One of the coolest things we did in SF was walk around these ruins. I read about it beforehand so I knew some details about the place. I recommend you do too because there weren't any information boards around the area. The views are beautiful, its such a unique spot. Too bad its neglected by the city, parts are ruined with graffiti but its easy to gloss over that. read more

A trip to the Sutro Baths is an amazing way to decompress from the city and take in the sights. The relic of the nation's largest swimming pool is an interesting juxtaposition of nature and architecture. I love seeing how the water pools into old crumbling bricks making a little man-made lake that little duck families glide over. Then there is the deep blue ocean water that crashes into the cliffs, the cold wet sand which feels unbelievable underneath your feet and the colorful sea flowers that dot the trail giving you a bird's eye view of all the beauty. It is an easy drive from the city and it's not too strenuous. Apparently there is an amazing fish taco stop nearby. I can't think of a better way to spend an afternoon! read more

This place is the best. Big parking lot. Go during golden hour and watch the sunset. Take photos using the reflection of the pool. read more

Sutro Baths - Beaches Near Me - San Francisco, California

I have been coming to the Sutro Baths for over 30 years. It is a great spot to spend a some time in SF. It has a little of everything; history, culture, nature. It's also a calm and peaceful place while still being interesting. Most importantly for me, it is convenient in a busy city where it can feel hectic seeing the sights and making things happen. Parking is free and usually plentiful. The walk is not to far but can be extended, if that's your pleasure. You can hike all over the area in gorgeous trees with amazing views, you can watch the waves and enjoy the breeze, you can explore the baths and the cave, whatever you like. It's great for people like me who travel with their pups because it's dog friendly too. I definitely recommend it for tourists and locals alike. read more

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I was struck my melancholy the last time I visited the Sutro Baths. Time is an interesting thing. It is entirely predictable, yet answers to no one while only obeying its own credo to march on. It is no respecter of persons, of place, of emotion, or story. It simply moves unceasingly forward and swallows up anything that does not ride atop its wave. Once great bath houses full of smiling, happy, celebratory folk this is now ruins. It would always be ruins, with only a small blip of hope to be something else along the way. The waves crashed. The fires blazed. Those happy, smiling people in the historical photos are only nameless revelers in time's eternal march forward. Ruins remain for us to poke around and imagine what was. Standing there above the cliffs, remembering what was, what might have been, what could have, what should have, what will never be... it's a melancholy feeling. But a bath house it is not. What was, was. We celebrate the past but time moves unstoppably forward. Goodbye, what was. There are only ruins. Waves. Time crashing the beach over and over. read more

Sutro Baths - From the Cliff House - Beaches Near Me - San Francisco, California

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Once upon a time, this was the happening spot of the Bay Area, now, just ruins of what was. So many memories for those that have lived and many already passed. Google "Sutro Baths history" and you'll see what structures existed on this famous landmark... it must have been breathtaking. Today, it's just beach which is nice, but I would have loved to see the old San Francisco landmarks that once existed, but alas, here we are, only left with pictures. It's worth a visit to see the Sutro Baths ruins, just PLEASE watch your step when going along in that area, especially when crowded with others around or when wet and slippery. read more

Sutro Baths - Beautiful view of the Sutro Baths site - Beaches Near Me - San Francisco, California

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How neat is this? I was walking uphill from Ocean Beach (~15-20 minutes) and saw this on the way. The first thing I thought was WOW, the view of the Pacific from here is gorgeous. There are a few trails down to the saltwater pools, some legal and some not *cough.* Anyway, it's a great location to stop, take a breather, and immerse yourself in nature. You can even see seagulls enjoying the baths! It's also relatively scaleable for strollers and dogs. One of my favorite pastimes is to journal + do devos at the beach during sunset. If I move to SF, I could see this being one of my go-to spots to do just that. read more

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Such a beautiful place minus all the graffiti. There's a little cave on the side you can walk through which was pretty cool. Parking at the top of the hill, right above the bath area. If you take the stairs up, you can walk the trails. Super easy walk. read more

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I wish the city of San Francisco maintained this area more. There's so much vandalism, it makes me sad. I still enjoyed my time here though. I explored the ruins and also entered this little cave that peaks out to the ocean. read more

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Walking from the Golden Gate Park, windmill and tulips this was our next stop before making it to Lands End. Early in the morning there is some beach fog, but every experience is different and unique and it doesn't change the beauty of the baths. It was a moderate incline if you walk but there is also some close parking which is extremely convenient! You can walk down and get closer to the waters and there is so many places to take pictures. Any time of day these waters are beautiful and it is a spot I will always recommend. read more

