Coit Tower Tickets

Ascend to the top of historic Telegraph Hill for breathtaking 360° panoramic views of San Francisco, the Golden Gate Bridge, and Alcatraz. Discover the city's story through vibrant, historic murals.

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1-2 Hours Recommended
1 Languages
Individuals & Groups Welcome
Free Cancellation
Everything You Need to Know

Complete Experience Guide

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Experience

Experience San Francisco from a Historic Vantage Point

A visit to Coit Tower is an essential San Francisco experience, offering a unique blend of history, art, and unparalleled city views. Ride the vintage elevator to the top of this 210-foot art deco monument and step out onto the observation deck for a jaw-dropping 360-degree panorama. Gaze out at iconic landmarks like the Golden Gate Bridge, Alcatraz, the Bay Bridge, and the winding turns of Lombard Street. Before you ascend, take time to admire the magnificent and historically significant murals that adorn the tower's ground floor. These frescoes, painted during the Great Depression, offer a powerful and vivid snapshot of life in 1930s California, making a trip to Coit Tower a journey through both the city's geography and its rich cultural past.

Why Book Your Coit Tower Access With Us?

Real Traveler Reviews

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Save Time & Avoid Lines

Booking in advance through our platform means you can secure your preferred time slot and, with select tickets, even skip the long general admission queues, especially during peak season.

Take a romantic California Sunset Cruise on beautiful San Francisco Bay
See famous landmarks such as Coit Tower and the Transamerica Pyramid
Experience the best way to see the lights of the San Francisco Skyline at night
Sail past Alcatraz, around Angel Island, along Tiburon and Sausalito, and under the Golden Gate Bridge
Cruise slowly past Alcatraz, Angel Island and the Marin Headlands
Head directly for the bridge as the sun dips into the Pacific
Watch the city skyline come alive as day turns to night
Capture amazing photos of the Golden Gate Bridge at night
In September, enjoy Sunday Sunset Cruises celebrating Frida Kahlo and Hispanic Heritage Month with live music, keepsake printmaking, and a Frida Kahlo installation

Essential Information

Know Before You Go

Getting There & Accessibility
The walk up Telegraph Hill is steep
Public transport or rideshare is highly recommended
Extremely limited street parking available
Elevator provides access to the observation deck
What to See & Do
Ground floor murals are free to view
Elevator ticket is required for the 360° deck
Small gift shop on-site for souvenirs
Explore the surrounding Pioneer Park
Visitor Policies
No large bags, backpacks, or luggage permitted
Food and drink are not allowed inside the tower
Non-flash photography of murals is permitted
Children must be supervised by an adult at all times

Not Allowed

Pets
Oversize luggage
Smoking
Alcohol and drugs
Essential Information

Booking Tips

  • Book tickets online at least a week in advance for peak season or weekend visits to secure your preferred time
  • Check the daily fog forecast before your visit to maximize your chances of a clear view
  • Consider purchasing a combo tour that includes Coit Tower and a walking tour of the North Beach neighborhood for a more comprehensive experience
  • If driving, arrive early in the day for a better chance at finding parking, though it is extremely limited.

What to Bring

  • Your booking confirmation (digital on your phone is fine)
  • A valid photo ID
  • Camera or smartphone
  • A jacket or windbreaker
  • Comfortable walking shoes
  • Binoculars for an even better view
  • Water bottle

Best Seasons to Visit

Fall (September-October) often has the warmest weather and clearest skies. Spring (April-May) is also beautiful with pleasant temperatures. Summer is peak season but can be foggy, especially in the mornings. Winter is cooler with a higher chance of rain but has the fewest crowds.

What to Wear

Wear comfortable, sturdy walking shoes as you will likely be doing a lot of walking, including up steep hills|Dress in layers; San Francisco weather is notoriously variable and can change in minutes|A windbreaker or light jacket is highly recommended, as the observation deck can be very windy and cool, even on a sunny day.

Planning

Historical Context

Built in 1933 with funds bequeathed by Lillie Hitchcock Coit, an eccentric patron of San Francisco's firefighters, Coit Tower stands as a monument to the city she loved. The interior murals, completed in 1934 under the Public Works of Art Project (a precursor to the WPA), are the tower's artistic centerpiece. Created by 27 artists, they depict a sweeping panorama of life in California during the Great Depression, capturing the era's social and political turmoil.

