Sutro Tower, Radio and television tower in Twin Peaks, San Francisco, US
Sutro Tower is a 297.8 m (977 ft) three-legged steel lattice tower on a hill between Twin Peaks and Mount Sutro in San Francisco. Its three tapered legs are linked by a white lattice section carrying small dish antennas, above which a red lattice structure with a downward-pointing V-brace surrounds a central white and red mast. Two outer supports are painted with alternating pale and reddish bands.
The tower was completed in 1973 to solve reception problems caused by the hilly landscape of the city. Its location on a hilltop allowed signals to reach all directions from one central point.
The structure takes its name from businessman Adolph Sutro, a former mayor who once owned the land. For many residents, the tower serves as a familiar landmark in fog and remains visible when other parts of the city disappear.
The grounds are not open to visitors, but the tower remains visible from many points around the city. The best viewing spots lie south in residential neighborhoods and on nearby hills, where the full structure stands out against the sky.
The red warning lights at the top blink at night and are visible from a great distance, especially in clear weather. On foggy days, only the upper antennas appear to pierce through the cloud layer, creating an almost surreal sight.
The community of curious travelers
AroundUs brings together thousands of curated places, local tips, and hidden gems, enriched daily by 94,090 contributors worldwide.
