Coit Tower
on top of Telegraph Hill (Lombard and Kearny Streets)
San Francisco
(415) 362-0808

The 180-foot tall Coit Tower, built with funds from the estate of Lillie Hitchcock Coit and visible from all over the city, is often considered a monument to the city's volunteer firefighters. In fact, many people see a resemblance between the tower itself and a fire-hose nozzle. While there are interesting WPA murals inside, the real attraction is the panoramic views from the top (in fact, The Insider editors consider Coit Tower one of the 4 best spots for enjoying the city skyline).

Note that despite the fact that you can ride an elevator almost to the top of the tower, the series of steps to the base and the short staircase to the observation deck mean that this attraction is not wheelchair accessible. For information about hours and admission fees, visit Coit Tower's web site.