Coit Tower | San Francisco Travel-贝博体彩
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Coit Tower

Coit Tower, a gift to the city, is unmistakable in the skyline. Learn how to get there, the surrounding neighborhoods and fun facts.

San Francisco's Coit Tower at dusk, with lighted streets before it and the San Francisco Bay behind it.
Coit Tower is an iconic fixture of San Francisco's Telegraph Hill neighborhood.

Coit Tower sticks out like a sore thumb, and for good reason. It's a defining characteristic of San Francisco's skyline. At the top of Telegraph Hill sits Pioneer Park where Coit Tower stands. This park covers an area of 4.89 acres (19,800 square meters) and was officially opened in the year 1876. This means it’s much older than the tower, which was completed in the early 1930s. And like other iconic buildings in the city, Coit Tower is adorned with different colored lights.

San Francisco's Coit Tower, framed by trees in the foreground.

Movies featuring Coit Tower:

  • Dr. Doolittle (1998)
  • Homeward Bound II: Lost in San Francisco (1996)
  • Sister Act 2: Back in the Habit (1993)
  • The Enforcer (1976)
  • Pal Joey (1957)
  • The House on Telegraph Hill (1951)
  • The Falcon in San Francisco (1945)
  • After the Thin Man (1936)

History of Coit Tower

At the summit of historic Telegraph Hill sits the 210-foot Coit Tower, also known as Coit Memorial Tower. This elegant tapering column was built in 1933, the legacy of San Francisco’s colorful Lillie Hitchcock Coit, who left a $125,000 bequest "for the purpose of adding beauty to the city which I have always loved."Henry Howard, the architect, came from the same architectural firm that designed San Francisco City Hall

The ground floor lobby is adorned with a series of fresco murals by some 30 local artists, depicting life in 1930s San Francisco. They were nationally controversial when opened to the public. The artists and murals were funded by President Roosevelt’s New Deal pilot art program, the Public Works of Art Project. The project was a success; public buildings around the country were decorated with similar artwork. They remain a colorful, insightful look back to a difficult time in American history. Guided docent tours are available.

The skyline of San Francisco is seen from the air in a golden light.

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Coit Tower sits atop Telegraph Hill, the highest point in San Francisco's North Beach. See this famous neighborhood through the eyes and words of its locals.

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General Visitor Info

Advance elevator ride tickets to get spectacular 360 degree city views and reservations for guided docent led tours of the Tower murals are available on site.

Coit Tower Cafe

Open daily, 9:30 a.m.–6 p.m.

Just a few steps away from Coit Tower is the Coit Tower Cafe. The cafe menu includes a variety of hot and cold drinks, pastries, paninis, pizza by the slice and frozen yogurt. Please note that food and drinks are not allowed in Coit Tower.

How to Get There

Public transportation is recommended for visitors who want to see Coit Tower. From the downtown area, you can take either the #30 or #45 line to Washington Square, located at the corners of Union & Columbus and transfer to the #39 Coit Tower bus.

For additional information, routes and schedules, please visit the San Francisco Municipal Transportation Agency or call 415.673.6864.

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