Atop Telegraph Hill stands a slim white tower that rewards every climb with the best free panorama in San Francisco.
Coit Tower was built in 1933 with a bequest from Lillie Hitchcock Coit, a fire department mascot-turned-benefactor, and its interior walls hold a treasure: twenty-seven vibrant Depression-era murals painted by artists of the Public Works of Art Project, celebrating California’s workers and landscapes. Climb (or ride) to the observation deck for 360-degree views of the bay, the bridges, and the city rooftops below.
It’s ideal for art lovers, history buffs, and families who love a good view. Tip: walk up through the Filbert Steps garden for a secret-garden adventure — keep an eye out for the wild parrots of Telegraph Hill! The elevator to the top has a small fee, but the murals and the park at the base are free.
Photo: Wikimedia Commons / Dietmar Rabich
