Yes, it's crawling with tourists, but buck-up: it's worth it. Why?First, don't you dare come at Coit Tower by any other means than walking up the stairs off Montgomery Street. It's a beautiful urban hike, surrounded by green on all sides, peering into the cutest little houses off the stairway. Do it.Second, the view from even the base of the tower is spectacular. If you want, wait in line to go up to the top, but you'll be wowed even if you don't do that.Third, the murals inside at the base of the tower (you don't have to wait in line to see these) are amazingly preserved examples of 1930s art and culture. They were a public works project during the Depression, and they depict scenes from California's industry and economy. I could spend hours just peering at all the details in these murals.