Coit Tower San Francisco
Iconic 1930s tower offering breathtaking 360-degree views of San Francisco and vibrant WPA murals.
Highlights
Must-see attractions
Social
From TikTok & Reddit
Best Time
Fewer crowds, better photos.
Coit Tower San Francisco
Best Time
Fewer crowds, better photos.
Highlights
Must-see attractions
Iconic 1930s tower offering breathtaking 360-degree views of San Francisco and vibrant WPA murals.
"Breathtaking and stunning views, the pictures speak for themselves."
🚶♀️ Walk Up the Steps
Consider walking up from North Beach via Filbert or Greenwich steps for a great workout and views.
🎟️ Buy Tickets On-Site
Tickets are generally purchased at the tower. SF residents get a discount.
Highlights
Discover the most iconic attractions and experiences
Panoramic City Views
Observation Deck
360-degree vistas of San Francisco, the bay, and beyond. A must-see for any visitor!
WPA Murals
Ground Floor Lobby
Vibrant 1930s murals depicting life in California. Free to view and historically significant.
Telegraph Hill Steps
Filbert Street & Greenwich Street
Challenging but rewarding climbs offering unique perspectives and charming gardens.
Planning Your Visit
Elevator Status & Stairs
Tickets & Local Discounts
Best Times
Insider Tips
from TikTok, Instagram & Reddit
🚶♀️ Walk Up the Steps
Consider walking up from North Beach via Filbert or Greenwich steps for a great workout and views. +1
🎟️ Buy Tickets On-Site
Tickets are generally purchased at the tower. SF residents get a discount.
🖼️ Admire the Murals
The WPA murals on the ground floor are free to view and a significant artistic highlight.
🐦 Watch for Parrots
Keep an eye out for the famous wild parrots that inhabit the Telegraph Hill area.
Is visiting Coit Tower worth it?
Tips
from all over the internet
🚶♀️ Walk Up the Steps
Consider walking up from North Beach via Filbert or Greenwich steps for a great workout and views. +1
🎟️ Buy Tickets On-Site
Tickets are generally purchased at the tower. SF residents get a discount.
🖼️ Admire the Murals
The WPA murals on the ground floor are free to view and a significant artistic highlight.
🐦 Watch for Parrots
Keep an eye out for the famous wild parrots that inhabit the Telegraph Hill area.
☕ Grab a Coffee Nearby
Explore North Beach cafes before or after your visit for a local experience.
What Travellers Say
Reviews Summary
Visitors consistently praise Coit Tower for its stunning panoramic views and the historically significant WPA murals. Many find the climb up the steps to be a rewarding experience, offering a unique perspective of the city. While the elevator can be unreliable, the overall value and beauty of the site are highly regarded.
"Visit this place if you're in SF, the murals on the ground floor are free. They're amazing and so cool to see the themes throughout society in that time. It's $10 to go up and the elevator wasn't working when I was there. It's good excuse use and the murals are reason alone to take the stairs. I went for the Diego Riviera mural, but there's so many others that are equally amazing."
Bas Brouwers
"Good steep climb from street level makes you appreciate the view. There's lots of interesting historic information about why the building was built at the base. Didn't pay 10 bucks for the elevator ride cuz I figured the view was good enough from below. Was happy to be there on a sunny day!"
Michael Schwartz
"This was one of my favorite things we did while visiting the beautiful city of San Francisco.
They have a elevator but it was out of order.
Since we both have knee problems it took us quite some time to climb up there...But it was so worth it!!!
The best 234 steps I ever took.
Breathtaking and stunning views,
the pictures speak for themselves."
SEG
What People Like
What People Dislike
Frequently Asked Questions
🚇 🗺️ Getting There
Coit Tower is located at 1 Telegraph Hill Blvd. You can reach it by car, though parking can be challenging. Public transport options include buses that stop near the base. Many visitors enjoy walking up from North Beach via the Filbert or Greenwich steps for a scenic and active approach. +1
Limited free parking is available at the base of Coit Tower, but it fills up quickly. Street parking in the surrounding residential areas can also be difficult to find. Consider ride-sharing or public transport if driving is not feasible.
Yes, walking to Coit Tower is a popular option, especially from North Beach. The Filbert Steps and Greenwich Steps offer a more challenging but rewarding ascent with beautiful views and gardens. Be prepared for a steep climb! +1
Many visitors recommend combining a visit to Coit Tower with a walk through North Beach or Chinatown, then ascending via the Filbert Steps. This offers a comprehensive San Francisco experience.
Yes, several Muni bus lines stop near Coit Tower, making it accessible via public transportation. Check the Muni website for the most up-to-date routes and schedules.
🎫 🎫 Tickets & Entry
There is no fee to enter the ground floor to view the murals. To go to the observation deck via the elevator, there is a fee. Tickets are typically $7 for San Francisco residents and $10 for non-residents.
