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Twin Peaks — The checkable facts
Quick answer
Twin Peaks rises about 925 feet near the geographic centre of San Francisco, making the two summits the second and third highest natural points in the city after Mount Davidson at 928 feet. The Christmas Tree Point overlook faces northeast at downtown. The peaks sit on the fog boundary, so mornings are usually clearer than afternoons in summer.
| Claim | Source |
|---|---|
| Twin Peaks rise about 925 feet and are the second and third highest natural points in San Francisco | Wikipedia — Twin Peaks (San Francisco) |
| Mount Davidson, at 928 feet, is the highest point within city limits | Wikipedia — Twin Peaks (San Francisco) |
| Spanish name recorded as Los Pechos de la Chola, 'Breasts of the Indian Maiden' | Wikipedia — Twin Peaks (San Francisco) |
| Sutro Tower is 977 feet tall and was completed on 4 July 1973 | Wikipedia — Sutro Tower |
| Sutro Tower was built because San Francisco's hills blocked line-of-sight television signals | Wikipedia — Sutro Tower |
| Herb Caen: 'I keep waiting for it to stalk down the hill and attack the Golden Gate Bridge' | Wikipedia — Sutro Tower |
Frequently asked
How high is Twin Peaks in San Francisco?
About 925 feet. The two summits are the second and third highest natural points inside the city; only Mount Davidson, at 928 feet, is higher. The overlook and car park sit slightly below the summits, and a short trail climbs to each one from there.
Why is Twin Peaks so windy and foggy?
Because it sits on the boundary. Summer fog pushes in off the Pacific and the peaks split it: the Sunset and Richmond districts stay grey and windy for weeks in July and August while the Mission, two miles east, gets sun. The gap across the city can be ten degrees or more.
What is the Spanish name for Twin Peaks?
Los Pechos de la Chola, recorded by the Spanish who mapped this coast and usually translated as the Breasts of the Indian Maiden. The name was replaced with Twin Peaks under American control in the nineteenth century. It survives on old maps, and most tour commentary hurries past the translation.
When is the best time to see the view from Twin Peaks?
Morning is usually clearer than afternoon through the summer, and September and October are the city's genuinely warm, clear months. The view is a lottery in any season, so check whether the peaks are in cloud before driving up rather than after.
What is the red and white tower next to Twin Peaks?
Sutro Tower, finished on 4 July 1973 and 977 feet tall. It was built because San Francisco's hills blocked television signals, and it fixed that. Herb Caen wrote that he kept waiting for it to stalk down the hill and attack the Golden Gate Bridge.
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