Coit Tower on Telegraph Hill
Coit Tower on Telegraph Hill is one of the most recognized landmarks of San Francisco. Standing at a height of 210 foot or 64 m, this tower was built in 1933 with the inheritance of Lillie Hitchcock Coit. She had left one-third of her estate, to be used in a suitable way for beautifying the city, which she always loved. This tower was designed by architects Arthur Brown, Jr. and Henry Howard, containing murals made by 26 different artists. The Coit tower offers onlookers, with amazing views of the San Francisco Bay, Fisherman's Wharf, Alcatraz Island as well as the other attractions located nearby. Since, Coit Tower on Telegraph Hill is a popular sightseeing destination; it has also been featured many times in media. Some of the books, which found a mention of the Coit Tower in San Francisco, are Nine Lives of Chloe King, Signal to Noise, A Signal Shattered, and On the Road etc. Besides this, the tower has been used for shooting many films. Some of the movies in which, the tower has been featured includes:
- Vertigo
- Dr. Dolittle
- The Enforcer
- A Dirty Job
Coit Tower
Tourists can visit Coit Tower anytime, as it is open daily; they do not need to make any reservations for the visit. To see the lobby murals and the view from outside there is no fee. However, for admission to go up in the elevator, you will have to pay. If you are just seeing the view from there and the lobby murals, half an hour will be sufficient; and if you plan to go up the elevator you will need about an hour or two. Any time is a good time to visit the park, but during the peak tourist season you will find it tough to get a parking space.
How to go to Coit Tower
If you are driving to Cit Tower, you must follow the uphill signs from Stockton Street in North Beach. As mentioned earlier, parking space is limited during peak times, so you can also use public transport to go there. The #39 MUNI bus goes to Coit Tower, it leaves from Pier 39 or Washington Square. If you prefer, you can walk up telegraph Hill to Coit Tower, along Lombard Street from North beach, though the climb is a bit steep. Whether you are resident of San Francisco or a tourist to the city, Coit Tower is a must see destination for all.
