Sutro Noir

Visit Sutro Baths in SF on a Full Moon

Hike among San Francisco's Sutro Baths

When bathed in the glow of a full moon, San Francisco’s Sutro Baths take on a novel mystique, especially if the fog rolls in. These famous ruins—once the world’s largest swimming pool—are said to be one of San Francisco’s most ghostly places. There’s one story about the ghost of a young woman who drowned and was swept out to sea. Fearless types (or those who just like to freak themselves out) sometimes call to her from the ruins, and she’s been known to steal candles from visitors, extinguishing them at sea.

Sutro Bath ruins San Francisco at night full moon

Sit above the roaring waves at a dramatic vantage where the Pacific flows into San Francisco Bay. Descend the wooden stairs from the main parking area and follow the short trail to the Point Lobos overlook for a big look at the mercurial waters. Fog heightens the visuals as the moon mingles with the misty seascape. The tunnel cave in the Sutro Baths area is rumored to be frequented by an otherworldly creature … do you dare go in there? Remember, the Pacific waves can be devilish, so watch your step. And your back …

Grand Walk of San Francisco World

DAY HIKE TIP: Sutro Baths also marks the beginning of what Weekend Sherpa dubbed the Grand Walk (aka, the world’s most beautiful urban hike). Do this during the day only.

Sutro Baths is located at the north end of Ocean Beach, where Geary Blvd. and the Great Hwy. meet.  The parking lot is next to Land's End Lookout (680 Point Lobos Ave.). The parking lot closes at 1 a.m. Top photo by Desolation Hiker. Second photo by Brandon Doran. Dog-friendly!

Trending Stories NorCal

View all Stories
  1. Hiker in the forest at Mount Sutro in San Francisco

    San Francisco's Middle Earth

    No need to travel to New Zealand to visit Middle Earth. San Francisco’s Mount Sutro Open Space is practically Hobbiton—a hidden “shire” in the middle of the city. Okay, maybe not quite as magical, but still an incredible place to take a hike in city limits.

    View
  2. Bikers and walkers on the Bay Area Ridge Trail with the Golden Gate Bridge behind them

    National Park City Walk

    See San Francisco the way locals do by hiking the Presidio, a national park right in the city! Wooded trails, secluded beaches, and epic views of the Golden Gate Bridge feature on this 5.5-mile out-and-back on the Bay Area Ridge Trail. It’s a lovely slice of the City by the Bay.

    View
  3. A group of people clamored around the summit marker at Mission Peak in the Bay Area

    Your Mission Is Less Crowded

    Mission Peak is one of the Bay Area’s most popular mountains, with many hikers climbing every weekend. Skip the crowds with this 6-mile loop up the less-traveled southern route.

    View
  4. Hike top Angel Island Mount Livermore San Francisco Bay

    Good Heavens

    The 4-mile hike to the top of Angel Island offers Bay-mazing scenery. Some people claim you get a five-bridge view: Richmond-San Rafael, Bay, Golden Gate, San Mateo-Hayward, and Dumbarton bridges.

    View

Trending Stories SoCal

View all Stories
  1. Bear Hug

    This 5.5-mile loop through Coyote Lake-Harvey Bear Ranch County Park explores one of the newest segments of the acclaimed Bay Area Ridge Trail, one redolent with trees ranging from madrone and manzanita to buckeye and blue elderberry (with a bubbly post-hike bonus).

    View
  2. Sponsored

    Tram to Cool Treks

    Elevate your fun, getting whisked from palm trees to alpine wilderness on the world’s largest rotating tramcar. The Palm Springs Aerial Tramway transports you up and away on a 2.5-mile scenic route from the desert floor to the refreshing wilderness of Mount San Jacinto State Park.

    View
  3. Coming Up Roses

    Looking to spice up your hiking life? Give your partner a rose—Mount Rose! The 10-mile out-and-back peak hike goes up to one of the grandest views in all of Lake Tahoe. Get ready f

    View
  4. Woman hiking down the stairs to Coast Royale Beach in Orange County

    Secluded Royale

    Panoramic coastal views and a killer leg workout combine on this 2.7-mile (round-trip) out-and-back hike to secluded Coast Royale Beach in Orange County

    View