Telegraph Hill

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Telegraph Hill is one of the oldest district in San Francisco. It was populated way sooner than the Gold Rush by the men who used to work on the neighboring waterfront. Present day Telegraph Hill has the highest number of homes constructed before 1870 in San Francisco. The neighborhood still retains hallmarks from the glory days of the past. As ships discharged their goods, a quarry at the crown of Telegraph Hill provided the rocks needed for counterbalance and today, the visible cliff over Broadway is one of the most significant qualities of Telegraph Hill.

Telegraph Hill is recognized for its Carpenter Gothic houses, charming cottages and Italianate homes with their abruptly pitched roofs and baroque wooden scroll work. These are all examples of the old San Francisco and they are joined by the more recent modernist homes designed by prominent architects including Gardner Dailey, Richard Neutra and William Wurster.

The skyline of Telegraph Hill is governed by Coit Tower – named after the heiress who provided the funds used to reward San Francisco’s firefighters. The precipitous slopes of Telegraph Hill leads to Financial District, Fisherman’s Wharf and the waterfront making the neighborhood completely walkable. There are many wooden walkway networks in Telegraph Hill amongst which the Filbert Street Steps presents a trail to the peak of the hill from Levi’s Plaza. Reinvigorated by a meal from Il Fornaio, the climbers can follow the path to Coit Tower zooming past budding community gardens and gigantic trees. The scene from the crown of Coit Tower is a delight for the eyes and it attracts tourists from all around the world.