Whenever I have guests from another place, I always take them here. A good place to hang out for an hour. Lines are long though and there could be waiting when of you have tickets in advance because they let only some people to the top of the tower. So if you have elderly people, then you may want to consider this. A lot of material about the US history, pastry ask over the walls, to read while in line though The 360 degree view of SFO from the top is amazing There is lifted to the top. read more

Administered by San Francisco Recreation & Parks, the Coit Tower is a slender concrete column rising from the top of Telegraph Hill since its completion in 1933. *Getting there. To get some exercise, we took public transportation to the base of the Filbert Street stairs, and climbed up, and up, and up, to reach the Coit Tower. This was part of the adventure! Alternatively, Muni's #39 Coit bus travels between the tower and Fisherman's Wharf. There is also some limited parking that fills up quickly. *Fees are for elevator access to the observation deck. Rates vary by age and by resident status (whether a resident of San Francisco or not). We paid $10 for one ticket (adult, non-resident) and $7 for another (senior, 62+, non-resident) in late Aug, 2022. No AAA discounts. Face coverings are also required in elevator, and can be purchased for $1 each. *Highlights. (1) observation deck, reached by elevator for a fee, offers 360-degree views of San Francisco and the bay, including the Golden Gate and Bay bridges; (2) murals inside the tower's base which were painted - and became controversial - in 1934 which depict life in California during the Depression. (3) Parrots and coyotes? Apparently, there is a flock of noisy parrots and some aggressive coyotes (careful with your small dogs) on the pathways near the tower. We didn't see or hear either. *Two additional quick notes. (1) we asked whether there were stairs to reach the observation deck, and were informed that the elevator is the only option: and (2) one still needs to climb a circular stairway after disembarking from elevator to access the observation deck. Not wheelchair accessible. read more

Coit Tower - Landmarks & Historical Buildings Near Me - San Francisco, California

See all

Their website warns you that due to the nature of the age of the elevator, which is over 90 years old, sometimes it breaks down without warning. So definitely don't make the trip all the way up Telegraph Hill to go to the Tower if you're not ready to either skip out on going to the top - or hike up 234 flights of stairs. The day that I went, the elevator was broken down and I opted to not walk up the flights of stairs. After an exhausting 6.5 hour flight, I just did not have it in me to do it. The surrounding areas is actually really nice to walk around and you get some pretty decent views of Alcatraz and other parts of the city. read more

The (Lillian Hitchcock) Coit Tower! Built in 1933, at the request of Lillie Hitchcock Coit, the Coit Tower sits on top of the Telegraph Hill and looms over the eastern part of San Francisco. From the top one can get a 360 view of the city. Inside you will see a beautiful collection of murals about the history of the area. These murals were created as a part of the Public Works of Art project that provided jobs to artists after the Great Depression. They are considered to be one of the finest examples of Depression-era public art in the state. You can enter the tower for free, but there is a fee to take the elevator to the top. The tower was named a San Francisco landmark in 1984 and made it onto the National Register of Historic Places in 2007. A year later it was designed a "National Historic Site." A bronze statue of Christopher Columbus that was donated by the city's Italian-American community was placed in the square/parking area in front of the tower in 1957, and removed in June, 2020. Pioneer Park that surrounds the tower is a 4.89-acre area is a great place to walk up to and enjoy the view even for us locals. Strangely, the park has become home to a family of wild coyotes. Some afternoons near dusk you may hear them howl! I have added a couple of links at the end about the the place; one about the history and the other with useful information if you are visiting. The walk to the top can be a heavy exercise for some, but you can drive up there (although parking spots are very limited in number) or take MUNI Bus 39 to the top. It runs from 7:00 am to 9:00 PM daily. Coit Tower (Parks and Facilities) https://sfrecpark.org/facilities/facility/details/Coit-Tower-290 The Brief History Of Coit Tower, The Iconic Landmark https://graylineofsanfrancisco.com/blog/coit-tower-brief-history-iconic-landmark/ read more