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This is slowly becoming one of my favorite places to visit in the bay. It's so calming and relaxing; I highly recommend watching the sunset or come to chill. The best time to visit is during the evening or early morning. I thought the cave led to another part of the bath, but it's a dead end. Tip: There are plenty of free parking spaces, and there's a parking lot explicitly dedicated to the bath. The stairs are a lot of stairs, be prepared for a hike. read more

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I haven't been to this spot in years. It's just as beautiful as I remember it. It has a cave you can walk in. There are a couple of trails you can take and the view is amazing. They have a visitor center/gift shop near the parking lot. It's free to park. There are also bathrooms near the visitor center, which are very clean. read more

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Dirty girl you need to take a bath! Not really going to say much about this other than this is a really cool spot right by the beach awesome views and sights all around but just make sure you take that total hike all the way down! Photos didn't really get to come out as my phone wasn't working soo well but you get the idea seriously though this is a cool spot to visit for a minute! read more

Sutro Baths - Beaches Near Me - San Francisco, California

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I always hit up Sutro Baths whenever I come visit SF. It's in close proximity to a few hiking trails such as Lands End, Ocean Beach, as well as many restaurants. I recommend grabbing some burritos to go and coming here to watch sunset. Bring a jacket though because its usually cold! The Sutro Bath ruins have a stunning backdrop looking out into the Pacific Ocean. There are outlooks and tunnels here and there that make for nice pictures. It's not uncommon to see people taking maternity or engagement photos here. There's a parking lot that will take you right up to the front of the stairs that go down to the ruins/beach. Sometimes it'll get crowded during the weekend and the parking lot gets full. If that's the case there is another parking lot across the street. If that lot is full then I would recommend just parking at lands end and walking down. read more

Sutro Baths - Sunset at Lands End - Beaches Near Me - San Francisco, California

I've visited this place multiple times through the pandemic and below are the highlights - There's a fair amount of hiking through some rough areas in order to get to the beach. Also a lot of the walk goes through some highly "inaccessible" areas so something to be aware of if you're planning on traveling with elder folks or even have knee/ leg injuries that you wanna be careful with. - Once you enter the beach areas, there are spots meant for photo-shoots and fairly crowded. - In general, the area provides gorgeous sunset views and ample opportunity for larger groups to hang out/ just chill/ enjoy the waters. - If you don't intend on venturing down to the beaches, you can still catch a great view of the sunset from the parking area (seems like a crowd favorite) read more

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When I first came to San Francisco, I would have never dreamed that something so beautiful could have existed in this city. But after living in the Bay Area for quite sometime, I've learned that the City has a ton of gems that are just waiting to be explored. The Sutro Baths and its' ruins are just one of the many San Francisco landmarks that people from all over the world come here to see. It tells a story of a painful past. A struggling indoor pool infrastructure that proved to be too costly to operate. Memories of a building being engulfed in flames due to arson. And now, the ruins left behind from the whole catastrophe. All that's left behind are remnants of what used to be. Pieces of an unfinished building. Parts of the large swimming pools. It's so crazy how something that would normally be defined as an eyesore has turned out to be so incredibly beautiful. When I come here and I see these ruins... my heart bleeds. There's such a strong sense of history and sadness that you just can't help but to feel a certain way. And then, there are the caves down below. It feels like you're going back in time while you're walking through those caves. If you walk up the stairs towards the Coastal Trail, it will take you to a great viewpoint. The views here are just immaculate! Sweeping views of the ocean waves and the dilapidated ruins down below. It will make you feel like you're on top of the world. Nothing beats seeing this incredible part of US history. Pair it with the magnificent views of the California coastline and the sounds of the calming water waves, and you'll end up with some of the most precious and vivid memories in your lifetime. read more

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Absolute favorite hiking place with tons of spots to take pictures. Not too busy either to go either so parking is very doable. It's best to walk around everywhere here and in every hidden corner there is a surprise. read more

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A must see! Just Beautiful. Historical Landmark by the ocean with spectacular views. We were staying at the Grand Hyatt Union Square and did not have a car. Convenient to the bus line, its a straight cross town ride. Bring water, maybe a light jacket (it was windy) and comfortable walking shoes. Note if you go to the Sutra Baths, you should make the time to hike some of the trails especially to the Lands End Labyrinth. read more

