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Sutro Heights Park

4.7 (167 reviews)

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The size of this tree trunk!
Lisa W.

I have been coming to Sutro Heights Park for 20 years and each time I visit I am so satisfied. There is a free parking lot located at the bottom of the park or there is street parking up above. This park boasts gentle rolling grass hills, granite pathways, colorful flowers, a rich history and the most sensational views. The grandkids had a blast running through the park & playing football and we all enjoyed a picnic with views of Ocean Beach. Be sure to read the history of this park (Adolph Sutro) I count this as one of my favorite parks in San Francisco

View from top
Vinkin Ken T.

An easy and short hike. We started from the corner of Balboa St and La Playa. There are steps. We went in March and there were several blooms of calla lilies. Once you get to the top there are several view points. There's also some benches even further up.

Denise C.

Sutro Baths was in Harold in Maude..that's how students in my age group acclimate with Sutro..learning about Adolph Sutro is interesting in San Francisco CA...the barons that came here...Sutro was from Germany and he helped create the civilization..and the government left ruins of an old time...the baths..and also I just saw his old estate land...near Cliff House...near the beach...Ocean Beach! Sutro lived near Ocean Beach and Sutro was a civic leader..1880..an old time..relics of settlements..why? from Germany! This is review #2999...on to review #3000 SF review #2002

Montage of images from Sutro Heights Park
Ed U.

Color me ignorant and hurl your petty insults at me. I really didn't know this park existed. I guess I knew there was 'something' behind the trees here, but I wasn't motivated to cross Point Lobos Avenue until quite recently. It just didn't occur to me to veer away from the marquee sights like the Sutro Baths and Land's End Trail. Once I crossed the street, however, I was pleasantly surprised. Frankly it was mostly because it was so lightly populated. The eighteen acres that make up the park was once the estate of Adolph Sutro, the Comstock Lode silver baron and one-time mayor of San Francisco. It was apparently quite the spectacular Victorian garden, but after his death, it went to seed until the land was donated to the city. There are remnants of its former grandeur like the observation platform Plaza encircled by a castle-like stone wall. It overlooks the Cliff House which is semi-hidden by the trees. There's also a gazebo on the grounds and a broad walkway that provides a panoramic view of Ocean Beach. Otherwise the park appears to be the bastion of dogs and their indulgent owners. True the grounds need some sprucing, but there are plenty of benches if you need to rest your own dogs. I also take advantage of the wooden steps that start on Balboa and climb up the steep cliff amid more Pacific views. I'm working toward thighs of steel. Yeah right. RELATED - Exploring the Richmond? Here's a collection of places I've visited and reviewed: http://bit.ly/2HvkBu7

Joan W.

This is a great place to come walk your dog, get a birds eye view of the ocean and west part of the city, or watch the sun set. It's very peaceful and especially quiet during the weekdays. The park used to be the location of Adolph Sutro's elaborate estate in the late 1800s. Most of it was torn down but the stone parapet and Well House still stand. Around the stone structure there are lots of colorful flowers and the park even has a tiny rose patch. For a hike start at Balboa and La Playa where there is a sandy path stairway next to abundant ice plant and beach wildflowers. To walk up to the park and explore then circle around by Point Lobos Ave by the Cliff House and back is about a mile. To make the hike longer you can walk across the street to connect with the Sutro Baths or the Lands End Trail adding another 3 miles RT.

The lions guarding the gate
John G.

This 18 acre park, now operated by Golden Gate National Recreation Area, was once an estate owned by Adolph Sutro, a former mayor of San Francisco (1895 - 1897) and a Comstock Lode silver baron. To say dude was rich is an understatement, as he was also a land developer and major land owner. He purchased this area on the northwest side of San Francisco above the Cliff House and Sutro Baths. He built his mansion on top of the rocky ledge overlooking the Pacific Ocean and Ocean Beach. He certainly had a sweeping view as far down south as Pacifica all the way north to Mt. Tamalpais. Sutro commissioned Greek statues, which decorated the grounds, along with fountains, Italian style gardens, Victorian flower beds, glass plant conservatory, hedge mazes, trees, outbuildings and a magnificent-looking entrance gate complete with two lion statues sitting guard below the gate. After Sutro passed away in 1898, his daughter took over the estate and eventually, she was unable to maintain the grounds as it fell to disrepair and became dilapidated. It didn't help that the grounds were vandalized by the locals and even stole the plants and vandalized the statues. The Sutro estate was subsequently donated to the city after the daughter's passing in 1938. The mansion was razed and a lot of the statues were removed, even the elaborate gate at the main entrance. However, they kept the two lion statues that stood guard since they were created in 1883. Out of the several statues that was originally in the grounds, only Diana the Huntress remained. It's a far cry compared to what it looked liked in the past; however, it's now a beautiful park, which is taken care of by the local neighborhood. Since it's part of the GGNRA, it's an extension of Lands End and Sutro Baths Ruins. It even has it's own free parking area, but there are no restrooms here. You gotta cross the street and use the public restrooms at Lands End Lookout building. Don't let that deter you from exploring every acre as it provides gorgeous views from the observation deck above and below. Then there's the classic view of Ocean Beach, the Pacific Ocean, Richmond District, Golden Gate Park and Sunset District from the south vista point of the park. One could spend some time here just enjoying the views alone. Bring your lunch here and you'll have a gorgeous backdrop. Just make sure to dispose of your garbage properly as there are several garbage receptacles in the park. Even then, people leave their rubbish on the grounds, and the dreaded disposable facemasks. This just irritates the hell out of me. But you can do your part in keeping this park clean, and that begins with you. Next time you're in the Cliff House or Lands End area, cross the street and you'll be in for a treat. Best part of all, it's FREE. #YelpChallenge2020 review No. 55

A nice place to shelter if it rains at Sutro Heights Park. 10/10/21
Joanna T.

