Now: The iconic Coit Tower is the focal point of the area for most visitors, but if you're willing to take your time and wander (and hike a couple of steep stretches of steps) you can catch a lot of extra scenery. Many people take the Greenwich Street steps since they are closest to the tower, and return the same way. The Filbert Street steps, just to the south, lead through much more of the lush landscaping characteristic of Telegraph Hill.
Then: The name Telegraph Hill came from a structure built on the top of the hill in the mid-1800s, which would visually signal the city with regard to the type of vessels passing through the Golden Gate.
How To Get There: Many visitors drive directly up to Coit Tower, following the signs from North Beach. The small parking lot at the top can be jammed with a waiting queue of cars, especially on nice days. It's actually fairly easy to walk up from Lombard or Greenwich Street. A special 39-line Muni bus runs up and down here from Fisherman's Wharf. If you know you want to climb the scenic steps, you can actually park on the east side, near Levi Plaza and Sansome Street, and start from the bottom.

Inside the entry way to Coit Tower

Stairway inside Coit Tower, leading up to the top

Souvenir penny press inside the top of Coit Tower

Coins slipped on to the window ledge in Coit Tower

Taking pictures at the top of Coit Tower

Looking up from the open top of Coit Tower

View north toward the bay and Alcatraz, from the top of Coit Tower

Southeast view from Coit Tower, over Embarcadero and Bay Bridge

Northwest view from Coit Tower, toward the bay and Golden Gate Bridge

South view toward the downtown skyline, from Coit Tower

West view across the city, from Coit Tower

Southwest view of the city from Coit Tower

Parking lot for Coit Tower

Taking photos from the west edge of the parking lot at Coit Tower

Steps leading down to Greenwich Street from Pioneer Park and Coit Tower

Looking toward Coit Tower from Grant Avenue at Greenwich Street

Stairway leading down from the parking lot at Coit Tower to the path around Pioneer Park

Path around the edge of Pioneer Park, leading toward the front entrance and Lombard Street

Pioneer Park, featuring Coit Tower

Bench honoring Gugliemo Marconi, developer of the radio telegraph, across from Pioneer Park

The Bay Bridge, from the south slope of Telegraph Hill

Filbert Street and Telegraph Hill, at the entrance to the Filbert Steps on Telegraph Hill

Residences and gardens, from the Filbert Street Steps

Filbert Stairway, looking upwards

Darrell Place, at the Filbert Steps, on Telegraph Hill

Filbert Street Steps, leading down to Montgomery Street, on Telegraph Hill

House on Telegraph Hill, at the Filbert Street Steps

Looking up toward Filbert Street Steps, from Montgomery Street

Looking up at Coit Tower from Montgomery Street, between the two sections of the Filbert Street Steps

Coit Tower and the sky, at the top of the Greenwich Street Steps on Telegraph Hill

The Parrots of Telegraph Hill, perched on a balcony railing

Beginning of the Filbert Street Steps leading up from Sansome Street, at the base of Telegraph Hill

Sansome Street, facing the entrance to the Filbert Street Steps at Telegraph Hill

Levi Park, facing Battery Street

Walkway in Levi Plaza, facing Sansome Street

Levi Plaza, at Filbert Street between Battery and Sansome Streets

Levi Plaza Park, between Battery Street and the Embarcadero, at the end of Filbert Street

Looking back toward Coit Tower, from Levi Plaza Park

Entrance to Levi Plaza Park from Embarcadero at Filbert Street, across from Pier 23

Julius' Castle Restaurant, at Montgomery Street, at the Greenwich Street Steps

The Transamerica Pyramid, from Broadway
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