Art & a View: San Francisco’s Coit Tower
March 18, 2009 by Mary Jo Manzanares
Filed under Home & Living
At the top of Telegraph Hill, in San Francisco’s Pioneer Park, stands one of the prominent buildings of the city’s skyline – Coit Tower. Along with the Golden Gate Bridge and the Transamerica Pyramid, it is one of the most recognizable sights in the San Francisco.
Coit Tower in San Francisco; photo from wikimedia
The art deco tower was built in 1933, with funds donated by Lillie Hitchcock Coit, after whom the tower was named. Folklore claims that the tower was designed to look like a fire hose nozzle, and was a tribute to the firefighters of the 1906 earthquake fire. Although this may be more urban legend than fact, the story is consistent with the quirky personality of the donor, and many people choose to believe that it’s true.
A sunny San Francisco afternoon is the perfect time for a tour of Coit Tower and its surrounding grounds.
From the surrounding grounds you have expansive views of the city, the Golden Gate Bridge, and San Francisco Bay. Just sit and enjoy the sun, practice a bit with your photography, or stroll around enjoying the flowers and the view.
Inside the first floor of the tower are murals of depression-era art. Although done by 26 different artists, they are all in a Diego Riviera style. These murals of working men and women during the depression are considered some of the best of its genre.
Depression Era Mural at Coit Tower; photo from wikimedia
Coit Tower can be a bit confusing to get to as it is only accessible by one road. There is a small parking lot at the top of the hill. You can also get there by walking two blocks (fairly steep) up Filbert or Greenwich Street from Grant Avenue. Or, take the #39-Coit Muni bus. This latter option is especially attractive during the summer months when traffic and parking is difficult.
Coit Tower is open daily from 10 am – 6 pm. There is no charge for entrance into the ground or the lobby level. There is a small charge for the elevator to the top.
And if you can’t visit during the nice weather, don’t let that put you off. The views are fantastic all year round (I love looking at the city shrouded in fog), and it will be much less crowded.
San Francisco is a modern city in all respect but what appeals to me the most is all the old things and past legacies are well preserved and taken care of. May it be cable cars of the late twentieth century, Alcatraz Federal Prison once a dreaded prison, Victorian homes known as ‘Post Card Row, Mission Dolores the old historical building and many more The past is dead and gone but it still makes its presence felt with these structures.