The Coit Tower stands 64 meters tall. The tower is a 210-foot-tall (64-meter) white concrete column that rises from the summit of Telegraph Hill. Visitors may buy tickets to ride to the top of the tower, which offers 360-degree views of the city and harbor, including the Golden Gate and Bay bridges, in the gift shop. The base of the tower is also a popular place for people to picnic or play soccer. The Coit Tower was designed by John C. Austin and opened to the public on April 16, 1932. It is named after Joseph Leland Coit, who helped raise funds for its construction. Before it was built, many people in San Francisco wanted to provide a view of the city's skyline, but they could not because all the land near the waterfront was owned by other people or was religious grounds. So the city decided to build a sculpture as a tribute to American metalworkers and create a center that would give visitors a view of the city. In addition to being a viewing platform, the base of the tower is a park with trees, gardens, and monuments dedicated to different cultures and countries. There are several bars and restaurants at the top of the tower that offer food and drinks for sale. The Coit Tower is part of the Golden Gate National Recreation Area. It is one of several landmarks that can be seen from the Golden Gate Bridge, which is about 8 miles away. Many tourists visit the tower to take pictures of themselves standing next to it.