Last updated on June 2nd, 2026 at 04:27 pm
Lands End Trail is a perfect introduction for those visitors to San Francisco looking to get outdoors and experience hiking in California for the first time. This coastal trail offers stunning views over the famous Golden Gate Bridge as well as the peace and quiet of simply being in nature.
In this post I’ll share my experience of hiking the Lands End Trail as a first time hiker in California. Amongst other things, I’ll provide a practical guide for getting there, offer some advice on staying safe, what to take with you and set out what you can expect to see along the way.
I hiked the Lands End Trail as part of a group hiking trip that started in San Francisco before heading to Yosemite National Park and the Sierra Nevada Mountains. The trail was a great introduction to hiking in California!
Where is the Lands End Trail?
The Lands End Trail is located in the north west corner of San Francisco on the Californian coast. The trail is part of the California Coastal Trail and lies within the Golden Gate National Recreation Area. The trail offers impressive views of both the coastline and the Golden Gate Bridge (fog permitting!).
Its location means that is accessible from Downtown San Francisco using public transport and as such, it attracts both visitors and locals alike.
How long does it take to Hike the Lands End Trail?
The Lands End Trail is a 5.5 kilometre (3.4 mile) loop and takes an estimated 1.5 hours. That said, you can take as long as you like of course. In my case, I did not walk the loop. Instead, my hike began at the Lincoln Park Steps and ended at the Lands End Lookout Visitors Center.
The Lands End Trail is rated as a moderate hike. There are various stairs to negotiate but these are not hugely challenging. I found the paths generally flat and easy to walk along.
Getting onto the Trail
There are a few points from which you can join the Lands End Trail. Two popular spots appear to be:
- Merrie Way Parking Lot where you will also find the Lands End Lookout Visitors Center. Close to the visitors center are the ruins of the Sutro Baths
- Point Lobos Trailhead located at the intersection of Point Lobos Avenue and El Camino Del Mar
As I mentioned earlier, I accessed the trail from the Lincoln Park Steps. We followed a path around the Lincoln Park Golf Course which is adjacent to the trail and joined from there. I believe our access was from the Lincoln Highway close to El Camino Del Mar.
The Lincoln Park Steps are worth seeing – if you are interested in learning more about them and 2 other must see mosaic staircases in San Francisco, read my post Discover 3 of the Best Mosaic Steps in San Francisco.
To get to any of these access points you can:
- use public transport – the number 18 and 38 bus routes appear to be the lines to take to get to the Land End Trail. Use the official Muni website to plan your journey
- drive yourself – if you take your own car be sure to check parking options nearby. I have read that parking can be limited and, depending on where you park, you may not want to keep valuables in the car whilst on the trail. That said, the Visitor Center at Merrie Way seems to have a large car park
- walk/bike/run – depending on how far you are from your chosen starting point, you could consider taking this option! There may be points where you cannot ride your bike however due to steps on the trail
- use a taxi/ride share – Uber and Lyft both operate in San Francisco
The consensus from my research seems to be that public transport is the best option for getting to the Lands End Trail. As I say though, I was on a group hiking trip and we were transported to the Lincoln Park Steps in a private minibus.
What should you take with you?
In my experience, the Land End Trail was not a particularly long or difficult hike. That said, these are the items I would suggest you take with you:
- comfortable, supportive hiking shoes
- water
- a snack
- charged phone (and charger)
- jacket/warm layer
- basic first aid kit (pain relief, blister plasters etc.)
- insect repellant
- sunscreen
- hat
- money (there is a gift shop within the Visitors Center!)
- hiking poles (optional)
Staying Safe on the Lands End Trail
There are a few things to keep in mind when it comes to staying safe on the Lands End Trail:
1. If you are planning to hike this trail alone, then do let someone know where you are going and when you expect to be back.
2. Stay on the trail. There are some dangerous cliffs at Lands End and I have read where hikers have died after falling from them. Make sure you comply with all trail signage.
3. Be aware that there are coyotes in the Lands End area. I did not see any (thankfully) but it does not hurt to be aware that they may be around! Check the Golden Gate National Parks Conservancy website for more information on how to deal with wildlife encounters.
4. If you are visiting San Francisco from overseas, then do consider installing an eSim before leaving home. An eSim will allow you to stay online when travelling, including when on the Lands Hike Trail, without incurring roaming charges from your home provider. For solo travellers, it can also be a comfort to know you have online access all the time.
