San Francisco's Hidden Staircase and Other Treasures of the City by the Bay

A photograph recently caught my attention (above). It showed a long staircase covered with colorful mosaic tiles depicting a journey from the sea to the stars. At first glance, I wondered whether it was located in Moraga, California, near where I now live, or somewhere else in the Bay Area.

The answer surprised me. The staircase is known as the 16th Avenue Tiled Steps, also called the Moraga Steps, located on Moraga Street in San Francisco's Golden Gate Heights neighborhood. The name "Moraga Steps" comes from the street, not from the town of Moraga in Contra Costa County.

The staircase is one of San Francisco's hidden gems. Its 163 steps are transformed into a magnificent mosaic artwork created by local artists and community volunteers. Beginning at the bottom with ocean creatures and ending at the top with the sun, moon, and stars, the staircase symbolizes a journey through nature and the universe.

As beautiful as the staircase is, it also reminds me why San Francisco remains one of the world's most fascinating cities. Here are other tourist spots in San Francisco if this will be your first visit to the City by the Bay.   

More Than the Golden Gate Bridge

When people think of San Francisco, the first image that comes to mind is usually the Golden Gate Bridge. Completed in 1937, it remains one of the most photographed bridges in the world. Every visitor should see it at least once, whether from Crissy Field, Baker Beach, or the Marin Headlands.

But San Francisco is much more than its iconic bridge.

Alcatraz Island

One of the city's most popular attractions is Alcatraz Island. Once home to America's most notorious federal prison, it housed famous inmates such as Al Capone and George "Machine Gun" Kelly. Today, visitors can take a ferry to the island and explore its fascinating history while enjoying spectacular views of the city skyline.

Fisherman's Wharf and Pier 39

Tourists from around the world flock to Fisherman's Wharf and Pier 39. The sea lions lounging on the docks have become celebrities in their own right. The area offers seafood restaurants, souvenir shops, and excellent views of San Francisco Bay.

Chinatown

San Francisco's Chinatown is the oldest and one of the largest Chinese communities outside Asia. Walking through its streets feels like stepping into another world. The colorful storefronts, herbal shops, temples, and restaurants offer a glimpse into more than 150 years of Chinese-American history.

Cable Cars

No visit to San Francisco is complete without riding a cable car. These moving National Historic Landmarks have been climbing the city's steep hills since the late nineteenth century. They are both a practical means of transportation and a living piece of history.

Lombard Street

Known as the "crookedest street in the world," Lombard Street attracts millions of visitors annually. Its eight sharp turns winding down a steep hill have become one of the city's most recognizable landmarks.

Golden Gate Park

Larger than New York's Central Park, Golden Gate Park offers museums, gardens, lakes, walking trails, and cultural attractions. Highlights include the Japanese Tea Garden, the Conservatory of Flowers, and the California Academy of Sciences.

The Painted Ladies

The row of colorful Victorian houses overlooking Alamo Square is one of the city's most photographed scenes. Television viewers may recognize them from the opening sequence of the sitcom "Full House."

Coit Tower

Perched atop Telegraph Hill, Coit Tower offers panoramic views of the city and bay. The murals inside the tower provide a remarkable glimpse into California life during the Great Depression.

Twin Peaks

For those seeking the best view of San Francisco, Twin Peaks is hard to beat. On a clear day, visitors can see the Golden Gate Bridge, downtown skyline, the Bay Bridge, and even parts of the East Bay.

A City of Surprises

What I find most remarkable about San Francisco is that even after decades of visiting and living in Northern California, the city still surprises me. Hidden staircases become works of art. Neighborhoods reveal unexpected gardens. Historic buildings tell stories spanning generations.

The 16th Avenue Tiled Steps are a perfect example. They are not among the city's most famous attractions, yet they embody the creativity, diversity, and community spirit that make San Francisco unique.

The next time you visit the City by the Bay, by all means see the Golden Gate Bridge, Alcatraz, and Fisherman's Wharf. But also seek out the hidden treasures, the mosaic staircases, quiet parks, and neighborhood discoveries.

Sometimes the places that are not listed first in the guidebooks become the memories that last the longest.

And if you climb all 163 steps of the Moraga Steps, you'll be rewarded not only with beautiful artwork but also with a reminder that every journey, whether in travel or in life, begins one step at a time. 

For me, because of my chronic leg pains, the steps is just for my eyes and not for walking. FOR YOU who loves to walk, DO it and I am sure you will have FUN.