16th Avenue Tiled Steps

Hiking area · Golden Gate Heights

16th Avenue Tiled Steps

Hiking area · Golden Gate Heights

5

16th Ave, San Francisco, CA 94122

Photos

16th Avenue Tiled Steps by null
16th Avenue Tiled Steps by SEANETTA (Atlas Obscura User)
16th Avenue Tiled Steps by tress220 (Atlas Obscura User)
16th Avenue Tiled Steps by tonyanrob (Atlas Obscura User)
16th Avenue Tiled Steps by SEANETTA (Atlas Obscura User)
16th Avenue Tiled Steps by SEANETTA (Atlas Obscura User)
16th Avenue Tiled Steps by ATLAS_OBSCURA
16th Avenue Tiled Steps by tonyanrob (Atlas Obscura User)
16th Avenue Tiled Steps by SEANETTA (Atlas Obscura User)
16th Avenue Tiled Steps by SEANETTA (Atlas Obscura User)
16th Avenue Tiled Steps by tylercole (Atlas Obscura User)
16th Avenue Tiled Steps by SEANETTA (Atlas Obscura User)
16th Avenue Tiled Steps by Aty Trocious (Atlas Obscura User)
16th Avenue Tiled Steps by SEANETTA (Atlas Obscura User)
16th Avenue Tiled Steps by Ed Bierman (cc by 2.0)
16th Avenue Tiled Steps by SEANETTA (Atlas Obscura User)
16th Avenue Tiled Steps by www.tiledsteps.org
16th Avenue Tiled Steps by SEANETTA (Atlas Obscura User)
16th Avenue Tiled Steps by tonyanrob (Atlas Obscura User)
16th Avenue Tiled Steps by tress220 (Atlas Obscura User)
16th Avenue Tiled Steps by ATLAS_OBSCURA
16th Avenue Tiled Steps by SEANETTA (Atlas Obscura User)
16th Avenue Tiled Steps by Aty Trocious (Atlas Obscura User)
16th Avenue Tiled Steps by SEANETTA (Atlas Obscura User)
16th Avenue Tiled Steps by SEANETTA (Atlas Obscura User)
16th Avenue Tiled Steps by http://www.tiledsteps.org/
16th Avenue Tiled Steps by Nancy McClure/CC BY 2.0
16th Avenue Tiled Steps by SEANETTA (Atlas Obscura User)
16th Avenue Tiled Steps by SEANETTA (Atlas Obscura User)
16th Avenue Tiled Steps by www.tiledsteps.org
16th Avenue Tiled Steps by tonyanrob (Atlas Obscura User)
16th Avenue Tiled Steps by www.tiledsteps.org
16th Avenue Tiled Steps by SEANETTA (Atlas Obscura User)
16th Avenue Tiled Steps by SEANETTA (Atlas Obscura User)
16th Avenue Tiled Steps by SEANETTA (Atlas Obscura User)
16th Avenue Tiled Steps by SEANETTA (Atlas Obscura User)
16th Avenue Tiled Steps by SEANETTA (Atlas Obscura User)
16th Avenue Tiled Steps by tress220 (Atlas Obscura User)
16th Avenue Tiled Steps by Nancy McClure/CC BY 2.0
16th Avenue Tiled Steps by SEANETTA (Atlas Obscura User)
16th Avenue Tiled Steps by SEANETTA (Atlas Obscura User)
16th Avenue Tiled Steps by ATLAS_OBSCURA
16th Avenue Tiled Steps by tress220 (Atlas Obscura User)
16th Avenue Tiled Steps by ATLAS_OBSCURA
16th Avenue Tiled Steps by SEANETTA (Atlas Obscura User)
16th Avenue Tiled Steps by SEANETTA (Atlas Obscura User)
16th Avenue Tiled Steps by tress220 (Atlas Obscura User)
16th Avenue Tiled Steps by tress220 (Atlas Obscura User)
16th Avenue Tiled Steps by tonyanrob (Atlas Obscura User)
16th Avenue Tiled Steps by tylercole (Atlas Obscura User)
16th Avenue Tiled Steps by Aty Trocious (Atlas Obscura User)
16th Avenue Tiled Steps by SEANETTA (Atlas Obscura User)
16th Avenue Tiled Steps by www.tiledsteps.org
16th Avenue Tiled Steps by tonyanrob (Atlas Obscura User)
16th Avenue Tiled Steps by tylercole (Atlas Obscura User)
16th Avenue Tiled Steps by SEANETTA (Atlas Obscura User)
16th Avenue Tiled Steps by Ed Bierman (cc by 2.0)
16th Avenue Tiled Steps by tress220 (Atlas Obscura User)
