The stunning city of San Francisco is considered by many to be the hilliest city in the United States. Besides visiting its iconic landmarks, one of the best ways to discover this beautiful city is by taking a walk in its characteristic neighborhoods and magnificent, secret staircases. An off-the-beaten-path adventure leading you along the steep streets and must-see hidden staircases of San Francisco can literally and figuratively take your breath away.
While there are so many famous landmarks in San Francisco, the must-see hidden staircases of San Francisco offer the perfect way to catch a unique glimpse of this charming city. Award-winning mosaic tiled steps, hidden staircases that feel like an oasis in the heart of the bustling city as well as staircases that offer panoramic views of the city and beyond are sure to leave visitors dazzled.
So, on your next trip to this region of California, if you are looking for an alternative, off-the-beaten-path glimpse of San Francisco, consider exploring the must-see hidden staircases of San Francisco highlighted in this travel guide.
Finding the hidden staircases of San Francisco:
There are close to 200 public staircases traversing the distinctive hills of San Francisco and lacing its neighborhoods together. Most of the must-see hidden staircases of San Francisco highlighted in our travel guide are just a short walk or a short bus ride away from many of the popular attractions of the city. A climb up and down these staircases can easily be tied in with any SF itinerary. On the other hand, as Bay Area locals, we truly feel that spending a day by itself discovering these secret stairways is also a fun way to explore the city.
In addition to witnessing spectacular views of the surroundings that you might otherwise miss if you are riding in a car or a bus, walking along the hidden staircases of San Francisco is also a great way to experience the city like the locals do and learn about the various community-driven efforts that lead to the redesigning of several of these staircases.
1. 16th Avenue Tiled Steps:
The whimsical 16th Avenue Tiled Steps are one of the most instagrammable spots in San Francisco. Located in a residential neighborhood on Moraga Street between 15th & 16th Avenue, these 163 mosaic steps are a unique landmark of the Inner Sunset / Golden Gate Heights neighborhood. Inspired by the Escadaria Selarón (also called the Selaron Steps) in Rio de Janeiro, this 2006-San Francisco Beautification award-winning staircase has been crafted using a total of nearly 75000 pieces of ceramic tiles and stained glass.
The neighborhood took the initiative to give the existing stairway a makeover resulting in the beautiful steps we see today. Neighbors and donors sponsored the handmade tiles, participated in tile-making workshops and this collaborative community effort of hundreds of volunteers was brought to fruition by the artists Aileen Barr and Colette Crutcher.
The masterful depiction of the sea to sky theme of the 16th Avenue Tiled Steps makes these steps one of the must-see hidden staircases of San Francisco. The section near the base of the steps at 16th Avenue highlights the sea with a myriad of sea creatures that transitions into the section featuring the earth as you ascend. Tiles featuring a picnic spread, hummingbirds, flowers, and squirrels to name a few adorn this set of mosaic stairs. Further up, the tiles depict the sky with birds flying about followed by the beautiful mosaic of space highlighting stars, the moon, and the sun.
Various California native plants and succulents can be seen along either side of these steps. These have been planted by the community members and volunteers from the area who continue to devote their time and energy to keep this garden well-tended. If you happen to visit these steps around mid-February to mid-May, you might be able to see the distinctive Green Hairstreak butterfly visiting these plants.
While reaching the top of the stairs can be a bit of a workout for some, the commanding view you are rewarded with makes the effort worthwhile. From this vantage point on 15th Avenue, on a clear day, you can enjoy sweeping views of the Pacific stretching beyond the Sunset district, Ocean beach in front, the Golden Gate Park to your right, and a glimpse of the Golden Gate Bridge in the distance. If time allows, continue towards the Grandview Steps to reach Grandview Park.
Location and how to reach the 16th Avenue Tiled Steps
16th Avenue Tiled Steps are located in the Inner Sunset District, not too far from the Golden Gate Park or Ocean Beach. They are located at the intersection of 16th Avenue and Moraga Street.