See all

While in San Fran, we swung by Coit Tower. The misses has never been there, though she and her bff have a inside joke about the place, so decided to see what it's all about. A great staple of the city, built in my birth year.... I know I know, I'm the best. Tells the history of San Fran through murals and the people who inhabited the city. Also a great point to visit to see all of the city and take breath-taking shots of the surrounding area. read more

See all

Great panoramic views from Coit Tower and interesting history from construction to being a spot for movie scenes and renovations. Make sure to confirm hours before going (I was a bit early so didn't go into the tower as pressed for time) and whether or not the elevator is operating. read more

See all

Shit show. Ridiculous line for an elevator. They allow only 6 people in the elevator. It runs every 4 minutes. You'll wait at least 30 minutes. I almost bailed. Probably I should've. Anyway you can't make any good pictures on the top since everything is behind the glass. They also ask you to take your backpack down to your hands. I saw at least 2 groups of 7 people in the elevator. But girl stopped me in my group since I was 7th. They just see annoyed person and like to make them even more annoyed. After going up: yes, should've bail or just see murals on the first floor. What a waste of the time! Couldn't find any other place to waste time so pointless. By the way, they ignore if you go down in the elevator without mask. They list need to sell it to you for 1$ to go up. Nice business, I guess read more

Coit Tower - Inside - Landmarks & Historical Buildings Near Me - San Francisco, California

While in San Francisco, this tower seemed like a good place to visit as any, and so I decided to visit it and see what it had to offer. Tower - The interior is nice, with a gift shop, and murals all over the walls, but there is an entrance fee to go to the top. You go through a nice old-fashioned elevator to almost reach the top, and go up some stairs to make it all the way. At the top, it is very chilly (like the rest of SF), but the view is great. You have a bird's-eye view of San Francisco, and you can see the Golden Gate bridge, Oakland, Pier 39, all of the good stuff. They open some of the windows but they keep the rest of them locked. Parking - Some parking outside the tower, and if it's full and nobody's about to leave, then you're out of luck. You'll just have to wait for someone to leave, however long that may be. Overall, this place is worth visiting, and I would recommend trying this place if you ever travel to SF. read more

Coit Tower - Coit tower - Landmarks & Historical Buildings Near Me - San Francisco, California

See all

Great place to take any photography! Definitely recommend it and worth the time: enjoy! read more

Coit Tower - Landmarks & Historical Buildings Near Me - San Francisco, California

See all

As a native San Franciscan I've been to Coit Tower many times. First as a child when my parents would bring out of town visitors, then as teenagers looking for something to do, and less frequent as adults. Previously we'd come because many years ago you could ride for free up to the top. Nowadays you need to pay if you want to ride the elevator up to the top. If you are only curious about the murals you can enter at ground level and view them for free. Hubby never had an opportunity to go to the top so last week we paid our admission fee to ride to the top. Once at the top we had 360 degree views of most of San Francisco. San Francisco residents get a discount and as seniors an even better discount. The elevator looks retro but it's been upgraded mechanically. There is an elevator operator though. There's a gift shop ground level. And we got a souvenir penny for $0.51. read more

Coit Tower - Elevator - Landmarks & Historical Buildings Near Me - San Francisco, California

After 23 years in San Francisco I finally made it to the top of Coit tower. It was chilly and overcast in my neighborhood. So I went in search of some sunshine. When I got to north beach, coir tower was basking in the sun. So I had to do it, finally, go to the top... No regrets. Such great views, of course. Definitely regret not bringing visitors here in the past. The guy at the top was asking everybody where they were from. They were from all over the world. Except for me. We all enjoyed a good laugh. If you'd like to learn more about Coit Tower consult your local library or click this link - https://sfrecpark.org/Facilities/Facility/Details/Coit-Tower-290 read more

See all

Elevator was broken, but I'm not so sure I would have taken it anyway. Gift shop was surprisingly fantastic, and very well priced, as was the little cafe stand outside. Views are great, if you don't mind heights! read more

