Welcome To San Francisco’s Coit Tower!

While The Golden Gate Bridge may be San Francisco’s most iconic sight, the famous Coit Tower isn’t far behind…

Coit Tower is a 210-foot tower in the Telegraph Hill neighborhood of San Francisco, built in 1933. It was added to the National Register of Historic Places on January 29, 2008.

Alfred Hitchcock’s Sensual Obsession!

Hitchcock’s masterpiece “Vertigo” filmed scenes in San Francisco, and the Director used the tower in a very unique way. In the film, Kim Novak uses the landmark to find Scottie’s apartment on Lombard Street.

The interior apartment scenes were filmed on a studio set, but Hitchcock wanted the tower shown prominently in the background through the apartment window. When art director Henry Bumstead questioned this, Hitchcock replied:

“Coit Tower is a phallic symbol.”

Well, OK then – that means we need to climb up the thing!

The 400 Filbert Street Steps!

When you approach the tower from the Fisherman’s Wharf area to the east, you find a series of steps that will take you all the up to the tower – 400+ steps!

Of course, my wife Alex was eager to travel this way, so off we went on our climb…

There are many places to stop and look at the view, and houses with miniature gardens surround it as well – but no matter how many times you stop, THIS is still ahead of you:

It took about twenty minutes to navigate them all – and there are lots of people doing it around you as well…

Finally, you reach the top and the tower is, in fact, towering above you:

Not only is the tower beautiful, the location offers you spectacular views of San Francisco as well, including the Golden Gate Bridge and Alcatraz Island!

I have a story to share about Alcatraz soon as well…so our walk up to the tower was fun, great exercise, and it pays off with spectacular views…if you are ever in San Francisco, I recommend you give Coit a climb!

I also suggest you check out the wild sea lions and seals as well – here is my story on this landmark:

https://johnrieber.com/2017/04/15/san-franciscos-famous-sea-lion-hangout-sea-lions-take-over-a-pier/

If you are on the west coast, a two hour trip south of San Francisco will take you here:

This amazing Calla Lily valley empties right into the Pacific Ocean – see more pics here

https://johnrieber.com/2017/05/29/visit-natures-calla-lily-valley-amazing-pacific-ocean-adventure/

Hope you enjoyed the climb up Coit Tower!

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