Sutro Baths

One of the most beautiful spots in San Francisco. The sunset looks gorgeous and the short trail leading to the water is amazing. There is easy access to parking along the side of the road and it’s clear where to find these beautiful viewpoints. Highly recommend!!!🌅⛰️🌊☀️

Sutro Baths are incredibly beautiful! I thoroughly enjoyed my time there, especially having researched the origin story prior to visiting. It gave me a lot of interesting perspective on things. There are stairs down from the parking lot, but I chose to take some side trails. Wear shoes that are easy to walk on sand, particularly hiking shoes. The terrain was unsteady in spots and had large step ups and down. Plan accordingly. I did not and was in Teva. Not overly crowded on a weekend in late May.

A beautiful place but if you're a wheelchair user, the NPS info is NOT correct. Some of the trails are doable in a wheelchair, but you will be limited. You can't get to the Labyrinth or the bath ruins. You can get to the overlook point! Gorgeous scenery and views - just be prepared for barriers.

Like standing at the edge of a dream—crashing waves, winding trails, and mist that feels poetic. The views are soul-stirring, though the fog sometimes steals the spotlight. Bring good shoes

Gorgeous! Windy, bring a jacket :) Tip: bring something to stamp with the parks "passport" stamp inside the visitor center/gift shop for a free souvenir. If you're driving give yourself a few extra minutes to find a spot, but you'll find something eventually. Yes, they have bathrooms!

I went here yesterday around 1 PM, it wasn’t crowded at all. The hike up and down could be difficult for some people, but there’s a trail or stairs that you could use. There’s a cave there but it usually gets flooded. There’s also a small smell from the water, but it wasn’t too bad. Overall, I loved the scenery and I’d definitely go back here during sunset!

Fun little area. Says it’s handicapped accessible but it’s a steep hike (small) down and up. Probably more fun if you make it down to the beach area.

The Sutro Baths ruins are a fascinating spot to explore, especially when paired with a hike along the Coastal Trail. The trail offers stunning views of the Pacific Ocean and connects seamlessly to the site. There’s street parking nearby, and while the walk down is a bit steep, the wooden stairs make the return easier. Be sure to check out old photos of the Baths to appreciate their history. The cave is also worth a quick visit, but avoid the still water—it’s slimy and smells unpleasant. Overall, it’s a must-see in San Francisco, offering a mix of history, nature, and incredible views!

We didn't make it down to the Sutro Baths; only saw it from the top of the hill. I can only imagine how it looked back in the day, but now it sits abandoned as the fog eerily rolls in. The National Park Service has information on the Sutro Baths, including historical photographs and links to other sites where it goes into more detail. Worth a visit to learn about this historic landmark. Parking is located off the side of the road. Signs are posted, warning not to leave valuables in your car due to theft. But other than that little warning sign, it's a place to consider dropping by and checking out.

BREATHTAKING!!!!!! This is truly a unique place. The sunset here is AMAZING! Wear your most comfortable shoes and walk the trail down to the water. If the tide is not too high, there is a great photo op to the right by the rocks or to the left for beach vibes. This is a MUST.

Historical landmark, a public bathhouse that was huge in 1890 ish, too bad it doesn't survive till today, else it could be a very attractive tourist destination. Went to the visitor center to read the history of the area, you will be amazed how pretty the architecture was

I never knew the historic significance of Sutro Baths. Such a unique concept and an eccentric site... If only I could go back in time and see the Baths in its glory days. Initially I thought an earthquake demolished the buildings. However, according to the NPS the entire site was slated for replacement with high-rise apartments. Boo! Well in hind sight that's just business I suppose. Either way it was an interesting piece of history, For more information check out the homepage: https://www.nps.gov/goga/learn/historyculture/sutro-baths.htm Also don't forget to pay Lands End a visit since it's around the corner...

The Sutro Baths was once a large saltwater swimming pool complex in the Lands End area. It used to be a classic Greek portal opened to a massive glass enclosure containing several swimming pools at various temperatures. Even nowadays I think the coastal ruins are still impressive, overlooking Seal Rocks, with ramps and stairs descending down to the collapsing walls and sea cave, and I would recommend visiting.