Coit Tower offers an incredible view of the city, including both The Bay Bridge and The Golden Gate Bridge. The artwork within has been well taken care of and the workers do a great job of making sure people follow the rules to be sure others for decades to come can enjoy the beauty of the tower. There are interesting plants and trees all around the tower and an amazing "trail" down Telegraph Hill you can take down into The City all the way to the pier -- absolutely spectacular! If you decide to do that, I'd recommend having someone meet you at the bottom because that's quite the hike! Although we didn't see them while we visited, you can see parrots in the trees during certain times of the day all around the tower. There are spectacular portrait opportunities if you're looking to come to SF to have some photos taken. The elevator to the top (costs $9 per person) is worth it! You get an amazing view of the city and surrounding areas. The gentleman running the elevator was funny and informative and you could tell that he liked his job and being with people. I found the other employees (volunteers? Not sure) rather rude -- when I tried to ask historical questions of why/how things in the Tower were they gave me annoyed answers and generally gave the impression they didn't want to stray from the routine of their work. There are only a few parking spaces near the Tower and it seemed like they would benefit from being capped at a time limit or having more than 2 handicapped parking places -- many people were walking down to the pier and then back up to their cars, taking hours from a spot that someone who could have really used a close space to the Tower. This definitely a place worth stopping at if you're in the Bay Area or SF -- it's quiet, beautiful, and can be free... which is a small miracle in San Francisco! read more

See all

The elevator wasn't working the day I came, but the 13 floors is a great workout to stunning 360 views of the city! Restrooms on site which is great for tourist walking around. Only 7$ to go up and you really get a view of the golden gate, the east bay, Alcatraz and all the neighborhoods of SF. I don't think it's necessary to go up the tower. The views from the bottom itself are really nice and ample on a small hill. It's a great place to bring tourists, and even to come by on a bike ride or run! read more

The views from atop Coit Tower are spectacular. GETTING there is the main reason for my review, and I hope it helps you plan your visit. As you know, San Francisco is hilly, and as you approach Coit Tower on foot as we did, you'll find that the final few blocks are VERY much on a steep incline. I swear we were walking straight up. (I'll attach as pic of our final block that shows STEPS the entire length of the block.) Wife and I are rather fit for our age (late 60's) and boy was it a workout. So, you may be asking, why don't you drive there? I'll copy and paste the following from the Coit Tower Website ... "Parking in the lot outside Coit Tower is for area residents, only on weekends, (with a permit.) Visitors can only park for 30 minutes during the week." So, my advice is that if you don't think you can make it, consider a cab, Uber, or Lyft. In any case, DO NOT miss this San Francisco attraction. My wife and I travel LOTS. We've seen lots. These views were right there (pardon the pun) at the top. read more

See all

Beautiful views of the city with fee to climb these crazy stairs! As a tourist I wouldn't miss it! Come on a weekday to avoid the crowds and be able to get a parking spot read more

Coit Tower - View from coit tower - Landmarks & Historical Buildings Near Me - San Francisco, California

Looking for the best 360° view of the city? Without question head to Telegraph Hill and Coit Tower for the most incredible bay views any where. Built in 1933 with money left by wealthy resident Lillie Hitchcock Coit in remembrance to the city firefighters. The concrete structure rises from the hill 210 feet offering spectacular views of both bay and city at its top observation deck. Choose a clear day for photos. There is a fee if you chose to ride the elevator to the top deck. Otherwise you can enjoy the unique murals at the bottom. Parking is extremely limited. Recommend public transportation, taxi or Uber. It's a San Francisco original to add to your list. read more

See all

Finally made it here, and yes ANOTHER one off of my bookmarks. I was on a roll this weekend, taking advantage of the COVID, lack of tourism and hence no traffic, easy to social distance and not an overflow of people out. Coit tower has breathtaking views of the city. You can see the bay bridge from one side and Alcatraz Island from the other side as well as the Golden Gate bridge. Unfortunately because of COVID the inside of the tower was closed, I was not able to grasp all the history about the tower or see the murals inside. It was still worth it. Now I can say I have been here read more

See all

This is a great look out spot to see the whole city! We were there during fleet week so got some eye-level views of the blue angels as they flew by which was awesome. The tickets are $10 and the elevators weren't walking so had to walk up 13 flights of stairs which wasn't what I was expecting lol I was out of breath but it was worth the beautiful view at the top. read more

