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If you only have a few days in San Francisco but want that “wow” Golden Gate Bridge moment, the Lands End Trail should be at the top of your list.
When my boyfriend Tim and I spent three days in “The City” this past June for our friends’ wedding, this was the hike I was most excited about.
We expected fog—typical for summer—but somehow lucked into one of the clearest days our local friends had seen in months!
This moderate, 3.4-mile San Francisco coastal trail hugs a rugged stretch of Pacific shoreline. With dramatic cliffs, crashing waves, and endless Golden Gate Bridge views, it delivered more than I ever imagined.
What should’ve been a quick 1.5–2 hour walk stretched into nearly three because I couldn’t resist stopping for photos at every overlook.
Whether you’re a first-time visitor chasing those iconic bridge views like I was or a local looking for a quick escape into nature, the Lands End Trail is one of those quintessential San Francisco hikes—salty air, colorful wildflowers, and Golden Gate magic included.
In this guide, I’ll share everything you need to know about hiking Lands End, from maps and parking to the best overlooks and can’t-miss detours. Now, let’s get started!
Lands End Trail Overview
First things first, let’s talk through some trail stats and learn why AllTrails ranks the Lands End Trail as one of the best hikes in San Francisco.
- Distance: 3.4 miles
- Trail type: Loop (but many hike it out-and-back like we did)
- Elevation gain: ~500 feet
- Difficulty: Moderate (mostly easy with some stairs and sandy sections)
- Time required: 1.5–2 hours (we spent closer to 3 with photo stops and detours)
Who the Lands End Trail is best for:
- First-time visitors: unbeatable Golden Gate Bridge views without leaving the city
- Photographers: multiple overlooks, especially stunning at golden hour
- Families: stroller-friendly up to Mile Rock Overlook, with historic stops like Sutro Baths
- Dog owners: the trail is dog-friendly (on leash)
- Casual hikers: moderate difficulty, short enough to fit into a half-day
Located in northwestern San Francisco near Sutro Baths, the Lands End Trail is a family-friendly San Francisco hike that’s well-marked and manageable for most fitness levels.
The paved section between the Lands End Lookout Visitor Center and Mile Rock Overlook is ADA accessible, making it one of the most inclusive hikes in the city.
Beyond that, the trail feels more rugged, winding along cliffs and through cypress groves with sweeping Golden Gate Bridge views.
With optional detours to beaches, overlooks, and historic sites, you can keep this hike simple—or stretch it into a half-day adventure.
For me, it was the perfect blend of history, coastal scenery, and those postcard Golden Gate Bridge moments I came to San Francisco hoping for.
And, it’s definitely one of the most rewarding Golden Gate Bridge hikes in the city!
Lands End Trail Map
If you’re a planner, it helps to check the Lands End Trail map before heading out, so you know where the key detours and overlooks are located.
Tim and I started our hike at the Lands End Lookout Visitor Center, where we snapped a photo of the trailhead sign and map before setting off.
You can also grab a paper map inside the Visitor Center or download the route ahead of time on AllTrails.
The main trail is well-marked, but side paths—like the steep detour down to Mile Rock Beach—can be easy to miss if you’re not paying attention.
Having a map handy could save you from skipping one of your favorite stops of the day!
Why Hike the Land’s End Trail
For me, this was the hike I was most excited about in San Francisco.
Since it was my first time in the city, I really wanted to see the Golden Gate Bridge—and the Lands End Trail absolutely delivered.
What makes this hike so special is the mix of:
- Golden Gate Bridge views that rival any postcard
- Rugged coastal cliffs that make you forget you’re in a major city
- Historic sites like Sutro Baths and the USS San Francisco Memorial
- Great location just minutes from major neighborhoods and public transit
It’s hard to believe that this beautiful hike is located in one of the largest cities in California!
Parking & Trailhead Information
The main trailhead is located at the Lands End Lookout Visitor Center near Sutro Baths.
There’s a free parking lot here, but it fills up quickly!
We visited on a Saturday afternoon (probably one of the worst times to visit) and had to circle a few times before finding a spot.
The Visitor Center also has restrooms, maps, and a small café—perfect for grabbing water or a quick snack before heading out.
A Broad Recommendation: If the parking lot is full, try the Palace of the Legion of Honor lot at the opposite end of the trail (you can start your hike from here instead) or the nearby USS San Francisco Memorial lot.
Best Time to Hike the Lands End Trail
San Francisco weather is famously unpredictable. You might get sunshine, fog, and chilly wind all within the same hour!
- Best Season: The fog tends to lift in the fall, the skies are clearer, and temperatures are a bit warmer. Spring is also lovely with wildflowers and fewer crowds. Summer is the foggiest (locals call it “June Gloom” or “Fogust”)—though, we didn’t experience this!
