Lands End Lookout to Mile Rock Beach, Coastal Trail
(scroll to bottom for photo gallery)
Location: 680 Point Lobos Ave., San Francisco, 94121, near El Camino Del Mar/48th Ave., just before the Cliff House, above Ocean Beach
(Information links are sometimes changed at the source unexpectedly. We do our best to update.)
Lands End info: https://www.nps.gov/goga/planyourvisit/landsend.htm
Map with trails: https://www.nps.gov/goga/planyourvisit/upload/LE_Pad_Map508.pdf
Distance: Approximately 1 mile from Lands End Lookout to Mile Rock Beach
Considerations: Some steep stairs, watch for trail signs, and pay attention to wildlife information, particularly coyotes
Restrooms are at the Lands End Lookout visitor center
The parking lot entering from Point Lobos above the Cliff House is handy for the Lands End Lookout visitor center, and for exploring the glorious Sutro Bath ruins, but gets crowded on weekends. Parking along El Camino del Mar starts you on the upper trail, with easy access for a short walk up the hill for a view from Fort Miley, and for a visit to the USS San Francisco Memorial, the damaged hull a reminder of the devastating WWII Battle of Guadalcanal, well worth reading about.
The El Camino del Mar Trail runs parallel above the lower Coastal Trail/Lands End Coastal Trail. If you start from El Camino del Mar parking, you’ll go down stairs to the Coastal Trail. Facing the water, turn right away from the Lands End Lookout and Sutro Baths, and head toward the Golden Gate Bridge direction. Clear days offer stunning views. Foggy days are enticingly mysterious.
The start of the trail is smooth and wide, with official viewing spots. After a stretch, it becomes a more typical dirt trail, passing through some narrow tree tunnels, dips, rises and turns. Keep an eye out for the sign marking the top of the steps heading to Mile Rock Beach. It’s easy to pass by if you’re not looking for it.
The steps down to the beach are sandy and involve ducking under a gnarled tree branch that seems to be guarding the trail. Take the sharp left in the stairs for the path to the next set of stairs, sharp right, down to the beach.
There are logs and rocks to clamber around, and at low tide, at the right side of the beach as you face the ocean, there is a small cave structure to explore.
The trail cutting left up the hill as you face back toward the return trail leads to the Labyrinth, a great cliff top piece of art. There is a path straight back from the Labyrinth that cuts along a steep cliff back to the stairway back up the hill, but due to erosion, use caution if you choose this path, especially with children or those who are not sure on their feet. Take any cliff or trail warning signs seriously. Going back up the same stair path you came down from is a safe bet, but going back up is more of a cardio workout than going down. Enjoy the scenery while you stop to catch your breath!
(Lands End Lookout to Mile Rock Beach Hike Notes were originally paired with the “Trails versus Paths” Insights post.)
Check the Home page for the broader background story. Click Insights/Hike Update News for inspiring reflections. Browse hikes on the main Hikes page or on the Hike Search by Area page, and scroll to the bottom of each hike page to see full photo galleries.
If you’d like to support HikingAutism, check out the Support/Shop page! Check out selected articles and interviews under Media. Click World Walks to see or share favorite family-friendly walks! Stay in touch with Lisa Louis and HikingAutism via Contact. The Links page lists a loose collection of helpful information links. Feel free to share and follow on Facebook at HikingAutism, Twitter at @HikingAutism, Instagram at lisalouis777, and Bluesky @hikingautism.bsky.social
(scroll to bottom for photo gallery)
Location: 680 Point Lobos Ave., San Francisco, 94121, near El Camino Del Mar/48th Ave., just before the Cliff House, above Ocean Beach
(Information links are sometimes changed at the source unexpectedly. We do our best to update.)
Lands End info: https://www.nps.gov/goga/planyourvisit/landsend.htm
Map with trails: https://www.nps.gov/goga/planyourvisit/upload/LE_Pad_Map508.pdf
Distance: Approximately 1 mile from Lands End Lookout to Mile Rock Beach
Considerations: Some steep stairs, watch for trail signs, and pay attention to wildlife information, particularly coyotes
Restrooms are at the Lands End Lookout visitor center
The parking lot entering from Point Lobos above the Cliff House is handy for the Lands End Lookout visitor center, and for exploring the glorious Sutro Bath ruins, but gets crowded on weekends. Parking along El Camino del Mar starts you on the upper trail, with easy access for a short walk up the hill for a view from Fort Miley, and for a visit to the USS San Francisco Memorial, the damaged hull a reminder of the devastating WWII Battle of Guadalcanal, well worth reading about.
The El Camino del Mar Trail runs parallel above the lower Coastal Trail/Lands End Coastal Trail. If you start from El Camino del Mar parking, you’ll go down stairs to the Coastal Trail. Facing the water, turn right away from the Lands End Lookout and Sutro Baths, and head toward the Golden Gate Bridge direction. Clear days offer stunning views. Foggy days are enticingly mysterious.
The start of the trail is smooth and wide, with official viewing spots. After a stretch, it becomes a more typical dirt trail, passing through some narrow tree tunnels, dips, rises and turns. Keep an eye out for the sign marking the top of the steps heading to Mile Rock Beach. It’s easy to pass by if you’re not looking for it.
The steps down to the beach are sandy and involve ducking under a gnarled tree branch that seems to be guarding the trail. Take the sharp left in the stairs for the path to the next set of stairs, sharp right, down to the beach.
There are logs and rocks to clamber around, and at low tide, at the right side of the beach as you face the ocean, there is a small cave structure to explore.
The trail cutting left up the hill as you face back toward the return trail leads to the Labyrinth, a great cliff top piece of art. There is a path straight back from the Labyrinth that cuts along a steep cliff back to the stairway back up the hill, but due to erosion, use caution if you choose this path, especially with children or those who are not sure on their feet. Take any cliff or trail warning signs seriously. Going back up the same stair path you came down from is a safe bet, but going back up is more of a cardio workout than going down. Enjoy the scenery while you stop to catch your breath!
(Lands End Lookout to Mile Rock Beach Hike Notes were originally paired with the “Trails versus Paths” Insights post.)
Check the Home page for the broader background story. Click Insights/Hike Update News for inspiring reflections. Browse hikes on the main Hikes page or on the Hike Search by Area page, and scroll to the bottom of each hike page to see full photo galleries.
If you’d like to support HikingAutism, check out the Support/Shop page! Check out selected articles and interviews under Media. Click World Walks to see or share favorite family-friendly walks! Stay in touch with Lisa Louis and HikingAutism via Contact. The Links page lists a loose collection of helpful information links. Feel free to share and follow on Facebook at HikingAutism, Twitter at @HikingAutism, Instagram at lisalouis777, and Bluesky @hikingautism.bsky.social
