Very cool water feature and art piece at Emerald Glen Park, located at the corner of Tassajara and…read moreCentral Parkway. A parking lot is available with not too far of a walk to this unique curved row of fountains. Water flows from the steel plates in waves, creating a lovely pattern in the middle of the lake, its interaction with wind and light intended to create an effect that can be both seen and heard. The artist, Ned Kahn, is known for utilizing wind and water in his artworks, this one definitely engaging. There's seating nearby as well, making it a lovely place to relax.

This art work on the side of a concrete trash receptacle celebrates the Obon Festival that occurs…read morehere yearly in early August. In 2026, the lst & 2d. Obon (wiki): "a festival that's a fusion of the ancient Japanese belief in ancestral spirits and a Japanese Buddhist custom to honor the spirit of one's ancestors". The Buddhist Church of Oakland across the street from this art work holds the festival annually. The lst day starts features cultural events, Foods sales to benefit the church, & games of chance for children & adults to win prizes. In the evening, a dance (Bon Odori) is held on the street in front of the church. The public is invited to all events including the dance. The dance is free. Food & games involves donations. The 2nd day is reserved for Hatsubon & Obon services.

An operating outdoor water fountain is a rare sight given the ongoing shortage of water. The water…read morehere may be recycled or is of a non drinking quality. It's beside an entrance into San Leandro Plaza shopping center from E.14th St. via E. Estudillo Ave. Fountain probably built when Plaza built in the 1980's. It's a sight for sore eyes in a downtown with so many buildings side by side. Running underneath errant droplets of water on an hot day will be welcome relief for the adventurous. Some chairs & tables have been added recently nearby.

This named mural is on the back of a commercial building overlooking Tacos El Tucan's parking lot…read more As it is often full, a complete pic wasn't possible. At the left is the Richmond Bridge approaching Richmond symbolized by block lettering. Each letter expresses a theme: floral, butterflies, colorful designs, various joyful human activities etc. Sponsor: Tacos El Tucan Creators: @ZACKINKBOWEN, @H.A.V.N., @bee_ahh_trees et. al.

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.

There are three sets of stairs that were built on the eastern slope of Telegraph Hill, and it's…read moreclear to me which one is which. With its leafy foliage, the Filbert Steps are Ginger, and with far less foot traffic than the Filbert Steps, the Greenwich Steps are Mary Ann. That must mean these stairs are Mrs. Howell because let's face it, they're the least sexy. Three stairways make up the Vallejo Street Steps, but the central one is the only one that allows you to wander the surrounding gardens. These steps are the closest ones to Broadway, and that counts for something. Isn't that right, Lovey? RELATED - Interested in climbing the stairways around the Bay Area? Here's a collection of steps I've walked and reviewed: https://bit.ly/3UkMHud

Yeeees, beautiful views from these steps!…read more I've come here in the very early morning to see lovely views of the Bay Bridge and then in the afternoon to see the city humming with life below me. Never too crowded, but worth the work out for the view. 2024: 66/100

Earth Engages. Wind Watches…read more Fire Friends. Water Writes. ... Nope, not saying Heart. We're not going there. Dig the imagery of brah planting & feeding the hybrid Oakland Tree x Karate Kid bonsai. Dig the scalloped trim. Also the huge gerbilkraken. Wth would you do if you saw one of those in the Bay? #kaiju

We exited BART to walk to Pier 27 to board the cruise ship. The promenade has great views and…read moreseveral restaurants on the boardwalk. It was a very nice leisurely walk to our ship. It's a great place for runs and walks. The Ferry building on Pier one is close by and Pier 39 with shops and Restaurants is on the opposite end.

This walkable promenade starts somewhere after the Ferry Building and ends at Pier 7!!…read more You'll be walking on what is a boardwalk like path right along the water, passing restaurants and shops!! It's pretty quiet here, and there are lots of benches here also. This place is a good place to just stroll, so don't be in a hurry, and just enjoy the city and the bay!!