- Best Time of Day: Mornings are quieter, midday offers bright ocean views, and golden hour is especially magical, as the cliffs glow and the Golden Gate Bridge lights up.
We went in late June and somehow scored a perfectly clear summer day—even our local friends were shocked!
Highlights Along the Lands End Trail
This incredible San Francisco coastal trail combines history, nature, and postcard-worthy views into one easy-to-manage hike, making it one of the best things to do in San Francisco outdoors.
The trail is a section of the larger California Coastal Trail and follows the former railbeds of the Cliff House Railway along the rocky, windswept shoreline.
Here’s the order you can expect to encounter key stops starting at the Lands End Lookout Visitor Center (though you can modify the order you visit them like we did!):
Sutro Baths Ruins
⏱ Time to explore: 15–30 minutes
Your hike starts with one of San Francisco’s most fascinating historic sites: the Sutro Baths ruins.
Built in 1896, this massive public saltwater swimming complex once featured multiple pools, slides, and even a museum.
After a devastating fire in 1966, only the crumbling walls remain, along with tide pools and dramatic ocean views.
It’s a hauntingly beautiful spot and a favorite for photography—especially when the light hits just right.
Note that we actually backtracked and ended our hike here, spending about 20 minutes exploring the ruins, the masterful graffiti, and interesting caves.
A Broad Recommendation: Though we didn’t end up coming back for golden hour, we heard that this is one of the best times to visit Sutro Baths. Golden hour offers the best light for photography, especially on a clear day.
Point Lobos Lookout
⏱ Time to explore: 5–10 minutes
From Sutro Baths, climb up toward Point Lobos, where you’ll catch your first glimpses of the Pacific stretching endlessly ahead.
This is your first big “wow” moment of the trail.
This rugged corner of San Francisco was once known as Point Lobos, named after the sea lions (lobos marinos) that used to live here.
👉 My 3-day San Francisco itinerary for first time visitors includes a stop at Pier 39 to see the sea lions!
With sheer cliffs and panoramic ocean views, it’s one of the wildest spots along the trail and is steeped in history—shipwrecks, landslides, and coastal defense batteries once defined this rugged stretch.
A Broad Recommendation: It was SUPER windy here. Be sure to hold on tight to your hat, phone, etc. or they might just blow away! And, consider using a waterproof cell phone case with lanyard for extra phone security.
Golden Gate Bridge Views
⏱ Time to explore: 1–1.5 hours
As you climb above the cliffs from Point Lobos, the Golden Gate Bridge comes into view, framed by rugged coastline and the Pacific below.
The trail really shines during this section!
This is the heart of the hike and winds through shady cypress groves and open grasslands, where dramatic cliffs drop into the Pacific below—arguably the best Golden Gate Bridge hiking trail experience in San Francisco.
On clear days, you can see nearly 30 miles up and down the California coast, giving you a true sense of how wild and dramatic this landscape really is.
Even if the fog rolls in (which it often does), the moody, atmospheric views are still unforgettable.
We got really lucky during our visit and had perfect visibility—plus, it was perfect hiking weather too!
USS San Francisco Memorial
⏱ Time to explore: 10–20 minutes
Next up is the USS San Francisco Memorial, a moving tribute to the WWII cruiser that fought in the Pacific theater.
The heavy cruiser had a major role in the November 1942 Battle of Guadalcanal, where the ship suffered major damage, and 107 crew members sadly lost their lives.
The Memorial sits just above the Lands End Trail and is connected by a flight of stairs (55 steps).
A short detour leads to Fort Miley, an old coastal defense site with sweeping ocean views.
Since we hiked the trail out-and-back, we stopped here on our way back from Eagles Point Lookout.
Mile Rock Beach
⏱ Time to explore: 30–45 minutes
One of the most popular detours off the main trail is down to Mile Rock Beach.
The descent takes you down steep stairs to a rocky cove with striking sea stacks and rugged shoreline views.
Above the beach is one of the best Golden Gate Bridge viewpoints on the Lands End Trail.
“Fun” fact: Beneath the waves, Lands End hides a history of shipwrecks. Over the past two centuries, dozens of vessels met their fate along this rocky coast, a reminder of how treacherous these waters can be.
Even today, you can sometimes spot pieces of wreckage at low tide near Mile Rock Beach.
Eagles Point Overlook
⏱ Time to explore: 10–15 minutes
Continue on the main path to reach Eagles Point Overlook—another one of the best Golden Gate Bridge viewpoints along the Lands End Trail.
On a clear day, you’ll see the bridge, Marin Headlands, and endless Pacific coastline.
Even in fog, it’s magical, so make sure to have your camera ready!
Palace of the Legion of Honor
⏱ Time to explore: 30–60 minutes if visiting the museum
If you hike the full trail, you’ll end at the Palace of the Legion of Honor, a fine arts museum with a world-class European collection and gorgeous courtyard.
