Let's Go Hiking: Lands End Trail

Bridging the Bay CAMFT Chapter Hike Series #3

Lace-Up for Lands End: Our Final Trailblazing Adventure of 2025! 

Ready for one last romp in nature with your favorite therapist pals this year? Our third and final hike of 2025 in the Bridging the Bay CAMFT Chapter series is taking us to the absolutely iconic Lands End Trail in San Francisco! We're talking breathtaking views of the Golden Gate Bridge, the vast Pacific, and a peek into the historic Sutro Baths. It's the perfect mix of stunning scenery and invigorating exercise – all without having to navigate a single therapy session!

The Nitty-Gritty (and Not-So-Gritty) Details:

• When: Saturday, October 4th, at 9:30 AM
• Where to Meet: Lands End Main Parking Lot 
• Parking: It's FREE!
• Trail Difficulty: Easy to Moderate  
• Estimated Distance: 3.4 miles (out and back)  
• Time: Allow for 1.5 - 2 hours. 
• Dogs: Allowed! Bring your furry hiking buddies. 
• Guests: Spouses/partners are welcome. Please, no children on this one!
• Restrooms: Available at the parking area.

How to Get There:

Driving from the East Bay:

The most common route from the East Bay involves crossing the Bay Bridge (I-80 W) into San Francisco.

1. Take I-80 W across the Bay Bridge. (Be prepared for tolls if you don't have FasTrak!)
2. Once in San Francisco, take exit 1B to merge onto US-101 N/Central Fwy toward the Golden Gate Bridge.
3. Take exit 434B for Octavia Blvd toward Fell St.
4. Continue onto Octavia Blvd.
5. Turn left onto Fell St.
6. Continue straight to stay on Fell St (it becomes JFK Dr in Golden Gate Park).
7. Turn right onto 43rd Ave.
8. Turn left onto Point Lobos Ave. The Lands End Main Parking Lot will be on your right.

Alternate (and often faster) route avoiding city traffic:

1. Take I-80 W to US-101 N   
2. Take exit 438 for CA-1 S toward 19th Ave/Golden Gate Pk. 
3. Continue onto CA-1.
4. Turn right onto California St. 
5. Turn left onto 31st Ave.
6. Turn right at the 2nd cross street onto Geary Blvd. 
7. Continue onto Point Lobos Ave. The Lands End Main Parking Lot will be on your right.

Driving from Marin:

Driving from Marin is generally straightforward, taking you over the iconic Golden Gate Bridge.

1. Take US-101 S over the Golden Gate Bridge (toll applies for southbound crossing). 
2. After the bridge, take exit 438 for CA-1 S toward 19th Ave/Golden Gate Pk. 
3. Continue onto CA-1. 
4. Turn right onto California St.  
5. Turn left onto 31st Ave.  
6. Turn right at the 2nd cross street onto Geary Blvd.
7. Continue onto Point Lobos Ave. The Lands End Main Parking Lot will be on your right.

Pro-Tip for Drivers: Parking at Lands End can fill up, especially on beautiful weekend mornings. Arrive early for the best chance at a spot! You can also check for street parking in the surrounding residential areas, but be mindful of any parking restrictions.

Public Transit from the East Bay:

Getting to Lands End from the East Bay via public transit is a scenic journey!

1. BART to Embarcadero Station: Take any BART train bound for San Francisco (e.g., from Oakland, Berkeley, or other East Bay stations) and exit at the Embarcadero Station.   
2. Muni N Judah Outbound: From Embarcadero BART, transfer inside the station to the Muni Metro N Judah line (Outbound/towards Ocean Beach).  
3. Transfer to Bus: Ride the N Judah to its final stop at Judah and La Playa (Ocean Beach). From there, you have a few options for a shorter bus ride:

• Muni 38R (Geary Rapid) or 38 (Geary): From stops near the N Judah terminus, you can catch the 38R or 38 bus. Get off at the 48th Ave & Point Lobos Ave stop, which is about a 7-minute walk to the Lands End Main Parking Lot and Sutro Baths area.   
• Muni 5 (Fulton) or 5R (Fulton Rapid) or 31 (Balboa): Alternatively, from stops near the N Judah terminus, you can take the 5, 5R, or 31 bus. These will get you to stops like Cabrillo St & La Playa St or Balboa St & 43rd Ave, which are slightly longer walks to Lands End (around 4-14 minutes depending on the exact stop).

Public Transit from Marin:

Getting to Lands End from Marin involves a bus ride over the Golden Gate Bridge and a transfer in San Francisco.

1. Golden Gate Transit Bus to Van Ness Ave & Clay St (or similar): Take a Golden Gate Transit bus (e.g., Routes 101, 130, 150 from various Marin locations) that crosses the Golden Gate Bridge into San Francisco. Aim for a stop around the Van Ness Ave or Lombard St area in San Francisco, as these are good transfer points.   
2. Muni Transfer: From your Golden Gate Transit drop-off, you'll need to transfer to a Muni bus to get to Lands End.

• Muni 38 (Geary) or 38R (Geary Rapid): Walk to a Geary Blvd stop and take the 38 or 38R bus westbound. Get off at the 48th Ave & Point Lobos Ave stop, which is a short walk to Lands End.     
• Muni 1 (California): From certain areas, you might also consider the 1 California bus, which can take you closer to the Lincoln Park area, another entry point to Lands End. Check your specific starting point in Marin and use a transit app for the most efficient route.

Pro-Tip for All Public Transit Users: Use a Clipper Card for seamless transfers between BART, Muni, and Golden Gate Transit! You can also use a transit app like Google Maps or Moovit on the day of to get real-time directions and estimated travel times, as routes and schedules can occasionally change.

See You on the Trail!

Come connect, unwind, and enjoy the beauty of Lands End with your fellow therapists. It's the perfect way to cap off our fantastic hike series for 2025!