Coit Tower - Landmarks & Historical Buildings Near Me - San Francisco, California

See all

A cool part of San Francisco's history with amazing views of the city. We got there right before they closed (at 4:00pm, not 5:00pm as we had thought) but managed to get the last elevator up to the top. There was no line and it wasn't crowded at the top, but it was also a chilly weekday in February. The views from the top were fantastic, and you're able to see almost all of San Francisco's highlights from up there. Definitely worth the $10 entrance fee (less for SF residents and seniors) read more

See all

My wife and I checked out Coit Tower and we thought it was a cool experience. There's a lot of stairs - 13 stories - so be prepared to get a workout in. The first two levels have murals created during the Great Depression era. They were very cool to see. We don't know why they stopped at the second level. I never had a chance to ask any of the workers. The top of the tower provided great views of the city and some cool picture opportunities. It costs 10$ which is a little pricey for the experience but everything is more expensive now. The area surrounding the tower is very well kept. We enjoyed it but this was a one time adventure for us. read more

Coit tower is worth the visit if you are a tourist who wants a nice view of the city. Not the city from afar but a view of the city up close. I believe it's $8 or $9 admission (can't remember) to go up to the tower. There's not much to it but a beautiful view. It's kind of reminds me of the Empire State Building in New York. It's an iconic place to visit but this is most likely just a one and done for me. Nothing TOO special to come back for. Lines are long and parking is limited so plan to use public transportation here or allocate enough time for this place in your itinerary. read more

Oh Wow, when we saw this tower from far we had no idea how difficult is to get there walking. Definitely a walk!!! But also pretty and totally worth it because the view is outstanding. I saw that you can go inside the tower and they also have a tour, but our time was limited. read more

Coit Tower - Landmarks & Historical Buildings Near Me - San Francisco, California

Practicing social distancing at Coit Tower. The views of SF are amazing up here. You can see both the Golden Gate Bridge & the Bay Bridge. Since we're on lockdown it's wayyyyyy less people. A few of us (staying 6ft apart) was able to enjoy Coit Tower to ourselves and it felt great, almost like vip lol. Because Coit Tower is temporarily closed, I wasn't able to go into the observation deck but I still enjoyed the scenery. Very nice on a low fog day. read more

Coit Tower - Coit Tower views of the golden gate - Landmarks & Historical Buildings Near Me - San Francisco, California

See all

This spot has spectacular views of San Francisco. It's a great place to take beautiful pictures and take in the city. You can either drive up to Coit Tower and park or take a small trek up some stairs off Greenwich Street and Telegraph Hill. Note: They have a self-cleaning public restroom here. read more

See all

Amazing building on top of a hill with great views of the Bay Bridge, Transamerica Building and other parts of the city from outside of the building. We decided to take the elevator to the top (floor 13). The gentleman operating the elevator was so nice. The cost was $10 for adults and $7 for teenagers. It's open air above the windows but there is glass on the actual windows but you are able to get some nice pics. You can stay there as long as you want to. We were up there about 15 minutes. If you are in a hurry or on a budget, I suggest at least taking in the views and seeing the building up close. If you need to use the restroom there is one outdoors and if you go when the building is open, there are restrooms indoors (you only need to pay to ride the elevator, you do t need to pay to enter the building). read more

Coit Tower is perfect for those people that need to see the main observation tower in every city to check off their list. Other than that it's the typical tourist place that gets crowded and you wait in long lines. If you only had one day in the city and wanted a city view I actually recommend Twin Peaks, the Golden Gate Bridge, or a bar with a view (Starlight, Top of the Mark, Windows) before Coit. The viewing area at the top is very small and basic if comparing it to other main city observatory towers that have large indoor observation decks, restaurants, or other amenities. I'd say the view is one of the best though! San Francisco is such an aesthetically pretty city with clean air and the mountains and bay in the backdrop. Claustrophobics take note that the elevator ride up can be uncomfortable. They cram as many people as possible and it takes almost 2 minutes to make it to the top which is very long when you are counting. This is definitely not the place you ever would want to be stuck in an elevator. Parking is very limited so it's best to take the bus up here or walk from North Beach or at the base of the Filbert Steps (better parking there yet you need to handle about 400 stairs!) read more

