The design includes hand-cast ceramic tiles featuring hidden animal shapes and local flora.
The project was inspired by the earlier success of the nearby 16th Avenue Tiled Steps.
Local residents and volunteers contributed to the grouting and tiling process during community workshops.
The mosaic theme is 'A Garden in the Sky,' representing a transition from underground roots to the clouds.
It is part of a larger network of tiled step projects across the city, though it remains a distinct, smaller-scale installation.
The Hidden Garden Steps are a public art installation featuring 148 steps adorned with detailed mosaic tiles. Completed in 2013, the project was a community-driven initiative led by artists Aileen Barr and Colette Crutcher. The design depicts a naturalistic flow starting from a base of soil and roots that transitions into flowers, birds, and insects as it climbs. It is located in the Inner Sunset neighborhood near the 16th Avenue Tiled Steps project, which was designed by the same artists. The steps provide a pedestrian connection between 16th Avenue and Kirkham Street. The surrounding area features terraced landscaping and small gardens managed by local residents. It serves as an example of neighborhood beautification and urban renewal projects in San Francisco. The site is situated on a steep residential slope with panoramic views of the city from the upper landing.
The mid-landing of the staircase provides the best angle to capture the flow of the mosaic design leading upward.
Visit during daylight hours to see the vibrant colors of the tiles clearly.
Continue walking to the nearby 16th Avenue Tiled Steps to view the larger companion installation.
Wear comfortable shoes as the stairs are steep and involve a significant vertical incline.
Do not treat the steps as a playground or exercise circuit that impedes local pedestrian access.
Respect the privacy of residents whose homes line the stairs; keep noise levels low.
