Coastline hikes aren’t too far away

This week I’m following up last week’s Presidio highlights by featuring a trail just outside of the boundary of the Presidio but also is part of the Golden Gate National Recreation Area. This 21/2 mile round-trip walk starts near the Cliff House Restaurant and the ruins of the Sutro Baths and runs to Lands End and then on to China Beach.

I’m specifically writing about this section as an alternative to the more northern part of the Coastal Trail that I described last week, since last week’s section is beautiful but sometimes visited by nude beachgoers. You’re less likely to run into such a sight on the Lands End section of the trail, but remember, this is San Francisco.

The Lands End section of the Coastal Trail is almost completely level. If you don’t mind departing the coastline a bit, it also connects with last week’s trail at Baker Beach. The total distance from the Cliff House to the Golden Gate Bridge is about 4 miles (8 miles round trip).

The Lands End section starts near the Cliff House at the intersection of the Great Highway and Geary Boulevard. There are a couple of parking lots and also curbside parking. Look for steps that descend to the shore near the Cliff House and begin your walk there. Large concrete foundations come into view near the shoreline. They are the ruins of the Sutro Baths, a saltwater swimming complex that was built in 1896 and operated until 1966. I know that it sounds odd to hear about a swimming facility burning, but a fire was what finally destroyed the baths. What remains can still be explored today. Don’t miss the nearby tunnel cut through the cliffs, also open for exploration and exciting views to the north.

After checking out the ruins, climb back up the steps and follow the signs for the Point Lobos viewpoint. (Not the same as Point Lobos near Carmel.) From there on out, signs indicating the Coastal Trail will guide you along the cliffs. The views start out great and continue to get better as you work your way northwesterly around the edge of the peninsula toward Golden Gate Bridge.

You’ll go up and down quite a few stairs, though the overall elevation gain and loss is minimal. Side trails wind down to small beaches. These treks require a bit more exertion. Cypress groves along the trail frame the Golden Gate Bridge, the waves and the striking Marin Headlands on the opposite side of the Golden Gate. You will see the concrete platform that once was the base of the Mile Rocks Lighthouse, and at low tide you can see the remains of shipwrecks.

The Lands End section of the Coastal Trail is one of the best coastal hikes in Central California. It’s an easy day trip from the San Joaquin Valley or something you can do while in the Bay Area. It’s a great place to go on a sunny day. No matter what the weather, don’t forget a windbreaker. Unlike many other popular trails, dogs are welcome at Lands End.

You can download a map of the trail at http://www.nps.gov/goga/planyourvisit/maps.htm, near the bottom of the page.

For information about the Golden Gate National Recreation Area, go to http://www.nps.gov/goga/index.htm or call (415) 561-4700.

Another great spot we visited on our recent trip to the bay was the incredible nighttime viewpoint of the city from Treasure Island. This is a great, easy stop anytime you are leaving San Francisco in the dark and it’s nice in the day as well. When you pass through the tunnel on the Bay Bridge, you are driving through Yerba Buena Island. Attached to this small natural island is large, flat Treasure Island. Created originally for the 1939 Golden Gate International Exposition, it later became a naval base. Today, the island belongs to San Francisco and there’s a parking area for nighttime views of the city and the Bay Bridge.

To get to the island, be prepared to make a left-hand exit from the Bay Bridge at Yerba Buena Island. The curve is very sharp both exiting and entering the bridge, so exercise a lot of caution.

There’s plenty of evidence left behind by vehicles that didn’t make the turn with enough care. Follow the exit road down to Treasure Island and the parking is obvious. Enjoy the views, but beware of the world’s most obese raccoons.

They’re so big they don’t really walk, they waddle.

This story was originally published March 3, 2015 at 9:42 PM with the headline "Coastline hikes aren’t too far away."