Stairways of San Francisco: 15 Famous Steps Around SF

Explore 15 of the best and most famous stairways of San Francisco. My list includes several colorful and mosaic staircases, including the 16th Avenue Steps, the Hidden Garden Steps, and the painted Sanchez Stairs.

I've also included tips on how to find and visit the Sand Ladder near Baker Beach and the Filbert Street Steps near Coit Tower, plus a few other surprises.

Read on for more details and photos of these hidden gems in SF. 

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1. Filbert Street Stairs

The Filbert Street Stairs are a set of stairs in San Francisco that take you to the top of Telegraph Hill from the waterfront near Levi's Plaza.

It's a popular route for those wanting to walk from the Embarcadero to Coit Tower.

The first set of stairs is VERY steep. They climb up the side of a hill, which is the toughest part of the journey. There are two distinct sets of staircases within your first block.

You'll start on Filbert about a half-block west of Sansome Street, where Filbert dead-ends and these famous stairs in San Francisco begin. They are hard to miss!

I love the second part of these steps, which features a gorgeous garden area near some wonderful wooden steps. Make sure to take a peek down Napier Lane!

You will then cross Montgomery Street, where you will find your next set of steps. Continue walking uphill until you reach Telegraph Hill Boulevard. This is where you will hit your final staircase, which will take you up to Coit Tower.

As you walk, make sure to stop for a rest, as this walk is quite strenuous. During your stops, turn around a few times to check out the gorgeous views of the SF Bay and the Bay Bridge. 

District: Telegraph Hill/North Beach

Location: Filbert between Sansome and Coit Tower

Nearby Staircase: Greenwich Stairs that also take you to Coit Tower

More Ways to Explore Coit Tower

2. 16th Avenue Tiled Stairs

In the Inner Sunset district, you will find the most famous mosaic stairs in San Francisco. The 16th Avenue Tiled Stairs is on Moraga between 15th and 16th Avenues.

This 163-step beauty was completed in 2005. More than 300 neighbors worked on this community project. It was a labor of love, and you can tell in the final design.

The stairway is divided into small sets of stairs. Each one has a different design such as a moon, a sun, and swirling designs with fish, flowers, and shells.

It's impressive to see the entire piece and to walk up and down to get a closer look at each section.

These San Francisco stairs used to be a hidden gem, but on certain days, it gets crowded.

If I show up before around 10 am or after around 4 pm, I have a better chance of getting a photo of it without anyone on the steps. 

TIP: Take advantage of the nearby Hidden Garden Steps (mentioned below) on the way!

District: Inner Sunset

Location: 16th Avenue and Moraga

Transit: You can easily get here by car or by public transit. Take the N-Judah light rail to Judah and 15th Avenue. Walk to 16th Avenue and head up the hill. 

3. Hidden Garden Stairs

Another set of mosaic stairways in San Francisco is the Hidden Garden Stairs, which were completed in 2013. 

This one is also divided into several sets of steps. Each section features a design with flowers, butterflies, leaves, and other garden items. 

Because of the layout of this set of steps, you cannot see or photograph the entire staircase at once. It turns a corner, so you can see about half of it from any angle. 

You will find almost a dozen different sections with unique designs.

District: Inner Sunset

Location: 16th Avenue at Kirkham

Transit: Take the N-Judah light rail train to the stop at 15th Avenue and Judah. From there, walk to 16th Avenue and make your way up the hill. Once you check out these San Francisco stairs, walk all the way to the top to continue on 16th Avenue until you reach the 16th Avenue Tiled Stairs (at Moraga).

4. Lyon Street Steps

One of my favorite views of the San Francisco Bay is from the Lyon Street Steps looking out past the Palace of Fine Arts to the bay.

The top of these stairs starts at Broadway Street and makes its way from Pacific Heights down to the Marina District.

The first block of steps in San Francisco is beautifully manicured, with one of the Hearts of San Francisco near the bottom. 

The second set of stairs is more basic and steep and takes you quickly from one district to the next. 

District: Pacific Heights

Location: Lyon Street between Broadway and Green Streets

Transit: First take the 2-Sutter Muni bus to Sutter and Divisadero, and then transfer to the 24. Get off the bus at Divisadero and Jackson Streets and then walk four blocks northwest to these steps. 

