San Francisco is a city known for its outdoor activities. But not many know about Lands End Trail in the Sutro District. Stop by these 5 stops along this local hike.
When in San Francisco, the majority of people spend their time East of the Golden Gate Bridge and forget to explore West of the bridge. The Western coast near the Sutro District offers stunning views of the Pacific Ocean and the Golden Gate Bridge. Pat and I escaped the crowd and spent an evening hiking the lesser known Lands End Trail.
The hike is pretty flat, but still requires sneakers. Although, Pat and I ran into a girl walking around barefoot!! The inclines are not too steep and the views are beautiful. The hike is fairly short, 2.9 miles out and back if you decide to loop back. To get there you will need to bike or take an Uber to the Sutro Baths Parking Lot, which is where Lands End Trail begins. Remember to pack a scarf and a sweater. Since you will be hiking on the coast, it gets really cold! There are no bathrooms along the way, so use the one in the parking lot before you begin your hike. Once your dropped off at the parking lot, head down to your first stop on this scenic trail, Sutro Baths.
FIRST STOP: Sutro Baths
Sutro Baths were designed as a massive public bathhouse in 1894 by Adolph Sutro, a self-made millionaire. There were slides, trapezes, springboards and a high dive all available for San Franciscans to take advantage of at this 3 acre pool or bath area. The power of the Pacific Ocean during high tide could fill 1.7 million gallons of water to the pools in just 1 hour!! The Baths could hold 10,000 people at one time. Needless to say, it sounds like it was one of the biggest swimming pools in the world. Today, these baths have been preserved as a historical landmark for the public to observe.
Once you are down at Sutro Baths, you will see a small cave like opening to your right. You can go in, but make sure the sea level isn’t too high because the water can enter the cave sometimes! Get to the end, you will see reach a beautiful cove.
SECOND STOP: Point Lobos
Located to the right of Sutro Baths you will see a trail that will take you to a lookout where you can oversee Sutro Baths and the Lands End Trail. This area is known as Point Lobos (not to be confused with Point Lobos in Carmel). Take in the views from here before heading up the steps and beginning Lands End Trail.
As you begin the hike, you will find beautiful views along the way. We found an opening in the trees on one of the cliffs. From here you could see Golden Gate Bridge and Mile Rock Beach unobstructed by tourists.
Don’t forget to stop by various openings along the way, but be careful. You can get some stunning lesser known shots along the way, but be careful not to get to close to the edge. Pat and I caught these two trying to get an instagram shot of them “fake falling” down the cliff…that’s not safe and how accidents happen.
THIRD STOP: Lands End Point
If you want to catch an unbeaten, less seen and unobstructed view of the Golden Gate Bridge, take a detour halfway through your hike. You will walk by an entryway at one point that is clearly marked by some wooden steps. Take them down to Lands End Point, a desolate area dedicated for people to take in the Golden Gate Bridge and the rugged San Francisco coast. It’s a perfect place for a picnic as well if you are out there during the day time.
FOURTH STOP: Lands End Labyrinth
Right below Lands End Point is Lands End Labyrinth. It was built by artist Eduardo Aguilera who was inspired by other historic labyrinths. He originally used it to light candles, create small shrines and find “peace, love and enlightenment.” He never thought it would be found by the public. Today, it is a hidden gem people seek out along the Lands End Trial.
FIFTH STOP: Sea Cliff
As you make your way to the end of trail you have 2 options. You can either walk back the way you came from and enjoy the views from a different perspective OR you can continue through my favorite neighborhood in San Francisco—Sea Cliff. It’s a homey neighborhood and super wealthy, but a stroll through these beautiful villas give you a glimpse into the wealthier side of San Francisco. Many don’t visit this area because there aren’t any tourist attractions nearby, but it’s away from the crowds, has stunning beaches such as Baker Beach and China Beach, and is connected to Lands End Trail. All the more reason to visit this local gem.
If you hike Lands End Trail at the right time, you might be lucky enough to catch some Whale and Orca migrations! Humpbacks typically pass through the Western coast May through November, Gray Whales and Killer Whales from December to May, and Blue Whales July through December. Unfortuntely, we did not see any when we were there in September, but keep an eye out next time you are there! For more on what to do in San Francisco, read my article San Francisco Travel Guide: What To Do In 2 Days.
3 comments
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That fifth place looks like it would be a great location for a fashion shoot! Wow! It’s pretty breathtaking! Thanks for sharing some awesome destinations. 😀