16th Avenue Tiled Steps by SEANETTA (Atlas Obscura User)
16th Avenue Tiled Steps by SEANETTA (Atlas Obscura User)
16th Avenue Tiled Steps by http://www.tiledsteps.org/
16th Avenue Tiled Steps by Ed Bierman (cc by 2.0)
16th Avenue Tiled Steps by www.tiledsteps.org
16th Avenue Tiled Steps by Ed Bierman (cc by 2.0)
16th Avenue Tiled Steps by http://www.tiledsteps.org/
16th Avenue Tiled Steps by Aty Trocious (Atlas Obscura User)
16th Avenue Tiled Steps by Aty Trocious (Atlas Obscura User)
16th Avenue Tiled Steps by Nancy McClure/CC BY 2.0
16th Avenue Tiled Steps by SEANETTA (Atlas Obscura User)
16th Avenue Tiled Steps by ATLAS_OBSCURA
16th Avenue Tiled Steps by SEANETTA (Atlas Obscura User)
16th Avenue Tiled Steps by SEANETTA (Atlas Obscura User)
16th Avenue Tiled Steps by http://www.tiledsteps.org/
16th Avenue Tiled Steps by tress220 (Atlas Obscura User)
16th Avenue Tiled Steps by tylercole (Atlas Obscura User)
16th Avenue Tiled Steps by tress220 (Atlas Obscura User)
16th Avenue Tiled Steps by Ed Bierman (cc by 2.0)
16th Avenue Tiled Steps by SEANETTA (Atlas Obscura User)
16th Avenue Tiled Steps by tress220 (Atlas Obscura User)
16th Avenue Tiled Steps by tonyanrob (Atlas Obscura User)
16th Avenue Tiled Steps by SEANETTA (Atlas Obscura User)
16th Avenue Tiled Steps by Nancy McClure/CC BY 2.0
16th Avenue Tiled Steps by SEANETTA (Atlas Obscura User)
16th Avenue Tiled Steps by SEANETTA (Atlas Obscura User)
16th Avenue Tiled Steps by Nancy McClure/CC BY 2.0
16th Avenue Tiled Steps by tylercole (Atlas Obscura User)
16th Avenue Tiled Steps by SEANETTA (Atlas Obscura User)
16th Avenue Tiled Steps by tress220 (Atlas Obscura User)
16th Avenue Tiled Steps by tress220 (Atlas Obscura User)
16th Avenue Tiled Steps by tonyanrob (Atlas Obscura User)
16th Avenue Tiled Steps by tress220 (Atlas Obscura User)
16th Avenue Tiled Steps by SEANETTA (Atlas Obscura User)
16th Avenue Tiled Steps by tress220 (Atlas Obscura User)
16th Avenue Tiled Steps by SEANETTA (Atlas Obscura User)
16th Avenue Tiled Steps by http://www.tiledsteps.org/
16th Avenue Tiled Steps by SEANETTA (Atlas Obscura User)
16th Avenue Tiled Steps by SEANETTA (Atlas Obscura User)
16th Avenue Tiled Steps by tonyanrob (Atlas Obscura User)
16th Avenue Tiled Steps by SEANETTA (Atlas Obscura User)
16th Avenue Tiled Steps by SEANETTA (Atlas Obscura User)
16th Avenue Tiled Steps by tonyanrob (Atlas Obscura User)
16th Avenue Tiled Steps by SEANETTA (Atlas Obscura User)
16th Avenue Tiled Steps by SEANETTA (Atlas Obscura User)
16th Avenue Tiled Steps by SEANETTA (Atlas Obscura User)
16th Avenue Tiled Steps by tress220 (Atlas Obscura User)
16th Avenue Tiled Steps by SEANETTA (Atlas Obscura User)
16th Avenue Tiled Steps by null
16th Avenue Tiled Steps by null
16th Avenue Tiled Steps by null
16th Avenue Tiled Steps by null
16th Avenue Tiled Steps by null
16th Avenue Tiled Steps by null
16th Avenue Tiled Steps by null
16th Avenue Tiled Steps by null
16th Avenue Tiled Steps by null
16th Avenue Tiled Steps by null
16th Avenue Tiled Steps by null
16th Avenue Tiled Steps by null
16th Avenue Tiled Steps by null
16th Avenue Tiled Steps by null
16th Avenue Tiled Steps by null
16th Avenue Tiled Steps by null
16th Avenue Tiled Steps by null
16th Avenue Tiled Steps by null
16th Avenue Tiled Steps by null