5. Lincoln Park Steps

One of the newer sets of mosaic stairs in San Francisco is the Lincoln Park Steps. They are on California Street, which dead-ends into the Lincoln Park Golf Course.

This part of town feels a bit remote, but it's home to some great attractions, including the Legion of Honor fine arts museum and the Lands End trail on the bluffs overlooking where the Pacific Ocean meets the SF Bay.

This staircase is shorter but wider than the others on my list. It offers a colorful pattern of bright yellows, greens, blues, and oranges.

District: Outer Richmond

Location: California at Lincoln Golf Course

Transit: Take the #1 Bus to California Street and 32nd Avenue

6. Dragon's Tale Staircase at Miraloma

One of the newer additions to our colorful mosaic stairways is the Dragon's Tales Steps at Miraloma Playground.

I love the colors and creativity on this set of San Francisco steps. They are education-related, as they are next to the Miraloma Elementary School. 

They have sayings from famous people such as Albert Einstein, Ralph Waldo Emerson, and Mark Twain. They have numbers and other educational elements throughout. 

When you step back and see the entire piece, the main stairs are the Dragon's Tail, with the head breathing fire near the top. It's called Dragon's Tale since it's a piece to teach kids at the school each time they use them.

District: Miraloma

Location: Miraloma Playground along Bella Vista Way and Avoca Alley

Transit: This is far away from the heart of San Francisco and it takes a few buses to get here. If you want to see this one, I recommend taking an Uber/Lyft to save you time. 

7. Sand Ladder

If you're looking for San Francisco stairways (and a great workout) in nature, the Sand Ladder is a set of 200 steps covered in sand.

This fun escape takes you from the Pacific Coast Trail in the Presidio national park down to the northern end of Baker Beach.

Unlike other staircases in San Francisco that lead to fantastic hilltop views, this one leads to amazing vistas of the Golden Gate Bridge from the rugged coast just south of the beloved icon.

The Sand Ladder has also become famous as it's one of the more challenging parts of the run during the Escape from Alcatraz Triathlon.

District: Presidio

Location: Baker Beach

Transit: Take the free Presidio GO shuttle from downtown to the Presidio Transit Center at the entrance to the park. From there, transfer to the South Hills Route and get off at the Baker Beach stop.

8. Tompkins Stairs

You will find another colorful set of stairways in San Francisco in the southern Bernal Heights district. They feature a zigzag pattern made of bright blue, orange, yellow, and green tiles. 

This happy, vibrant design was inspired by the Steps to Peace painted by youth in the Syrian town of Deir Atiyah. It was made possible by passionate neighbors and is surrounded by a beautiful garden.

You will the Tompkins steps heading up the hill between Putnam and Nevada Streets.

District: Bernal Heights

Location: Tompkins Street between Putnam and Nevada

Transit: Take the 24 to Cortland Avenue and Bronte Street. Walk one block to Putnam Street and then south to Tompkins Street. 

9. Esmeralda Stairs & Slide Park

While visiting the Tompkins Stairs in the Bernal Heights district, head over to the western side of the district to check out two other fun places.

Along Esmeralda Avenue, you will find a beautiful set of stairs and a slide park, another beloved project initiated by dedicated neighbors.

The stairs themselves are made of concrete and aren't colorful, but offer sweeping views of the city from the top. They are lined with a gorgeous garden, making the entire experience magical.

You will also find the twin 40-foot-long Esmeralda Slides just one block up the hill.

District: Bernal Heights

Location: The stairs are along Esmeralda Avenue between Coleridge Street and Lundy's Lane. The slide park is between Prospect Avenue and Winfield Street. 

Transit: Take the 49 and exit at Mission and Valencia Streets. Make your way up Fair Avenue and take a right at Coleridge. The steps are about a block and a half down the street. 

10. Athens-Avalon Green Space Tiled Steps

If you really want an off-the-beaten-path adventure, head to the Athens-Avalon Green Space to check out its colorful, tiled staircase.

Located in the Excelsior District toward the southern edge of the city, this set of San Francisco stairs blends in perfectly with the colorful flowers of the surrounding terraced garden.

The tiles are a combination of green, yellow, white, blue, and other pretty colors. 

There isn't much tourist activity in the area. However, I still like visiting these stairs during the week, as the weekends do draw in some locals. 

