Coit Tower

Coit Tower is a white concrete tower on Telegraph Hill in San Francisco, standing 64 meters (210 feet) tall with an observation deck. The Art Deco structure has a cylindrical shape with vertical fluting along the entire exterior surface.

Lillie Hitchcock Coit left money in 1929 for a monument to beautify the city, leading to the construction of this tower between 1932 and 1933. Architects Arthur Brown Jr. and Henry Howard designed the building, which was added to the National Register of Historic Places shortly after its opening.

The interior murals depict scenes from California daily life during the economic crisis, painted by local artists who participated in the Federal Art Project. Visitors can see social realist portrayals of dock workers, farmers, and city dwellers documenting life in the thirties.

The tower opens daily except on three major holidays, and access to the observation deck is available through an elevator inside. Parking nearby is limited, so public transport or a walk through the neighborhood is often more practical.

The spiral staircase inside has 393 steps that visitors can use as an alternative to the elevator to reach the top. Some of the murals were controversial in the sixties and temporarily covered because they contained political symbols.

Location: San Francisco

Inception: January 1, 1933

Architects: Arthur Brown, Jr.

Architectural style: Art Deco

Height: 64 m

Accessibility: Wheelchair limited access

Fee: Yes

Opening Hours: April-October Monday-Sunday 10:00-06:00; November-March Monday-Sunday 10:00-05:00; December Thursday[4] off; December 25 off; January 1 off

Website: http://coittower.org

GPS coordinates: 37.80250,-122.40583

Latest update: December 14, 2025 23:30