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Recommended Reviews - Lands End Lookout
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What a beautiful place to visit. We went on Sunday and the weather was perfect. There wasn't a cloud in the sky and there was no fog so you could see as far as you could. Parking is tight. There are two lots. We looked at the lower lot and didn't see anything. We didn't know about the upper lot till we went hiking around. We did luck out and found a spot near the local hotel. Only two hour parking, but that was enough time for us. We parked across from the bus stop, so if you are looking for parking, drive a block or so off from the main lot into the housing district. After we parked we walked a little bit to the Sutro District sign. All the streets have cross walks and buttons to push so you can get the cross walk going. When you hit the Sutro District sign you come upon several trails that take you to lands end lookout. We followed the longer trail and had a good walk. What a view. With the fog free day you can see the Golden Gate Bridge Clearly. We took some fabulous pictures. The only thing is you can barley see the bridge in the distance in our pictures. It's a tiny speck, but when you look with the naked eye you can see it as if it's right there. It's an optical illusion. This is a place I'd love to come back to and hike around more. There are plenty more trails to explore.
I love stopping in at this lookout and shop whenever I visit Lands End. There are many souvenirs, maps & other goodies as well as clean restrooms. The parking lot offer free parking and the views are sensational. As it was a warm day I purchased a gelato bar (strawberry-lemonade) and it was honestly one of the best gelato bars I've had before. It totally hit the spot.
Great visitors center with friendly staffs and lot of fun things to see. This is also the place to start your lands end trail and access to sutro bath ruins.
The Lands End Lookout Visitor Center is the trailhead for a few hiking routes. I like the window views inside, and you can also learn history about this area and get some souvenirs here.
i came here when it was a lot sunnier and warmer a few years ago but the photos are too deep in my gallery lol but these are recent ones from mid to end of august! lov free parking as always and a couple of steep stairs down (and up) to the pools and views. there's a cave too but not much. cold when it's windy but gets hot when you're hiking up LOL
Some beautiful views of the coast and access to trails towards the bay. If it's foggy, it often clears up by noon. You can get some magnificent views of the Golden Gate Bridge from those trails. It's a nice place for a walk and a lot of people go jogging. To the end, it is less than 2 miles but be aware that there are some steep stairs at a couple of points. They have a parking lot that gets full and another one across the street. Some spots along the street too and there is no charge. They had a officer present for some more security and hopefully prevent car break ins. There is a small visitor center that sells souvenirs and some snacks. They have bathrooms that are clean. It's a nice place for a visit and should be on the tourist site list.
Not far from Baker Beach (good view of the bridge) is Land's End. Its a nice view, and doesn't take long to soak in some views from the parking lot if you're in a rush. If you have time, there are various trails you can explore. Land's End contains the ruins of the Sutro Baths, which was a large privately owned saltwater swimming pool complex built in 1894, which burned down in 1966. When completed it was the world's largest indoor swimming pool complex. In the park there are displays that talk about segregation and how it related to the Sutro Baths which allowed non white people as spectators but were not permitted to go in the water. The park is free and is well worth a visit. Parking was fairly easy but may get crowded on weekends and holidays.
A friend took us here right before taking us to the airport and it has amazing views! The cypress trees are beautiful, and there are scenic trails where people were walking with their pets. We didn't stay long, just enough to walk up to the lookout point and take some photos. It was pretty windy (see photo) but the view is stunning. The only thing concerning were the signs warning of smash and grabs, and the bits of shattered glass in the lot. But the parking in the lot is free, so that was a bonus. If I lived here, I would definitely come here regularly!
So many options: the Sutro bathhouse ruins and old train tunnel, the Cliff House grounds (and sometimes art exhibits), Sutro Heights, and the Land's End trail to Eagle's Point - even continuing on to Seacliff, the Presidio, and the Golden Gate Bridge. It's all gorgeous and part of what makes SF special. Tips: don't leave anything visible in your car, the labyrinth has been gone for a while, and the visitor center gift store and bathrooms are open (with a small selection of drinks and snacks), though the cafe is closed.