You could combine a visit to this set of steps in San Francisco with the next one on my list, Kenny Alley. It takes about 20 minutes to walk between them.

District: Excelsior District

Location: 743 Avalon Avenue at Athens Street

Transit: The most direct route from downtown is the 14 Muni bus. You'll get off at Mission Street and Silver Avenue, and then walk about half a mile.

You can get closer on transit, but you will have to transfer. One option is to take BART to the Balboa Park station and take the 54 bus from there, which will leave you just a block away.

It takes about 45 minutes on transit, so if you are short on time, I recommend taking an Uber or Lyft.

11. Kenny Alley

Kenny Alley is a wonderful, little-known artistic set of hidden steps on Mission Street, at the edge of the Excelsior District.

This set features a variety of blue mosaic pieces mixed in with a little white and a few pieces of mirror. It's a gorgeous flowing design. 

I love visiting the colorful steps and the cool mural in this alleyway. The artists also did an amazing job with the entrance, which lets you know you are headed in the right direction.

District: Excelsior District

Location: The alley runs parallel to France and Italy Avenues between Mission and London Streets.

Transit: The best way to get here is to take the 8 or the 14 from Union Square. 

12. Sanchez Street Stairs

The Sanchez Street Steps are my list's only painted steps in San Francisco. This section of stairs was painted in 2022, and because they are used frequently, the paint is already showing some wear. 

However, from below, they are still colorful and beautiful! It's a lovely addition to the Castro District and a fun way to celebrate this proudly queer neighborhood. 

This set of San Francisco stairs is easy to get to, and there are a ton of great restaurants and bars nearby. 

District: Castro

Location: Sanchez Street at 19th Street

Transit: The best way to get here is to take one of the light rail trains to the Castro Street Station and then walk up to 19th Street and over to Sanchez. 

13. Burnside Mural & Tiled Staircase

One of the newest sets of tiled stairways in San Francisco sits in the quiet Glen Park neighborhood on the southern side of the city. It was completed in 2024. 

When you look at the stairs from the bottom, you'll first be struck by the immense and vibrant mural depicting a nature scene of wildflowers and more. The double staircase rises on either side, and once you pass around the mural, you'll see the mosaic's flowing pattern of waves, fish, and birds.

There is also a tribute to the area's rich history of civic acts, including the Gum Tree Girls, who saved next-door Glen Canyon Park from being destroyed by a proposed freeway. (If you come here to admire these steps, it's worth taking a little hike in the park for beautiful views!)

District: Glen Park

Location: Where Burnside Avenue dead-ends just below busy Bosworth Street

Transit: Take BART or the J light rail to the Glen Park station. Exit toward Diamond Street/Bosworth Street, and walk west about 5 blocks. This will put you at the top of the stairs.

Alternatively, you can take the L, M, or K light rail to the Forest Hill station and transfer to the 44 bus, which will drop you just about a block away. 

14. Unity Plaza, Ocean Avenue History Staircase

This set of steps is quite different from the rest on my list. It includes only 14 stairs and is designed to teach visitors about important moments in San Francisco history in and around the City College area.

The steps are lined with panels of photos featuring little pieces of history. A sign explains each picture and its importance.

While it doesn't take long to visit, it's a perfect stop for those wanting a deeper dive into SF's history of this area.

Location: Unity Plaza near City College (the stairs are in the plaza behind the fire station near 1002 Ocean Avenue)

Transit: If you come from downtown, the K light rail train is your best option. It will drop you off right across the street from Unity Plaza. Head north into the plaza to find these stairs in San Francisco.

15. Flights of Fancy Staircase

This set of famous stairs in San Francisco is known as the "Flights of Fancy" Staircase, located in the Bayview District on the southeast end of the city.

The 87-step mosaic staircase was completed in July 2014 as a dedication to Dr. Arelious Walker, a former pastor and advocate for the Bayview District.

The design combines patterns from various cultures, including Adinkra cloth from Ghana, Native American painted pottery, and woven patterns from Central America and the Middle East.

District: Bayview

Location: Arelious Walker between Northridge Road and Innes Avenue

Transit: Take the 19-Bayview Hunters Point bus right to the top of the stairs at Northridge and Dormitory Road. There isn't much else for tourists in this area, so I recommend taking a quick look, getting some pictures, and hopping back on the return bus toward downtown.

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