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Solid spot to see! A few trails, a bathroom at the visitor center and lots of photo opportunities! Can also stop by nearby Land's End. There's a cave area too and of course the ruins area. It's usually pretty packed with lots of ppl and many taking engagement photos! I wouldn't come here too often though if you're coming from far away because there's not too much to see. Once every few years does the job or when you're touring visitors around the Bay Area. read more

There's plenty to do in SF and Sutro Baths is a nice stop. You get a nice ocean view and can explore the remains of an old pool/bathhouse. While Sutro Baths has become a bit of a tourist attraction, it's still a nice stop if you haven't been before. There's an interesting history behind it if you ever wanna look into it. In addition to the decrepit pools, there's a cave that you can enjoy for a hot second. If you end up at Sutro Baths then you should also make time for a quick mile or so hike to Land's End Labyrinth. There's plenty to do around here so don't feel like you have to spend hours in one location. read more

Sutro Baths - Beaches Near Me - San Francisco, California

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"The only foreplay I really need is for a guy to kiss my hip bone. The hip is the most erotic and neglected body part. Kiss the hip bone with your lips... & I'm yours" - Karen McDougal (Playboy) Ok, I'm a time traveler and I'll cut to the chase and say the glorious Victorian era was a time of excess, and well excess. The upper class women, often wore a tightly laced corset over a bodice or chemisette, and paired them with a skirt adorned with numerous embroideries & trims; over layers of petticoats. Yes, excess. For the gentleman, it was all about the Norfolk jacket and tweed or woolen breeches were used for rugged outdoor sports, like croquet & shooting. Knee-length topcoats, often with contrasting velvet or fur collars, and calf-length overcoats were worn later in the year. Men's leather shoes had higher heels and a narrow toe. And yes, the male corset was as popular as a waxed mustache on a humid day. Ahh the 1890's... So what does time traveling have to do with the Sutro Baths? I'll be your voyeur to the Victorian era when the Sutro Baths were brand spanking new. It was mainly for the upper classes as mentioned above, and as we all know by now... the wealthiest are the naughtiest class out there. Or, do you prefer the word "kinky". Whatever your preference the overdressed, excessive, too snooty crowd needed to let loose somewhere and the Sutro Baths was the place to be. C'mon unlace that leather corset, toss those knickers in the air, and let it all hangout! Back in the day, the Sutro Baths consisted of... Six saltwater pools and one freshwater pool. The pools included seven slides, thirty swinging rings, and one springboard. The saltwater was cycled naturally from the Pacific Ocean. Private dressing rooms were available for the more prudish ladies & gents. A museum and ice rink was also part of the Sutro building. However, due to its high maintenance and overestimating the wealthy population it suffered financially for many years until finally closing many decades later. A planned demolishing never took place because the entire building was burned down. Sadly, it was arson that took the walls off of the old Sutro Baths. R.I.P. Today, the only thing left is the foundation of a once majestic Victorian building. The ruins is a daily reminder of once excessive era. It's a popular landmark via a short hike from either the historic Cliff House or from Ocean Beach. It is no longer private and part of the Golden Gate National Recreation Area and the Sutro Historic District. All in all, I'd recommend the Sutro Baths to history lovers and the casual hikers. The best part is that it's absolutely free today, so bring the kids, but note it's true ruins, so don't expect glitz or glamour. Just bring your appreciation of yesteryear and a naughty imagination. Another bonus is if you get bored the Lands End and Coastal hikes are nearby too. And no worries a tight fitted corset or bonnet no longer needed, unless you want to showoff those hips;) read more

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I really enjoy coming here whenever I am in San Francisco. The Sutro Baths are remnants of the past. It is a short downhill walk down to the bathhouses. All that remains of an indoor bathhouse is the foundation, along with stone walls that hold/contain water for the birds to swim in. Located on the beach, the area is very calm and serene. You can walk on top of the brick walls, on the perimeter of the water, being careful not to fall in because that water is not pretty. There is a cave nearby where you can hear the crashing ocean waves throughout while inside. It is cold in there, due to the ocean breeze blowing through. There is free parking on both the street and in the parking lot. Yes, that is correct, free parking in San Francisco - quite different than every other area of the city. read more

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Absolutely gorgeous! We just stumbled upon this place and it has a cute little view point and trial. There's also clean restrooms and a visitor shop! read more