Tickets for the elevator to the observation deck are usually purchased on-site at the tower. Some Reddit users have mentioned checking with local libraries for potential free tickets, especially for residents.
Generally, you can purchase tickets on the day of your visit at the tower. Advance booking is typically not required unless there are special events or peak season considerations.
Coit Tower is typically open daily from 10 AM to 4 PM. However, it's always a good idea to check the official website or call ahead for the most current hours, as they can vary.
Yes, San Francisco residents often receive a discounted ticket price for the elevator ride to the observation deck. Be sure to bring a valid ID to prove residency.
🎫 👀 Onsite Experience
Inside Coit Tower, you'll find the impressive WPA murals on the ground floor, which are free to view. The main attraction for many is the elevator ride to the observation deck for panoramic city views. +1
Unfortunately, the elevator at Coit Tower can sometimes be out of service. If this happens, you'll need to climb approximately 200 steps to reach the observation deck.
The views from Coit Tower's observation deck are spectacular, offering 360-degree panoramas of San Francisco, the Golden Gate Bridge, Alcatraz, the Bay Bridge, and the surrounding cityscape.
Absolutely! The WPA murals on the ground floor are a significant artistic and historical feature of Coit Tower, depicting scenes of California life. They are free to admire. +1
Yes, the Telegraph Hill area around Coit Tower is known for its resident flock of wild parrots. Keep an eye out for them as you explore the grounds.
📸 📸 Photography
The observation deck offers incredible panoramic shots of the city. The Filbert Steps also provide unique angles of the tower and surrounding landscape. Don't forget to capture the details of the WPA murals.
Coit Tower is excellent for photography, especially for cityscapes and architectural details. The murals offer a different artistic subject. Aim for clear days for the best views.
Weekday mornings offer fewer crowds for unobstructed shots. Late afternoons during the 'golden hour' provide beautiful lighting on the city.
Yes, photography of the WPA murals on the ground floor is generally permitted. Be mindful of other visitors and avoid using flash if it's disruptive.
A wide-angle lens is great for capturing the panoramic views. A standard zoom lens is versatile for general shots. A tripod can be useful for low-light conditions, but check tower regulations.
For Different Travelers
Tailored advice for your travel style
👨👩👧 Families with Kids
If the elevator is operational, it provides a fun ride to the top. The panoramic views are a definite highlight, allowing kids to spot landmarks and get a sense of the city's layout. Keep an eye out for the wild parrots in the surrounding area, which can be a thrilling discovery for children.
🚶♀️ Budget Travelers
While there's a fee for the elevator to the observation deck, it's relatively affordable, especially for San Francisco standards. If you're looking to save money, you can still enjoy the views from the base of the tower and the surrounding Telegraph Hill area. Walking up the Filbert or Greenwich Steps is a free and rewarding way to experience the neighborhood and get some exercise.
❤️ Couples
Once at the top, share a moment taking in the stunning panoramic views of the San Francisco skyline, the Golden Gate Bridge, and Alcatraz. It's a perfect spot for photos and to appreciate the beauty of the city together. Consider visiting during the late afternoon for a beautiful sunset backdrop.
Deep Dives
In-depth insights and expert knowledge
The History and Art of Coit Tower
Inside the tower's base, visitors can marvel at the intricate WPA murals commissioned during the Great Depression. These murals, created by a group of artists under the direction of Ralph Stackpole, depict scenes of working-class life in California, offering a fascinating glimpse into the social and political climate of the era. The art is a significant draw, with many visitors finding them as compelling as the views from the top.
The tower itself was designed by architect Henry H. Guttman, with Arthur Brown Jr. contributing to the overall design. The construction was a significant undertaking, and the tower has since become an iconic landmark on the San Francisco skyline, symbolizing resilience and artistic expression.
Navigating the Telegraph Hill Steps
The Filbert Steps are known for their beauty, often adorned with vibrant flowers and offering glimpses into hidden courtyards. The Greenwich Steps are steeper and more direct. Both routes are a significant workout, so wear comfortable shoes and bring water. The journey up is as much a part of the experience as the destination itself, allowing you to appreciate the city's famous topography.
Many visitors find the climb to be a highlight, offering a more intimate connection with the neighborhood than simply taking a taxi or bus. Once you reach the top, the sense of accomplishment, combined with the breathtaking views from Coit Tower, makes the effort entirely worthwhile.
The Famous Coit Tower Parrots
While not guaranteed, keeping an eye and ear out for them as you explore the area around Coit Tower can be a rewarding experience. They are often seen perched in trees or flying overhead, adding a touch of exotic charm to the urban landscape. Their presence is a unique aspect of the Coit Tower experience, making it more than just a viewpoint.
These parrots have become a beloved part of San Francisco's natural tapestry, and spotting them is often a memorable part of a visit to Telegraph Hill. They add an unexpected element of wildlife to the iconic city views.
Social
from TikTok, Instagram & Reddit