Coit Tower
Coit Tower is one of the best spots for panoramic views of the city and the bay, perched atop Telegraph Hill.
The tower was built in 1933 using funds left by Lillie Hitchcock Coit, a wealthy socialite known for her love of the city and its firefighters. The structure was designed as a tribute to San Francisco’s firefighters, reflecting her lifelong admiration for them.
We visited early in the morning to beat the crowds. There is a bus from Fisherman’s Wharf that takes you uphill to Coit Tower. First, we purchased tickets ($11 for an adult and $3 for a child) from the counter on the ground floor and then explored the space, admiring the series of murals painted during the Great Depression under the Public Works of Art Project.
These artworks depict life in California during the 1930s—from agriculture and industry to everyday urban scenes—making it a hidden cultural gem. Later, we took the elevator up and climbed a short flight of stairs to reach the observation deck.
The deck is a small enclosed space with windows offering 360-degree views of landmarks like the Golden Gate Bridge, Alcatraz Island, and the downtown skyline. It was a sunny day without any fog, so we thoroughly enjoyed the views and captured some great pictures.
When we arrived, there were hardly 5–7 visitors, but it gradually became crowded. Not all windows are kept open at all times—some were open while others remained locked—but we could still see clearly through the glass. After spending 15–20 minutes, we headed back, spent some time in the surrounding area, and then called an Uber to reach the Ferry Building.
A Few Takeaways
- Visit early in the morning or just before sunset for the best views and fewer crowds.
- Entry to the ground-floor murals is free, but there’s a ticket fee for the elevator ride to the top.
- The combination of the elevator and stairs to reach the deck makes it unsuitable for individuals with limited mobility.
Ferry Building
The Ferry Building is one of San Francisco’s most iconic landmarks and has been an important part of the city’s waterfront for more than a century. Designed in 1892 and completed in 1898, the building is best known for its striking clock tower, whose design was inspired by the Giralda bell tower in Seville, Spain.
The Ferry Building was once a major transportation hub, with streetcars and ferries bringing large numbers of commuters to the waterfront. However, its importance declined after the construction of the San Francisco–Oakland Bay Bridge and the Golden Gate Bridge, which diverted much of the traffic away from the ferries. Streetcars were eventually replaced by buses, and the building was gradually adapted for office use.
After extensive restoration and renovation in 2002, the Ferry Building found a new life. Today, it houses the Ferry Building Marketplace, a popular food hall and collection of local food businesses, along with offices and a busy ferry terminal.
We planned to catch a Golden Gate Ferry from the terminal to Sausalito. We reached there after our visit to Coit Tower, which also helped us beat the morning rush hour. First, we identified where to purchase tickets, where to board, and the ferry timings. We had checked the information on their website but wanted to reconfirm. Before boarding the ferry, we roamed around the terminal and used the restroom facilities.
Sausalito
Sausalito is a charming waterfront town located just across the Golden Gate Bridge from San Francisco, known for its beautiful bay views, hillside streets, art galleries, boutique shops, and relaxed atmosphere. Once a small shipbuilding and fishing community, Sausalito developed into an artistic and residential destination while retaining its strong connection to the waterfront.
Its waterfront offers lovely views of San Francisco, the Bay, and the Golden Gate Bridge, making it a popular stop for visitors exploring the Bay Area. Sausalito can be reached by car, ferry, or bicycle, with the ferry ride from San Francisco being a particularly scenic way to arrive. With its combination of waterfront scenery, small-town charm, and easy access from San Francisco, Sausalito makes for a wonderful half-day or day trip.
We love taking ferries, so we decided to take one and have lunch in this small town. At Ferry Terminal Gate B, a helpful coordinator assisted us with ticket and schedule information. Mihir and I paid for our tickets using the Clipper Card in the Wallet app on Android. For our son, we purchased a ticket from the ticket vending machine. We paid $8.25 per adult and $7 for a child for a one-way ride.
We got to ride on the ferry ‘Sonoma’. It was a smooth ride with a chilly wind. We witnessed the city skyline, the Golden Gate Bridge, and Alcatraz Island while sailing to Sausalito. It was an approx. 30-mins ride, and there was sufficient seating inside the cabin as well as outside on the deck. However, the wind made it difficult for us to enjoy the outside deck.
From afar, the town looked charming and beautiful. Once the ferry docked, we were excited to explore it. There was an information kiosk at the dock where you could gather all the required information and get a map of the town.
We visited a few shops in search of a souvenir but didn’t find one. After walking along the waterfront, we decided to have lunch at Venice Gourmet Delicatessen. We enjoyed soup, sandwiches, and wine.
After fueling up, we walked up to the marina and then settled in Gabrielson Park, where a few families were enjoying their picnics. We sat on a bench overlooking the bay—a perfect spot to take a nap.
Later, we wandered around Spinnaker Drive and enjoyed the magnificent views of Belvedere Island across Richardson Bay from the Richardson Bay viewpoint.
It was the best few hours spent in this town. I wish we had had more time and could have spent a night or two in this town. At the same time, I am happy that we enjoyed one town instead of squeezing two towns into a day, as per our original plan.
The plan was to cover Sausalito and Tiburon in a day. I highly recommend taking the ferry and visiting at least one town during your trip to San Francisco.
After we returned from Sausalito, we visited a few shops in the marketplace, purchased chocolates and cocoa powder from Dandelion Chocolate, and enjoyed some ice cream. All the shops had a variety of items such as cookies, candies, chocolates, liquor, cheeses, breads, etc. A few small stalls were also set up, selling homemade and organic products.
We were planning to visit Embarcadero Plaza, but there was some protest going on, and the area was quite crowded, so we dropped that plan. Instead, we caught a streetcar to reach Fisherman’s Wharf. In the evening, we were going out for dinner with my college friends and their family.
Stay tuned for our next adventure.
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