16th Avenue Tiled Steps, Mosaic staircase in Golden Gate Heights, San Francisco, United States
The 16th Avenue Tiled Steps comprise 163 steps covered with mosaic panels showing marine creatures, celestial patterns, and nature-inspired designs. The colorful tiles run the full length of the stairway, turning an ordinary neighborhood passage into a walkable work of art.
Neighbors Jessie Audette and Alice Yee Xavier launched this project in 2003, and it was completed with an opening ceremony in 2005. The idea came from a desire to brighten the steep neighborhood steps and bring the community together through shared creativity.
Over 220 local residents contributed handmade tiles decorated with animals, fish, and shells, making this a true community creation. The stairs serve as a gathering place where neighbors meet and locals take visitors to share something they helped make.
The steps are free to visit and accessible throughout the year at any time. Visit in the afternoon when the sun hits the tiles directly, as this lighting shows the colors and details of the mosaics far better than in the morning.
The gardens next to the steps are planted with California native species and succulents that provide food for an endangered butterfly called the green hairstreak. This quiet green space reminds visitors that the art project also helps protect local wildlife.
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