Lincoln Park Steps
The Verdict
"Fewer tourists than the 16th Avenue Tiled Steps and the ocean views from the top are just as good. At the end of California Street climbing to Lincoln Park. Free, open all the time. Combine with the Legion of Honor museum."
What you need to know
Tiled Staircase to Ocean Views
The Lincoln Park Steps are a mosaic-tiled staircase at the end of California Street in the Outer Richmond, climbing from the street up to Lincoln Park, the Legion of Honor museum, and the Lands End Trail. The stairs were originally built in the early 1900s, fell into disrepair, and were restored in 2007 by the Friends of Lincoln Park with colorful blue, yellow, orange, and green tile work.
What Makes It Worth It
The tiles are the draw: bright geometric patterns covering the risers of each step, similar to the more famous 16th Avenue Tiled Steps in the Sunset but with fewer crowds. The staircase is flanked by trees and gardens, and the climb rewards you with views of the ocean and access to Lincoln Park at the top.
From the top, you’re steps from the Legion of Honor (a fine arts museum in a Beaux-Arts building), the Lincoln Park golf course, and the Lands End trailhead. The stairs function as both an art piece and a practical connector between the Richmond neighborhood and the park above.
A 5-minute climb. Best paired with a visit to the Legion of Honor or a walk on the Lands End Trail.
Skip this if stairs are a problem. It’s a full flight up a hillside.
Visiting
Address: End of California Street at 32nd Avenue, Outer Richmond
Hours: Always accessible
Cost: Free
Best time to go: Morning light for photography. Clear days for ocean views at the top.
What to know: The stairs are at the very end of California Street where it dead-ends into Lincoln Park.
Getting There
Transit: Muni 1-California to the end of the line. The stairs are right there.
Parking: Street parking on California Street and 32nd Avenue. Free lot at the Legion of Honor at the top.
Walking: Connects directly to Lincoln Park, the Legion of Honor, and the Lands End Trail.
📍 Location: This activity is in The Richmond. Explore the neighborhood →
