Lands End: Sparkling views on a clear day

Stunning views of the Golden Gate Bridge are found at several Lands End spots, including China Beach.
Stunning views of the Golden Gate Bridge are found at several Lands End spots, including China Beach.Stephanie Wright Hession / Stephanie Wright Hession / Special to The Chronicle

Situated in the northwest corner of the city and within the Golden Gate National Recreation Area, Lands End is often shrouded in fog. But on a clear day, lookouts and trails set above its craggy cliffs offer resplendent vistas.

Between 1854 and 1937, numerous ships wrecked or sank as they attempted to navigate the perilous conditions of thick fog, strong currents and rocky shoreline. On the foggy morning of Feb. 22, 1901, the SS City of Rio de Janeiro made its way through the entrance of the Golden Gate with 210 passengers and crew members on board. However, it struck Fort Point, flooded and sank within 10 minutes. Most of the 128 people who died were Chinese and Japanese immigrants asleep in their cabins below.

Once a landscape of sand dunes and hills where very few trees grew, the scenery changed in the early 1930s when workers from the Civil Works Administration program planted thousands of Monterey cypress trees. Today, the park contains a lush forest.

For one of the best vantage points to see the Golden Gate Bridge, go to Eagle’s Point. A row of benches overlooks the bluff and provides views of the bridge, the Marin Headlands and the Pacific Ocean. From here, you can continue on the 1.7-mile Coastal Trail that winds past wildflowers, small beaches and historical monuments, and offers a chance to see marine life. It follows the former rail bed of the late 19th century Ferries and Cliff House Railroad, and does include stairs.

One of the beaches along the way is Mile Rock Beach, denoted by a sign on the trail. Follow the sloping dirt path and a set of stairs to enjoy its cove, crashing waves and bird-covered rocks jutting out of the water.

On the other side of the trail is the Lands End Overlook with its panoramic seascape and the Sutro Bath ruins. At the visitor center, see the pair of lions that once graced Adolph Sutro’s estate, learn about the history and nature of the area, and see some artifacts. The souvenir shop sells vintage-style Sutro Baths posters, books that include “San Francisco at the Seaside” by Ariel Rubissow Okamoto, T-shirts and tote bags. There’s also a cafe to warm up with a cup of coffee.

Eagle’s Point, Camino Del Mar and 32nd Avenue (take the path entrance at the Lands End sign), S.F. (415) 561-4700,

Lands End Lookout and visitor center, 680 Point Lobos Ave., S.F. (415) 426-5240,