Photography Tips

  • A polarizing filter is your best friend for cutting through the bay haze and making the blue skies pop
  • Flash photography is strictly prohibited inside to protect the delicate murals; use a high ISO or brace your camera for sharp low-light shots
  • A wide-angle lens (16-35mm) is ideal for capturing the sweeping panoramas from the top
  • Don't forget to photograph the tower from the park below to capture its full architectural glory.

Insider Tips

  • Visit on a weekday morning to experience the observation deck with fewer people
  • Take time to truly examine the murals; each panel tells a different story with incredible detail
  • Don't just go up and down the hill the same way; ascend via the Filbert Steps and descend via the Greenwich Steps
  • Listen for the squawk of the famous wild parrots that call Telegraph Hill home.

Our Partners

  • We proudly partner with leading travel experience providers like GetYourGuide and Viator to bring you a curated selection of the best, most reliable Coit Tower tours and tickets.

Fun Facts

  • The tower's design is often said to resemble a fire hose nozzle, a tribute to Lillie Hitchcock Coit's love for the city's firefighters.
  • The flock of parrots living on Telegraph Hill are feral cherry-headed conures, rumored to have escaped from a pet shop and have been thriving here for decades.
  • Some of the murals were considered so controversial and politically charged at the time of their creation that there was a debate about destroying them.

Cancellation Policy

Cancellation policies vary depending on the ticket or tour operator chosen through our partners. Many options offer free cancellation up to 24 hours before the activity. Please check the specific terms and conditions at the time of booking.

Social Media

Share your experience: #CoitTower #TelegraphHill #SanFranciscoViews #SFMurals #VisitSF #CoitTowerMurals

Book Before You Go

Customer Reviews

What Our Guests Say

Real experiences from real travelers

L
Liam O'Connell
Ireland • 2024-05-20

The Best View in SF!

Absolutely breathtaking. We booked our tickets online the day before and walked right in. The 360-degree view is no joke – you can see everything! The Golden Gate, Alcatraz, the whole city laid out. The murals downstairs were a fantastic surprise, so much history. Worth every penny.

I
Isabelle Dubois
France • 2024-05-12

Beautiful Art, Crowded Views

The murals are the real masterpiece here, truly incredible works of art that tell a story. The view from the top is wonderful, but the observation deck is quite small and gets very crowded. I recommend booking for the first slot in the morning to have a bit more space. The climb up the hill is a workout, but the gardens are lovely.

K
Kenji Tanaka
Japan • 2024-04-28

Easy Booking, Iconic Landmark

The process of booking through the partner site was very smooth. I got my ticket on my phone and had no issues. Coit Tower is a must-do. The architecture is beautiful and the history is fascinating. A great way to get your bearings of the city layout from above. Highly recommend.

S
Sophia Rossi
Italy • 2024-04-15

A highlight of our trip!

My husband and I loved our visit. We took a bus to the bottom of the hill and enjoyed the walk up through the beautiful neighborhood. The views are spectacular, we took so many photos. A piece of advice: bring a jacket, it's very windy at the top! A classic San Francisco experience.

B
Ben Carter
Australia • 2024-03-22

Great Views, But Prepare for the Hill

The tower itself is 5 stars for the view and the murals. I'm giving it 4 stars just to warn people about the walk! The hills are seriously steep. If you have any mobility issues, definitely get a taxi. Once you're there, it's fantastic. We saw the famous parrots too!

M
Maria Schmidt
Germany • 2024-05-18

Stunning Panorama and History

A perfect combination of art, history, and incredible cityscapes. Booking our tickets in advance was a very good idea as the queue was quite long. The elevator is old but part of the charm. We spent about an hour and a half here and it was time well spent. A must-see attraction.

C
Carlos Gomez
Mexico • 2024-04-30

Good Experience, Best on a Clear Day

The view is entirely dependent on the weather. We were lucky to have a perfectly clear day. If it's foggy, I would wait. The murals are stunning and you can see them for free, but the elevator ticket is what you come for. A solid San Francisco attraction.

E
Emily Chen
Canada • 2024-05-05

Unforgettable Views of the Bay

I could have stayed up on the observation deck for hours. Watching the boats in the bay and spotting all the famous landmarks was my favorite part of visiting San Francisco. The online booking was simple and saved us a lot of time. Don't miss this!

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