Sutro Baths - Beaches Near Me - San Francisco, California

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Definitely a spot worth hitting up for beautiful views. I come to SF for work every year and rarely venture outside the city center. Totally worth it to take a short Uber ride out to take in the picturesque landscape. Of course I had to wikipedia what the Sutro Baths. They actually just look like ruins now. It used to be the worlds largest public pool, then turned into an ice skating rink, then burned down. So now all that's left are the base of the buildings, surrounded by water. You basically hike up and down the hills to get to the ravine to walk around the ruins. Please watch your step! It is super dangerous, and I don't know if I'd take little kids. Scratch that, I would not. Or keep them off to the side. You can walk along the walls of the former building, but it's super narrow with holes and spaces that could easily be tripped on. I wonder how many people do. You can easily just stay on the ground portion though, and you would still enjoy the beautiful ocean view. If you hike up to the top of the one hill, you can spot the Golden Gate Bridge in the distance and it just adds another beautiful view to the area. While the hills are steep and there's a few, I wasn't dying going up and down them like I thought. You keep the pace and you're fine! There's also a cave with a cool walk through and view out the other side. I will note there's gates up to block you from venturing certain places and a lot of people definitely were ignoring them. Looked like there was at least one, if not two, restaurants up at the top of the cliff. Definitely a great view to even enjoy a cocktail and take it in. Just be careful walking around! read more

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I never get tired of visiting the Sutro Baths ruins and hiking trail. I love to share my enthusiasm for this place by bringing first time visitors here to soak in: the history of a bygone time, the beautiful views (ocean and City), and the opportunity to possibly view a whale all well being free. On my last visit there were several whales breaching in the distance. Awesome! There is a parking lot at the Lands End information center. They also have a restroom in the center. But the open hours are very limited. The lot overlooks the Sutro Baths. Plus if that lot is full, there is another lot across the street. Both lots are free but time limited. Near the main lot is an information board describing the impressive history of the Sutro Baths. WARNINGS: Please heed the warnings about observing high tide and taking caution. Be aware when going out on the rock outcrops. If you don't know when the high tides come in, obviously you shouldn't be out there. I watched from afar as a young "teenagish" couple hiked to a far point on the rocks to take selfies and thought it was funny that they got splashed by a huge wave. But oddly enough that didn't motivate them to immediately head inland. Don't be a dope. read more

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extremely beautiful! I heard about this place for so long and it has such a strong history in this part of San Francisco. We hiked from lands end eagle point which is close to lincoln park golf course all the way to sutro baths. It was an easy 1 hour hike and we got to see a different kind of san francisco. So lets focus back on sutro baths, if you do a quick google search you will know there used to be a huge complex in this area, And currently is only the remains of the old foundation. I read through the history behind this place and then visit the remains, I was really impressed what happened in this area. There is a gift shop at the top of the cliff with a cafe and a restroom. If you don't normally do hiking, be prepare to walk up and down some steep slopes. If you are visiting this area, you can also incorperate your hike to lands end, legion of honor.. etc etc. I am glad there is such a beautiful space in San Francisco read more

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Wow, such an amazing view of Sutro Baths, the breeze felt amazing and the soothing ocean sounds was very relaxing. While you are here, you are able to visit 'the ruins' where you will find the saltwater bath/pools. Highly recommend dropping by if you are in the area. Parking: across Sutro Bath, there is a parking lot, plenty of space, there is street parking as well. But be careful with cross the street, cars driving uphill and downhill is pretty fast! read more

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Weather it's a quick stop for a photo op at sunset or hours to explore the area , Sutro Baths in the Lands End area is one of my favorite places to visit in San Francisco! Literally the ruins of a historic bath house built in 1896 by the edge of the ocean, its really quite an experience to walk among the remains of brick and mortar . A few easy steps down the sandy stairs will place you smack dap in the center of the bygone days. There is a cool little cave next to the ruins and you'll also get beautiful views the Seal Rocks out in the ocean ! Getting here is not a stressful ordeal and parking is not so bad either . The have free parking lots and parking along the road . It can be crowded during peak hours , but somehow we always end up finding parking nearby without too much of a search. A trip to San Francisco is just not complete without a visit to the Sutro Baths! Breath in the fresh salty air, take in the spectacular scene, relish the moment, and be thankful for your pretty amazing life! I left my heart in San Francisco... near Sutro Baths at Lands End ! read more

