A great walk/climb. Over 300 steps up and back down. The best part? You get to Coit Tower.read more

Such a treasured landmark in San Francisco, so much that it's maintained in pristine condition by…read morelocals and donors. This 163-step mosaic stairway was open to the public in 2005 and this community project was started by neighborhood residents Jessie Audette and Alice Yee Xavier with the collaboration of artists Aileen Barr and Colette Crutcher. Donated California native plants adorn these stairs. I'd say for the San Fran tourist, it's worth a visit especially if you have a car and you want to venture into SF neighborhoods (I used public transit and the Muni bus stop right next to it isn't the most reliable as when I was ready to leave here I saw the route bus zoom past the proposed bus stop seen on my GPS; I ended up having to walk a few blocks to another bus stop). Unsure about how crowded it would be on weekends, but when I visited on a weekday morning I had good chunks of time with the stairway all to myself!

Pretty neat event despite the crowds!…read more We got to try a couple vendors early that didn't have lines but later in the event certain lines were INSANE, easily half a city block if not more. Still, it was GREAT to see so many people out and about and all the little shops open as well. I hope this does continue and gets better over time. Porta-potties would be a start haha.

Had the chance to visit this art installation during my work trip in San Francisco! It's a…read morebeautiful piece of art that captures the night and great for a walking date in Golden Gate Park. It's an installation that turns off at 9:30 pm until late April, 2024. It's near peacock meadows, so be careful if you're taking an Uber/Lyft there as Golden Gate Park as your intended destination will bring you to the other side, which is what I experienced! Great attraction for families, couples, and all ages!

All Man, The Entwined Lighted Festival is FIRE. You have to come check out the vibes and beauty…read morehere of the forest and lights. Its like a scene in a Fairy Tale. Its not far from the Golden Gate Bridge, but it is a joy to see and be around. I took plenty of photos that I will have our every chance I get. It was just a scene to see for me. I will visit again.

People confuse this staircase with the 16th Avenue Tiled Steps, and they are certainly similar as…read morethey both feature lovely colorful artwork created by the same artists. But they are not the same thing. The Hidden Garden Steps are located a little further away from Grandview Park (the bottom of the stairway along Kirkham Street) and presents a slightly different theme, the focus of its design more on flowers and plants rather than sealife. It's a unique and beautiful work of art, in good condition (as of January 2026), and located in a nice neighborhood in SF. It's also free to visit with free street parking nearby too. I couldn't find a reason to give it anything less than 5 stars.

After visiting the 16th Avenue Tiled Steps, I was just on my way out of Golden Gate Heights, when I…read morenoticed a sign that said, "Hidden Garden Steps." The sun was almost down, but I decided to check it out. With 148 steps designed by the same artists as the 16th Avenue steps, this really almost felt like a continuation of the same staircase. The Hidden Garden steps have more of a garden theme, with lots of flowers, bugs, mushrooms, birds, etc. The plants around the steps are similar to those found around the 16th Avenue steps. Succulents are interspersed with California native plants chosen to attract butterflies, including the locally endangered green hairstreak butterfly. My favorite design on the staircase is the snail near the bottom. The shell swirls up several stairs, with patches of mushrooms sprouting from the head. The snail is surrounded by mosaics of California native plants such as hibiscus flowers and buckeye sprouts. The Hidden Garden steps are about 10 years newer than the 16th Avenue steps. In my opinion, the artists improved their skills over time, and, while one flight smaller, these steps are actually more impressive than their sister stairs. The design feels more imaginative and detailed. While the 16th Avenue steps were a bit slippery, the Hidden Garden steps were even more slippery. Because the sun was setting, I really had to watch my step. This must be why the steps are "closed" after dark. Overall, this is such a beautiful community art project, and I'm so glad I happened to stumble across it. My only regret is not having visited earlier so that I could compare the sunset views with the views from a block away.

Beautiful!! I'm not sure but I think they do this every year! I absolutely love it. I hope they…read morekeep doing this. It's always beautiful to see.

Tiny labyrinth at the end of the trail. Great place to view…read moreGolden Gate Bridge. There's no proper trail to go down to the labyrinth, need a good hiking boot

Can't go wrong with spending time near the ocean. The breeze is just so calming. Cant wait to go…read moreback.

A beautiful spot to view the beach, scenic rocks and the ocean. A short hike leads to the ruins of…read morethe baths which you can walk around and enjoy panoramic views of the ocean. There are several smaller trails to walk around and enjoy the ocean vistas. We also saw some geese, gulls and cormorants cooling off in the water on a rather warm day. We went here during the day, but can imagine this being a popular spot during sunset as well. They do have posted warnings about frequent car break ins which is a reminder to keep valuables away from cars. They also have a visitor center with a cafe and restrooms. A good, dog friendly place to spend a few hours at a leisurely pace.

