Sutro Heights in San Francisco City and County, California — The American West (Pacific Coastal)

The Parapet

Grand Ocean Views

Photographed by Joseph Alvarado, November 14, 2022

1. The Parapet Marker

Inscription. Golden Gate National Recreation Area
Lands End

In 1881, Adolph Sutro built the parapet – a raised promontory encircled by an elaborate stone wall – as a viewing platform. Taking advantage of its added height and popularity with visitors, Sutro built a water tank, observation tower and photography gallery on the parapet. He displayed replicas of classical urns and statues to provide visitors with examples of European culture.

Images:
Above: View of the parapet and observation tower, 1894-1907
Left Top: View north from the parapet, 1894-1907
Left Bottom: View of the parapet and Cliff House from the observation tower, 1894-1907.

Erected by National Park Service.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Architecture • Charity & Public Work • Parks & Recreational Areas. A significant historical year for this entry is 1881.

Location. 37° 46.687′ N, 122° 30.757′ W. Marker is in San Francisco, California, in San Francisco City and County. It is in Sutro Heights. It can be reached from Point Lobos Avenue near 48th Avenue. The resin marker is mounted to a metal stand on the Sutro Heights Loop Trail, below the parapet. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 846 Point Lobos Avenue, San Francisco CA 94121, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is on California’s Coast Ranges.

It is also on the American Pacific Coast.

Globally, it is in North America,

on the Ring of Fire,

in the Pacific Rim,

in the Western Hemisphere,

in the Western World,

and in the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once New Spain

and also Mexico’s Alta California.

Other nearby markers.

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At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: The New Cliff House (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); The Sutro Home (about 400 feet away); Schooner Parallel “Blown to Atoms” 1887 (about 400 feet away); The Carpet Beds (about 400 feet away); The Conservatory (about 600 feet away); Lands End (about 800 feet away); Sutro Heights (approx. 0.2 miles away); In Memory of Adolph Sutro (approx. 0.2 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in San Francisco.

Also see . . . National Park Service: Vestiges of Sutro Heights.

"This dramatic curved stone wall was built in 1885 on a natural sandstone outcrop on the high point of Sutro Heights, near Adolph Sutro’s residence. Visitors could get to the Parapet by walking up a ramp at the rear wall or along a narrow staircase on the western side."

(Submitted on November 18, 2022, by Joseph Alvarado of Livermore, California.)

Photographed by Joseph Alvarado, November 14, 2022

2. The Parapet Marker

East Side Of The Parapet image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Joseph Alvarado, November 14, 2022

3. East Side Of The Parapet

South Side Of The Parapet image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Joseph Alvarado, November 14, 2022

4. South Side Of The Parapet

View from the Parapet image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Joseph Alvarado, November 14, 2022

5. View from the Parapet

Pacific Ocean and Cliff House.

Photographed by Joseph Alvarado, November 14, 2022

6. View from the Parapet

Container ship and Farallon Islands.

Photographed by Joseph Alvarado, November 14, 2022

7. View from the Parapet

Looking south along the Great Highway.

View of the Pacific From The Parapet image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Joseph Alvarado, November 14, 2022

8. View of the Pacific From The Parapet

Credits. This page was last revised on December 25, 2024. It was originally submitted on November 18, 2022, by Joseph Alvarado of Livermore, California. This page has been viewed 747 times since then and 35 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7. submitted on November 18, 2022, by Joseph Alvarado of Livermore, California. 8. submitted on November 20, 2022, by Joseph Alvarado of Livermore, California.