To reach these steps using public transportation, some options include taking Bus N from From Market Street to Judah St & 16th Ave. If you are arriving from Golden Gate Park, get off the bus at Judah St & 15th Avenue stop. Alternatively, if you are driving your vehicle to these stairs, keep in mind that while parking you don’t block and residential driveways. There are also signs posted along the curbside advising visitors to not leave valuables in the car given the day time car break-ins that have been observed in the area.
2. Hidden Garden Steps: One of the must-see stairways in San Francisco
The Hidden Garden Steps are a set of 148 mosaic steps located along the intersection of 16th Avenue and Kirkham in the Inner Sunset district of San Francisco. Ascending from Kirkham, this unique staircase leads pedestrians up towards Lawton Street.
Following the redesigning of the existing staircase as part of a volunteer-driven neighborhood beautification project, these mosaic steps were first opened for public use on December 7, 2013. It is clear to see that the Hidden Garden Steps are a labor of love – the dedication of the artists and volunteers shines through the mosaic stairs that also pay homage to the firefighters of Station 22 of San Francisco. A thriving garden of succulents maintained by the community volunteers flanks the sides of the steps.
Colette Crutcher and Aileen Barr, the artists who created the nearby 16th Avenue Tiled Steps and the Flights of Fancy Stairs (Arelious Walker Stairway) also designed the Hidden Garden Steps. The theme along the entire length of this must-see hidden staircase of San Francisco is clearly the garden. Ceramic tiles and mosaics feature flora and fauna found in gardens, such as the California poppy, ferns, mushrooms, snail, salamander, and dragonfly to name a few.
Take your time to admire the vibrant patterns and tributes as you ascend these steps. There are nearly 600 tiles adorning the flights of steps, each customized to reflect the messages, quotes, and commemorations by the donors. Broken, brightly colored pieces of tiles have been artistically placed as the background around the 600 featured tiles.
The steps are truly hidden in their own way and you might just miss them if you didn’t know they were there. The mosaic pattern is only visible as you ascend these steps as from the top of the staircase on Lawton Street, the patterns are not visible if you gaze down these stairs. Although less frequented by visitors compared to the nearby 16th Avenue Tiled Steps, these beautiful mosaic tiles are sure to leave you awestruck.
Location and how to reach the Hidden Garden Steps: One of the must-see staircases of San Francisco
Hidden Garden Steps are located at 1520 16th Avenue, merely 5 minutes walk north from 16th Avenue Tiled Steps of San Francisco. If you are taking public transportation to reach these steps, take the N Bus to Judah St & 15th Avenue and from there, head uphill towards the steps.
3. Grandview Park Stairs leading to the Grandview Park (Turtle Hill)
For unparalleled sunset views in San Francisco with nearly 360-degree views of the city, a climb up the 116 wooden steps of the Grandview Park Staircase to the Grandview Park (also called Turtle Hill) is a must.
On a clear day, commanding views of the downtown in the distance, Golden Gate Park, Marin Headlands, Sunset district, Ocean Beach, Sutro Heights, Twin Peaks, and the iconic Golden Gate greet those visiting this small, off-the-beaten-path park in the Sunset district. Take in the views at your leisure while sitting on the bench atop the hill or from the shade of the Monterey cypress trees along the edge of the Park.
The Grandview Park is set up on the top of a geologically significant hill in San Francisco. The summit is part of one of the four ‘dune islands’ found in the Sunset neighborhood. These dune islands are significant geologically as they are composed of 140-million-year-old Franciscan chert which had once been a part of the ocean floor in the equatorial region. Owing to the unique geology of the hill, the area is considered a sensitive plant and animal habitat. Visitors heading up to Grandview Park are expected to stay on the stairs and established a rough path trail.
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Location and how to reach the Grandview Park Stairs / Grandview Park
Grandview Park is located at 1705 14th Ave, San Francisco. To reach these stairs and the park, after ascending the 16th Avenue Tiled Steps, turn right and walk along the 15th Avenue/ Noriega Street. Climb up the first set of smaller concrete stairs on your left and continue to walk towards the base of the Grandview Park Stairs. Alternatively, take the Moraga Steps located at the intersection of 14th Avenue and Moraga to reach the summit.
