Coit Tower

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Iconic Coit Tower, formally Coit Memorial Tower, rises from Pioneer Park on Telegraph Hill with one of the classic 360-degree views of San Francisco Bay. Climb the 64 m (210 ft) Art Deco landmark for skyline photos, then slow down inside for vivid 1934 murals of California life.

Choose a guided Telegraph Hill or city highlights tour first if you want the views, murals, and steep neighborhood route handled in one easy plan.

Select a date to find available tickets, tours & activities:

Guided Telegraph Hill Tours

Best when you want Coit Tower, North Beach, steep stairways, and city viewpoints woven into one clear route.

San Francisco: Best City Highlights Tour Open Air Van Small Group

5.0(17)

viator.com

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San Francisco: Open-Top City Highlights Small Group Tour

4.3(9)

getyourguide.com

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Alcatraz Tour + 90 min San Francisco City Open Air Van Tour

5.0(9)

viator.com

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Coit Tower & Little Italy Landmark Walking Tour

getyourguide.com

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See all Guided Telegraph Hill Tours

Tickets & Combo Offers

Use ticket-style offers when Coit Tower is part of a broader day with Alcatraz, Lombard Street, or other San Francisco highlights.

Lombard Leap & Alcatraz: Official Alcatraz, Lombard St, Coit Tower, Chinatown

tiqets.com

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5 tips for visiting the Coit Tower

Book the route, not just the tower

If you want context, choose a guided route that includes Telegraph Hill, North Beach, and the murals. You get the tower without puzzling over the steep streets, so your energy goes into the views.

Aim for clear edges of the day

For photos, arrive soon after opening or later in the afternoon before last ticket sales. Clear days can draw a line at the elevator, and the bay view feels calmer outside the midday rush.

Treat parking as a fallback

If you are near Fisherman's Wharf or Pier 39, take Muni 39 up the hill instead of chasing the tiny lot. It runs daily during visitor hours and saves you from getting stuck in the car queue.

Check the elevator if stairs matter

The historic elevator can be out of service, and the viewing level may then mean 13 flights of stairs. If that climb would change your day, check before heading up Telegraph Hill.

Walk down through the stair gardens

If your knees are happier downhill, ride up and walk down the Filbert Street or Greenwich Street stairs. You get garden corners, bay glimpses, and a gentler finish toward the Embarcadero.

Ticket types at Coit Tower

Most bookable Coit Tower experiences are really hill-and-city routes. Pick the format by how much context, walking, and day planning you want handled for you.

Guided walks through Telegraph Hill

Best for first-time visitors who want the tower to make sense within North Beach, the Filbert Street stairs, and nearby Lombard Street. A guide turns the climb into a story, not just a workout, and helps you notice mural details before the view takes over. Book now.

Open-air city highlight tours

Great when your priority is seeing more of San Francisco with less climbing. These small-group routes often connect Coit Tower, Fisherman's Wharf, North Beach, and bridge viewpoints, so they work well for families or short stays. Book now.

Combo days with Alcatraz

Choose this if Alcatraz is already the anchor of your day and you want Coit Tower folded into the same plan with Lombard Street or other city stops. Keep a buffer between the hill and the ferry pier, because traffic and Muni timing can stretch. Book now.

History and murals of Coit Tower

Coit Tower is more than a viewpoint. Its white concrete shaft and painted rotunda tell a compact story of eccentric philanthropy, New Deal art, and a waterfront city under pressure.

Lillie Coit's hilltop gift

After Elizabeth "Lilly" Coit died in 1929, her bequest helped add beauty to the city she loved. The tower was dedicated in 1933, high above North Beach, where a short visit still feels like a small civic ceremony with wind in your jacket.

Art Deco above Pioneer Park

Architect Arthur Brown, Jr., assisted by Henry Howard, gave Pioneer Park a 64 m (210 ft) Art Deco marker that is visible from many corners of San Francisco. Its simple vertical form keeps the drama outside: bay, bridges, downtown, and the tight streets below.

The 1934 mural cycle

Inside the base, 27 murals by 26 artists turn the rotunda into a painted newspaper of 1930s California. Agriculture, labor, industry, and social protest appear in earthy fresco colors, so take one slow lap before heading upward.

