A Sweetheart View

The 39 Coit provides curbside service to San Francisco's Coit Tower. Photo taken Jan. 28, 2015.

A panoramic view of downtown from Coit Tower. Photo taken Jan. 28, 2015.

In honor of Valentine’s Day tomorrow, we thought we’d feature one of the city’s most romantic vistas, and one that certainly should be shared with a loved one: the view from Coit Tower. Okay, so it’s already one of the most popular landmarks in San Francisco, but that doesn’t make it any less romantic.

Our suggestion: Stretch a blanket out on the grass in Pioneer Park in front of Lillie Hitchcock Coit’s gift to the city she loved with Mr. or Ms. Right, uncork a bottle of your favorite beverage and tear off a piece of San Francisco sourdough while admiring the breathtaking view below. We’ve even put together a playlist of mostly San Francisco artists with their gushy odes to the city by the bay. Enjoy them while gazing longingly into your sweetheart’s eyes.

Did You Know?

• Coit Tower was designed by the same architectural firm that designed City Hall.
• Coit Tower was not designed to resemble a fire hose. Don't fall for that one.
• Telegraph Hill, home to Coit Tower, gets its name from a semaphore telegraph erected on its summit in 1850 to alert residents to the arrival of ships.
• The trails surrounding the tower are home to some of the most famous (and noisiest) residents of San Francisco residents: "The Wild Parrots of Telegraph Hill."

How to Get There

Muni Bus Route: The 39 Coit 

Valentine’s Day Coit Tower Playlist

Below Us, All the City Lights Tower of Power

I Left My Heart in San Francisco Tony Bennett

Lights Journey

San Francisco (Be Sure to Wear Flowers in Your Hair) Scott McKenzie

Sittin’ on the Dock of the Bay Otis Redding

San Francisco Days Chris Isaak

San Francisco Nights Eric Burdon

I’m Always Drunk in San Francisco (Live at the Great American Music Hall/1976) Carmen McRae

Twice a month we share some of our favorite destinations in the city and the Muni routes and lines that will take you there.