4. Filbert Steps: A set of hidden staircases in San Francisco
The Coit Tower of San Francisco located in the Telegraph Hill neighborhood is one of the most visited attractions of San Francisco. In order to reach Coit Tower from Embarcadero and North Beach region, consider taking one of the must-see hidden staircases on San Francisco – the Filbert Steps. Aside from being a great workout, the climb up these stairs is the perfect way to catch picturesque views of the San Francisco Bay, Treasure Island, and Bay Bridge as you walk past blooming gardens and lush foliage of the private residences along the staircase.
Located near Levi Plaza, start your climb up the first section of Filbert Steps from the base of the concrete and wooden stairs running along the hill located near the intersection of Filbert Street and Sansome Street. This first section of steep stairs brings you to the well-tended Grace Marchant Gardens that were started in 1949 to beautify this stretch of the stairway. The sweet fragrance of the abundant flowers of this garden fills the air as you climb up the stairs towards Montgomery Street.
The next section of Filbert Steps runs between Montgomery Street and Telegraph Hill Blvd. This section of the climb up the stairs is easier compared to the steeper first section. Cherry-headed conures (wild parrots) can often be sighted flying overhead along this stretch of the climb, especially during the morning hours. The final stretch of Filbert Steps from Telegraph Hill Blvd takes you to the summit and the Coit Tower. As an alternative way to return to Levi Plaza, consider taking the charming, brick-lined Greenwich Steps that start near Coit Tower on Telegraph Hill going down back to Sansome Street via Montgomery.
Location and how to reach Filbert Steps
The base of Filbert Steps is located near 202 Filbert St, San Francisco (close to the intersection between Filbert St and Sansome Street). Using public transportation, the most convenient way to reach the base of these steps is by taking the F-line light rail to the Greenwich Street stop on Embarcadero.
5. Lincoln Park Steps:
Revamped and opened to the public in May 2015, the vibrant botanical patterns in hues of green, yellow, orange, and blue on these tiled steps make Lincoln Park Steps one of the must-see staircases of San Francisco. These comparatively smaller set of 52 mosaic steps lead visitors up to the Lincoln Park Golf course and further on towards Lands End Trail, Legion of Honor, and the Holocaust Memorial.
Lincoln steps were designed by Aileen Barr who along with Colette Crutcher. The beautiful staircase that we see at this site today once used to be a set of steps that had started to get weathered and covered by graffiti. With Friends of Lincoln Park founders Anna Yatroussis and Meg Autry taking the initiative in 2007, the community-driven project of redesigning the steps came into being with the support of The San Francisco Parks Alliance, SF Recreation and Parks, nearby Katherine Delmar Burke School and its parent volunteers.
There are convenient benches located between the upper and lower flights of the Lincoln Park Steps as well as towards the top of the steps. Once you ascend the steps, turn right and walk along the trail leading to the golf course to catch a glimpse of Golden Gate Bridge in the distance. If you are in the mood for heading off on a stunning coastal hike, continue towards the Land’s End Trail located nearby.
Location and how to reach the Lincoln Park Steps
Lincoln Park is located in the Outer Richmond district of northwest San Francisco. The Lincoln Park Steps are located west of the intersection between California Street and 32nd Street at the entrance of the Lincoln Park golf course. To reach these steps using public transportation from San Francisco downtown, take the 1-bus (heading in the direction of Geary / 33rd Avenue) to 32nd Avenue & California Street.
6. Lyon Street Steps: One of the must-see hidden staircases in San Francisco
The elegant Lyon Street Steps are tucked between the Pacific Heights and Cow Hollow neighborhoods of San Francisco. This stunning staircase takes you down from Broadway Street to Vallejo Street and then further onto Green Street. As you descend the 332 concrete steps, you will witness one of the best views of San Francisco Bay, the Marina district, and a glimpse of the dome of the Palace of Fine Arts in the distance. Surprisingly lesser known to tourists, these steps are primarily used by locals, fitness enthusiasts, and perhaps those on a quest for finding the Hearts of San Francisco.
