Lands End
San Francisco has plenty of surprises for visitors (and even for residents). If you think you’ve been to all of the tourist attractions in this city, think again. Have you been to Lands End? Many don’t know about it, even the locals. But it’s a place worthy of your attention, especially if you’re a nature lover. There are plenty of reasons why you should go to Lands End. For one, it’s very accessible, especially if you have a car. There’s also ample parking space in the area. And if you hate crowds, then you’ll love this place. Because it’s not as popular as other parks, it rarely gets crowded. Below are some of the things that you can do at Lands End. 
Hike the Coastal Trail
As mentioned above, Lands End will surely delight nature lovers. One of the most popular activities that you can do in the area is to hike the Coastal Trail. This trail starts at the Cliff House and then goes in and out of the woods. The trail terminates at Sea Cliff, which is a residential area near China Beach.
The trail is mostly composed of dirt and rocks so you need to wear the right shoes and gear. The only paved area is at the beginning of the trail. You also need to know that there are a couple of steep stairways that you will encounter along the trail. Despite some challenging parts, the trail is perfect for beginners. It’s 1.5 miles long so it will take you around an hour to finish the trail at a leisurely pace. But you certainly won’t get tired because the view from the trail is breathtaking. It’s one of the best places to view the famous Golden Gate Bridge.
It’s highly recommended that you go to the bathroom prior to your hike. This is because there are no bathrooms along the trail. The closest public bathroom is at the information center, which is located near the western end of the trail. If you’re lucky, you can chance upon a porta potty that they sometimes install at the Merrie Way parking lot.
If you don’t want to walk or hike then another option is to tour the place on a bike. There are also designated bike paths on Lands End. You can check out maps of the area to know where the bike paths are.
Beware of the cliffs
Hiking at Lands End is a wonderful experience. But it can also be dangerous and even deadly. In the past four years alone, two persons have fallen to their deaths at the cliffs. But it’s important to note that one of the people who died ventured off to a spot that has been fenced off to hikers. Apart from the deaths, there are also several incidents of people getting rescued at Lands End. This shouldn’t discourage you from hiking the Coastal Trail. But you need to heed the warnings of not going to places that are fenced off and not walking too close to the edge of the cliffs. This is because the soil at the edges is often unstable. So if you’re planning to walk the Coastal Trail, always remember to stay on the paths.
Bring your dog
You can bring your dog to Lands End and both of you can enjoy a good walk. There are many people who bring their dogs there so you definitely won’t be alone. You don’t even have to put your dog on a leash. The only requirement is that your dog is under voice control. But to be sure, it’s better to check the local rules first on the latest on bringing dogs to parks and public spaces. If you’re bringing your dog, however, you need to watch out for coyotes. There have been reports of dogs being attacked by coyotes in the past.
Additional tips
The best time to visit Lands End is during the summer months. That’s usually when the sky is clearest so you can get a good view of the surroundings. However, many people go to this place during the weekends, especially if it’s warm and sunny. It’s best not to go after a heavy downpour because large puddles tend to form along with the trail.