It's a beautiful historical spot facing the ocean. There is a restaurant nearby as well. I didn't like how there was a lot of graffiti and it felt not taken care of while being a historical location. The city needs to remove the graffiti and clean up it a bit. It is connected to a beautiful hiking trail so definitely check it out

Sutro Baths is always beautiful and a good choice to bring guests visiting from out of town. I prefer it when it's sunny but when it's overcast it has a brooding mysterious look. The walk down the ruins is short but has 141 steps, so you get a little workout. There are a few paths going into a cave and the remains of an old bathhouse. It's extremely popular with photographers and I see a lot of photoshoots here. It's nice for a short walk but for something longer, continue on with the Lands End Trail for a 3-mile walk. Worth noting, be mindful of leaving anything in the car as that parking lot is a known hotspot for smash and grabs.

The Sutro Baths is located at the bottom of Lands End. From the parking lot, take the stairs all the way down and then take the trail slightly to the right down. Be careful because this trail is kind of steep so watch your step. The other trail on the far right going up will lead you to an upper view of the Sutro Baths. Here's a quick history lesson about the Sutro Baths. When it opened in 1896 to the public, it was the world's largest indoor swimming pool. Unfortunately, it burned down 70 years later and the ruins are what's left of it now. There's really not much left to see except some concrete walls and foundations. This makes it easier to walk around. Just be careful that you don't end up falling into the water. It's sad that the city didn't do anything about the graffiti but nice to see that the wildlife is slowly trying to reclaim back the land. There's a cave nearby with a large hole opening. I'm going to save you the trouble and tell you that there is absolutely nothing on the other side of this cave.

Such a unique beautiful location great spot for photos. Can't wait to go back and explore more. Lorinda Keller

Before stepping foot onto these beautiful ruins, we took interest in learning about Adolph Sutro (former mayor of SF) and the history of the Sutro Baths, both online and inside the Lands End Lookout visitor center. We also admired the view from afar, taking breathtaking photos of this historical landmark with the water and sky adding to its unique beauty on a sun-filled Sunday afternoon. We enjoyed climbing the structure and exploring the bath remains up close, and just appreciating the surrounding atmosphere, a bit steep a climb, but worth it. We also checked out the nearby cave which was interesting and had no access to the rock formations leading to the water on the other side, but probably best for safety... still beautiful though. Parking was free and easy in the Lands End main parking lot, even on a somewhat crowded day.

This is such a unique place to stop at and sightsee in San Francisco. Best place to park is just a little higher on the hill that Land's End is next to (but be careful to bring your belongings with you and not in the car). I like how close this place is to the ocean (it's not a beach), my husband likes the ruins juxtaposed with the ocean water. It also seems like a popular photoshoot place. In any case, it's definitely a bucket-list item when stopping by San Francisco !

It's a beautiful place to visit with friends and family. Great activity for kids to be in nature relax and enjoy life. I definitely recommend this place

Love love hiking here! A little SF history. I wish people would clean up their dog poops.

Very fun, be prepared for some hiking. Amazing experience. Some wildlife, very cool hiking trails.

Gorgeous spot! It's such a beautiful area with tons of natural beauty from hillside flowers to the beach! It's a romantic spot for dates, proposals, engagement shoots, and intimate weddings too (I know of more than one of each of those that have happened here). Fun place for a group trip as well! Lovely views everywhere you look, and a fun little cave looking out at the water.

What an amazing spot to see the beautiful history of SF then to visit this beach with a cave like tunnel. Fascinating spot for sure!

it's a nice discovery. it is a little journey down several stairs, but it has some interesting views and a very cool cave. nice for taking pictures and enjoying the scenery

Eerie peak into a bygone era of San Fran. Left are the ruins of a great era of leisure and society. The vision of Adolph Sutro from his Silver mining wealth. I can remember as a kid Playland at the beach and Sutro Baths...until it burned down in 1966. Visit if you have not been as it is really cool.

This place is the best. Big parking lot. Go during golden hour and watch the sunset. Take photos using the reflection of the pool.

I like historic hikes. There's a path that leads you down to the ruins of sutro bath & the cave is nearby. Always watch your step.

This place is incredibly at sunset and so accessible when visiting SF. It's not so popular and crowded that you'll see tons of people at sunset, and it feels very private with a lot of beautiful spaces to explore. The distinctive feature here is the graffitied bath ruins, which are also fun to explore. Definitely putting on my list of favorite spots in SF.

Perfect place for a photoshoot during golden hour It was easy getting down there but you do have to watch your step getting across the entire thing. It wasn't too crowded when we went either.