After admiring the stunning mansions of the Billionaires Row on Broadway Street, take the first section of the Lyon steps that descends from Broadway to Vallejo Street. This section of Lyon Street Steps is lined with manicured gardens of the mansions of Pacific Heights to the east and the lush Presidio forest to the west. As you reach the Lyon Step Podium next to the home of Dianne Feinstein, you will find one of the Hearts of San Francisco.
The Heart of San Francisco located in a well-tended terrace garden on the Lyon Step Podium is one of the 131 heart sculptures created by Bay Area artists. These beloved heart sculptures are created as part of a fundraiser for the San Francisco General Hospital with new hearts added yearly as part of an ongoing fundraising effort.
The next section of the Lyon steps running between Vallejo Street and Green Street is quite steep and brings you to the imposing private residences of Marina District, including one that was featured in the movie Princess Diaries. If you’d like to continue on to the Baker Street Steps, then as you descend Lyon Street Steps, turn right at either Vallejo Street or Green Street. Continue walking till the intersection with Baker Street. Turn right on Baker Street and enjoy your climb up towards Baker Street Stairs.
Location of Lyon Street Steps and how to get there:
Lyon Street Steps can be found at 2545-2551 Lyon St, San Francisco. If you are using your own vehicle, you are likely to find curbside parking relatively easily along Lyon Street/ Green Street or near Lyon Street/ Broadway. On the other hand, if you are using public transportation, several Muni buses lead to stops nearby from where you will need to walk a few blocks before reaching the steps. For example, bus 1, 3 and 45 all have stops located a short walk away from the Lyon Street Steps.
7. Baker Street Stairs: One of the must-see hidden staircases of San Francisco
Located in the Pacific Heights neighborhood, the steeper Baker Street Stairs lead you up from the intersection of Baker Street and Vallejo St to Broadway St. Once you reach the top of Baker Street Stairs, turn right and walk past the mansions of Billionaires Row towards Presidio and Lyon Street Stairs.
There are 202 concrete and at times slightly uneven steps making up this staircase. In a small ivy-covered landing towards the middle of the climb up the Baker Street Stairs, you will find a small bench to relax on in a rather tranquil setting. While climbing these steps, don’t forget to look back every now and then to enjoy views of the Marina beyond along with a glimpse of the Palace of Fine Arts.
Location of Baker Street Stairs and how to get there:
The Baker Street Stairs are located at 2899 Vallejo St, San Francisco, just a short walk away from the Lyon Steps. To reach Baker Street using public transportation from downtown, take bus 1 from Sacramento St & Powell St heading in the direction of Geary + 33rd Avenue. Disembark at the California St & Baker St stop which is just a couple of minutes walk away from the Baker Street Stairs.
8. Flights of Fancy – The Arelious Walker Drive Stairs
The Bayview Hunters Point neighborhood is home to the Flights of Fancy – Arelious Walker Stairway which was opened for public use in 2014. This impressive hidden mosaic stairway has also been designed using ceramic tiles by Aileen Barr and Colette Crutcher as part of a community-driven project. These 87 mosaic steps run upwards from the intersection of Arelious Walker and Innes Avenue towards Northridge Drive.
The bright, bold patterns adorning these mosaic steps are inspired by patterns appearing on pottery and textiles in various cultures and countries including Ghana, India, Indonesia, Native America, Japan, Central America, and the Middle East.
Location of The Arelious Walker Drive Stairs and how to get there:
The Flights of Fancy – Arelious Walker Stairway is located at 859 Innes Ave, San Francisco. Tucked away in the industrial slice of San Francisco and relatively further away from the rest of the must-see hidden stairways of San Francisco mentioned in this post, the easiest way to this staircase is by car. However, if you plan on using public transportation, you can catch Bus 19 that brings you to the Innes Ave & Fitch Street stop located close to the base of these stairs. Keep in mind that the nearby area appears to be developing and so currently there are not many attractions in its vicinity.