Coit Tower - Landmarks & Historical Buildings Near Me - San Francisco, California

See all

Nice place to enjoy the San Francisco Golden Gate Bridge. The walk up there is a bit hard, there's bus which stop right at the entrance of Coit tower. read more

See all

A must see place for fabulous views of the city. Even on a cloudy day it's worth a visit. You can drive to the top or park along the streets below. You can even take the muni bus 39 there. The tower was closed today but it was a good visit. They have a decent free bathroom that is self cleaning too. read more

See all

Coit Tower is located in the Telegraph Hill neighborhood of San Francisco. At 210' tall it is a prominent feature and provides panoramic views of Fishermen's Wharf, San Francisco Bay, Alcatraz and the Golden Gate Bridge. A nonresident elevator fee for adults/children of $8/$5 is collected. It was built with money left by Lillie Hitchchock Coit (1843-1929), mainly as a result of her lifelong admiration and dedication to the volunteer fire fighters of San Francisco. She personally participated in fire fighting efforts, as well as, supporting fire fighting efforts of five major fires which occurred in San Francisco's history including the earthquake & fire of 1906. Coit Tower was built between 1923-33 and is on the national register of Historic Places. Twenty-five artists participated in the painting of murals in the interior. The murals are of the American Social Realism styles featuring everyday working people. One notable artist was Frederick Law Olmstead, Jr.. read more

Coit Tower - Coit Tower - Landmarks & Historical Buildings Near Me - San Francisco, California

Let me tell you walking up those hills from the Market Area and our hotel, through Chinatown and seeing the architecture and the beautiful cityscape laid out before you all and all it is pretty spectacular and then you get to Coit Tower and the views from there are just beautiful! You have a little snack shack up there with bottled water near the parking lot and the building itself is just amazing and murals in the base of the building tell the story of the city good and bad, but like life you have to go through these things to make and build character. We really enjoyed the entire day with the Coit being the Cherry on top! Thank you SF! read more

See all

This spot my be a tourist destination, but it's still an amazing place to catch views of the city by the bay! Lots n lots of memories here, probably the most memorable memory is from back in high school when I picked a perfect clear night, the city was shining, only to get rejected when asking someone to be my girlfriend, tough moment, but at least there was nice view (Eventually, we ended up dating though lol) Fast forward 15 years and this past weekend was the first time I decided to make the trek up the hill after eating an entire Pizza from Tony's. Gotta work off what I eat right? I was up for challenge and surprisingly it wasn't that tough. With COVID slowing down the city, hanging out at the top, soaking in the views was nice without a crowd on a Saturday afternoon. Being able to catch a sunset up here is a reminder of why SF is the beautiful city that I've grown to love. There's quite a few places to sit, but if you wanna do a picnic up there, I suggest bringing a blanket and some chairs. If the fog hasn't settled in yet, it's always worth a drive up to the top if you are in the area. Definitely an easy spot to bring your visiting friends/relatives to show off the city! read more

For years, I have always called it the White Candle Stick because it does look like one. Coit Tower, a slender white concrete column rising from the top of Telegraph Hill, has been an emblem of San Francisco's skyline since its completion in 1933, a welcoming beacon to visitors and residents alike. It sits on top of Pioneer Park in down town San Francisco and provides 360-degree views of the city and bay, including the Golden Gate and Bay bridges. Furthermore, there are tower viewers (binoculars) around the place so you can see other landmarks in the bay area. Parking at the tower is very, very limited, so I suggest park on the surrounding street. Overall, I enjoyed my visit and the free self tour guide. read more

See all

I love this spot... the history is unbelievable. The beautiful ocean in full view is just amazing. It a great place to socialize or reflect. I like the little trails & paths to walk as well. read more

See all

A must do attraction when in San Francisco. Worth the price of admisison. With murals and unique views of the city and the bay. Parking is limited to begin with but worst on the weekends. Wear comfy shoes because there are a few steps up after the short elevator ride. read more

