Coit Tower: A San Francisco Icon

Iconic San Francisco landmark offering panoramic city views and historic New Deal-era murals atop Telegraph Hill.

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Coit Tower, a 210-foot tower atop Telegraph Hill, offers panoramic views of San Francisco and the Bay. Built in 1933 with a bequest from Lillie Hitchcock Coit, it features striking Depression-era murals and stands as a tribute to the city's volunteer firefighters.

A brief summary to Coit Tower

1 Telegraph Hill Blvd, San Francisco, Telegraph Hill, California, 94133, US
+1415-831-2700
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Monday 10 am-4 pm
Tuesday 10 am-4 pm
Wednesday 10 am-4 pm
Thursday 10 am-4 pm
Friday 10 am-4 pm
Saturday 10 am-4 pm
Sunday 10 am-4 pm

Local tips

Admission to the ground floor to see the murals is free, but there is a fee to take the elevator to the top.
Parking is extremely limited; public transportation or walking is highly recommended.
Consider walking up the Filbert Street Steps or Greenwich Street Steps for a scenic route to the tower.
Check if the elevator is working before you go, as it is old and can be unreliable. If it's not working, you'll have to climb 13 flights of stairs.
Purchase tickets for the elevator and guided tours on-site.

Getting There

Public Transport

From Fisherman's Wharf or North Beach, take the Muni #39 bus directly to Coit Tower. The bus stops near the entrance on Greenwich Street. A single ride on Muni costs $3. Alternatively, from downtown San Francisco, take either the #30 or #45 line to Washington Square and transfer to the #39 Coit Tower bus.
Walking

For a scenic walk, start from the Embarcadero and ascend Telegraph Hill via the Filbert Street Steps or the Greenwich Street Steps. These stairways pass through charming gardens and offer stunning city views. Allow approximately 30 minutes for the uphill walk.
Taxi/Ride-Share

Taxis and ride-sharing services can take you directly to Coit Tower. Be aware that traffic can be heavy, especially during peak hours. A taxi or ride-share from Fisherman's Wharf to Coit Tower typically costs between $15-$20. Limited parking is available near the tower, primarily for residents.

Discover more about Coit Tower

Coit Tower, also known as Coit Memorial Tower, is a defining landmark of San Francisco, rising 210 feet above Telegraph Hill. Constructed in 1932-1933, the Art Deco tower was funded through a bequest from Lillie Hitchcock Coit, a wealthy socialite and avid supporter of the city's volunteer firefighters, who desired to beautify San Francisco. The tower's design, by architects Arthur Brown Jr. and Henry Temple Howard, features unpainted reinforced concrete. Inside, the ground floor lobby showcases a series of vibrant fresco murals created by approximately 30 local artists as part of President Roosevelt's Public Works of Art Project. These murals depict scenes of California life during the 1930s, offering a glimpse into the social and economic realities of the Great Depression. Visitors can take an elevator to the top of the tower for a 360-degree view of the city, including the Golden Gate Bridge, Alcatraz Island, and the bay. The ground floor and murals are free to access. While many believe the tower resembles a fire hose nozzle as a tribute to Coit's passion, this is likely a coincidence. Coit Tower was listed as a San Francisco Designated Landmark in 1984 and on the National Register of Historic Places in 2008.