9. Stairs leading to Miles Rock Beach and Lands End Labyrinth (along Lands End Trail)
One of the best hikes in San Francisco is along the Lands End Trail. With brilliant views of the Pacific and Golden Gate Bridge, this coastal trail is very popular among locals and tourists. A lesser-visited section of this trail leads down via steep steps to the Miles Rock Beach viewpoint and the Lands End Labyrinth. The steps leading down this section of the coastal trail are quite uneven, covered with loose gravel, and supported by wooden beams in places. The climb up and down this section to visit the hidden beach and the Labyrinth can feel strenuous. However, the effort is well worth it as the views you see as you descend these steps are breathtaking.
Once you are closer to Miles Rock Beach, the path bifurcates. A loose gravel pathway leads towards the Lands End Labyrinth on the right and a steep uneven path towards the left that leads down to the beach. While nearby beaches such as Ocean Beach and Baker Beach are quite crowded in the peak season, Miles Rock Beach feels more relaxed with equally stunning views. The view of the Golden Gate Bridge from the Labyrinth is certainly not to be missed. Do remember to wear comfortable walking shoes and carry water with you before you head off hiking along this stunning trail.
If you are considering heading off for some off-the-beaten-path day trips from San Francisco, consider reading our posts on Point Bonita Lighthouse, Avenue of the Giants and Quarry Lakes Recreational Park.
Tips for visiting the must-see staircases of San Francisco
1. Many of the hidden staircases of San Francisco run through residential neighborhoods so please be mindful as you walk past residential homes along these staircases.
2. The steps can be steep and some staircases might even have uneven steps. Ensure that you carry water with you, take frequent breaks, and wear comfortable walking shoes.
3. If you happen to be driving to these steps, remember not to leave any valuables in the car when you park at the designated curbside parking or in public parking garages. When parking in the permitted curbside zone in residential areas, ensure that you are not blocking the driveway of the residents.
4. If you are using public transportation, refer to the SFMTA site for details of the most convenient public transportation options to reach the hidden steps.
5. The weather in San Francisco can be quite unpredictable so remember to carry a jacket with you, even in the summer months to keep yourself warm and comfortable.
San Francisco is famous for its Victorian architecture, iconic cable cars, steep streets, trendy neighborhoods, sourdough bread-bowl, chic boutiques, and magnificent bridges. Even though we have lived in the San Francisco Bay Area for nearly two decades, the sights and hidden gems this vibrant city has to offer never cease to amaze us. With so many attractions to visit along with off-the-beaten-path pockets of charm to discover in and around San Francisco, adventure always seems to await as the beautiful city of San Francisco beckons us to discover it some more.
While our quest for discovering even more of the must-see hidden staircases of San Francisco continues, we do hope you will enjoy visiting the ones highlighted in this post and find the climb up (and down) these picture-perfect staircases well worth the effort.
Disclaimer: It’s a pleasure for us to share our travel experiences with all our readers and we sincerely hope to inspire your future travels. In order to help us maintain this blog and offset the costs of running landoftravels.com, we have sprinkled affiliate links throughout the site. If you choose to make a purchase via any of these affiliate links, we’ll earn a tiny commission at no additional cost to you.
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Hello ! I’m Aditi …..
Welcome to Land Of Travels – a travel blog that my husband Manish and I started to share our travel stories and travel tips. We are full-time professionals, dedicated parents, foodies, and it is our shared passion for traveling that lead us to become part-time bloggers.
I was born and brought up in Northern India, lived in Bay Area, California for nearly two decades and currently reside in Ontario, Canada. Since childhood, I’ve always had a passion to travel far & wide and experience different cultures. I am passionate about planning our trips and exploring off-the-beaten-path destinations.
My sincere hope is that the travel tips offered on this blog will help you plan your next memorable adventure.
Happy travels!
~ Aditi Sharma ~
Really nice post, with some great photos.
Wow! How amazing!
So colourful, magnificent , vibrant & beautiful . The vivid descriptions, the minute detailing & the breathtaking pictures are truly awesome.Just cannot wait to see them
These stairs are amazing! They look great in pictures and I can only imagine how beautiful they are when you are standing right at the bottom. San Francisco is on my bucket list.
