Ultimate Hiking Guide for Lands End Trail: San Francisco
I’ve been living in San Francisco for over a year now and without a doubt, the Lands End Trail is my favorite hike in San Francisco. Whenever I have a family member or friend visit, I force encourage them to hike it with me. The views of Ocean Beach, Sutro Baths, The Labyrinth, and The Golden Gate Bridge are beautiful and never get old. I firmly believe any San Francisco itinerary should include this hike. Lucky for you, I’ve made a comprehensive guide to help you witness these iconic views of San Francisco.
Lands End Parking
So where do you park? And how much does it cost? Let it be known, there is FREE parking at Lands End! I’ll share 3 different spots so you are guaranteed to find parking.
Parking Spot #1: Lands End Main Parking Lot. This lot holds ample space. It also gives you ample free parking time: 4 hours! That is certainly enough time to complete the hike and take in the sights without feeling rushed. Address: Merrie Way, San Francisco, CA 94121. Here is a map below to find it.
Parking Spot #2: Sutro Heights Park Public Parking. This spot is just south, across the street from Lands End Main Parking Lot. It is a good place to park if the latter is full. It is also free! Address: 846 Point Lobos Ave, San Francisco, CA 94121. Here is a map below to find it.
Parking Spot #3: Parking on La Playa St. This is my pick as a SF local. Parking here allows you to see breathtaking San Francisco views most tourists don’t see.
While it does not technically start at Lands End, it adds some pretty views from Sutro Heights Park of the Outer Sunset neighborhood and Ocean Beach. It is great if you want to add some extra stairs/steps to your day.
On the southbound side, street sweeping is 11am to 1pm on the 2nd and 4th Tuesdays of the month. On the northbound side, street sweeping is every Tuesday from 7 to 8am. Avoid those times and you’re good to go! I’ve never not found an open spot here. The address I’ve listed below is Kawika’s Ocean Beach Deli which is on the same street. By the way, they serve up some great sandwiches that you can eat before or during your hike! Address: 734La Playa St. San Francisco, CA 94121. Here is a map below to find it.
How long is the Lands End Hike?
According to AllTrails, the Lands End Hike is a highly trafficked, loop trail that is 3.4 miles round trip, with a 534 ft elevation gain. If you park on La Playa St., take time to explore Sutro Baths, and take detours here and there (which I recommend), then the hike will probably be around 5-6 miles long.
How long time-wise does it take to explore Lands End? If you hike the trail without breaks, it won’t take longer than 1.5 hours. However, if you want to see everything and take breaks, I would suggest to plan for 2.5 to 3.5 hours.
Weather at Lands End
San Francisco is more often cloudy, gloomy, and foggy, than it is clear and sunny. Obviously, check the weather before you go. However, I wouldn’t skip out on Lands End just because of the weather. Gloom or shine, it is still an enjoyable hike! In a way, with gloom, you’ll see SF more in its element.
Pro-tip: mornings are usually foggy, cloudy, and grey, while the afternoons often clear up. So just because you see that cloudy image on the weather app, check to see if in the afternoon, the skies clear up a bit more. I would wait to go to Lands End when it’s clear so you can see the Golden Gate Bridge from afar.
It can get pretty windy too, so take action as necessary!
What is the Best Time of Year to Hike Lands End?
Quite simply, any time of the year!
Truth be told, mid-late summer to fall is usually when the sky is clearest and the weather is least rainy. But again, I wouldn’t let cloudy weather deter you from doing this hike, especially if you are visiting SF for only a short amount of time.
Lands End Hiking Trail Map
Use the interactive map above as a guide for your hike. I say as a “guide” because I am always a proponent of taking detours and being spontaneous when something seems cool! That’s exploration after all.
Follow the blue letters alphabetically. The yellow markers are points of interest you do not want to miss.
Note that the map is designed for those who parked on La Playa St. If you parked at either the Lands End Main Parking Lot or Sutro Baths Public Parking Lot, then start at Sutro Baths (Point C) and continue alphabetically from there. If you have time, then I would add the route south of Point Lobos Ave.