Highlights

Mosaic tiled stairway with gardens and city views from top  

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16th Ave, San Francisco, CA 94122 Get directions

16thavenuetiledsteps.com

Information

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16th Ave, San Francisco, CA 94122 Get directions

+1 415 553 8090
16thavenuetiledsteps.com

Features

wheelchair accessible parking lot
wheelchair accessible entrance

Last updated

Aug 8, 2025

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"The 16th Avenue Staircase is 163 steps of mosaic tiles, a colorful staircase hidden in the quiet Sunset district of San Francisco. This neighborhood has few other tourist draws, but those who find the staircase will be rewarded with sweeping views of the city, and a beautiful garden design including succulents and native habitat plants for the Green Hairstreak butterfly.  The site is an important waypoint on San Francisco’s famous butterfly-bolstering Green Hairstreak Corridor. The project began in 2003 and was completed in 2005, with the help of artists and many neighborhood volunteers, and was inspired by the Selarón staircase in Rio de Janeiro, a brightly colored tiled staircase and popular tourist destination. All the mosaics are donated by the community. At the very top is the sun (the stairs ascend from “sea Level” to the sun—get it?). There’s also another garden at the bottom and one of the last crops of Franciscan formation at the top (it has its own biozone!). The artists for this stairway are Collette Crutcher and Aileen Barr." - ATLAS_OBSCURA

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"The 16th Avenue Staircase is 163 steps of mosaic tiles, a colorful staircase hidden in the quiet Sunset district of San Francisco. This neighborhood has few other tourist draws, but those who find the staircase will be rewarded with sweeping views of the city, and a beautiful garden design including succulents and native habitat plants for the Green Hairstreak butterfly.  The site is an important waypoint on San Francisco’s famous butterfly-bolstering Green Hairstreak Corridor. The project began in 2003 and was completed in 2005, with the help of artists and many neighborhood volunteers, and was inspired by the Selarón staircase in Rio de Janeiro, a brightly colored tiled staircase and popular tourist destination. All the mosaics are donated by the community. At the very top is the sun (the stairs ascend from “sea Level” to the sun—get it?). There’s also another garden at the bottom and one of the last crops of Franciscan formation at the top (it has its own biozone!). The artists for this stairway are Collette Crutcher and Aileen Barr." - ATLAS_OBSCURA