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Sutro Baths is a very cool San Francisco location. No, no, it is no longer an actual public bath. If you want to see what it looked like in days gone past, you can look it up online to see some great photos. But, long ago that era was lost. Since then, all it has become is place that is in the mode of continual deterioration and reclamation by the sea. But, that it is not a bad thing! Visually, it is very cool! I have watched this location deteriorate for decades and it is always an amazing sight. There are birds that live in the remaining pools and the colorful graffiti on the walls is in an ever-changing state of presentation. To get here, you simply follow Geary St. to its end. When you see the ocean, look to your right, and there you are. There is street parking, when available. There is also a large lot above the Sutro Baths and one across the street. Note: If you come here midday on a weekend, all of the parking spaces may be filled. Keep that in mind. But, at other times, parking is usually not too much of a problem. Mostly, this is a great space to think about what it must have been like in times gone past and to get a great, closeup view of the ocean. It is also a nice little hike up and down the hill, so you will get a bit of a workout if you visit this location. This is one of the must see location in San Francisco. read more

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Very cool place. Nice trails to walk. Cool visitor center and gift shop. Easy parking. read more

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This is an ideal place to stop for a romantic getaway or simply with the family. This place boasts amazing views, rich history and nice hiking trails. Be sure you have some good walking shoes and time to find parking since the lot fills up quickly. The Cliff House is nearby so don't skip this. -Pet friendly -Bike friendly read more

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The view is majestic. The SF forest accompanying the ocean is incredible and the bath area is historic and eerie a bit. Overall beautiful

Lots of parking spots available! Just make sure you hide your valuables as a few cars parked had broken windows :( Get ready for a small little hike. Going down the stairs is fine, but coming up is another story... DO NOT bring anything that you would not want to fall in the water.. The water is really gross. Also if you try to cross the bath, you're going to have to wait for people to cross on one side. Two people cannot walk side to side unless you want someone falling into the water or the rocks. It's a cool place to go to, but try to go when the weather is nice (although its unpredictable) read more

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Speechless!! My husband and I especially, are sooo Thankful we made the visit to the Sutro Bath. The Views, The Cave and Beautiful Waters were breathtaking! The Gift Shop was Amazing! read more

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I was a little underwhelmed here. We went at sunset, and while this was a beautiful decision, the area was so packed it was impossible to enjoy. You're walking on little areas of concrete and having to pause for people to pass. There was no place to just stand and enjoy unless you were out of the area. It is dog friendly read more

Sutro Baths - Beaches Near Me - San Francisco, California

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Such a beautiful place that everyone should see. It can be as long or short of an experience as you have time for but the look outs are amazing. There are obviously the baths, I also went into the cave and through the beautiful park across the street. I followed the trail for a little ways, if I'd had more time I would've followed it all the way to the labyrinth. read more

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Awesome place!! Great workout! Nice place to bring the dogs too walk! The only bad thing is people keep dropping trash everywhere....but what can we do read more

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PERFECT DATE PLACE. Whether it's a morning sunrise, beach time play time, or enjoying a nice sunset, Sutro Baths is a pretty amazing spot to spend with that special someone. - The walk up and down to the beach / ruins can be fairly steep which is great for some hand holding action. - If it's a little chilly during the early morning or watching a sunset, you can make the arm around the shoulder move if you're a guy. If you're a girl, you can try the arm grab. - A great place for some cutsie pictures or to show off your photo skills. I, personally, lack both of those so hopefully you'll do better than me. ;) - If this is a first date, you should read the Wiki page so you can come off a little cultured. Knowledge is power, y'all. - Go into the water or lay on the beach and people watch! It'll make for a really nice day. Good luck, ladies and gents. You can do it! read more

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i SEA you!!!! Tucked away next to Land's End Trails and right on Ocean Beach is Sutra Bath's. A small walk down some stairs and your right next to outdoor pools that were used by the public in the 40's. It's a interesting walk into the past. Pools are surrounded by beautiful pink wild flowers and other beach fauna. Very reminiscent of a place we have back home in Hawaii, the Duke Kahanamoku pools, that were used for the Olympics back in the day, day. read more

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Sutro Baths is located within Lands End. I didn't know exactly what I was looking at, but the concrete ruins used to be open to the public as the world's largest indoor swimming pool establishment. There were six saltwater pools and one freshwater pool at various temperatures that could accommodate 10,000 people at one time. Facilities included a museum, amphitheater, and ice skating rink. It burned down in June 1966. There is a small cave and I enjoyed listening to the crashing waves. After Sutro Baths, enjoy the rest of Lands End. read more

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