Balboa Natural Area and Sutro Heights Park
This guide assumes you are starting from La Playa St. The street is in a residential neighborhood and usually has ample parking. If you can’t find parking here, try the next block over and just make sure you aren’t parking during street sweeping.
The reason why I like to park on La Playa St. is because of the views offered along the way to Sutro Heights Park.
After you’ve delved into some sub sandwiches at the Kawika’s Deli, a local favorite, cross the street to the north. You should find some stairs named the Sutro Heights Stairs.
Immediately you’ll get rewarded with some gnarly views. The perfectly lined rows of the Outer Sunset neighborhood next to Ocean Beach is a view not many visitors get to see!
You’ll eventually get to Sutro Heights Park where there are more views like the one above. At the park you will see some abandoned, archaic looking structures. Take some time to check them out. Parts of the park are pretty expansive and is a great place to throw a frisbee around.
Lands End Lookout and Sutro Baths
When you cross the street from Sutro Heights Park, you’ll get smacked with your first look of the Sutro Bath ruins.
The view from Lands End Lookout (pictured above) is one of my absolute favorite views of all time, as it holds a special place in my heart. One of my favorite TV shows during college was an HBO show called “Looking” which takes place in SF. During one episode (Season 1, episode 5 to be exact), the dating couple sat at Lands End Lookout having casual first-date conversation. The backdrop of this scene was absolutely breathtaking and made me want to live in San Francisco so very badly. Fast forward 5 years later, and now I live here. I’m very grateful to have this view in my “backyard.”
Apologies for getting a little side-tracked there. Back to the main program. At the Lookout, is a visitor center where you can learn more about the area, a gift shop with SF-themed souvenirs, cafe, bathrooms, and water fountains. Next to the lookout, is the Lands End Main Parking lot. Also nearby are two restaurants: Louis’ and Sutro’s. I’ve never dined at either, but Louis’ offers American cuisine and is a family-owned restaurant since 1947! Sutro’s is located at the Cliff House and offers panoramic ocean views from its two story dwelling. It serves up “Californian” cuisine and is certainly more upscale. Probably really great for sunset since it’s situated looking west!
While Sutro Baths is technically not a part of the Lands End Trail, you’d be a fool to miss it. That’s right, I said it — a FOOL! Now that I’ve clearly convinced you to go, what exactly is Sutro Baths? The national park service knows it much better than I do, but essentially it used to be a grand bathhouse that was designed by Adolph Sutro in 1894. The 3 acre swimming facility boasted 7 different swimming pools and could host 10,000 San Franciscians at a time. Over time though, its popularity faded and a fire in 1966 didn’t help either. What remains, are what is dubbed the Sutro Bath Ruins.
While moseying around the area, you’ll no doubt come across this cave. It’s equally neat and dark inside. You can hear the roar of the ocean as waves crash against the rock formations. The tunnel is not long, but exercise some caution as the ground is a bit uneven
After you’ve explored the Sutro Baths area, head up to Point Lobos. It is a lookout point just above the cave. Some great photos can be taken here, just look at the picture above!
The Coastal Trail
So a little soapbox here. Hiking at Lands End can be confusing because the route that everyone takes technically consists of two trails: Lands End Trail and the Coastal Trail. But don’t fret! Follow the hiking map earlier in this post and you will be fine. So if you see a sign that says you are on the coastal trail, don’t freak out, you are on the right path!
Throughout the majority of the trail, you walk along the coastline. You will be offered views of the Pacific Ocean the entire way, with the Golden Gate Bridge making multiple guest appearances in the background. There are a number of vista points. You also will likely see boats and cargo ships entering and leaving the bay, as pictured below.