What beautiful sites! I can’t even imagine the talent and time, love and dedication that went into so many of these. Even all that landscaping, the gardens and thought that went into them. I’d love to see more cities do this. Thx bunches for bringing some sunshine and beauty into my day.
These stairs are real pieces of art—amazing colors and patterns. I’d like to see them all.
This is so cool! It is exactly the type of thing I like to do when I am travelling. Searching out more unusual things like this mean I see so much more of a city that if I just stayed on the tourist path. I love this post.
Wow, I didn’t know there are many such painted staircases. I thought there was only one! We had been planning on visiting Land’s End Labyrinth.vm i guess we will see the first one there!
Omg! How did I not know about this? I love it when I find a blog post with hidden gems in plain site. I will definitely try to find some of these on my next SF visit!
Wow, these are gorgeous! And even the plainer staircases lead to fabulous views. I’d love to come to San Francisco and see them. Instagrammable indeed!
I knew San Fran had a few colorful staircases but I had no idea there were this many! So fun, I would love to spend a day taking a scavenger hunt around the city to find them all! 🙂
San Francisco definitely has magnificent staircases – Beautiful! Thanks for sharing them in this well-written post.
Those stairs are so beautiful. It’s some time ago that we where in San Francisco, next time I will check out these hidden staircases.
I’ve never been to the Hidden Garden steps before. I’ll have to put them on my list for when I’m in the area next. It looks like you’ve had a lot of fun and gotten a lot of exercise finding these staircases.
It’s so long since I was last in San Francisco but I wasn’t aware of these gorgeous staircases at all. I love the colours & the fact that many are community projects is the icing on the cake…& then there are the views! What a great way to see this iconic city. Thanks for highlighting, next time I’m in SF…looks like I’ll be climbing a lot of stairs!
How fantastic! Those tiled staircases are a work of art, I’d happily spend a day in San Fran exploring these, and they’re a good excuse to venture to other neighbourhoods that you may not ordinarily go to.. but these steps make it a coveted destination… great pics!
I’ve been to San Francisco a couple of times but never saw these stairs. They look absolutely beautiful and remind me of the Escadaria Selaron in Rio de Janeiro – but these are more flowery; obviously, some things never change in the hippy town of San Francisco…
Those staircases are so cute. So much prettier than the grey concrete they love in my hometown. They really should introduce this everywhere. Great guide.
The colorful mosaic stairways are gorgeous! I love the fact that they are so hidden, and for some you can only see the patterns in one direction; also the ones completed as community projects are so impressive! Truly beautiful additions to the city. Thank you for writing a great guide, I know many of these are hidden, you wouldn’t know where to look for them, especially in the neighborhoods.
Wow, all of these places are so incredible and picturesque! Took a mini-tour on this post.
Visiting all these staircases has been on my list for ages! I used to live right by the Lyon Street Stairs and ran them several times a week – a good workout indeed (with gorgeous views)! I didn’t know all the history behind some of the staircases, particularly the mosaics! Can’t wait to check them all out!
We have been to San Francisco so many times and have never made it to see the beautiful staircases of San Francisco. I would love to see these colourful and unique art displays. And I would hate to miss the patterns you can’t see from the top. And those views from the top are not to be missed. I will keep this post for our next visit!
These mosaic staircases are so magnificent. I love how colorful and intricate the work is. This is an excellent guide to find them and enjoy them. I’ll need to look for these staircases the next time (cross my fingers) I’m in SF.
This is the first time I read a post about beautiful staircases in San Fran, I really enjoyed the pictures. Had I had this info for my trip 3 years ago, I am sure I would have chased a few of the tiled staircases!
Wow, such a great addition to the city. I’ve been a few times but never noticed the really colorful artwork on the stairs. The hidden garden staircase is just beautiful. I will have to hunt some of these out on my next visit
I’ve been to San Francisco many times…how did I NOT know about these incredibly cool secret staircases?? I’m definitely saving this list for the next time I visit!
Just Incredible piece of information in your Blog. Immense amount of hardwork & patience describing about such a beautiful & picturesque place. Kudos for an excellent job well done. Loved it.
Thanks. Glad you enjoyed reading the post.