A waterfront controversy

The murals were painted as the 1934 West Coast waterfront strike unfolded below Telegraph Hill. That tension gives the art its bite: these are not pretty background panels, but a charged snapshot of work, money, and politics near the docks.

How to plan a Telegraph Hill stop

The tower is compact, but the hill is not. Plan the approach first, then let the view and murals set the pace.

Ride up, walk down

For many visitors, the easiest rhythm is Muni 39 or a tour vehicle up to Coit Tower, then a downhill walk through the Filbert Street or Greenwich Street stairs. You avoid the steepest climb and still get the neighborhood texture.

Build in the last-ticket cutoff

The tower sells tickets only up to one hour before closing, which matters more than it sounds when you are coming from the Embarcadero or a ferry pier. If you are combining it with Alcatraz, put the tower before your tightest timed commitment or leave a generous buffer.

Pair the tower with the waterfront

A practical half-day can start at Aquarium of the Bay or Fisherman's Wharf, climb to the tower by bus, then finish toward San Francisco Ferry Building. The route gives you water, hill, murals, and food options without crisscrossing the city.

Match the visit to your group

Families and limited-mobility visitors should minimize the hill by using Muni 39 or a vehicle-based tour. History-focused visitors should slow down in the rotunda, while couples may prefer late-afternoon light over the bay before walking into North Beach for dinner.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Coit Tower worth visiting without the observation deck?

Yes. The first-floor murals, Pioneer Park setting, and outdoor views from Telegraph Hill still make a strong short stop, especially if the elevator queue is long or the weather is hazy.

How long should I plan for Coit Tower?

Plan about 45 to 75 minutes for the murals, observation level, and photos around Pioneer Park. Add more time if you walk the Filbert Street or Greenwich Street stairs.

What is the best time to visit Coit Tower?

Go soon after opening for calmer elevator lines, or later in the afternoon for softer light over the bay. On clear weekends, midday is the most likely time for parking and elevator delays.

Can I buy Coit Tower tickets on site?

Yes, tickets are sold at the tower up to one hour before closing. If your day also includes Alcatraz, Lombard Street, or a city tour, booking a combined offer can make the timing easier.

Is there an elevator at Coit Tower?

Yes, but the historic elevator can be unavailable. If it is out of service, the viewing level may require 13 flights of stairs, so check before going if stairs are a concern.

Is Coit Tower good for families?

Yes, if you plan the hill carefully. Families usually do best by taking Muni 39 or a guided vehicle tour up, keeping the tower stop short, and saving the stair walk for kids who still have energy.

Can I bring food or drinks inside Coit Tower?

No. Keep snacks and drinks outside the tower; the nearby cafe is useful before or after your visit, especially if you are continuing down the hill toward the Embarcadero.

What makes the Coit Tower murals special?

They are a major 1934 public-art cycle: 27 murals by 26 artists, painted in the New Deal era with scenes of agriculture, labor, industry, and social protest. Look closely before you rush to the elevator.

General information

opening hours

Coit Tower is usually open daily from 10 am to 6 pm from April through October, and from 10 am to 5 pm from November through March. It closes on Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Day, and New Year's Day. Last ticket sales are up to one hour before closing, so check same-day hours before making the climb.

tickets

Elevator entrance prices checked in April 2026: adults pay $8 for San Francisco residents and $11 for non-residents. Seniors 62+ and youth 12-17 pay $5 for residents and $8 for non-residents; children 5-11 pay $2 for residents and $3 for non-residents; children 4 and under enter free. First-floor murals are free to view during open hours. Guided mural tours cost $10 for the full mural tour or $5 for the second floor only.

website

Official site: https://sfrecpark.org/facilities/facility/details/Coit-Tower-290

address

Coit Tower
1 Telegraph Hill Blvd
San Francisco, CA 94133
United States

how to get there

Muni 39 Coit links Fisherman's Wharf, Pier 39, and Coit Tower from about 9 am to 7 pm daily, usually about every 20 minutes during visitor hours. For a scenic walk, climb from the Embarcadero via the Filbert Street stairs through Grace Marchant Garden, or use the Greenwich Street stairs. Parking at the top is very limited.

accessibility

The observation level normally uses the historic elevator, but it can be unavailable because of mechanical issues. When that happens, reaching the viewing level can require 13 flights of stairs. If stairs are difficult, confirm elevator status before going and consider a vehicle-based tour or Muni 39 for the hill approach.

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