This is why you live here! If you are visiting this is a must. The views are stunning period! Some of the best views in the World! Hike the trail Visit Sutro bath ruins Stroll the beaches. Breath the fresh sea air. Now you Know too
The lookout is one of those places at Lands End where everyone will stop by since I think it's the only area with a water fountain and restrooms. I didn't think the restrooms were the cleanest considering the amount of foot traffic it gets per day. The restrooms actually have hours of operation and are open daily from 9am - 5pm so plan accordingly if you come to Lands End early or later in the day. The gift shop is a good place to check out if you want to get some information about the park. Other than that, there is nothing else that really stands out about the gift shop. They sell snacks, souvenirs, books, clothes, mugs, and among other things. I saw a sign that there is a cafe but I didn't see anything that resembled it or a place to buy drinks. I did come mid afternoon so maybe they had already sold out.
If it's a sunny day and you're trying to decide if you should stop by and visit on your trip to SF, just do it! Plus, there's a public bathroom here if you need to make a pit stop during business hours. Beautiful place to take a stroll or wash trail run on some soft gravel and dirt paths. Views of the Bay are killer, and if you're lucky, Carl the Fog will thin so that you can see the Golden Gate Bridge from a distance. I'd recommend heading down to the beach to walk along the sand.
Been missing my trips to Lands End as of late, and this quarantine has got me reminiscing about this beautiful lookout point. Not only is Lands End Lookout an extraordinary vista point within San Francisco, but it's also a functional visitor's center and souvenir shop. This lookout point is often the start of many hikes and exploring expeditions for those who visit Lands End and the Sutro Bath Ruins located down below. There's a large parking lot right next to the lookout, but it tends to fill up quickly as it's a very popular tourist attraction. Inside you'll find tons of souvenirs, trail and site maps, and a small café. The café is small and doesn't offer a ton as far as food goes, but it's a nice spot to grab a coffee and a snack. There are also restrooms located on the outside of the building that are open during regular business hours (probably not during this time due to COVID-19). The views from the lookout are absolutely stunning as you can probably imagine. You'll have incredible views of the Sutro Bath Ruins and the beautiful California coastline. For a visitor's center, the interior space is actually quite small but still effective. There's so much information that's readily available inside of the center, so if you're a history buff, it's definitely worth a visit.
5 months ago
Stopped in for my favorite post hike treat today at the Lookout- Bar Gelato by Naia. Don't underestimate this popsicle style gelato! Creamy and delicious, I got the chocolate marzipan. Besides drinks and snacks this cute little visitors center offers maps, books, and other fun gift ideas like cutting boards and playing cards. What's even cooler is the history inside. There are display cases with historic artifacts, historical depictions of the area and even a sculpture from the original Sutro Gardens. The staff is all very knowledgeable and friendly. One of the stand out sections is these little cubes where they feature post cards that visitors can make art on or write their memories and submit for the display. With clear views of Sutro baths from both inside and outside this mini museum is a great place to take a break whether I'm hiking up the lands end trail or walking the beach. The bathrooms are always clean and there is a water fill up station outside. read more
1 year ago
What a beautiful place to visit. We went on Sunday and the weather was perfect. There wasn't a cloud in the sky and there was no fog so you could see as far as you could. Parking is tight. There are two lots. We looked at the lower lot and didn't see anything. We didn't know about the upper lot till we went hiking around. We did luck out and found a spot near the local hotel. Only two hour parking, but that was enough time for us. We parked across from the bus stop, so if you are looking for parking, drive a block or so off from the main lot into the housing district. After we parked we walked a little bit to the Sutro District sign. All the streets have cross walks and buttons to push so you can get the cross walk going. When you hit the Sutro District sign you come upon several trails that take you to lands end lookout. We followed the longer trail and had a good walk. What a view. With the fog free day you can see the Golden Gate Bridge Clearly. We took some fabulous pictures. The only thing is you can barley see the bridge in the distance in our pictures. It's a tiny speck, but when you look with the naked eye you can see it as if it's right there. It's an optical illusion. This is a place I'd love to come back to and hike around more. There are plenty more trails to explore. read more
