The Tailor-Made Guide to the Colourful Steps of San Francisco
- Barry Pickard
- Jun 11
- 7 min read
Updated: Jun 14
**Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links. Regardless of this, please be advised that all opinions expressed in this blog post are genuine and authentically my own.**
Author: Barry Pickard
Hi, I'm Barry, the owner of Tailor-Made Itineraries and I have been designing bespoke self-guided tours for adventurous and curious travellers since 2015. I am a history graduate with a passion for travel.
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I created this blog to show, through my own adventures, how you can have an incredible travel experience as an independent traveller, giving you the information to navigate the world with confidence.
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Ever wondered where to find the most Instagram-worthy hidden gems in San Francisco that most tourists walk right past?
I'll never forget the moment I first stumbled upon the 16th Avenue Tiled Steps during my latest trip to the City by the Bay. As I rounded the corner, I was hit by an explosion of colour that seemed to flow like a ceramic river up the hillside. The intricate mosaic tiles caught the filtered sunlight, creating this almost magical shimmer, while the soft clicking sound my feet made against each beautifully crafted tile told me I'd discovered something special.
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That's when I realized San Francisco's colourful steps aren't just functional infrastructure – they're community art projects that transform the ordinary into extraordinary. I've been hunting down these hidden artistic treasures across the city, from the wide, striking Lincoln Park Stairs to the dragon tale that winds up Mount Davidson's eastern slope.
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As someone who's created custom itineraries for independent travellers like yourself, I can promise you that these colourful steps offer something you won't find in any typical guidebook. You're about to discover not just where to find San Francisco's most stunning tiled and painted staircases, but the insider tips I've gathered from years of climbing them and how to combine them into an unforgettable self-guided adventure.
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If you're the type of traveller who loves uncovering authentic local gems while everyone else is queuing for views of Lombard Street, then you've found exactly what you're looking for.
Don’t forget that Tailor-Made Itineraries delights in creating bespoke self-guided tours. So, if visiting any of these colourful steps appeals to you, reach out to me by email. I would be more than happy to design a self-guided tour around your requirements incorporating the colourful steps of San Francisco, or indeed, a general tour of this amazing city.
16 Avenue Tiled Steps
The 16th Avenue Tiled Steps project has been a neighbourhood collaboration to create a sea to stars themed mosaic flowing up a 163-step stairway located in San Francisco's Golden Gate Heights Neighbourhood. The neighbours chose artists Aileen Barr and Colette Crutcher to collaborate in the creation of the design and then sponsored the handmade named tiles which were in the shapes of animals, fish, and shells.
Tailor-Made Top Tip: When you get to the top of the stairs, carry on up to the top of Grandview Park for a spectacular view of the city.
Hidden Garden Steps
A visit to San Francisco's Hidden Garden Steps is a must for any visitor to the city. Located in the Inner Sunset neighbourhood, the steps are a hidden gem that offers a unique blend of art, nature, and community spirit. The steps have been transformed into a stunning mosaic of tiles and murals by members of the community. The result is a colourful and whimsical oasis that offers a peaceful escape from the hustle and bustle of the city.
Tailor-Made Top Tip: The Hidden Garden Steps are only a five-minute walk from the 16 Avenue Tiled Steps, so it is a good idea to combine a trip to them both.
Miraloma Steps - Dragon Tale Staircase
The Miraloma Steps originate from the minds of mosaic artists Aileen Barr and Colette Crutcher, famed for the 16th Avenue Tiled Steps, the once dilapidated stairs are now a public art piece meant to educate and intrigue. The Dragon’s Tale begins at the tip of the dragon’s tail and moves up into claws and body, circling to the mouth, breathing out fire and smoke, and then reaching all the way up to the stars and planets.
Tailor-Made Top Tip: The steps are at the eastern slope of Mount Davidson, which makes a trip to San Francisco’s highest peak and the steps an ideal combination to make.