POST-APOCALYPTIC RUINS NEXT TO THE SEA. Sutro Baths is our favorite very early in the morning on a cold day when it's practically deserted and you have the whole place to yourself. Built in 1896 by Adolph Sutro, former SF mayor and rich silver tycoon, it was the largest indoor swimming pool of the time and you can see in the vintage photo I uploaded the scale and grandeur that made it a popular destination. It started on a downward path during the Great Depression and was finally abandoned and closed in 1966 after a couple fires. Since then it's been slowly decaying. Odd concrete grids and ovals covered in graffiti, jagged rusted pipes and bent metal, a nearby cave blasted into the beach walls, a grand stairway leading down meaninglessly, and incomprehensible rotting structural details. The best part is you can get right up close and wander as much as you want with no ugly fences and safety signage.

This is a must see when visiting in San Fran, there are lots and lot of stairs, not handicap accessible but you could still get nice pictures from the top where the parking lot is, right before the stairs. You can even walk down to the water, the trails that are paved are falling apart and looks like the ground could shift so I would not recommend going up the trail near the caves for safety.

Extraordinary view last week! Warm, clear sky's and nice breeze though the air. Come early about 9am to get good parking by visitors center. Lots to do lots to see though out this nice historical baths. Walking trail down to baths little steep so beware, but has hand rails for support. The baths really nice to walk around and see all the wildlife there, sometimes there are otters in baths, but not this time. The views are incredible and able to see outward towards Ocean beach if on the top on the baths. Great family trip for anyone wanting to visit and see the great views and ocean!

Time & Date: Saturday, 4/17/21 at 12:30pm I visited on a Saturday noon and it wasn't packed at all, probably because the weather was so cold. It was around 53 degrees, and the wind was especially strong considering this is on the coast. So make sure you bundle up! PARKING: There are 2 parking lots -- the larger one is next to the Lands End visitor center (Lands End Main parking lot), while the smaller one is located a bit further down the hill called (Sutro Heights park public parking). TIP: I suggest you park in the main parking lot next to the visitor center where there's more foot traffic. Keep your valuables out of sight, lock your car, and park in a visible spot. I saw car windows smashed, so be extra wary when you visit! I'm leaving 3 stars because I feel like there should be more security patrolling the area to prevent such incidents from happening.

Solid spot to see! A few trails, a bathroom at the visitor center and lots of photo opportunities! Can also stop by nearby Land's End. There's a cave area too and of course the ruins area. It's usually pretty packed with lots of ppl and many taking engagement photos! I wouldn't come here too often though if you're coming from far away because there's not too much to see. Once every few years does the job or when you're touring visitors around the Bay Area.

One of my favorite places in San Francisco! Its such a cool mix of hiking trails, cool graffiti art, and beautiful views. Some tips: - There are 2.5 places to park: top, bottom, and a small strip in between. Would recommend coming earlier because sometimes parking is a nightmare. - Walk across the strip then walk through the vegetation area - there are good views not only of the ocean but also of the brightly colored flowering plants. - Walk along the coastline for views of the Golden Gate Bridge. - There's a small cave near the bottom of the place. Its kind of a cool mini adventure because it has a completely different vibe than anything on the top. - Bring a jacket, it gets cold (yes, even in the summer). - Recommend reading about Sutro Baths before coming, there's quite an interesting history behind this place.

Once upon a time, this was the happening spot of the Bay Area, now, just ruins of what was. So many memories for those that have lived and many already passed. Google "Sutro Baths history" and you'll see what structures existed on this famous landmark... it must have been breathtaking. Today, it's just beach which is nice, but I would have loved to see the old San Francisco landmarks that once existed, but alas, here we are, only left with pictures. It's worth a visit to see the Sutro Baths ruins, just PLEASE watch your step when going along in that area, especially when crowded with others around or when wet and slippery.

Nice view and perfect weather! The ocean breeze blowing in your face and the sound of the waves clashing onto the shores. Soothing and relaxing. Very calming. This area has a little resturant near by with a bar to view. You could walk down to the area that looks like a little pool.

Such a beautiful place minus all the graffiti. There's a little cave on the side you can walk through which was pretty cool. Parking at the top of the hill, right above the bath area. If you take the stairs up, you can walk the trails. Super easy walk.

This was my Play Land growing up; it was such a hidden gem back then...not anymore! People come here from all over the world to see this stunning landmark. I used to hike down all the way past the ruins and caves. People used to climb to the nearest rock. It was a scary sight, as the waves were strong and could have easily wiped out those risking their lives. I was just as stupid going down to the caves when the tides were strong. Good thing I was more amused by the Musée Mécanique and spent most of my time there. Sea lions used to lay around the rocks and bark loudly, they've moved over to Fisherman's Wharf. Looking back, I had a wonderful childhood, and now my kids get to enjoy these world-class views. Although, I don't think they appreciate it as much as I do...kids don't play outside anymore. 'Til next time ~ happy trails & see you on Yelp (SYOY)!