Ultimately, it couldn't be lower than four stars because of Polly Ann…read more I've found other gems here, some of which I am not yet prepared to reveal. It's so big and unconfusing! It doesn't have enough bus lines! It doesn't have any of the quirky charm of the Richmond, whether Inner or Outer (or Central?--I don't believe in Central Richmonds; I just believe in me). It has lots of places to eat and shop, but mile-for-mile, it pales in comparison to its tiny but powerful sister the Inner Sunset. But it dominates in a way with its repetitive blocks and downhill-to-the-ocean game. The only real question I have is Is Parkside part of the Outer Sunset, or are they two separate neighborhoods? I used to be heavily on the former side, but I may be persuadable to the dark side. Give me your best arguments. And astounding Safeway parking lots; and hardware stores that could (and couldn't); and disgraced former, current, and would-be supervisors. It's also sad and not cool that Bradley Nowell died here. (I don't know why it still makes me so sad.)

It is what it is, a vast expanse of American suburban architecture. Block after block of rows after…read morerows of mostly pastel stucco houses, some fabulous deco & "unique" landscaping. Every neighborhood has their own style of personal expression. No lawn? Paint the concrete green. Sculpt those bushes into soft serve spirals. Built over lots of sand, the planners gave the hood wide streets, and an exceptional tangle of overhead utility wires. Note: wealthy PAC Heights has all their wires underground. But that's the beauty of the Outer Sunset. Completely unpretentious, Pacific Ocean adjacent, 59 degree foggy summers.

I have been to the Bisons before but never saw so many of them. It was relaxing to see them. Some…read morewere roaming, eating and mingling. There are benches were you can view them in a quiet and peaceful environment. The maintenance of these Bisons are excellent. They seem peaceful and well taken care of. Their cages look clean and there are plenty for them to eat.

Bison are in the park and you can get up and close. Golden Gate Park is known for the Bison…read morePavilion. It exists thanks to a partnership with the Zoo. Check out these pretty calm creatures as they sleep or just stand around. This is located close to a few other good things. A good way to get close to animals. It's located next to the dog park. Take your dog here and then check out some bigger animals after that. An interesting history. The bison and other creatures have been in the park since 1892, even before the Zoo was opened. Of course one can't get too close to the bison. They're protected by fencing so it's not like you can pet them. Even so, you can get a good look at these gentle creatures. They seem to not move around much, so you can see a few just chilling and hanging. Cool place for one to see animals in action. It's just that they won't have much action going on. The paddock is big and has about a dozen or so of the bison sleeping or wandering.

This is a very peaceful place to sit and relax during the day. At some points in the afternoon the…read morebenches get direct sunlight (if it is not too foggy), making it a decent place to bask. There are a couple of other parklets right around the corner on Judah, but they tend to get more foot traffic. I enjoy that this one is off Judah and has plenty of seating. The only time to avoid this place is when there is a crowd waiting outside the neighboring restaurant. The woodwork and the design of this parklet is beautiful, and I will certainly be back.

I love walking in the Presidio with the children I work with. This is one of my favorite spots in…read morethe Presidio because of the trees and the path with the logs. It is fun to bring the children here because it is great to play with the children and the branches that make the tree houses. One time my kids and I made a tree house and it was there when we came back the following week and people added more to the house.

One of my absolute favorite field trip spots for my students is the Wood Line in the Presidio of…read moreSan Francisco. This is a super popular place for professional photos. A quick tip: because of the way the Wood Line is designed, this stretch can turn into a full-on wind tunnel. Definitely layer up; it can get chilly even on a sunny day. What makes this area so special for young students is the natural layout. The rows of eucalyptus trees create built-in boundaries, which makes it much easier to manage a group while still giving them a sense of freedom and exploration. There are also spots nearby where kids can build and expand on makeshift shelters using fallen branches, perfect for imaginative play, teamwork, and a little hands-on engineering. There are often dogs off leash in this part of the Presidio, but we've never had any issues along this particular stretch. One especially memorable visit included spotting an owl nesting in the trees. A park ranger was stationed nearby to ensure the owl's safety, and my students even got to ask questions and learn more about the habitat. It turned into an unexpected and magical lesson in urban wildlife. If you're looking for a unique, outdoor San Francisco, add the Wood Line to your list.