Coit Tower, Historic observation tower on Telegraph Hill, San Francisco, United States.
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 4, 2025 19:03
San Francisco brings together historical monuments and natural sites that reflect the city's unique history and geography. The Golden Gate Bridge, a 2,737-meter-long suspension bridge completed in 1937, is one of the region's most recognizable structures. Alcatraz Island, a former high-security federal prison operating from 1934 to 1963, is located in the bay and is visited by ferry. The Painted Ladies, seven Victorian houses built between 1892 and 1896, exemplify San Francisco’s characteristic residential architecture with their colorful facades facing Alamo Square Park. The city also includes Fisherman's Wharf, a historic port district developed from late 19th-century Italian fishing piers, and the Fillmore, a performance hall from the 1910s that contributed to the development of the West Coast music scene. Twin Peaks provide viewpoints at 928 feet (283 meters), while Lands End features rocky cliffs and hiking trails at the western tip of the peninsula. The Cable Cars, a mechanical transportation system operating since 1873, run on three lines through San Francisco's sloped streets.
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