Hello Everyone!
Hope you all are doing well! I am sorry that this is kind of a late post, the trip was on a September weekend and now it’s almost a month. OMG this place is beautiful ! It’s a perfect place to go on a hike with your toddler. The experience was entirely different than all the other hikes we do. There was walking along the ocean, in the sand , beautiful views ,nice breeze and interesting caves and structure remains. The parking gets full almost close to mid-morning but if there is always someone leaving and if you are lucky enough you are sure to find a spot.The picture above is of the Sutro bath remains, which was a swimming pool that was burned down in 1966.I wonder how it looked back in the days, a swimming pool by the sea!! It is a small and easy hike down from the Lands End gift shop/parking lot . You can walk through the remains and to the beach you go.
There is also this cave that you can walk into and you will be able to see the beautiful views on the other side of the cave. It is dark inside the cave and you hear loud thuds of the water splashing on the rocks.This is an added fun for the little explorers.Our little girl enjoyed walking through the cave but the moment she heard the loud crashing waves , she didn’t wanted to be on her feet anymore 🙂
There are a few different vista points as you walk further along the trails and this beautiful area overlooking the ocean is one of my favorites.It’s a perfect place to pause everything that’s on your mind and just enjoy the mother nature.Also stop by the USS San Francisco WWII cruiser memorial. As you walk further down the trail,you will be sure to get the beautiful views of golden gate bridge.Now, who wouldn’t want that? All the trails are marked with the hike distance .If you take the trail further along you would be able to see the Labyrinth which we missed out on.The little one fell asleep and we were done for the day so we decided to head back home.
From the Lands’ End lookout you can also walk down the road to see the Camera Obscura which is a historic place.The giant camera that creates live images of the surroundings. You can walk into their room to see the projected 360 degrees view of the ocean in front. There is a $2 /$3 fee of for entrance and even though the have a $2 fee for kids under the age of 12 my toddler was allowed for free.Thank you to the wonderful lady at the booth.She also briefly explained how the camera works.It was quite interesting.
There is also the famous Cliff House restaurant and I have heard it has amazing views of the ocean.
A few notes for your visit-
1.Don’t forget the windbreaker/jacket any time of the year.If it’s cloudy you are sure to get chilly by the winds.
2.Lands End look out gift center is the perfect place to start/end the hike.There are restrooms, a gift shop and also a cafe serving coffee,cookies, sandwiches and more.
3. Trails are mostly sandy and hiking shoes are the best but not necessary.
4. Exact address to feed your GPS listed below:
Lands End Lookout & Sutra Baths:
680 Point Lobos Ave, San Francisco, CA 94121. More info here
Camera Obscura:
1096 Point Lobos Ave, San Francisco, CA 94121. More info Here