Though we didn’t do this part of the trail, we heard that this final stretch is quieter, with more forested paths and fewer crowds.
And, we read that even if you don’t go inside the museum, the exterior is worth seeing.
From here, you can either loop back the way you came or arrange a pick-up nearby.
What to Wear & Pack for the Lands End Trail
Layers are essential for the Lands End Trail! Even in summer, the coastline can be windy and cool.
Here’s what I recommend bringing:
- Layers: I wore my Panadila Women’s Waffle Knit Jacket and was glad I did when the wind picked up. Tim even wore a puffer jacket in June!
- Comfortable shoes: I wore my Women’s Weekends, which were comfortable, but keep in mind, the trail can be sandy and dusty. White shoes might need a good scrub afterwards, so I’d avoid them if you can (I only packed a couple pairs of shoes, since we flew into town from Houston).
- Water & Snacks: There’s a café at the visitor center, but you’ll want water and a snack for the trail.
- Camera/Phone: Between Sutro Baths, Golden Gate views, and coastal cliffs, you’ll likely be taking plenty of photos!
Tips for Hiking the Lands End Trail
Here are a few more tips to make the most out of your visit to the Lands End Trail, one of the most popular San Francisco hikes with Golden Gate views:
- Stay on marked trails: Some side trails along the cliffs may look tempting, but they’re unstable and dangerous. Stick to the main path for safety (and the best views!).
- Plan for bathrooms and water: There are restrooms at the Visitor Center and porta-potties near the USS San Francisco Memorial but no facilities along the trail itself. Bring water with you.
- Beat the crowds: Weekends can get busy, especially at Sutro Baths. For a quieter experience, go early in the morning, later in the evening, or on a weekday.
- Dress in layers: Even on sunny days, parts of the trail are chilly and windy. A sweatshirt or light jacket will make your hike much more comfortable.
- Give yourself time: The full 3.4-mile hike takes about 1.5–2 hours (or longer), especially if you stop for photos or detours like Mile Rock Beach.
- Go at golden hour (if you can): The cliffs glow, the Pacific turns deep blue, and the Golden Gate Bridge looks its best. That said, the trail is beautiful all day.
- Embrace the fog: San Francisco weather is unpredictable—don’t be surprised if the bridge disappears into the mist. The fog just adds a magical, moody vibe!
FAQ: Hiking the Lands End Trail
Is the Lands End Trail hard?
No, it’s considered a moderate hike with mostly easy terrain. Expect a few staircases, sandy spots, and uneven sections —comfortable shoes make a big difference.
How long does it take to hike Lands End?
The main out-and-back trail takes about 1.5–2 hours. Add time for photo stops or detours like Mile Rock Beach or the Palace of the Legion of Honor.
Where does the Lands End Trail start?
The primary trailhead is at the Lands End Lookout Visitor Center near Sutro Baths. You can also start at the Palace of the Legion of Honor and hike the trail in reverse.
Is there parking at Lands End?
Yes, there’s a free lot at the Lands End Lookout, though it fills quickly on weekends.
Additional parking is available at the Legion of Honor and the USS San Francisco Memorial. (See Parking & Trailhead section above for details.)
Can you see the Golden Gate Bridge from the trail?
Yes, the trail offers some of San Francisco’s best Golden Gate Bridge views, especially from Eagles Point Overlook and above Mile Rock Beach.
Is the Lands End Trail kid-friendly?
Yes, the first section from the Visitor Center to Mile Rock Overlook is ADA accessible and stroller-friendly.
Beyond that, younger kids may find the uneven terrain challenging. (See Lands End Trail Overview section above for details.)
Final Thoughts on the Lands End Trail
Hiking the Lands End Trail ended up being one of the highlights of our San Francisco trip.
Between the Sutro Baths ruins, the crashing Pacific, and those unbeatable Golden Gate Bridge views, it gave me exactly the kind of first impression I’d hoped for on my first visit to the city.
If you only do one coastal hike in San Francisco, make it this one. Whether you spend an hour at the Sutro Baths or a few hours exploring every detour, Lands End is unforgettable.
✨ Planning a longer trip? Check out my 3 days in San Francisco: The Perfect Itinerary for First Time Visitors, where I’ll show you how to fit the Lands End Trail and other must-see San Francisco spots into one smooth, stress-free itinerary.
Will you be adding the Lands End Trail to your San Francisco itinerary? If so, happy hiking!
XOXO Sara at Travel A-Broads
Sara is the founder of and voice behind Travel A-Broads, a travel blog designed to empower women to explore the world boldly and safely.
A Sr. Manager of a Data Engineering team (aka math nerd) by day and travel enthusiast by night, Sara shares practical tips, curated itineraries, and inspiring stories from her adventures across 5 continents and 28+ countries and helps curious, independent women plan smarter, travel farther, and feel more connected along the way.
Read more about Sara’s journey here, and start planning your next adventure today!