I often forget that San Francisco has the Pacific Ocean as it's border to the West. After a hike along the Coastal Trail this weekend that concluded at Lands End, I made my way to the last stop of the 38 Geary bus. Since one had just left seconds before I reached the stop (Grrr...), I was a little antsy. The bus driver for the next bus answered my question about the open space next to the bus stop. He said it was Sutro Heights Park. I never knew there was a park here. With a few minutes to spare, I strolled along the path. I passed some beautiful sculpture of the Goddess Diana. There was also a charming structure which looked like a delightful spot to shelter if it rained. The park was wide open. People were walking and playing with their dogs. A young man was intensely engrossed in a hardcopy book! The views of Ocean Beach and the Great Highway from this perch were fantastic. Wonderful to make another discover of natural space...only in San Francisco are there still surprises to delight this native daughter.

Kat Y.

Amazingly beautiful view looking down toward ocean beach. A little gem of its own with history and story .. beautiful park to sit and enjoy little sun and a good short hike. Ground at entrance gate was little uneven, so if you bring senior or kids, be extra cautious little, the rest of the park is ok.

Tiffany D.

Beautiful stroll through this park before sun sets! It's a great outing to be at and simply be. The view from the top edge of the park, is admirable. I got to see the motion of the waves with the shades of the sun rays reflected onto the ocean. They were lovely colors to be adorned over about. Calmness delved into this serene scene! Moving painting of the ocean from Sutro Park, seemingly.

Elephant tree.
Bea B.

This is where we as a family went blackberry picking back in the 70s. Fall meant berry-stainded fingers and buckets filled. Not much has changed about this area except there's now sort of official park signage on the grounds. The bramble-y bits are still bramble-y. There are fewer berry bushes, however. The old ruins of the observation deck a la Adolf Sutro still stand and are still in disrepair. The view is still beautiful. The lions that once flanked the entrance to Sutro Heights still stand. There's an icky bit of gating that takes away from their majesty somewhat, but you can still get a decent picture of them after cropping out the gate. Thank you, fancy camera phone! One bit of statuary that also still stands is of Diana the Huntress. How she made it unscathed all these years is a marvel. All the rest were demolished, carted off, what-have-you. Google Adolf Sutro & images of what this place was and try not to weep. If one is in the vicinity and would appreciate a lovely view of Ocean Beach, the Cliff House and the Marin Headlands, then get on up there. *small-ish parking lot, usually full. *whatever mini-gazebo was here (as per other yelpers' posts) is now gone.

Volleyball
Christine R.

I absolutely LOVE our hikes here, life doesn't get better than this! Think tranquility, stunning oceanfront views, and calories burned. This was my 'hood' growing up (continues to be 'til this day), and I've always embraced it. I wouldn't want to be anywhere else. With that said, please pick up your trash and keep this park immaculate. Thank you. I highly recommend hiking around here and throughout Lands End, Sutro Baths, up through Fort Miley, Sea Cliff, and the Presidio. Golden Gate National Recreation Area is full of endless beautiful scenery/trails, take in Mother Nature and the rich history! Bring your cameras, phones, binoculars, dogs, kids, sunscreen, hats, sweaters, and plenty of water. Happy Hiking =)

The parapet still sounds the ruins.
Terry T.

Little remains of the extensive gardens that Adolf Sutro opened to the public in 1883. He spent in excess of a million dollar to recreate an Italian garden on the 22 acre site. There were replicas of 200 European statues placed in the garden. There was also a stable, a conservatory filled with exotic orchids and a rock and sandstone parapet that enclosed an observatory, water towers, and a gallery, The Sutro home was built to take advantage of the views. The estate was demolished and the most of the statues were removed after the Sutro family donated the land, the gardens and their home to San Francisco in 1938. All that remains today are the winged lions guarding the entry to the park, and a few other statues. The foundations of the sandstone parapet is still there and so is a staircase. You will see breathtaking views of the Pacific from this high bluff. The area is flat. It is easy to walk about and explore what is still here, and marvel at what it must have been like in the 19th century. A walk in this ghostly green garden is not to be missed. A hint of what it looked like Looking out at the cliff house http://ww3.hdnux.com/photos/07/67/35/2062158/7/628x471.jpg The Sutro house http://www.city-data.com/forum/attachments/san-francisco-oakland/37764d1236724354-what-thing-sutro-heights-park-sf-untitled.jpg

Michael C.

VIEW from the top. The view is mesmerizing, memorable, and spectacular all at once. The sense of sight, no doubt, will be overloaded as you take in all the scenery around you. It's definitely a picturesque perspective of the surrounding area surely. Sutro Heights Park not only provides spectacular views of Ocean Beach and surrounding areas, but there are abundant grassy areas where you can sit back and relax as well. On the day I visited, some were enjoying time with their dogs, others enjoying the view or exploring the park, while some chose to wait for the sun to make its way to the horizon. In any case, there seems to be qualities/aspects to this park that everyone can enjoy and appreciate. BOTTOM LINE: The views are spectacular. I'm fortunate there was time during my vacation to visit this park.

This viewing platform looks like an enchanted castle.  Great views of the huge ocean from there.

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Review Highlights - Sutro Heights Park

Beautiful view of the great highway & ocean beach, it's a short incline walk to the top with an incredible view.

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