I love stopping in at this lookout and shop whenever I visit Lands End. There are many souvenirs, maps & other goodies as well as clean restrooms. The parking lot offer free parking and the views are sensational. As it was a warm day I purchased a gelato bar (strawberry-lemonade) and it was honestly one of the best gelato bars I've had before. It totally hit the spot. read more
i came here when it was a lot sunnier and warmer a few years ago but the photos are too deep in my gallery lol but these are recent ones from mid to end of august! lov free parking as always and a couple of steep stairs down (and up) to the pools and views. there's a cave too but not much. cold when it's windy but gets hot when you're hiking up LOL read more
Some beautiful views of the coast and access to trails towards the bay. If it's foggy, it often clears up by noon. You can get some magnificent views of the Golden Gate Bridge from those trails. It's a nice place for a walk and a lot of people go jogging. To the end, it is less than 2 miles but be aware that there are some steep stairs at a couple of points. They have a parking lot that gets full and another one across the street. Some spots along the street too and there is no charge. They had a officer present for some more security and hopefully prevent car break ins. There is a small visitor center that sells souvenirs and some snacks. They have bathrooms that are clean. It's a nice place for a visit and should be on the tourist site list. read more
3 years ago
Not far from Baker Beach (good view of the bridge) is Land's End. Its a nice view, and doesn't take long to soak in some views from the parking lot if you're in a rush. If you have time, there are various trails you can explore. Land's End contains the ruins of the Sutro Baths, which was a large privately owned saltwater swimming pool complex built in 1894, which burned down in 1966. When completed it was the world's largest indoor swimming pool complex. In the park there are displays that talk about segregation and how it related to the Sutro Baths which allowed non white people as spectators but were not permitted to go in the water. The park is free and is well worth a visit. Parking was fairly easy but may get crowded on weekends and holidays. read more
A friend took us here right before taking us to the airport and it has amazing views! The cypress trees are beautiful, and there are scenic trails where people were walking with their pets. We didn't stay long, just enough to walk up to the lookout point and take some photos. It was pretty windy (see photo) but the view is stunning. The only thing concerning were the signs warning of smash and grabs, and the bits of shattered glass in the lot. But the parking in the lot is free, so that was a bonus. If I lived here, I would definitely come here regularly! read more
4 years ago
So many options: the Sutro bathhouse ruins and old train tunnel, the Cliff House grounds (and sometimes art exhibits), Sutro Heights, and the Land's End trail to Eagle's Point - even continuing on to Seacliff, the Presidio, and the Golden Gate Bridge. It's all gorgeous and part of what makes SF special. Tips: don't leave anything visible in your car, the labyrinth has been gone for a while, and the visitor center gift store and bathrooms are open (with a small selection of drinks and snacks), though the cafe is closed. read more
This is why you live here! If you are visiting this is a must. The views are stunning period! Some of the best views in the World! Hike the trail Visit Sutro bath ruins Stroll the beaches. Breath the fresh sea air. Now you Know too read more
2 years ago
The lookout is one of those places at Lands End where everyone will stop by since I think it's the only area with a water fountain and restrooms. I didn't think the restrooms were the cleanest considering the amount of foot traffic it gets per day. The restrooms actually have hours of operation and are open daily from 9am - 5pm so plan accordingly if you come to Lands End early or later in the day. The gift shop is a good place to check out if you want to get some information about the park. Other than that, there is nothing else that really stands out about the gift shop. They sell snacks, souvenirs, books, clothes, mugs, and among other things. I saw a sign that there is a cafe but I didn't see anything that resembled it or a place to buy drinks. I did come mid afternoon so maybe they had already sold out. read more
