Things to do in San Francisco: Grandview Park & 16th Ave Tiled (Mosaic) Steps #UrbanTrekUSATips #TuesdayTips #SanFrancisco

Today's Tuesday Tips by Urban Trek USA a top-rated San Francisco private walking and city tour is for Grandview Park and the 16th Ave (at Moraga) Tiled/Mosaic steps.

Grandview Park in San Francisco's Sunset District is between 650 - 700 feet above sea level. The best way to get there is via the 16th Ave (at Moraga) tiled / mosaic steps if you are very fit because - per my count - there are 334 steps to climb (i.e. 162 of the mosaic steps plus 28 steps between the lower and upper part of 15th Ave plus another 144 steps to the top). 

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IMPORTANT TO KNOW: The sunset neighborhood is very susceptible to fog especially during the summer when most people visit San Francisco. It is also usually very windy. The photos and videos posted on this blog were taken on clear and not too windy days. How can you tell if it's foggy at this location? I would say if it is foggy at the Golden Gate Bridge then it will also be foggy at this location, although there are times when the Golden Gate Bridge is clear but Grandview Park has fog. (Tip: The best way to determine if there is fog at the Golden Gate Bridge is to visit their website as they have a 24-hour webcam to see the conditions. Click here to link to their website.)

Note: The good thing about the 16th Ave tiled steps is that there are landings wide enough for you to rest without being in the way of people to much.

VERY IMPORTANT: The good thing about resting on your way up is the opportunity to look back and see the view of the Pacific Ocean. So don't rush and take your time.

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Directions on how to get to the 16th Ave tiled steps and to the Hidden Garden steps:

There are two buses that will take you close to the bottom of the 16th Ave tiled steps:

•  The #66 Quintara bus will drop you off right at the bottom of the stairs. This bus departs from the stop at 9th Ave & Judah (Stop ID 13215). Disembark at 16th Ave & Moraga (Stop ID 13277). If you are coming from downtown, the best way to get to 9th Ave & Judah is to the the westbound N Judah Muni Metro wherever it stops and disembark at Judah & 9th Ave. (Note: The bus stop at 9th Ave & Judah is close to Golden Gate Park for it will be a good idea to visit Golden Gate Park and Grandview Park / 16th Ave tiled steps at the same time.) 
• The #28 Daly City BART bus will drop you off at either 19th Ave & Lawton or 19th Ave & Noriega and you will have to walk 4 blocks to get to 16th Ave & Moraga. (Note: The #28 Daly City BART bus also stops at the Golden Gate Bridge. Therefore, if you are going there you can add Grandview Park and 16th Ave tiled steps to your itinerary.)

Stop and read the information board along the way before starting to climb the wooden part of the stairs.

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Before you get to the summit make sure you explore the sandy path just below the summit. The section where the bend is located as shown in the photo below is the best place for a panoramic photo or video as there are no trees obstructing the view below. 

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 After you've had your fill of the scenery, take the stairs at the other side from where you went up. Therefore, do not go down the same stairs you used to go up. The stairs will lead you to 14th Ave (see photo below):

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When you get to the upper part of 14th Ave cross to where you will see stairs leading to the lower part of 14th Ave. When you get to the lower part of 14th Ave, turn left on 14th Ave and walk to 15th Ave and then turn right on 15th Ave and walk to Aloha Ave and turn left on Aloha Ave and walk to Lawton and turn left on Lawton and you will soon see the Hidden Garden steps on your right side. Refer to map below:

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You can also click on this link to Google Maps with walking directions to the Hidden Garden steps: https://maps.app.goo.gl/kufScKxsHJm3iMs69

Go down the 15th Ave Hidden Garden steps. Since you are going down, make sure you stop every now and then to look at the beautiful mosaic tile workmanship.

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When you reach the bottom you will be at Kirkham Street. Cross Kirkham and continue walking on 15th Ave to Judah. If you want to go downtown, there is a stop at Judah & 15th Ave for the N Judah Muni Metro (Stop ID 15197) headed to Caltrain Depot. You can take the same Metro line to go near Golden Gate Park or close to Haight Street. (Note: If you want to go to Ocean Beach, take the N Judah Muni Metro headed to Ocean Beach at the Metro stop at Judah & 16th Ave <Stop ID 15198>.)

If you want to get a snack, coffee, ice cream, lunch, dinner, etc. disembark the N Judah Metro headed to Caltrain Depot at Judah & 9th Ave (Stop ID 15194). There are a whole bunch of good places along 9th Ave and also along Irving Street.

The following are my recommended places in the Inner Sunset neighborhood:

• Pacific Catch at 9th Ave & Lincoln (1200 9th Ave)

• Gordo Taqueria at 1239 9th Ave (between Irving & Lincoln)

• Marnee Thai at 1243 9th Ave (between Irving & Lincoln)

• Ebisu at 1283 9th Ave (between Irving & Lincoln) 

• Tartine at 1226 9th Ave (between Irving & Lincoln)

• San Francisco Homegrown Creamery at 1290 9th Ave (between Irving & Lincoln)

• Arizmendi Bakery at 1331 9th Ave (between Judah & Irving)

• Fresca at 737 Irving (between 9th Ave & 8th Ave)

•  Hahn's Hibachi at 535 Irving (between 7th Ave & 6th Ave)

 There are very likely a lot more good places that I haven't tried yet.

 

#SanFrancisco #TuesdayTips #UrbanTrekUSATips #GrandviewPark #16thAveTiledSteps