Walking from the Golden Gate Park, windmill and tulips this was our next stop before making it to Lands End. Early in the morning there is some beach fog, but every experience is different and unique and it doesn't change the beauty of the baths. It was a moderate incline if you walk but there is also some close parking which is extremely convenient! You can walk down and get closer to the waters and there is so many places to take pictures. Any time of day these waters are beautiful and it is a spot I will always recommend.

If you're into beautiful coast views, abandoned places, or graffiti art, Sutro Baths is your spot. At the turn of the century, a millionaire built a large public bath filled by the Pacific Ocean water. At its height, a glass pavilion protected the baths and thousands came to enjoy it. Then the Great Depression hit. A 1966 fire put the baths to its final death. Today all that remains are concrete slabs along the rocky Pacific Ocean coast. There's graffiti on the concrete. To add to the beauty, the views of the coast are gorgeous here, especially the sunset. There's a little cave off to the side that leads to a lookout spot. Above the tunnel is an actual lookout area with views of the Golden Gate Bridge. I highly recommend the Sutro Baths as a stop while in San Francisco.

Sightseeing in San Francisco, California... At the top of my list of places to visit in San Francisco was Sutro Baths. It turns out that our tour guide for the day used to live down the road from this Point of Interest. He knew that this was a playground for the wealthy back in the day. Built by Adolph Sutro, there used to be a lift that transported people down to the beach and there was a heating system for the swimming pools. It's hard to imagine that there was a magnificent structure here. The only thing remaining is the foundation among the graffiti. We did walk through the cave and saw the ocean from a different angle. The hike around the area had enough challenge for me as we balanced on the ruins to get closer to the water's edge. Overall, it was a great experience! The crisp air made this a thrilling site!

One of the coolest things we did in SF was walk around these ruins. I read about it beforehand so I knew some details about the place. I recommend you do too because there weren't any information boards around the area. The views are beautiful, its such a unique spot. Too bad its neglected by the city, parts are ruined with graffiti but its easy to gloss over that.

I was a little underwhelmed here. We went at sunset, and while this was a beautiful decision, the area was so packed it was impossible to enjoy. You're walking on little areas of concrete and having to pause for people to pass. There was no place to just stand and enjoy unless you were out of the area. It is dog friendly

A trip to the Sutro Baths is an amazing way to decompress from the city and take in the sights. The relic of the nation's largest swimming pool is an interesting juxtaposition of nature and architecture. I love seeing how the water pools into old crumbling bricks making a little man-made lake that little duck families glide over. Then there is the deep blue ocean water that crashes into the cliffs, the cold wet sand which feels unbelievable underneath your feet and the colorful sea flowers that dot the trail giving you a bird's eye view of all the beauty. It is an easy drive from the city and it's not too strenuous. Apparently there is an amazing fish taco stop nearby. I can't think of a better way to spend an afternoon!

I have been coming to the Sutro Baths for over 30 years. It is a great spot to spend a some time in SF. It has a little of everything; history, culture, nature. It's also a calm and peaceful place while still being interesting. Most importantly for me, it is convenient in a busy city where it can feel hectic seeing the sights and making things happen. Parking is free and usually plentiful. The walk is not to far but can be extended, if that's your pleasure. You can hike all over the area in gorgeous trees with amazing views, you can watch the waves and enjoy the breeze, you can explore the baths and the cave, whatever you like. It's great for people like me who travel with their pups because it's dog friendly too. I definitely recommend it for tourists and locals alike.

I was struck my melancholy the last time I visited the Sutro Baths. Time is an interesting thing. It is entirely predictable, yet answers to no one while only obeying its own credo to march on. It is no respecter of persons, of place, of emotion, or story. It simply moves unceasingly forward and swallows up anything that does not ride atop its wave. Once great bath houses full of smiling, happy, celebratory folk this is now ruins. It would always be ruins, with only a small blip of hope to be something else along the way. The waves crashed. The fires blazed. Those happy, smiling people in the historical photos are only nameless revelers in time's eternal march forward. Ruins remain for us to poke around and imagine what was. Standing there above the cliffs, remembering what was, what might have been, what could have, what should have, what will never be... it's a melancholy feeling. But a bath house it is not. What was, was. We celebrate the past but time moves unstoppably forward. Goodbye, what was. There are only ruins. Waves. Time crashing the beach over and over.