If it's a sunny day and you're trying to decide if you should stop by and visit on your trip to SF, just do it! Plus, there's a public bathroom here if you need to make a pit stop during business hours. Beautiful place to take a stroll or wash trail run on some soft gravel and dirt paths. Views of the Bay are killer, and if you're lucky, Carl the Fog will thin so that you can see the Golden Gate Bridge from a distance. I'd recommend heading down to the beach to walk along the sand. read more
Been missing my trips to Lands End as of late, and this quarantine has got me reminiscing about this beautiful lookout point. Not only is Lands End Lookout an extraordinary vista point within San Francisco, but it's also a functional visitor's center and souvenir shop. This lookout point is often the start of many hikes and exploring expeditions for those who visit Lands End and the Sutro Bath Ruins located down below. There's a large parking lot right next to the lookout, but it tends to fill up quickly as it's a very popular tourist attraction. Inside you'll find tons of souvenirs, trail and site maps, and a small café. The café is small and doesn't offer a ton as far as food goes, but it's a nice spot to grab a coffee and a snack. There are also restrooms located on the outside of the building that are open during regular business hours (probably not during this time due to COVID-19). The views from the lookout are absolutely stunning as you can probably imagine. You'll have incredible views of the Sutro Bath Ruins and the beautiful California coastline. For a visitor's center, the interior space is actually quite small but still effective. There's so much information that's readily available inside of the center, so if you're a history buff, it's definitely worth a visit. read more
6 years ago
Haven't been here for years. This place has changed a lot. Nicer parking lot with a lot of parking and nicely paved walking areas. Great walking areas. We walked uphill towards the Golden Gate Bridge. What beautiful sights. Plan to walk further next time. Only downfall right now is the bathrooms are closed. There is a Porta Potty, but it's far away so it's not helpful when there is a lot of waking on a hot day. The sights are still worth it! We will definitely be back. read more
Sweet place. The gift shop is not your typical tourist place. The items for sale are clearly thoughtfully curated, there's a cafe to get a snack or a hot or cold beverage. And the views from the windows are really beautiful. This is a good place to go to buy a gift for someone who is visiting, or to send to someone who loves San Francisco. It seems as often as I've been there, I seem to find something new and lovely to see. Leave your voice is my favorite interactive exhibit. Kids and adults write a word, a few sentences, a story, or even draw a picture. It is so sweet. If you're a local showing people this place, and you don't want to look at the cool souvenirs, this will be something you will read and smile at. Because so many people participate, they have plenty of new material for the staff to choose from. read more
I've always loved coming to Lands' End and hiking their trail!! It's a lot more trending nowadays with Covid restrictions lifting but the majority of the people wear masks. As well as staying socially distant from you while on the path. People bring their dogs and the puppies love all the smells! Hee read more
Came here yesterday to Land's End since it was such a beautiful weekend after an incredibly long period of high winds, cold weather, and rainy days. To start off, I highly recommend you start your trip off at the Land's End Lookout. Not only is there free parking, but the area is clean, has plenty of seating, has maps to guide you, and a very clean Visitor's Center with bathrooms and a café. Immediately at Land's End Lookout, you can oversee the remains of Sutro bath overlooking the ocean. Should you choose to take the stairs down, you can descend down to explore the former bathhouse, or take a tunnel to your right which unfortunately doesn't lead anywhere anymore. As a kid, before the Visitor's Center was built up and railings were erected, the tunnel use to be fully accessible to the other side and we would climb over early in the mornings during extreme low tides to collect mussels when they were in season. Should you opt to continue down the path instead of heading down the stairs, you will find yourself heading down a trail that leads to the USS SF Memorial, Miles Rock Beach, or the Land's End Labyrinth. Along the trail, there are still plenty of photo opportunities to practice your IG skills. We opted to go all the way down the trail to the Land's End maze, and was rewarded with not only the maze in all it's glory (coupled with the variety of knickknack offerings that people have donated in the center over the years), but also an amazing view of the ocean and the Golden Gate bridge on a perfectly fogless day. On our way back, we took the stairs down to Miles Rock Beach. A small little strip of rocky beach filled with various balancing rock piles that people have made. Truly an amazing way to spend the day in the city while still getting to enjoy nature in all it's natural beauty! I highly recommend coming here earlier to avoid the crowds and be able to more easily find parking. If you do wind up here later in when the lot is full, do what I do and slowly stalk behind people with your car as they are leaving to get a spot. Creepy? Yes. Works? 100%! read more
