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The 16th Avenue Tiled Steps

4.8 (664 reviews)
Closed 9:30 am - 5:00 pm

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Becky V.

You can't NOT like this place. Double negative sentence! Every time I visit I'm just in love and remember the beauty of this spot in the city Over the 20-30 years it has gotten to look even more beautiful than I remember it. The plants, flowers, succulents on both sides of the steps have really grown and you can tell someone takes care of them. The colors! The variety! Really complements the colorful tile steps Look closely at the tiles and you'll see names of businesses too. Beauty is in the small things Good exercise and flat areas to stop and take a breath and don't forget to TAKE IN THE VIEW! the magnificent view

Maria L.

This is a neighborhood gem. The mosaic tiled steps are beautiful works of art. It is located in the Inner Sunset area of San Francisco. When you are at the top of the hill, you can also get an amazing view of San Francisco. To get to these beautiful steps, you have to walk a bit. You get some good exercise while appreciating the beautiful art work and wonderful gardens surrounding the steps.

Once you get to the top of the Moraga Steps
Annabelle R.

Lovely mosaic stairway displaying colorful designs, plant life, and sea creatures galore, situated within a quiet neighborhood. A nice opportunity for getting some exercise while checking out the beautiful artwork of Colette Crutcher and Aileen Barr. Even the surrounding vegetation is picturesque. The bottom of the staircase is located at 1700 16th Avenue with plenty of free street parking, which was easy to find directly in front this past Thursday. If you're willing to climb additional stairs, once you get to the top of the Moraga Steps, head to Grandview Park where you'll discover even more scenery to enjoy and appreciate.

Beautiful with amazing San Francisco views at then end 10/10 recommend.

Beautifully done I visited with family in San Francisco. It was tiring, but the view at the end made it completely worth it.

Joan W.

The tiled staircase is a beautiful instagrammy staircase with 162 steps in the Inner Sunset neighborhood. It used to be a regular nondescript staircase until 2005 and neighbors got together and commissioned artists Aileen Barr and Colette Crutcher to create this beautiful, mosaic staircase. I think it's great for pictures and the view on top to the ocean. Many people just take a picture and leave but I think it's best to incorporate Grand View Park and the nearby Hidden Garden steps (another tiled staircase) while here which is a about a .85 mile loop. For something a little longer walk to Golden Gate Heights Park which is about a 1.2 loop.

Brian F.

I've been coming here for years taking visitors from out of town and I recently came back for the first time in a long time. I usually park on the side street at the bottom of the stairs, take a couple pictures, and leave. I really should make another visit here and go to the stop to get a top-level view of the city. It's a nice scenic spot to stop by for locals and visitors alike.

Lisa W.

My girlfriends and I pick out a new stairway walk in SF each month from a fabulous book. Although I've been to the Mosaic Steps in the past , it's always worth another visit. The stairs may seem daunting at first but there are many landings along the way. The succulent gardens that are on both sides of the stairs are well maintained & lovely. At the top you are met with a 360 view of the city. It's also worth it to walk on the sandy path around the park.

Ginny Y.

My friend wanted to see these steps so we went. And I'm glad we did, very pretty! I love the star/night theme and all the colors in the different patterns.

The mural keeps climbing higher & higher.
Lianne K.

A lot of love and creative devotion went into tiling these steps with intricate mosaic work! When we were last in The City, our daughter had found these steps as a recommended must-see venue. Neither Dear Hubby or I had heard about this spot before. Turns out that they were built / decorated long after we each had lived in the Bay Area. We viewed them on a cool, clear, breezy day. The sky was vivid blue, which helped set off the artwork on the steps beautifully. Given the steepness of the slope on either side of the steps, it's another marvel of the scene that a beautiful garden with succulents and other low water plantings fills the beds on either side of the stairs. Dear Hubby and I didn't ascend too far up, but I can imagine that the view gets in to the spectacular territory the higher one climbs. To the victors go the spoils! The steps are smack dab in the middle of a residential neighborhood. Depending on time of day, there is parking available. Most people seem to come and go fairly rapidly, taking photos, appreciating the venue, and then moving on to make space for the next visitors. Being polite to the area by not littering, driving respectfully, and keeping talking to a medium volume should keep this a place where visitors can enjoy a unique place that's completely free to take in while touring S.F.

