Magical Staircases of San Francisco

Magical Staircases of San Francisco

There are two types of people in the world: those who choose the stairs and those who opt to stand listless on the slow-moving escalator. And residents of San Francisco and the bay area definitely enjoy their stairs. San Francisco, famous for it’s Golden Gate Bridge, Chinatown, and Piers, is one of the best places to go and simply explore the architecture of the city. This city of hills is full of these staircases which add either historic or artistic meaning to the city. Here is my bucket list of beautiful staircases in SF:

1. Filbert Street Stairs
You are most likely to encounter this staircase on your way to Coit Tower if you are going by foot. The first set of stairs is extremely strenuous, however, it’s totally worth seeing the beautiful garden extending across the hill and charming views of the SF waterfront. 
2. 16th Avenue Tiled Stairs
At 16th and Moraga, you will find SF’s most famous mosaic stairway, the 16th Avenue Tiled Staircase. All 163 individually designed steps were completed in 2005. This community project was completed by 300 neighbors, who put it together with love. 
3. Lyon Street Steps
This staircase connects two SF districts: Pacific Heights and Marina District, while also offering a terrific view on San Francisco Bay. The first block of stairs is beautifully adorned with one of many SF hearts, which just adds to the majestic feeling of the staircase.
4. Hidden Garden Stairs
Completed in 2013, this might be one of the most unknown yet most gorgeous steps of the city. It reflects the flora and fauna through the series of mosaics of butterflies, flowers, leaves and other gems of the garden.
5. Lincoln Park Steps
Lincoln Park Steps are the most recent artistic creation. The staircase is small but it makes up for it with its bring colors.
6. Staircase Between Crissy Field & the Golden Gate Bridge
This location doesn’t have an official name, but the stairs form a part of the Battery East Trail, which connects Golden Gate Bridge and Fort Point/Crissy Field. You’ll be able to get some amazing and less common shots of the Golden Gate Bridge during your walk.
7. Sand Ladder
A staircase covered by sand doesn’t seem very special, however, it became famous as its one of the toughest parts of the run during the Escape from Alcatraz Triathlon.
8. Vallejo Street Stairs
Vallejo Street Stairs go through the Ina Coolbrith Park, offering breath-taking views of the Bay Bridge and Coit Tower. Fun fact: the Vallejo Stairs are one of only a handful of large cobblestone staircases still intact in the city.
9. Arelious Walker Stairway
This staircase is located in he Bayview District to honor pastor Dr. Arelious Walker. The intricate design features various cultural textiles and ceramics, including Adinkra cloth from Ghana, Native American painted pottery, and woven patterns from Central America and the Middle East.
10. Alta Plaza Park Stairs
If you’re a gossip girl fan, but live closer to SF, these are the perfect stairs to sit on and eat your yogurt. If you’re not a Gossip Girl fan, then you’l find that Alta Plaza Stairs are the best place to enjoy a packed lunch or sip a coffee.