Mile Rock Beach
Keep your eyes peeled for signs of Mile Rock Beach. Eventually you’ll see that the path leads you down some stairs to your left. Be warned: there are a lot of stairs! I would guess more than 100 steps. After all, they lead you all the way down to the ocean! There aren’t any rails either from what I can remember. If you want to skip mile rock beach, you certainly can. But keep in mind that if you want to see the Lands End Labyrinth, you will have to go down a fraction of these stairs.
I like Mile Rock Beach because it gives diversity to the hike. It’s a small, secluded beach, scattered with rock formations. There is sand, but not much as the coastline is close to the cliff. While not the prettiest beach, I’d add it to your hike because it is a good spot to rest, snack, and listen to the waves.
Lands End Labyrinth
Well, this is it — the iconic Lands End Labyrinth that you have probably seen on Instagram! In all seriousness, it is definitely worth checking out. It is an interesting, alien-like landmark that is really cool to see in person. Essentially, it is a maze that starts on the left side of the picture and ends in the middle of the circle. Once completed, some visitors leave a peace offering or treasured item in the center.
So wait, what is the labyrinth exactly? It was constructed by local San Francisco artist, Eduardo Aguilera. From his words, the seven-circuit Chartres-style labyrinth represents “peace, love, and enlightenment.” It’s not technically endorsed by the Land’s End National Park area, but it’s such an iconic landmark that people respect the work of art and protect it from vandalism. And I must say, its out-of-placeness makes you stop and reflect without realizing you are.
It can get pretty breezy here so be careful. The Lands End maze sits right next to a cliff!
Eagle's Point
Last but not least is Eagle’s Point. It’s the last point of interest before you turn around and head back to the start. Before Eagle’s Point though, is more continuous trail where views of the Golden Gate Bridge will be to your left. This long stretch of road from the labyrinth to Eagle’s Point is where you will get most of your steps in.
Eagle’s Point is definitely the best view of the Golden Gate Bridge on the trail as it is the closest you’ll get to the bridge from about two miles away. If you go during springtime, the advent of spring flowers makes for a colorful sight.
After Eagle’s Point, it’s time to head back home! Just follow the map. The trip back is faster, as you won’t be stopping every 5 minutes to take a photo of the pristine California coast. Unless, that is, you do. Heh.
Top 3 Land's End Tips
1. Explore Around and Take Detours
As with any hike, take the time to explore the road less traveled! There are short paths here and there that branch off the main trail that are certainly worth exploring, as you’ll likely catch great views that most people don’t see (including myself!). Other places you can shuffle around are at Sutro Baths and Mile Rock beach.
2. Bring a Windbreaker
It can get pretty windy at Lands End. Some spots, more than others too. For instance, the Lands End labyrinth endures some high winds.
3. Eat Before the Hike or Bring Snacks
This may seem like a given, but I say it especially because there are limited places to eat nearby throughout the entire hike. The exceptions are Louis’ and the Cliff House, but they are not necessarily budget friendly places to dine just to hold you over for the hike. The cafe at Lands End Lookout is an option. What I highly recommend that is near, cheap, and good, is Kawika’s Ocean Beach Deli, but that’s only if you parked on La Playa St. Their roast beef and turkey sandwich on a home-made dutch crunch roll is absolutely exquisite. It’s huge too!
The Verdict
Overall, Lands End gets a 9/10 from me.
It’s diverse. There’s a beach, torn ruins of a bathhouse, a unique labyrinth, and endless views of the Pacific Ocean and historic Golden Gate Bridge. It’s a trail that keeps your mind stimulated and I appreciate that.
It’s certainly a popular trail. While there are tourists, there are also locals, like me who go. Don’t expect to be the only one there, unless you go during sunrise or sunset.
Lastly, I like how the trail is very unexpected. It’s in the bustling metropolis of San Francisco, yet the hike bursts with nature, beach, and coastal views that make you forget you are technically in the city.
I definitely recommend hiking the Lands End Trail to add some color and nature to your San Francisco itinerary.
Til’ the next adventure!
2 thoughts on “Ultimate Hiking Guide for Lands End Trail: San Francisco”
Best view in the town !
Awesome!