Coit Tower

The white outline of Coit Tower has crowned Telegraph Hill since 1933, but a visit is about more than climbing up for a photograph of the bay. The tower was built with a bequest from Lillie Hitchcock Coit, an admirer of San Francisco’s volunteer firefighters; the money also funded a monument to them in Washington Square. At the base, murals painted in 1934 by artists employed by the Public Works of Art Project depict California life during the Great Depression and sparked controversy over their political content. Despite a local story repeated over the years, the tower was not designed to resemble a fire-hose nozzle.

From the observation deck, the view circles across the city, Alcatraz, and the Golden Gate and Bay bridges; clear weather makes a real difference. Visitors highlight the panorama and the chance to see the murals, while several warn that the climb up Telegraph Hill is steep and the elevator can fail, requiring thirteen flights of stairs. Admission to the observation deck is US$11 for non-resident adults; the surrounding park lets you approach the tower without paying that fee. The visitor listing checked showed 4.6/5 from 15,965 opinions and 4.2/5 from 4,620 Tripadvisor reviews.

The address is 1 Telegraph Hill Boulevard, San Francisco, CA 94133. The tower is open daily from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. from April through October and until 5 p.m. from November through March; it closes on Thanksgiving, Christmas Day and New Year’s Day. The final entry to the observation deck is sold before closing, so allow time and check for maintenance notices. Muni route 39 goes up the hill; walkers can use the public Filbert or Greenwich Street steps, both steep. This stop combines scenery and history, but it is not the best choice for an accessible walk unless you confirm the elevator is operating.