Photo: Diane Edwardson, May 15, 2010. Top of Corralitas Public Staircase, 6:24 PM. (Click on photo to enlarge.)
Looks like the 2-foot long snake fell victim to a bird of prey or some other predator. The head had been ripped off and there were talon-sized puncture wounds in the dead snake. See also: Snake vs Hawk.
Indeed the Corralitas Public Staircase is living up to its dangerous reputation.