I have used data packages purchased from Airalo on several occasions now, including in the United States, and can highly recommend them.
5. Know your own capabilities. The Lands Trail Hike is rated as moderate on Alltrails. There is an elevation gain of 169 meters and some stairs to negotiate.
What is there to see on the Lands End Trail?
In addition to the lovely groves of eucalyptus trees, cypress trees and wildflowers, there are plenty of other natural and human made features to see during your hike. Be sure to stop at:
1. Eagles Point Overlook
Our first view of the Golden Gate Bridge was from the Eagles Point Overlook. Although the bridge was shrouded in San Francisco’s famous fog, it’s still an amazing, iconic view.
2. Lands End Point
The perfect spot to take more photos over San Francisco Bay and to take a break if you need to!
Keep an eye out in this area for a signboard giving details of historic shipwrecks that have occurred along this part of the coast. In the wake of a 1901 shipwreck that cost 128 lives, authorities decided to build a lighthouse. The Mile Rock Lighthouse was the result, however much of it has now gone. All that remains is a stubby white tower – you can see it off in the distance in the photo above – which today operates as a helipad. Apparently, 3 of the ships wrecked along this coast are visible at low tide.
3. Point Lobos
Located just above the Sutro Baths, Point Lobos is also an amazing lookout.
4. Sutro Baths
The Sutro Baths are now in ruins but they were once a large ocean-fed public swimming complex. Built in 1894, the complex housed 7 swimming pools at various temperatures and could accommodate 10,000 people at one time. It also had 20,000 bathing suits and 40,000 towels available to rent!
Eventually however, the commercial success of the baths declined and in 1964 developers began demolishing the structure which housed them. In 1966 a fire destroyed what was left of the baths. This National Park Service article provides a useful history of the baths.
The Sutro Baths are located just below both the Lands End Lookout Visitors Center and Cliff House.
5. Other Sites and Sights to See
There are plenty of little trails to follow, other places to stop and things to see when you are hiking the Lands End Trail. Unfortunately, time restrictions meant I was not able to get to these spots, however I definitely want to see them when I’m next on this trail! They are:
- Mile Rock Beach – a small cove beneath Lands End Point. It’s here that the Lands End Labyrinth was located. I say was as it has been destroyed in the past and I don’t think it has been rebuilt. Let us know in the comments if a new labyrinth is now in its place!
- The Legion of Honor – an art museum located within Lincoln Park close to the Lands End Trail. A Holocaust Memorial is located outside the museum building. Check the official Legion of Honor website for up to date visitor information
- Fort Miley – acquired by the US Army in 1893, this one time military fort was used as part of the coastal defense of San Francisco Harbour during the early part of World War II. The only building still onsite however is an ordnance storehouse, with most of the buildings having been demolished to allow space for the construction of the Fort Miley Veterans Hospital. There is a picnic area onsite open during daylight hours
- Battery Chester – a former gun emplacement dating from 1903 which was decommissioned in 1943. Close to Fort Miley, today it’s a popular skateboarding venue.
- USS San Francisco Memorial – a memorial to the servicemen who served on the USS San Francisco and died during the Battle of Guadalcanal in World War II. Part of the memorial is made from the damaged sections of the ship
Final Thoughts
Wild and windswept, natural and historic, the Lands End Trail has it all. Easily accessible from Downtown San Francisco, the Lands End Trail is a lovely hike in its own right and a wonderful introduction for those looking to go hiking in California.
Travel can be tiring and stressful at times, as can being in a busy city. The Lands End Trail is a perfect antidote to all that. Being outdoors in nature on an interesting hiking trail that you can get to using public transport….what could be better than that?! I highly recommend adding hiking the Lands End Trail to your San Francisco itinerary.
If you are keen to discover more things to do in the Bay Area be sure to read my posts How to Spend an Amazing 4 Days in San Francisco, and Discover 3 of the Best Mosaic Steps in San Francisco.
You may also want to read my post Hiking in California – 8 Easy Hikes for First Timers for an excellent round up of the hikes I did during my group hiking trip and those I did during a San Francisco road trip after the group trip ended.
Finally, if you need any general assistance with planning a trip to San Francisco then check out my Resources page.
Happy hiking!
Disclaimer – Information correct at the time of writing but do check before visiting.
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