6 years ago
Amazing sights to see but if you need to use the restroom...be ready to risk your life. The restroom area on the map is closed and you need to walk about 5 minutes to a couple of portable toilets aka porta potties that they should name Life Ending stations. I took a picture of the one I used and it was actually better than the other one which had feces on the ground and almost made me pass out from the smell even though I had a friggin face mask on. They also dont have a water washing/cleaning area and I assume they had a dispenser of hand sanitizer that was empty. My daughter also had to use the restroom badly and she would rather pee on herself or die before using one of these life enders....So...we had to go back home...which is Oakland. Just make sure your bladders are empty before making this trip. read more
5 years ago
10 years ago
A perfect place to just sit, chill, relax, reflect, and refresh. Listen to the waves hitting the rocks. Enjoy the wind hitting your face. Soak in all things nature. Airfare + rental car: An arm and a leg. Sunset on the rocks: Priceless. read more
What a nice surprise to see this spiffy new visitors' center at the otherwise barren parking lot overlooking the long departed Sutro Baths. The last time I was here, it was under construction, and it made me wonder whether such a structure was even necessary given people either walk down to the bacteria-laden baths or start their hike on the coastal trail. But I am happy to be proven wrong since the compact concrete building is a great educational center for the flora and fauna of the area as well as the history of the baths and the environs. Naturally it doubles as a gift shop and offers a snack bar much like the Warming Hut in the Presidio. There are 14-foot-high glare-free windows that face the Pacific that angle slightly to the northwest in order to showcase the Marin Headlands. An interesting decorative touch is the pair of stone lions that guard the entrance off Point Lobos Avenue, an apparent tribute to the historic entrance to the Sutro Heights neighborhood. There's also a lion's head mounted to the outside wall as you look out from the snack bar. Of course, it's not enough that they serve coffee and hot chocolate here but also higher-end sandwiches and salads including clam chowder and shrimp cocktail from the Cliff House. There are restrooms inside as well as conveniently on the outside when the center is closed. Definitely worth a look. read more
11 years ago
When this visitor's center was first under construction, I was a bit dubious about whether it would add or detract from the area. As it turned out, it is actually a very worthwhile addition to Lands End. With a large lot nearby, the Lookout Center is a great starting or finishing point when exploring the Sutro Baths and Lands End Trail. There are clean bathrooms, water fountains, a small cafe and a gift shop. The design of the building compliments the surrounding landscape. Towards the back you can view the Sutro Baths below and sweeping ocean views, while escaping the outside chill. The gift shop is pretty respectable with quality National Parks prints, books, guides, mugs, t-shirts and unique souvenirs that focus on nature in the Bay Area. Inside the Center there are also a few artifacts from the area, both Native American and from the grounds of Mr. Sutros former home (there are statues from the grounds of his estate, which was right across the Great Highway.) The center also serves as a mini museum where you can learn more about the Sutro Baths and the history of this area. I always stop here while in this area and try to take out of town guests, encouraging them to do their souvenir shopping at the Lookout. Unique, scenic and educational stop-what more can you ask for! read more
13 years ago
This IS the END. Literally. While driving to this lookout, my brother stated matter a factly that Land's End is the End of San Francisco. We came to check out Sutro Heights Park (across the street), but ended our visit at Land's End to watch the beautiful sunset. The setting was picturesque as the sky was clear and full of color was we watched the sun slowly make its way toward the horizon. Views are unobstructed as you look below at the Sutro Baths and towards the Pacific Ocean. Simply beautiful. BOTTOM LINE: A wonderful place to watch the sunset! If I lived in SF I think I would try to visit this place often. read more
