Notoriously picturesque and historically fascinating, the Sutro Bath Ruins are a must-see stop in San Francisco no matter how much time you have visiting here.
It may be difficult to imagine, but these towering concrete remnants once held up the most resplendently colossal glass-enclosed bath house complete with trapezes and a promenade to host over 10,000 people.
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Located on the western edge of the city between Ocean Beach and Lands End, these structures are the last standing remnants of a gilded time when San Francisco was at the height of its extravagance and splendor within its gold rush era.
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Today, the simple hollowed out rooms and sinewy pillars of this glorious bygone area are still adored by many locals and travelers alike for their unique interactiveness, surrounding sweeping views, and detailed backstory.
See also: Take A Tranquil and Meditative Hike At This Hidden Presidio Nature Sculpture
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The Sutro Bath Ruins are named after millionaire engineer and former mayor Adolf Sutro, who was devoted to providing leisurely amusement and participatory vigor to Victorian San Francisco. By owning over 20 acres of the city’s western edge, he was able to revitalize and renovate the coast’s promenade to include public gardens, rebuilding the iconic Cliff House, and actualizing plans for a much-demanded European-style public bath house.
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The three acre, Grecian-inspired baths were completed in 1894 and were incredibly lavish, adorned with trapezes, springboards, high dives, and seven swimming pools.
The pools themselves sourced the water naturally from the Pacific Ocean, which at high tide would swell the pools up with 1.7 million gallons of water. Entry was only a quarter, and there were 40,000 towels, 20,000 bathing suits, and 500 dressing rooms available to rent at this wondrous facility.
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The splendor definitely did not stop there, as there were also amusement rides, a promenade and a museum overlooking the magnificent pools which were filled with scientific curiosities, exotic specimens, and even mummies.
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Interest to visit the ruins declined during the Great Depression, and in the 1960s the baths mysteriously caught on fire. The ruins then became part of the National Park Service in 1973, and today many still enjoy being able to access and decipher what is left of the massive structure.
There is also a nearby cave tunnel that you must see inside of, and some parts are still able to reflect what it used to be.
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There are multiple paths less than a mile leading down to it from the Lands End parking lot and observatory, making it the perfect short hike full of great seaside views, beachy adventure, and reminiscent time travel.
A full loop into Lands End and the Legion of Honor isn’t bad either for those looking to soak up the whole coast!
See also: These Family-Friendly Hikes Are Perfect For Kids Of Any Age
Photography by: Jules Marvin Eguilos/Unsplash