Regina C.

These tiled steps were mentioned to me by my botfriend because he knew I would love the art and to take pictures so finally, he took me here during our trip! It is in a little neighborhood with a really nice view. We didn't end up taking the stairs all the way up because of a time crunch in our schedule but next time, we shall!

Sharon K.

Fun and free! The steps are pretty steep but worth the hike up. Once you arrive to the top, you are reward with this macficient view of the city! I would add this as a side trip if you touring SF for the day. The top can get pretty chilly and cold. Love that you get a great view of the city. The steps are beautiful and surrounded by plants, succulents, etc. Plenty of parking in the neighborhood, but please be mindful and considerate! Take your trash and keep noise level down!

Jennifer S.

How many staircases do you know of that are so cool that they have their own website? The 16th Avenue Tiled Steps are 163 beautifully decorated stairs located in between 15th and 16th streets in Golden Gate Heights. This is a quiet, residential neighborhood with fantastic views, but very limited parking. What's special about this staircase is that every single step is unique. There is no uniform or repeating pattern. The overall theme of the staircase is, "From Sea to Stars." Standing at the bottom of the staircase is meant to be like looking up towards the sun from the bottom of the ocean. Mosaic fish, starfish, snails, octopuses, and sea creatures decorate the lowest steps. Partway up the staircase, mushrooms, flowers, and birds begin to take their place. Nearing the top, the stairs are made up of tiny stars falling from the moon. Finally, the top set of stairs represent the sun, comprised of white, silver, yellow, and orange mosaics. Both sides of the stairs are lined by stunning succulent gardens, interspersed with California native plants. Many of these plants were chosen to support butterfly habitat restoration, particularly for the endangered green hairstreak butterfly (which I've personally never seen yet). According to the website, the two artists who were chosen to head the project spent over two and a half years designing, creating, and placing all of the mosaic tiles, with the help of over 300 local volunteers. The names of many of the sponsors are visible on the mosaic fragments, as well as on plaques in the surrounding gardens. Just by luck, I happened to visit the steps near sunset. I don't think I could have picked a more perfect time. The views down the steps towards the ocean were incredible.

Top of staircase
Sarena T.

A perfect Instagram-worthy spot! I came on a Saturday morning and it actually wasn't that busy - maybe 1-2 families there at a time. You can do street parking at the houses in the neighborhood, but make sure it's not at the times they have on the street signs. The stairs themselves are very well maintained and clean. The upperside of the stairs have white tile.

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

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The 16th Avenue Tiled Steps Reviews in Other Languages

Ask the Community - The 16th Avenue Tiled Steps

How far is the walk up? Including Grand View Park?

I see it's named here as a business and has an open and closed schedule, is there a charge and why does a set of stairs close?

No charge. The hours are more based on it being located in a residential neighborhood. Unwritten rule to respect the area at night and early mornings. I guess it would be more loitering than trespassing if reported.

Hello. Is there public restroom? Thanks

Unfortunately there no public restrooms available, as this is located in a residential area

Can we go there at midnight for getting a night view? Is it allowed

Steps are public. Why not.

I'm going next week , where to park ? You have to pay parking?

Parking is free because it's in a neighborhood. But make sure you take your valuables with you because they have a lot of car break ins in the area. They have signs out but a lady who lived on the street told us to just take our valuables and lock… Read more

I wanted to watch the sunrise at Grandview Park for my next trip. Yelp says the park opens at 5am but the steps don't open until 9:30. Would I not be able to walk up the steps to get to the park that early? How else do you get to the park?

The stairs are open to visitors at 9:30am

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Review Highlights - The 16th Avenue Tiled Steps

When you're at the very top, cross the small road, and take the steps (a much smaller set) up to Grand View Park.

Mentioned in 75 reviews

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The 16th Avenue Tiled Steps - localflavor - Updated May 2026

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