow down. Follow it all the way back to Sansome!
- Neighborhood: Telegraph Hill/North Beach
- Location: Sansome & Filbert
- How to get here: Walk! This staircase is pretty centrally located to Downtown San Francisco and the Embarcadero, so walking is your best bet! Otherwise, there is 2-hour parking on Sansome.
Things to Do Near Filbert St &. Greenwich St Steps
Once you reach the top, head down the opposite side of the hill, and you’ll be in the heart of North Beach! Grab a drink in the cafes here, relax at Washington Square Park, and of course, eat some delicious Italian food!
Alternatively, the Embarcadero is one block away, and the Exploratorium is on the closest pier!
The beautiful thing about these staircases in San Francisco, besides their mosaic tiles, paint, and views is that they’re free! Only a bit of effort and maybe some sweat are required! Plus you can extend your visit to these stairways by exploring their surrounding neighborhoods.
Are there any beautiful staircases in San Francisco that are missing from this? If so, let me know so I can go see them for myself!
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