Lands End Sunset
Lands End is a fitting name for this rough patch of land at the far northwestern tip of the San Francisco Peninsula. The rugged windswept landscape and the many shipwrecks scattered throughout the area awe tourists and locals alike. Owing to its remoteness within the confines of San Francisco and the many other attractions the city offers, many photographers do not visit this area despite its photogenic value and immense beauty. Tight travel itineraries and pre-planned tours rarely include Lands End.
How to get there
Park your car at the lower parking lot (P1: 37° 46.826′N 122° 30.702′W) on Merrie Way next to Sutro Baths. Another parking lot at the end of “El Camino del Mar Street” (P2: 37° 46.968′N 122° 30.650′W) only offers access to the upper section of the trail. Use it only if the first lot is full and walk back to the first lot.
The trail starts to the north of the parking lot. You will first arrive at the Trail Viewpoint (TVP) where I took the picture at the top of this article. After some time you will find wooden stairs descending toward the sea. Follow the stairs to the viewpoint and the beach.
A flight of stairs leads down to Sutro Baths (SB) from the lower parking lot.
click image to see large version
The parking lot (P1) is now much larger than shown on Google Earth. For alternate trails check out the Lands End section on about.com.
GPS position
Viewpoint (VP): 37°47’16.76″N 122°30’20.81″W
Beach (B): 37°47’12.95″N 122°30’25.38″W
Trail Viewpoint (TVP): 37°47’2.78″N 122°30’33.40″W
Sutro Baths (SB): 37°46’49.72″N 122°30’48.97″W
How to photograph San Francisco’s Lands End and Sutro Baths
From the viewpoint and beach, you will have countless options to frame the perfect shot. The viewpoint has an excellent and unique view of the Golden Gate Bridge and the surrounding beaches.
Lands End Circle
It is tempting to use your telephoto lens to frame the Golden Gate Bridge and you probably should. Even though the Bridge is far away, and wide-angle lenses stretch distance even further, I still like the wide shot with the circle (Mile Rock Labyrinth) in the foreground and the Bridge in the far distance.
You can also utilize other photographers or spectators looking toward the Golden Gate Bridge to guide your viewers to the Bridge as the main focal point of your composition.
It pays to walk around the viewpoint area to find unique compositions, but you need to be careful, as the cliffs are very steep. Only shoot when you have sure footing and do not look through the viewfinder while you walk near an edge.
Lands End Beach
Getting down to the beach on the east side of the viewpoint is next to impossible and not worth the chance of breaking your neck. Stairs lead down to the east side beach which only offers mediocre views of the Golden Gate Bridge (see picture). The rocky beach and the old mutilated concrete structure are photogenic in their own right.
Listen to the foghorn of the light station in the middle of the bay while you photograph the entrance to the San Francisco Bay. I prefer a wide-angle lens for my beach compositions, but a normal lens can also look good here.
Sutro Baths
The ruins of Sutro Baths, a giant swimming facility for 19th century high society, provide excellent reflecting pools for sunset clouds and / or the lights of Point Lobos Avenue and the Cliff House. Depending on the type of clouds and if you suspect them to light up nicely, this may be a perfect place to photograph the sunset. If you stand to the east of the pools, you get the appearance of an infinity pool.
Use the defining walls of the structure as leading lines or leave them out completely. Experiment with your composition until you are happy.
Best Time of the Day and Best Season
Afternoon to sunset is the best time to photograph at both locations. The sun will illuminate the entrance to the Golden Gate while the setting sun will also help to enhance the mood at Sutro Baths. Any time of the year is good. Summer may bring the characteristic fog that can either enhance your pictures or completely obstruct your view.
Time required
You should plan at least a couple of hours. The longer you have the better, as you can wait for better light or explore the area in more depth.
Equipment
- Tripod and Cable Release
- Lenses of all focal length
- CP filter
- Split ND filter
- Rain protectors for your equipment (also useful to protect against the splash from the surf)
- Panoramic Head
- GPS device
- Wind Jacket (this is one of the windiest spots, even by San Francisco standards)
Close Locations
- Baker Beach
- China Beach
- Golden Gate Park: Japanese Tea Garden
- Golden Gate Park West Side
- Fort Point
- San Francisco Presidio
- Beach and Cliff House
- Lincoln Park and Legion of Honor
- Fisherman’s Wharf
- Marina, Crissy Field
- Palace of Fine Arts
- Twin Peaks
Useful Resources
Golden Gate National Parks Conservatory: Lands End, Sutro Historic District
More of my San Francisco Pictures
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One Comment
Those reflections in the Sutro Baths photo are amazing! At first, I was wondering why Land’s end isn’t included in tours but your quote kind of answered my question, “Only shoot when you have sure footing and do not look through the viewfinder while you walk near an edge.” Guess no one can afford that kind of liability insurance.
The labyrinth is cool, I wonder who uses it.
More awesome photos, Andre!