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Lands End Lookout

4.4 (145 reviews)
Closed 9:00 am - 5:00 pm

Lands End Lookout Photos

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Recommended Reviews - Lands End Lookout

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Joyce T.

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.

Maruko X.

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.

cave
Shwe N.

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

Erich L.

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.

Jeff A.

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.

Lands End Lookout

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.

Pretty view
Devi N.

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!

Fog completely obscuring the bridge, and dozens of boats in the sunshine on the other side, out to see the Blue Angels.
Jennifer T.

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.

David G.

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 baths
Gail F.

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.

Shayla B.

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.

Kimberly L.

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.

Leave your voice
Jason P.

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.

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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… Read more

Don’t See Your Question? Ask Away!

Review Highlights - Lands End Lookout

. Down below the visit center is the Sutro Baths, which are really neat to view and read about their history

Mentioned in 28 reviews

Read more highlights

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Following a day of travel. And looking to get out and stretch our legs, my wife's family and I…read moredecided to go for a hike. Her sister lives very close to the start of the Lands End Trail, and she highly recommended it for some great views. She certainly wasn't lying, the trail hugs the cliffs of the coast outside the San Francisco giving you beautiful views of the ocean and the Golden Gate Bridge. In total it was about a 3.5 mile hike, out and back. But I'll definitely say it's a bit of a moderate hike, especially after a rainy evening, which left the trails a muddy and covered in puddles. There are also some large steps along the way, but also benches and spots to rest and enjoy the views. That being said, we hiked with my wife's parents (who are in their 70s), and our 7 year old niece, and we certainly weren't the fastest group out there, but taking our time, everyone was able to make it out and back safely. We also found markers along the trail identifying plants, or talking about the trail's original use, which was a train route that would bring people to San Francisco to the beach before mass transportation was readily available If you have the time and enjoy getting outside, I'd highly recommend this to anyone visiting San Francisco. The views on a nice day are unbeatable! I without a doubt would/will absolutely do it again next time we visit!

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Lands End Lookout - visitorcenters - Updated May 2026

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