A Beacon on the Hill

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Perched atop Telegraph Hill, Coit Tower is a slender white concrete column that's been an emblem of the skyline since 1933. The tower was funded by a bequest from Lillie Hitchcock Coit, who wanted to beautify the city she loved. While the observation deck offers stunning 360-degree views of the Golden Gate and Bay bridges, the real treasure is on the ground floor.

There, you can find a series of murals that capture the spirit of the era. The park surrounding the tower, Pioneer Park, was established in 1876 on the site of an old semaphore telegraph station that used to warn residents of arriving ships. It's a place where you can feel the wind, see the whole city, and walk through a piece of San Francisco's artistic soul.

Updated June 2026