Riding up Telegraph Hill in an open-air Jeep toward Coit Tower feels like a scene out of a San Francisco movie. No steep stair climbs, no impossible parking, no crowded buses — just your small group, a fun local guide, and sweeping skyline views.
On our Private San Francisco City Tour or Custom San Francisco Tour,
Coit Tower becomes more than a photo stop — it’s a peaceful hilltop escape with stories, murals, gardens, parrots, and views that stretch across the Bay.
Telegraph Hill captures the spirit of San Francisco — scenic, quirky, full of character, and always memorable.
Coit Tower is pure San Francisco personality. It’s where:
Skyline views stretch across the Bay
Depression-era murals tell powerful stories
Hidden stairways wander through lush hillside gardens
Wild parrots screech overhead
Visitors experience a true “wow” moment
This landmark doesn’t just show you San Francisco — it feels like San Francisco.
Standing 210 feet tall atop Telegraph Hill, Coit Tower is an Art Deco icon known for its stunning bay views and vibrant WPA murals.
Here’s what makes it unforgettable:
Views of the Golden Gate Bridge, Bay Bridge & Alcatraz
26 muralists painting during the Great Depression
Garden-lined staircases on all sides of the hill
Famous wild parrots soaring overhead
A legacy tied to San Francisco’s beloved Lillie Hitchcock Coit
Whether you walk up the Filbert Steps or ride up on a Jeep tour, Coit Tower is a highlight of exploring North Beach & Little Italy
The base of Coit Tower offers postcard views without needing to ride to the top:
Pro Tip: Sunrise and sunset offer the best photo light.
Lillie Hitchcock Coit was a colorful San Franciscan known for her devotion to the city’s volunteer firefighters. At age 15, she famously helped a fire engine battle its way uphill — a moment that defined her adventurous spirit.
When she died in 1929, she left a large part of her estate “to beautify the city I have always loved,” which funded:
Inside the tower’s rotunda, you’ll find vivid WPA murals from 1934 showing scenes of everyday life:
Farmers, dockworkers, and market vendors
Libraries, factories, and bustling city streets
Bold political themes about labor and inequality
Art styles influenced by Diego Rivera
Mural tours are available for an additional fee.
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A quiet bench on the west side glows at golden hour
A small overlook east of the tower perfectly frames the Bay Bridge
Parrots are easiest to spot near the Filbert Steps
Locals watch July 4th fireworks from Pioneer Park’s southern edge
Telegraph Hill’s surprising signaling history
How the WPA muralists changed American public art
The story behind San Francisco’s famous parrots
Why Coit Tower remains an enduring city icon
Alcatraz framed from the north overlook
Bay Bridge peek-through between cypress trees
Skyline shots facing south over North Beach
Golden-hour portraits near Pioneer Park
Parrots swooping through the trees
Your tour guide will help you capture great group photos.
The base viewing areas and mural level are wheelchair accessible
Parking is extremely limited
Filbert & Greenwich Steps are steep but beautiful
Our Jeeps provide easy, no-stairs access
Coit Tower Café (open 9:30 AM–6 PM) serves:
Free inside the tower:
Elevator tickets to the top cost $4–$11.
Daily from 10 AM to 6 PM. Last elevator ticket sold at 5:30 PM.
Yes — the elevator and base viewing areas are accessible.
Elevator access costs between $4–$11, depending on age and residency. Base access is free.
Yes. Docent-led mural tours are available for $5–$10 per person.
Parking is extremely limited. Walking or riding with us is recommended.
Yes — it’s one of our signature scenic stops.
Usually 10–20 minutes, depending on your custom route.
Early morning or golden hour for the best photos.
Yes — your guide can adjust your tour route.
Best sightings are mornings and late afternoons.
Book your Private San Francisco Jeep Tour today and see Coit Tower like a local — no uphill climb required.
Telegraph Hill is pure San Francisco: wild parrots, old stories, and views that make your camera work overtime.
Perched high above the city, Coit Tower and Telegraph Hill offer some of the best views in San Francisco—plus murals, parrots, and classic neighborhood stairways. Here are the most common questions visitors ask when planning a stop.
Quick intro: Good to know before you head up the hill.
Coit Tower is open daily from 10 AM to 6 PM. The last elevator ticket is sold at 5:30 PM.
Quick intro: Accessibility details at a glance.
Yes. Coit Tower’s elevator and base viewing areas are wheelchair accessible.
Quick intro: What’s free vs. ticketed.
Elevator access costs between $4 and $11 per person, depending on age and residency. Access to the ground floor, murals, and gift shop is free.
Quick intro: A great option if you love art and history.
Yes. Small group docent-led mural tours are available inside Coit Tower for an additional fee, typically between $5 and $10 per person.
Quick intro: Parking is the trickiest part of visiting.
Parking near Coit Tower is extremely limited. Visitors are encouraged to walk the Filbert or Greenwich Steps, use public transit or rideshare, or book a Private San Francisco Jeep Tour to avoid the steep drive and scarce parking.
Quick intro: One of the city’s classic viewpoints.
Yes. Coit Tower and Telegraph Hill are signature viewpoints included on many Private San Francisco Jeep Tours, offering skyline vistas and great photo opportunities.
Quick intro: Enough time for views and photos.
Most Private San Francisco Jeep Tours spend 10 to 20 minutes at Coit Tower, though timing can be customized based on your interests and photo plans.
Quick intro: Timing makes a big difference for light and crowds.
Early morning and golden hour just before sunset offer the best light, cooler temperatures, and fewer crowds.
Quick intro: A favorite add-on for adventurous guests.
Yes. Guides can customize your tour so you can explore part of the Filbert or Greenwich Steps on foot and rejoin the Jeep at the top or bottom.
Quick intro: One of Telegraph Hill’s most fun surprises.
The wild parrots of Telegraph Hill are most commonly seen and heard in the mornings and late afternoons, especially near the Filbert Steps and trees around Pioneer Park.
Bottom line: Coit Tower combines views, murals, and classic San Francisco character—especially when paired with a stroll on Telegraph Hill or a stop on a private city tour.
Coit Tower is all about elevation and views, so it works best when paired with nearby neighborhoods and waterfront stops below.
