Coit Tower

1 Telegraph Hill Blvd, San Francisco, CA 94133, USA

Address:	1 Telegraph Hill Blvd, San Francisco, CA 94133, USA
Phone:	+1 415-249-0995
Site:	sfrecpark.org
Rating:	4.1
Working:	10AM–5PM 10AM–5PM 10AM–5PM 10AM–5PM 10AM–5PM 10AM–5PM 10AM–5PM

Location

Photos 100

Reviews 5

Bruce

For the best views of San Francisco, this is the place to be. Ive taken some great pictures here over the years, both at night (not in the tower because it shuts down at night) and during the day. There have also been those days where I skipped coming here altogether because the "fog" was so thick but that never stopped the tourists from coming. There is only one road into this place, which is Telegraph Hill Boulevard via Lombard Street. Cars can be backed up waiting for spots to open during peak times. I usually find a spot down the street and walk up. Coming here during the weekends is filled with nothing but tourists and it can be a challenge just to try and find a parking spot, "anywhere." I usually make it a habit visit this place during the weekdays where its still crowded, but nowhere near the weekend crowds, especially on a nice days. Inside this tower are murals created by 26 artists during the depression eras of the 1930s. The murals depict the struggles of the working class during that period in time. Artists paintings from the first floor who were "Communist Party Members" painted murals of striking workers of the Depression era. Paintings from the second floor were artists not affiliated with the Communist Party and their murals reflected scenes of leisure life during that time period. My favorite mural is that from Victor Arnautoffs "City Life" which shows a crowd scene in downtown San Francisco. It shows an accident in the background with someone being robbed and a Postman picking up mail. It shows a diverse mixture of people that include, blue collar workers, navy sailors, and longshoremen as they seem to be in a hurry in getting to somewhere. Coit Tower has an observation tower and for a fee, your packed into a small old time elevator "like sardines" until you reach the top floor. I also remembered climbing the stairs years ago before it was closed and admired the murals on the way up, but make no mistake, by the time you reach the top, youre winded, or maybe thats just me! A friend of mine told me that the stairwell access has been closed. Anyway, the elevator ride is worth it because when you exit youre treated to this spectacular view of the city in all its glory. I usually bring my binoculars with me to take in all the views. Of course this isnt possible on those "foggy days." You can admire the Bay Bridge, downtown San Francisco, Fishermans Wharf, Alcatraz, Angel Island, Treasure Island, and of course, the Golden Gate Bridge. Anytime I come into San Francisco, I "always carry a jacket or sweater" and coming here is a perfect example of that because at the top of Coit Tower its downright cold!

Philippe Gros

Le meilleur point de vue sur la ville, les ponts, le port. Attention, difficile de prendre des photos de qualité à cause des vitres en plexiglass (fortement rayées) et donc des reflets et autres artefacts. Prévoir un filtre polarisant et se coller aux vitres pour limiter les reflets. Escalier non accessible (voulu ?), de fait, il est obligatoire de prendre lascenseur rustique, microscopique et payant. Pas sûr quil soit conforme aux normes de sécurité actuelles ... Organisation totalement amateur. Un marché réservé pour quelques uns ??? Le bus 39 vous laisse au pied de la tour avec un parking minuscule qui devrait être supprimé si la raison lemportait. Mais nous sommes aux Etats-Unis et le tout bagnole est encore roi. Ne pas rater le petit jardin derrière la tour au rez de chaussée avec une vue splendide sur le Bay Bridge.

Phil Ye

See restored murals cordoned off to the public Hundreds have been written about Coit Tower, but thousands visitors and even locals never had any innocent suspicion passing by two closed door to the left side of the elevator that lift tourists straight up to the top of the tower. Coit Tower’s long-hidden murals finally are revealed to us when we took the Coit Tower walking tour organized by the non-profit San Francisco City Guilds. “The second-floor murals have been largely closed off to the public,” says Jon Golinger of Protect Coit Tower, an advocacy group. “Most San Franciscans and most visitors don’t even know they are there.” On the obvious contrary to the murals on the first floor, where working class and daily citizen lives are portrayed, those Fresco (湿壁画) painted on the both walls along the staircase spiraling up to the second floor spaces are all far more vibrant in terms of color and what it depicts as the "high-class" celebrity and wealthier lives that aloft from the seemingly trivial and even harsh days shown downstairs. Thanks to the restoration, the secluded artworks look as if they were just put on display yesterday. Since the narrow space allows for only person to walk up and down the stairs, please take extra caution to not scratch or damage the Fresco unintentionally with your clothing or accessories, such as handbags. The size of each tour group cannot exceed 6-7 people incl. the guide. So it may be a norm that this section of the Coit Tower will continued to be cordoned off to the mass public.

Michael G

I would say that this is a top five in terms of things to do in San Francisco. In my opinion, its the best way to get a good view of all of San Francisco. Because its circular, and windows go around the tower, in one direction you can see the downtown office buildings, another way you can see Fishermans Wharf, and another way you can see The Ferry Building. To get to Coit Tower, I took the Filbert Steps. It can be strenuous to walk up all of those steps, but just take a break to breathe every few minutes and its especially not too bad considering that the weather in San Francisco is always cool and breezy. Speaking of breezy, most of the windows at the top of Coit Tower are shut so youre just looking behind glass. One or two of the windows though did not have the glass windows blocking so you could stick your head through and feel the super refreshing breeze. Coit Tower doesnt have a roof so while youre up there you can see the clouds moving really fast from the sea breeze. We did have to wait on line for about a 30 or so minutes, not only because there is one elevator, but there is limited room at the top, and because Coit Tower itself was very crowded with what seemed like almost all tourists. I wasnt too bothered by the long line because you got to look at the nice murals of San Franciscos history that wrap around the side and even though theres no air conditioning, San Francisco has usually cool weather.

russ sweetser

Alright, Im gonna break down Coit Tower for you. 1: the park at the base. This park is awesome. You can still get a really awesome view of the city here. Theres water fountains, because if you walked there, youre probably thirsty. So is your dog. 2: The line to get tickets. This line goes through the little gift shop. They getcha. Youll probably buy a starburst or something. You should, because youre about to wait in line. 3: the line to get to the top. This line kinda sucks. The elevator (see part 4) holds like 14 people. Thats the only way to get up there. So, 14 people at a time you shallmove once per 5 minutes (or what feels like 13 minutes) 4: The elevator. Got claustrophobia? Dont go to Coit Tower. 5: the top. Kinda sad to see plexiglass on this, but i guess it must be done. View are just amazing. Youve been to the top of some tall hills in this town, so its not like youre seein somethin youve never really seen before, plus, i mean, you were just at the base of this thing (see section 1). But you can see pretty far, and maybe that margin of extra viewing is what sets this aside in a town this hilly. 6: The parrots. Oh yeah, I saw twelve wild parrots squawk by. And then went down the steps of telegraph hill to the embarcadero and watched em all hang out in a tree for a while. That part was worth it, and free as some feral parrots. This is really where those five stars come from.