• View of the Golden Gate Bridge, taken from the Marin Headlands, looking across the bay back towards San Francisco, seen in the distance.

    Golden Gate

    National Recreation Area California

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  • Tunnel to Marin Headlands Closed

    The tunnel on Bunker Road from Alexander Avenue in Sausalito towards the Marin Headlands is closed for construction. Please follow the detour signs to Conzelman Road (just above the north end of the Golden Gate Bridge) to go up over the hill. More »

  • Muir Beach (but not nearby Muir Woods) parking lot closed June-November 2013

    Muir Beach parking lot will be closed from June-November 2013 due to construction. Restrooms or nearby parking will not be available at Muir Beach during this period. Pacific Way is closed except to residents. Check back for updates or call (415)561-3054 More »

  • CAUTION: Post Storm Damage to Coastal Trail

    The Presidio Coastal Trail segment just north of the Pacific Overlook and adjacent to Lincoln Blvd remains CLOSED indefinitely. We have posted signage to alert bicyclists and hikers and with information for safe trail alternatives. More »

Sutro Heights History

historic image of vistors in horse-drawn carriage at Sutro Height
Sutro Heights, circa 1890
PARC, NPS
 

In 1885, self-made millionaire Adolph Sutro created the Sutro Heights Park, an elegant and formal public garden that covered over twenty acres in the area now known as Lands End. Inspired by the rugged beauty and incredible scenery, Sutro intentionally designed the grounds to capture the views of the Pacific Ocean, the Golden Gate and the Marin Headlands.

Adolph Sutro planned his park on a grand scale. Sutro Heights was a fantastic collection of flower beds, forests, elegant wide walkways, hedge mazes and "parterres" (a popular Victorian landscape feature where flowers and bushes were carefully trimmed into shapes of names or designs). Builders constructed an observation platform plaza that overlooked the Cliff House as well as the Dolce far Niente balcony, a long terrace-like structure on the cliff overlooking Ocean Beach. To provide garden decorations, he imported over 200 concrete replicas of Greek and Roman statuary from Belgium, with the intent to provide examples of European culture to his San Francisco visitors. The sculptures, along with rustic benches, chairs and tables were carefully placed throughout the grounds. The garden contained many buildings ranging from simple garden sheds to an elaborate glass-paned conservatory. To keep the grounds in excellent condition, Sutro maintained a full-time staff of 17 gardeners, machinist and drivers.

 
historic image of Sutro Heights front entrance
Front public entrance of Sutro Heights, flanked by reclining lion statues; circa 1885.
PARC, NPS
 
historic image of Sutro Heights decorative pathway
One the many decorative pathways throughout the garden, showing the wide variety of plants; circa 1890
PARC, NPS
 
historic image of observation plaza over Cliff House
The observation plaza overlooking the Cliff House; circa April 1907
PARC, NPS
 

Please visit the Plan Your Visit Lands End page to learn more visitor information.

Please visit the History and Culture Lands End page to learn more about the history of the overall site.

For more in-depth information, please down load the History and Significance of Adolph Sutro Historic District from the National Register Nomination Form (NPS, 2000) (pdf file, 120 kb)

  • Visiting Lands End Visiting Lands End

    Plan your visit to Lands End and enjoy the scenery, history and nature at the city's edge. Read More

  • Adolph Sutro Adolph Sutro

    Learn about the entrepreneur who transformed this area of San Francisco. Read More

Did You Know?

The Cliff House

Adolph Sutro built this Cliff House in 1909 to provide San Franciscians with a relaxing place to recreate. More...