A community effort to beautify a neighborhood has turned into a popular tourist attraction in San Francisco. There were quite a few shutterbugs from distant lands snapping away on the day I visited.
You’ll find the project at 16th and Moraga ~ the Golden Gate Heights neighborhood, which to a non-San Franciscan (c’est moi!) appears to be on the edge of the Inner/Outer Sunset as defined by the 19th Avenue boundary line. The design emerges on the step risers, revealed in the photos taken when I was walking up the steps.
SanFrancisco Tiled Steps © Alice Joyce
The website – http://www.tiledsteps.org/ – describes the creation of 163 panels in total, set in place by a local company, KZ Tile. The step treads are covered in a rough type of nonslip tile. Check out the web site for the full history of this cool San Francisco destination.
SanFran Tiled Steps Crescent Moon © Alice Joyce
The detail above is an especially eye-catching design crafted with glittery bits of mirror that enliven the shape of a crescent moon. The day was heavily overcast, so the sparkle is not very obvious.
Tiled Steps detail © Alice Joyce
Below, you can see the view to the Pacific Ocean once you’ve scaled the stairway. The flat platform areas covered in the neutral tiles are shown here.
Tiled Steps Looking toward the Pacific © Alice Joyce
Looking at the flat terrain of the Outer Sunset from 19th Avenue extending to the Pacific Ocean, it’s easy to imagine the landscape as a vast sandy swath. I’m not certain if it is landfill. Maybe someone can leave a comment to enlighten me.
Just gorgeous and inspiring. Would love to see this in person… and apply some of that creative handiwork to some steps near me!
I had no idea these tiled steps existed. I used to work in the City, years ago, but don’t head up that way very often these days. Next time though, I have to see these in person. They really did a wonderful job!
I’m not sure how they slipped by my radar, either, CVF, but glad I ultimately ‘discovered’ them!
Hi Helen,
They provide a good workout, too. Knowing your capacity for walking, you’ll find them lots of fun, uphill & down!
Great series of photos, Alice. How great that someone was inspired, and bothered, to do this! I love mosaics both new and old; was just in Ravenna and will be writing about San Vitale just as soon as I find the words:o
Must find my way to S.F. soon; so much seems to have happened since I was there years ago.
Would be delighted, Lesley, to traipse round S.F. with you.
Looking forward to your post on Ravenna!