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(415) 362-0808
1 Telegraph Hill Blvd
San Francisco,
CA
94133
37.8029
-122.4056
Neighborhoods: Telegraph Hill, Northeast
Hours:
Monday To Sunday From 10:00 AM To 05:00 PM
Last updated 6.23.11
Category:
Travel Agencies, City Legislators, City Offices, Free Attractions
What People Are Saying About Coit Tower
Featured Review
Contributor
Contributor
The Background – As any tour guide will tell you with a sly wink, Lilly Hitchcock Coit, the woman whose money made the tower possible, really had a thing for the firemen who were often found at her mansion. As a tribute to the men who tried to save San Francisco in 1906, Lilly designated that her legacy be used for the beautification of her beloved city. – – The View – The views here are spectacular, but if you want to look out from the tower's top, you'd best go during daylight, as Coit Tower generally closes at 5pm. Though the mural gallery and gift shop are free,…
Editor's Tips
- Parking:
- It's available but limited, and traffic jams are common. Walk or take public transportation.
- The Extras:
- Visit via the rustic wooden Filbert Steps (Sansome and Filbert streets) or the concrete Greenwich Stairs (Montgomery Street). The steep walkways pass beautiful cottages and private gardens and offer brief but spectacular city views.
- Know Before You Go:
- Steps to the base of the tower and a staircase to the observation deck up top make Coit inaccessible to wheelchairs.
01/03/09
Breathtaking Views
by Bilyana at Citysearch
I visited San Francisco a few times in the past and didn?t come across this beautiful spot unit the last time. After revisiting the usual places I leafed through one of the tourist booklet and found this spot. We arrived at the parking lot at the top of the hill in the twilight hours, so we couldn?t go up the tower but the views from below were still spectacular. The photos I took there have light and shadow, colors peaking behind a evening fog with the beautiful San Francisco background that reminds me of classical paintings.
12/30/08
Breathtaking Views
by Billiet at Citysearch
I visited San Francisco a few times in the past and didn’t come across this beautiful spot unit the last time. After revisiting the usual places I leafed through one of the tourist booklet and found this spot. We arrived at the parking lot at the top of the hill in the twilight hours, so we couldn’t go up the tower but the views from below were still spectacular. The photos I took there have light and shadow and huge play with the beautiful San Francisco background that reminds me of classical paintings.
11/13/06
A must see
by vynnp at Citysearch
I walked up Telegraph Hill to see this. I have admired it from down below for years, and the trip is absolutly worth it. 360 degree view of the city and the bay. Friendly staff to take you up. Beautiful grounds surrounding the tower. Please don't miss it.
07/02/06
Great views!
by ironeagle48162 at Citysearch
My husband and I recently visited the Bay area from Arizona. We had forgotten that such large bodies of water existed! We saw the Bay, Alcatraz, downtown, and more from atop Coit Tower. The elevator staff was entertaining on the ride up. I had heard that parking could be difficult, so we decided to walk up Telegraph Hill from the twisted part of Lombard Street. I tell you what, we hike all the time out here, but Telegraph Hill had us sweating puddles by the time we got to the Tower! Wouldn't you know, we walked all that way and the parking lot was only half full?! Ah, well. We got a close-up look at the lovely architecture in San Fran, anyway. We could have taken public transportation, which was free on the day we visited due to a Save the Air day, but we were in the mood for some exercise after our 12 hour drive, and boy did we get it! Make sure you take your own water and snacks since, like most touristy places, that stuff is a ripoff at the Tower. The gift shop area was very tight, too, and a little difficult to maneuver around. If you enjoy views, Coit Tower is a must.
- Pros: Great views!
- Cons: Telegraph Hill was difficult to hike, gift shop tight.
12/03/05
A MUST
by meowwezemae13 at Citysearch
I'd never heard of this place when my friend (from Fresno) suggested we go, while spending the day in San Francisco. I'd already done the golden gate bridge, fishermans warf, pier 39, cable car and chinatown but this took me by suprise. A lot of history to this place and not only in viewing it yourself along the bottom do you learn but the man working the elevator the day I went was full of information, facts and trivia.
- Pros: AWESOME view, FRIENDLY staff, VERY affordable
- Cons: had none we lucked, out with parking
