Summary
Coit Tower is an iconic site on the San Francisco skyline. This simple tower crowns Telegraph Hill overlooking the San Francisco waterfront. Visitors come to Coit Tower primarily for the breathtaking views: to enjoy sweeping waterfront vistas from the parking lot and observation deck, as well as to appreciate the charming cityscapes best observed from the small park behind the tower.
Don’t Miss the Murals
Most visitors are drawn to Coit Tower for the stunning views, but many overlook the main attraction: the beautiful fresco murals in the lobby. This captivating collection consists of 25 artworks created in 1934 as part of a Public Works of Art Project.
Executed in the style of Diego Rivera’s social realism, these murals depict sympathetic portrayals of working-class Californians during the Great Depression. Moreover, they serve as a little time capsule of San Francisco life in the 1930s, especially the vibrant city scene featured on the wall opposite the entrance door.
While the murals may seem attractive, few realize that this simple tower was once at the center of political turmoil. In 1934, some viewed the murals as subversive, depicting “Communist” themes. Protests ultimately delayed Coit Tower’s opening, further inciting outrage among the working community already disturbed by the shooting deaths of two strikers during the Longshoremen’s Strike of 1934. Consequently, this added to a general distrust of authority.
Visitors can explore several murals by walking around the lobby, but understanding their significance may require a knowledgeable guide. Some murals are hidden from plain sight, continuing behind a door next to the gift shop and up the stairs on the second floor. To venture beyond that door and delve deeper into the artwork’s history, join one of the free guided Coit Tower tours offered by City Guides.
Additionally, there are options for a paid tour available for groups of four to eight people through San Francisco Parks and Recreation.
Tips for Visiting Coit Tower
Planning a trip to Coit Tower? Here are some essential tips to enhance your experience:
- Consider descending the hill via a charming neighborhood where the only streets are stairways, instead of returning the same way you came.
- The view from the tower’s top does not significantly surpass what you can see from the parking lot, so you might want to save that admission fee for another experience.
- Although Coit Tower features an elevator, be aware that it is not wheelchair accessible due to the steps at its base and a short staircase between the elevator landing and observation deck.
- Parking in the lot outside Coit Tower is reserved for local residents on weekends (with a permit). Visitors face a 30-minute parking limit during the week, with potential long waits for entry. To avoid traffic congestion, consider walking if possible, even if it means stopping frequently to admire the scenery while catching your breath.
How Coit Tower Got There
Perhaps one of the most intriguing aspects of Coit Tower is its origin story. Upon the death of wealthy and eccentric San Francisco resident Lillie Hitchcock Coit, she left funds “for the purpose of adding to the beauty of the city which I have always loved,” with no specified instructions on how to achieve this goal.
Ultimately, the city decided on constructing a tower, designed by Arthur Brown Jr. and Henry Howard. Its shape resembles the towers of London’s Battersea Power Station, completed the year prior.
Interestingly, local tour guides often humorously liken its appearance to that of a fire hose nozzle, reflecting Coit’s well-documented love for firefighters. Consequently, its design inspires various playful interpretations.
What to Know About Coit Tower
The Coit Tower vista point is accessible at any time, and you can check current tower hours online. While the lobby murals and outdoor areas are free to explore, there is an admission fee to access the observation deck.
Allocate about half an hour to stroll around and soak in the beautiful scenery, or up to two hours if you opt to visit the observation deck or participate in the City Guides tour.
You can walk up Telegraph Hill to reach Coit Tower, following Filbert Street from its intersection with Grant Ave in North Beach.
If you prefer to drive, simply follow the signs uphill from Stockton Street in North Beach. The #39 MUNI bus also travels to Coit Tower, departing from Pier 39 or Washington Square.