I wish the city of San Francisco maintained this area more. There's so much vandalism, it makes me sad. I still enjoyed my time here though. I explored the ruins and also entered this little cave that peaks out to the ocean.

How neat is this? I was walking uphill from Ocean Beach (~15-20 minutes) and saw this on the way. The first thing I thought was WOW, the view of the Pacific from here is gorgeous. There are a few trails down to the saltwater pools, some legal and some not *cough.* Anyway, it's a great location to stop, take a breather, and immerse yourself in nature. You can even see seagulls enjoying the baths! It's also relatively scaleable for strollers and dogs. One of my favorite pastimes is to journal + do devos at the beach during sunset. If I move to SF, I could see this being one of my go-to spots to do just that.

This is slowly becoming one of my favorite places to visit in the bay. It's so calming and relaxing; I highly recommend watching the sunset or come to chill. The best time to visit is during the evening or early morning. I thought the cave led to another part of the bath, but it's a dead end. Tip: There are plenty of free parking spaces, and there's a parking lot explicitly dedicated to the bath. The stairs are a lot of stairs, be prepared for a hike.

I haven't been to this spot in years. It's just as beautiful as I remember it. It has a cave you can walk in. There are a couple of trails you can take and the view is amazing. They have a visitor center/gift shop near the parking lot. It's free to park. There are also bathrooms near the visitor center, which are very clean.

Dirty girl you need to take a bath! Not really going to say much about this other than this is a really cool spot right by the beach awesome views and sights all around but just make sure you take that total hike all the way down! Photos didn't really get to come out as my phone wasn't working soo well but you get the idea seriously though this is a cool spot to visit for a minute!

I always hit up Sutro Baths whenever I come visit SF. It's in close proximity to a few hiking trails such as Lands End, Ocean Beach, as well as many restaurants. I recommend grabbing some burritos to go and coming here to watch sunset. Bring a jacket though because its usually cold! The Sutro Bath ruins have a stunning backdrop looking out into the Pacific Ocean. There are outlooks and tunnels here and there that make for nice pictures. It's not uncommon to see people taking maternity or engagement photos here. There's a parking lot that will take you right up to the front of the stairs that go down to the ruins/beach. Sometimes it'll get crowded during the weekend and the parking lot gets full. If that's the case there is another parking lot across the street. If that lot is full then I would recommend just parking at lands end and walking down.

I've visited this place multiple times through the pandemic and below are the highlights - There's a fair amount of hiking through some rough areas in order to get to the beach. Also a lot of the walk goes through some highly "inaccessible" areas so something to be aware of if you're planning on traveling with elder folks or even have knee/ leg injuries that you wanna be careful with. - Once you enter the beach areas, there are spots meant for photo-shoots and fairly crowded. - In general, the area provides gorgeous sunset views and ample opportunity for larger groups to hang out/ just chill/ enjoy the waters. - If you don't intend on venturing down to the beaches, you can still catch a great view of the sunset from the parking area (seems like a crowd favorite)

When I first came to San Francisco, I would have never dreamed that something so beautiful could have existed in this city. But after living in the Bay Area for quite sometime, I've learned that the City has a ton of gems that are just waiting to be explored. The Sutro Baths and its' ruins are just one of the many San Francisco landmarks that people from all over the world come here to see. It tells a story of a painful past. A struggling indoor pool infrastructure that proved to be too costly to operate. Memories of a building being engulfed in flames due to arson. And now, the ruins left behind from the whole catastrophe. All that's left behind are remnants of what used to be. Pieces of an unfinished building. Parts of the large swimming pools. It's so crazy how something that would normally be defined as an eyesore has turned out to be so incredibly beautiful. When I come here and I see these ruins... my heart bleeds. There's such a strong sense of history and sadness that you just can't help but to feel a certain way. And then, there are the caves down below. It feels like you're going back in time while you're walking through those caves. If you walk up the stairs towards the Coastal Trail, it will take you to a great viewpoint. The views here are just immaculate! Sweeping views of the ocean waves and the dilapidated ruins down below. It will make you feel like you're on top of the world. Nothing beats seeing this incredible part of US history. Pair it with the magnificent views of the California coastline and the sounds of the calming water waves, and you'll end up with some of the most precious and vivid memories in your lifetime.

Absolutely gorgeous! We just stumbled upon this place and it has a cute little view point and trial. There's also clean restrooms and a visitor shop!