Sutro Baths

Sutro Baths is one of the San Francisco locals' favorite nature scenic spot. It's not as well known as The Golden Gate Bridge, which is why many tourists miss this alluring location.

Beautiful steps down to the "beach area".

Sutro Baths is certainly an interesting national park that people can affordably enjoy.

It's one of the romantic spots of San Francisco that you can bring a date to and watch the beautiful view of the horizon.

The entrance or "upper" area consists of a lookout spot/benches that one can watch the sunset from.

There is also a woods-like area where people can take a short non-strenous hike/walk along of.

Plenty of visitors bring their loved ones along with a blanket to "cuddle" watch the beautiful sunset...or sunrise while enjoying some finger foods.

Sutro Baths do not offer much entertainment to those looking for plenty of activities to do. However, for those looking for a simple, peaceful day out away from the city life, Sutro Baths is quite an interesting and rejuvenating experience.

Visitors can enjoy the alluring sounds of the crashing waves, the stunning view of the sun setting down the horizon of the reflecting ocean, the beautiful floral display of wild lillies, strong cypress trees, and historical structures of the ruins that were once a functional pool and bath areas during the 19th Century!

Quick Facts



Located at Point Lobos Ave & Merrie Way, Golden Gate National Recreation Area, San Francisco, CA 94121.

• Sutro Baths was built in the late 1800's - early 1900's.

• It once contained the world's largest swimming pool complex available for the public.

• It was named after its founder, Adolph Sutro, who was once an affluent entrepreneur and mayor of SF.

• There once were 7 different swimming pools (6 of salt water and 1 of fresh water!) that people could choose from.

• A museum containing a collection of travel artifacts and an ice skating rink were also once made available for the public to enjoy.

• Unfortunately, in 1966, a great fire destroyed this once major attraction and left only the ruins of concrete walls, shallow watery areas, and passages.

• The Cliff House is also part of the whole landmark, which contains 2 restaurants that overlook Sutro Bath and contains another attraction, the Camera Obscura (an extremely oversized camera that you can walk into!).

• You can also walk along the sands and enjoy the beach area of Sutro Baths (I don't encourage you to dip in as it's quite dangerous, not to mention cold!) but a great area to walk along and take pictures at.

• Sutro Baths is otherwise free to enter.

• The parking is free too (and that can be greatly appreciated since San Francisco doesn't offer too many free parking opportunities!).

• The place offers public restrooms (but porter potties, so bring a hand sanitizer, hehe).

  My Experience with Sutro Baths

  

  I first visited this place because it was a recommended location by a photographer friend to take pictures at. I was quite amazed at the fact that such a beautiful naturistic scene existed in the busy city of San Francisco.

  It never crossed my mind that the pathway to the ruins was a rocky one, so I suffered in my heels (don't judge me, haha).

  One of my hobbies is taking photoshoots, and this was certainly a beautiful and original location to take pictures in.

  Now, the second time I visited, I came prepared. I dressed up in comfortable, layered clothing (it was quite chilly), and wore comfortable walking shoes.

  My boyfriend and I watched the sunset from the top area, overlooking the ocean and ruins. It was also a great spot for photos.

  There were some visitors, but not crowded enough to distract one from enjoying the peaceful scenery.

  The steps leading down to the ruins and ocean were made of wood, and the area was surrounded by tall cypress trees and bushes of wild lillies. They were quite steep, so watch your step!

  The things that I liked about this place is the fact that it is a rather sooting and serene place, and can be quite an escape from San Francisco's busy lifestyle. What I didn't like was the fact that the bathrooms were porter potties and seemed kind of unsanitary.

  Overall, I greatly encourage you to visit Sutro Baths when you visit San Francisco.

  It's a wonderful opportunity to discover the other side of San Francisco!

  If you're wondering what else there is you can do you can do the following there: Eat at the restaurants at the Cliff House while overlooking the ocean, hike or walk along the trees and floral pathway, or take the steps down to the ruins, take pictures, or walk along the sands while listening to the crashing waves. :)

  See you around,

  -Trixie
  Your friendly, local SF travel guide ;).

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  Caution:

  Please do not attempt to swim to the rocks, dive, or do anything foolish as a few have unfortunately drowned there...

  

  Here is a picture I got from Wikipedia. This is what Sutro Baths used to look like back in the days. See the pools that all these people once enjoyed? Now compare that with the image above, under "Quick Facts".

  Return to San Francisco Tourism from Sutro Baths