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Lincoln Park Steps
The Lincoln Park Steps sit at the edge of Lincoln Park on the Western end of California Street and date back to the early 1900’s. In 2007, Friends of Lincoln Park founders, Anna Yatroussis and Meg Autry, had the vision for a complete design and structural renovation of the Lincoln Park steps, an iconic staircase that had seen decades of neglect and decay. Their efforts are truly remarkable and uplifting
Tailor-Made Top Tip: Just around the corner from the steps is The Art Bistro, which make the best filled croissants in the city. Grab some and have a picnic at the top of the steps.
Yerba Buena Center for the Arts
Visitors to the Yerba Buena Center for the Arts are drawn to this gallery for its interesting and attention-grabbing exhibitions, but make sure to spot the colourful steps in the main entrance hall. The steps make a great addition to the center, which takes pride in fostering the city’s vibrant arts scene.
Tailor-Made Top Tip: The Center is ideally located for visits to SFMoMA, the Museum of the African Diaspora, The Contemporary Jewish Museum and the California Historical Society.
Grace Cathedral
A relatively new addition to the city’s colourful steps, those in front of Grace Cathedral give this beautiful edifice a fresh, contemporary look. Combined with the cathedral’s stunning and intricate Ghiberti Doors, also called the "Gates of Paradise," and its eye-catching stained glass and indoor labyrinth, the steps are just one more reason to visit Grace Cathedral.
Where to Stay in San Francisco
As befits a world-famous destination, San Francisco has a wide range of hotels to cater for all tastes and needs. Travellers should note, however, that hotels here tend to be more expensive than other US cities. There are some budget hotels in the Tenderloin area, but I would advise against staying there.
Luxury Icons: For travellers seeking opulence, there are plenty of grand establishments that blend historic charm with modern amenities. Although I didn’t have the opportunity to stay the night, I enjoyed a lovely lunch Fairmont San Francisco and a drink in their iconic Tonga Room & Hurricane Bar.
Other excellent hotel options would be Hotel Adagio, Autograph Collection and the Hyatt Regency San Francisco Downtown SOMA.
Boutique Gems:Â San Francisco boasts a variety of boutique hotels, such as the historic Victorian charm of Queen Anne, or the modern quirkiness of the Staypineapple.
Family Fun: As for families, they are also well catered for, especially around Fisherman’s Wharf, with the likes of the Hotel Zephyr and the Argonaut.
Conclusion
These colourful steps scattered throughout San Francisco represent something beautiful about the city itself – they're proof that when communities come together with creativity and determination, they can transform the most practical elements of urban life into works of art that inspire everyone who encounters them. From my first breathtaking encounter with the 16th Avenue Tiled Steps to discovering the whimsical dragon tale winding up the Miraloma Steps, each staircase tells a unique story of neighbourhood pride and artistic vision. Whether you're an independent traveller looking to escape the tourist crowds or a photography enthusiast hunting for that perfect shot, these hidden gems offer an authentic glimpse into San Francisco's creative soul that you simply can't get from the typical sightseeing circuit. The best part? They're all free, accessible year-round, and waiting for you to discover them on your own terms.
Related Blog Posts
If you are interested in finding out more about San Francisco, please view the Tailor-Made Itineraries posts below:
Which of these colourful San Francisco steps caught your eye the most, and are you planning to add any of them to your next city adventure?
Don’t forget that Tailor-Made Itineraries delights in creating bespoke self-guided tours. So, if visiting any of these colourful steps appeals to you, reach out to me by email. I would be more than happy to design a self-guided tour around your requirements incorporating the colourful steps of San Francisco, or indeed, a general tour of this amazing city.
Join me next time when I discover the delights of Sweden's capital, Stockholm. Tailor-Made Itineraries posts every two weeks, and you can subscribe to the latest blog and newsletter here. Until then, happy reading and safe travels.
Barry
Contact Me: tailoritineraries@gmail.com
Tailor-Made Itineraries creates one-of-a-kind bespoke self-guided travel itineraries for adventurous and curious travellers.
These self-guided tours deliver a personalised and exciting holiday experience that takes the effort out of trip planning.
