Lands End Lookout

"You know the well-worn piece of advice, not to spend too long in California, or it’ll ruin you? This hike will ruin you. Snaking along the rocky clifftops at the city’s wild edge, the Coastal Trail at Lands End follows the Golden Gate Strait out to the Pacific Ocean, delivering jaw-dropping views along the way. The 1.7-mile path wends around corners and over hills, through wide-open spaces and cathedral-like groves of trees, tracing the path of a long-gone railway that once ferried pleasure seekers to Sutro Baths and Ocean Beach. You’ll get there, too, but don’t hurry—this is a hike to be savored." - Kimberley Lovato, Carey Jones

"Let’s start big picture here. You know the well-worn piece of advice, not to spend too long in California, or it’ll ruin you? This hike will ruin you. Snaking along the rocky clifftops at the city’s wild edge, the Coastal Trail at Lands End follows the Golden Gate Strait out to the Pacific Ocean, delivering jaw-dropping views along the way. The 1.7-mile path wends around corners and over hills, through wide-open spaces and cathedral-like groves of trees, tracing the path of a long-gone railway that once ferried pleasure seekers to Sutro Baths and Ocean Beach. You’ll get there, too, but don’t hurry—this is a hike to be savored. Slow down, and you’ll notice the way the views unfold in chapters as you walk, the Golden Gate Bridge disappearing and reappearing; other landmarks materializing momentarily, never to be seen again (ahem, Baker Beach); and the rumpled green pleats of Marin Headlands unspooling themselves along the horizon. Slow down, and you’ll notice the wail of the foghorn, and the smell of fresh earth around you. Slow down, and you’ll notice a million wonders: the squadron of pelicans soaring in formation, the gnarled trees that look like something out of a fairy tale, and the sheer scale of the cliffs and the sky and the rocks around you, the way they make you feel blissfully small. Any standout features or must-sees? It might be tempting to skip the optional turnout for Mile Rock Beach, but trust us: All those steps are worth it. This is your opportunity—after looking out over the water all throughout the hike—to finally experience it up close, big as life. Slip off your shoes, wade in the shallows, and take a deep breath. Here, with the wind on your face and the waves crashing around you, it’s impossible not to feel peaceful. Was it easy to get around? The trail is incredibly popular with locals and tourists and, as such, it’s impeccably signed, and there are ample benches (and stumps and fallen logs) for sitting whenever you need a break. While there are steep, curvy sections in the middle of the hike, each end of the trail has a flat, wide accessible section leading to an overlook with benches and beautiful views. All said and done, what—and who—is this best for? Killer views, pocket beaches, interesting history…this trail has it all. It’s a can’t-miss." - Megan McCrea

"With its combination of dense fog, strong tidal shifts, and dangerous rocks just below the water level, the narrow entrance the San Francisco bay created the perfect conditions for shipwrecks. From the city’s Gold Rush days to the turn of the last century, the vibrant economy of San Francisco was fueled by international shipping, and the treacherous waters of the shipping channel between Land’s End and the Marin Headlands claimed over 300 ships. Among the costly and horrifying wrecks, the wreck of the SS City of Rio de Janeiro was by far the worst. On February 22nd 1901, she passed through the Golden Gate en route to San Francisco from Hong Kong, and hit the Mile Rock in heavy fog. She sank quickly, and in 8 minutes she had taken with her approximately 130 of the 210 people on board, including her captain, William Ward. The 82 who survived clung to wreckage and were rescued by an Italian fisherman. For several years after the wreck, bodies washed up on shore at Fort Point. This tragic loss inspired the building of Mile Rock Light, a lighthouse designed to stop future disasters in the narrow channel. Although hundreds of ships sank and many of them are still at the bottom of the channel, three are currently visible from Land’s End: the Ohioan, Lyman Stewart, and Frank Buck. The SS Ohioan, a American-Hawaiian Steamship Company cargo boat turned WWI Navy ship, ran aground in the early morning of October 8th, 1936 near Seal Rock. As the dense fog cleared, the Coast Guard worked to rescue the harbor pilot but the crew stayed, hoping that high tide would free the ship. Over the next few days a crowd gathered to watch as every idea was put in motion to salvage the ship, but none were successful. The Lyman Stewart and the Frank Buck were tankers built in the same shipyard and wrecked in the same channel. Lyman Stewart ran aground in 1922, and Frank Buck joined her there in 1937. Both wrecks were partially demolished with dynamite in 1938 but their engines are still visible at low tide." - ATLAS_OBSCURA

"Hiking the Coastal Trail through Lands End in San Francisco San Francisco is not only a beautiful city, but it is also home to some exquisite natural landscapes, such as Lands End. I will never forget the first time I hiked the main Coastal Trail: I couldn't believe I was still in a city because of the gorgeous Torrey Pines surrounding me and the vast ocean below. It was so peaceful and quiet, except for the sounds of the wind rustling through the trees and the waves breaking gently below. And then I saw the iconic Golden Gate Bridge sitting in the Pacific Ocean just beyond the trail. The hike is approximately 3 miles out and back to the starting point. The site is easily accessible by MUNI using the 38 Geary line. (There is a parking lot, but it fills up quickly.) After the hike, I highly recommend relaxing and taking in the view at the Visitor's Center just south of the trail, and then getting some food at Louis' Restaurant next door. The trail is also great for trail running. Either way, wear comfortable shoes and bring a camera. A light jacket wouldn't hurt either. By Jeannette Gonzalez"