5 years ago
This is a beautiful place to go hiking if you're trying to get away from the craziness and loudness of the city. There's not much I can put into words without experiencing it for yourself. Definitely bring a warm coat and some layers as it's right next to the ocean and it gets windy there. Great place to bring your furry friend (dogs) as well. I hope you'll take the time to go hiking and exploring at Lands End Lookout, also down below the visitor center is the Sutro Baths and it's also close by to China Beach and Ocean Beach, lots of different trails and sites to visit there. There are some picnic tables about a 5 min walk from the parking lot if you want to bring some lunch and eat there (that's what me and my boyfriend did) I'm definitely going back to explore the things I wasn't able to... And remember to get off your phone and enjoy the company around you and the nature read more
4 years ago
I ended up getting set up on a "blind date" here. My friend has no concept of time so she sent one of her friends over to meet me. I joked that it was a blind date. That said, the views here are spectacular and if you want to get away and disconnect, Lands End is the place to go. You can see the ocean. Be sure to bring a jacket because no matter what time of year it is, I guarantee you'll be cold without a jacket. The path is a relatively easy hike depending on which direction you go you can finish in about an hour. Parking is also pretty easy and open if you plan on driving. read more
6 years ago
A visitor center + Cafe + Gift shop + Breathtaking view (over glassed windows) combined store!! Highlights: Gorgeous view, incredible sunny vibes, the sound of waves, & crazy WIIIIIIIIIIND that will blow you away. - First off, the gift shop is amazingly stacked w/ creative books: SF themed souveniers, educational toys & puzzles (Golden gate bridge nano blocks, Sunprint kit, 3D Cailoscope....to name a few), & modern art prints. A cool & cozy place to shop w/ a sense of adventure! - Simply coming here for the IG story, or photo is worth it. From the parking lot you can already snap a shot of the ocean, clear blue sky, the greens of nature, and the entire scene in its beauoooooty. read more
8 years ago
This was my 7th time visiting SF and first time going to Lands End Lookout. I'm already obsessed. The view is amazing and the area is a fun spot to explore. Yes, it's touristy but there are lots of locals there as well. It has easy walking paths and some more adventurous hiking spots but nothing too hard. You can pop-in just for the view and an easy stroll but the fun stuff requires a bit more walking. There's a lot of fun spots to get to that are great photo ops. After you're done at Lands End, make sure to take advantage of the beautiful trails or beach nearby. We opted on the trail and it was a great hike with beautiful views. read more
8 years ago
Lands End Lookout is beautiful! It is the upper part of Lands End where basically the parking area is. It's cool because you can find the bathroom and some plaques with descriptions of things. You might find some history written down as well. I like this spot because if it is raining, you can just enjoy the view from your car. You get to watch the sky and ocean dance. So obviously there is a parking lot, but as far as bart... I don't recall seeing a close one. You may need to take bus to get to this destination or good old fashion using your legs. Otherwise it's a great place to check out. There are also other trails that can be found around this area so keep your eyes peeled and enjoy the view! read more
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More info about Lands End Lookout
Ask the Community - Lands End Lookout
How long can you park here? Is there a charge for parking?
No limit and no fees, unless you include the cost of a broken window by local vagrants looking for cash or valuables (signs are posted throughout the parking lot).
Hi there, We are planning our engagement shoot in early August and are considering Lands End…
To allow time for setup, I would suggest arriving by 7 pm. Sunset will be a little after 8 pm. The fog at that time of year is always a gamble.
How long do people typically spend here? I'm trying to figure out if we can squeeze in a hike before a 4pm flight.
If you are there for the view only 30-45 minutes. If you hike down to ruins 1.5 hours. If you want to look through visitor store and Cafe 2 hours. The Cliff House is 5 minute walk from there and most do both. Hike around to see Golden gate add…
