Sutro in San Francisco

View from Sutro's mansion

After his work in the silver mines, Adolph Sutro moved back to San Francisco where he invested heavily in coastal real estate. In 1881, he purchased 22 acres of undeveloped land, including a high vista overlooking Ocean Beach, the Cliff House and Seal Rocks. Sutro's land boasted some of the best views of the Pacific Ocean, Mount Tamalpais and the Golden Gate.


Sutro turned this property into Sutro Heights, a luxurious public garden that was open to all citizens, in addition to building a mansion home on the grounds. The foundation of the mansion and the remnants of the garden, if not the full splendor of both, can still be seen at Sutro Heights today.