When I lived in the Bay, I loved having visitors—mostly because it meant I got to show off my favorite spots. Sutro Baths is a bit of a hidden gem—it’s not the first place people think of when they imagine San Francisco, and maybe that’s why I love it so much.

Sutro Baths sits along Land’s End, a perfect spot for a scenic day hike with breathtaking views of the baths, the Marin Headlands, and the Golden Gate Bridge. There’s even a secret cave you can walk through for a little extra adventure.

But what I love most? The history. It always astounds people when I take them to the ruins and then show them what the original bathhouse looked like. I won’t spoil it for you. Check out the photos first, then scroll down for a look at the Baths in their glory days.