16th Avenue Tiled Steps

Address:	16th Ave, San Francisco, CA 94122, USA
Site:	16thavenuetiledsteps.com
Rating:	4.7
Working:	9AM–7PM 9AM–7PM 9AM–7PM 9AM–7PM 9AM–7PM 9AM–7PM 9AM–7PM

Location

Photos 100

Reviews 6

Alexandra Mushinski

The 16th Avenue Tiled Steps Project (2003) was an artistic endeavor curated by Aileen Barr and Collette Crutcher and executed by community members to beautify the neighborhood. The project started in January 2003, and the Golden Gate Heights Neighborhood Association and the San Francisco Parks Trust funded it. In the short time since the mural was created, the surrounding area has become known for car break-ins and other minor crimes. The piece consists of small murals on each stair step, which form a large tiled picture of the sky swirling down into the ocean when viewed from below. There are images of the sun, moon, stars, waves, fish, seashells and more. The mural is made of tiled glass pieces, and at night the steps light up to create a glow-in-the-dark version of the image. In the decade or so since the steps have been installed, crime rates have significantly worsened in the area, partially due to its growing popularity with tourists and vacationers who are unfamiliar with the terrain. The Tiled Steps are an excellent representation of the ways in which displacement and gentrification have changed San Francisco’s political and social environment. Large parts of the fear surrounding the people who may be likely to steal could be speculation. In the current fear based climate brought on by media reports and growing distrust based on economic status, the upper class is becoming more likely to call the police before having any probable cause. This can only lead to further violence committed against minorities who know those spaces as home. Displacement plays a large role in the recent increase in crime; the people who once formed the neighborhoods of San Francisco have begun to be removed from places they called home for decades and replaced with the white upper class that formed the tech boom. None of the spaces created for homeless youth, ethnic centers, or safe spaces for LGBT community members are being saved in the wake of the growingly gentrified new residencies. With growing tensions and class separations, there are obvious reasons why crime rates would be rising in San Francisco’s current climate. Despite the anger coming from the residents of this neighborhood, they have to admit to their role in the rapidly changing urban environment. Communities tend to form themselves around commonalities, so when historically ethnic neighborhoods are invaded by outsiders unwilling to learn and adapt to that community, homogenization is inevitable. When white residents move in to a neighborhood for cheap rent or to surround themselves with a specific culture, they fail to realize the effect they have on that environment. Ethnic and creative communities are being forced onto the streets and treated like outsiders in the places they’ve lived their whole lives. The growing socioeconomic tension in San Francisco has as much to do with increasing crime rates as the so-called vagrants that are wandering the streets and stealing from tourists. If there weren’t pre-existing frustration and lack of resources for all community members, there wouldn’t be a need for petty theft crimes and loitering in these areas. Despite the good-naturedness of the creator’s intentions when building the 16th Avenue Tiled Steps Project, the rapidly changing environment of the city overcame the artwork and turned it in to something far more politically charged than they ever could have thought it would be. Community was a large part of the creation and aesthetic decision-making process behind the artwork, but as the meaning of community changes with its surroundings, the steps seemingly cannot withstand their new neighbors. Until there’s a shift in the way community members communicate with each other to deal with problems by focusing on the preservation of culture and safe spaces as opposed to creating an environment of violence and fear, it is unlikely that the steps and their surrounding space will see peace anytime soon.

Tiffany Cheung

If youre into scenic viewpoints and free local landmarks, you definitely have to check out the 16th Avenue Tiled Steps. This local stairway is located on Moraga Street. Surprisingly, it was not too crowded when we decided to check it out. Definitely a lot easier if you park at the bottom of the steps; that way, youll get to enjoy the view of the steps before you actually climb them. Each individual step is already unique in its own way, but when you take the entire staircase in as a whole, all the steps come together seamlessly. It creates a really beautiful picture - very similar to the ebb and flow of the ocean. Its really awesome how there are these beautiful treasures hidden throughout San Francisco - who would have known? Even better is after you climb the entire staircase, youre able to take in the view of SF from a higher vantage point. If you come around sunset, youll really be able to see the city view with the soft, warm glow of the sun as it casts a shadow over SF before it becomes engulfed in darkness. Itll be a bit difficult to get a good picture without anybody blocking the view or intruding in your photo, but its worth the wait! There seem to be rushes of people to these tourist-y spots, so wait for a chance where the crowd seems to be minimal and grab your opportunity to get that shot! tl;dr - Highly recommend you check this place out if youre in to scenic things to do in SF! Youll be glad you did.

Urian Chang

*NOTE: Youll have to look for street parking in the neighborhood. *TIP: Climb up past the stairs (to more stairs) and to the top of the hill. The view from there is pretty amazing. Be sure to wear a windbreaker; its colder and more windy at the top. PRO: + The stairs are well done with colorful mosaics. + Gorgeous view of the city and ocean. Picturesque angles at any point of the steps: bottom, middle, and top. CON: - It can get crowded, so snapping a good photo can be tricky. - They are steps on a steep incline. - Personally, I dont think its worth going out of your way to visit.

Richard Navarro

Really cool spot, one of those nice little pieces of public art that you show to any friends or family or just visitors from out of town. It is exactly what the description says they are "Tiled Steps" and the tile pieces makeup nice pieces of art that range from the sun to the moon and the stars. Its about 6 flights of vertical stairs. From the top of the stairs you wont see the art, its not until you walk down the first flight of stairs do you see the big picture :) Again, really awesome spot, it might be a little hard to find but as long as you have Google maps youll be able to find it.

Eric Tam

Amazing place... You get breath taking views from the bottom of the stairs and as you climb the stairs the view only gets better. At the top, you are rewarded with sweeping views of the Sunset district with a cool fresh air breeze. Walk another block up and walk up another 100+ flight of stairs and the view gets better; you can see part of the golden gate bridge. Be forewarned that the neighbors here are very respectful of their neighborhood so please keep it clean and dont steal the plants! Also this is a tourist attraction so keep your valuables out of sight.

Aj Cartas

One of the greatest views in San Francisco! After trying to find this place for a while now, my friends and I finally got to come here. Parking wasnt a problem for us when we went. We conveniently found one literally across the street. It was also perfect when we went because there wasnt a lot of people so we were able to take some great pictures. The steps were a workout but thats totally fine! On top of the stairs, you could see Moraga clearly and the beach. It was definitely a breathtaking experience with an awesome view and I highly suggest coming here.