See all

Amazing views of the northeast corner of SF and bay. I've been to the base a few times but this was first time at the top. Adults tickets are $10, bit steep IMO. A good number of tourists but not as many as pre pandemic. Can get windy on top, so bring a jacket if you get cold easily. Cool WPA era murals at base. Free bathroom if need to pop by. read more

Coit Tower - Landmarks & Historical Buildings Near Me - San Francisco, California

See all

Overall: 2/5 Skippable place. Meh views but charges admission to go up the tower. In terms of views, other places have better views. Value: 0/5 $10 per person to go up the tower. When I went, the elevator was down as well so you'd have to climb the stairs yourself. Views: 2/5 Meh views. Lots of other places with similar views. Significance: 2/5 Meh. Some murals inside but not enough to be called cultural significance. Additional notes: Parking: no visitor parking allowed on weekend Transit: The 39 bus goes there so it'll save you the climb but you'll need to transfer since the 39 kinda goes nowhere else. It's a short route between Fisherman's Wharf and Coit Tower. I took the 8 and transferred. read more

Another longtime favorite of mine, so I've been here many, many times. I moved in 1991, after graduation, but I think of this famous attraction a lot. Often visiting in the years to come, we would always visit this spot. Some history: It's a memorial dedicated to volunteer firemen from Lillie Hitchcock (who left a third of her fortune for the construction of it), completed in 1933. In 1984, it was added to San Francisco Designated Landmark. It was added to the National Register of Historic Places in January 2008. It is located at Telegraph Hill and offers views of the following: Lombard Street, Nob Hill, Russian Hill, Twin Peaks, Pier 39, the Financial District, Angel Island, Alcatraz, Treasure Island, the Ferry building, the Golden Gate Bridge, and Bay Bridge. Eleven movie and tv credits include: Vertigo (1958), Dirty Harry (1971), Charmed, Dr. Doolittle (1998), The Amazing Race 16, The Nine Lives of Chloe King, Cats & Dogs (2010), and San Andreas (2015) and The Man in the High Castle. The murals were nice to see and reflect on (art deco style). The parking is good. And to discourage homeless people the facility started charging to use the bathroom. It was a quarter the last time I visited. Also, the last time we visited, we noticed some of the same people from the previous attraction. read more

The artwork and views were fantastic even tho it was a rainy day with lower visability. But BEWARE. My friend has a service animal wearing a vest (which he legally does NOT have to wear). We were approached immediately by a young woman telling us to make sure the dog did not shake the water off his fur onto the paintings. Folks surrounding us pondered aloud how one would keep any dog from doing so. This is a highly trained dog. They are trained to mitigate shaking and he never did shake. Then as we were purchasing tickets Dana, the cashier, repeated the warning. My friend educated her that she needs the dog and federal laws protect them both. Dana claimed not to have seen the vest which is NOT required by law. My friend told her she was just trying to educate her for the future. Dana continued to argue. Apologies were offered followed by continued argumentation. That is not an apology. I didn't realize how often folks with handicaps face extra obstacles. Would they have asked someone in a wheelchair not to scuff the floors or a person unable to control their movements occasionally to not smack the walls? You caused extra stress to my friend which is inexcusable. I will use this incident to educate my fellow volunteers at a world famous facility. I hope this organization does the same read more

Okay, I admit it...I am born and raised on the Peninsula and I have never been to Coit Tower. I know, I know, I feel the shame. I must say I did pick a spectacular day to take my maiden trip. I was so surprised how easy it is to get there right off of the Embarcadero. I was also pleasantly surprised that it was not crowded and there was plenty of parking. Granted it was a Thursday afternoon. The parking lot is pretty small though but the spaces are wide. Unfortunately I did not go inside due to Covid. I will definitely make another trip to go to the top. There is a public pay restroom outside. The view from the parking lot is spectacular!! You can see the Bay Bridge, Alcatraz and the Golden Gate Bridge by just the turn of your head. It really is breathtaking. There is a paved walkway to walk around the outside of the parking lot that is circular for all the best views. read more

Coit Tower - Alcatraz - Landmarks & Historical Buildings Near Me - San Francisco, California