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"The 16th Avenue Staircase is 163 steps of mosaic tiles, a colorful staircase hidden in the quiet Sunset district of San Francisco. This neighborhood has few other tourist draws, but those who find the staircase will be rewarded with sweeping views of the city, and a beautiful garden design including succulents and native habitat plants for the Green Hairstreak butterfly.  The site is an important waypoint on San Francisco’s famous butterfly-bolstering Green Hairstreak Corridor. The project began in 2003 and was completed in 2005, with the help of artists and many neighborhood volunteers, and was inspired by the Selarón staircase in Rio de Janeiro, a brightly colored tiled staircase and popular tourist destination. All the mosaics are donated by the community. At the very top is the sun (the stairs ascend from “sea Level” to the sun—get it?). There’s also another garden at the bottom and one of the last crops of Franciscan formation at the top (it has its own biozone!). The artists for this stairway are Collette Crutcher and Aileen Barr." - ATLAS_OBSCURA

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"The 16th Avenue Staircase is 163 steps of mosaic tiles, a colorful staircase hidden in the quiet Sunset district of San Francisco. This neighborhood has few other tourist draws, but those who find the staircase will be rewarded with sweeping views of the city, and a beautiful garden design including succulents and native habitat plants for the Green Hairstreak butterfly.  The site is an important waypoint on San Francisco’s famous butterfly-bolstering Green Hairstreak Corridor. The project began in 2003 and was completed in 2005, with the help of artists and many neighborhood volunteers, and was inspired by the Selarón staircase in Rio de Janeiro, a brightly colored tiled staircase and popular tourist destination. All the mosaics are donated by the community. At the very top is the sun (the stairs ascend from “sea Level” to the sun—get it?). There’s also another garden at the bottom and one of the last crops of Franciscan formation at the top (it has its own biozone!). The artists for this stairway are Collette Crutcher and Aileen Barr." - ATLAS_OBSCURA

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"The 16th Avenue Staircase is 163 steps of mosaic tiles, a colorful staircase hidden in the quiet Sunset district of San Francisco. This neighborhood has few other tourist draws, but those who find the staircase will be rewarded with sweeping views of the city, and a beautiful garden design including succulents and native habitat plants for the Green Hairstreak butterfly.  The site is an important waypoint on San Francisco’s famous butterfly-bolstering Green Hairstreak Corridor. The project began in 2003 and was completed in 2005, with the help of artists and many neighborhood volunteers, and was inspired by the Selarón staircase in Rio de Janeiro, a brightly colored tiled staircase and popular tourist destination. All the mosaics are donated by the community. At the very top is the sun (the stairs ascend from “sea Level” to the sun—get it?). There’s also another garden at the bottom and one of the last crops of Franciscan formation at the top (it has its own biozone!). The artists for this stairway are Collette Crutcher and Aileen Barr." - ATLAS_OBSCURA

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Kathleen Valerio

Google
The tiled stairs are a wonderful example of what people can accomplish when they work together. People chose to deliberately decorate these stairs and created a design that flows from one flight to the next. It's a little out of the way, so it's not overrun with tourists. The views from the top are beautiful. And if you decide to climb a second set of stairs to the very top you can get an amazing 360 view of the SF Bay.

Angel Choi

Google
This is easy trial that the steps not that steep!!! and beautiful flowers right in the season , visited on 28th April, you can also enjoy the ice cream at MARCO POLO at nearby suburb:3886 Noriega St, San Francisco

Sheilah Lena Dhliwayo

Google
One of the best view points in SF. The steps tell stories. Great place to visit to relax and refresh your mind.

Gaurav Aggarwal

Google
Quick stop. About 150 steps. Worth visit if I the area. Peaceful clean area. Parking can be a concern.

Sahara Armen

Google
Beautiful steep stairs! The view up top is worth the trek!

David Olais

Google
Love the mosaic stairs for photo ops and to show friends and family. Worth checking out.

Faith

Google
I loved these steps. GPS accidentally started us at the top but it was great to walk down and take in the view.

mahima prabhu

Google
Tiled steps are so beautiful, and the view from the top is awesome. Hardly 200 steps 163 to be precise. Each step is beautifully decored with cut tiles that shine in sunlight. Very good place to view sunset. Open 24hrs no tickets.