San Francisco is a popular tourist destination, and it's easy to see why. The Golden Gate Bridge, the famed prison Alcatraz and the world's self-proclaimed "crookedest" street, Lombard, are just some of the attractions the city has to offer. There is plenty of sightseeing to do in the city, but visitors will also have many opportunities for other outdoor activities, like jogging, cycling, golf and kayaking, among others. As long as visitors--like residents--are fine with a little mist and fog during their recreation, San Francisco will prove to be a vast outdoor playground.
Jogging and Running
San Francisco is a runner-friendly city, if you can handle the hills. There are many running clubs throughout the city, such as the Dolphin South End Running Club and Hash House Harriers, though some may be much more lax and geared to socializing than others. Every May, thousands of runners assemble for the Bay to Breakers run, although many are competing for best costume, not best time.
Cycling
San Francisco is an environmentally conscious city that encourages bike riding, so cyclists will certainly enjoy its bike lanes and courteous drivers. Golden Gate Park has more than seven miles of biking trails, so it's not surprising that the city gave birth to the mountain biking movement. If you didn't bring your own bike, rentals are available.
Golf
There are three public golf courses in the city, and usually they offer twilight hours to those on a budget. Harding Park Municipal Golf Course and Lincoln Park Golf Course both offer 18 holes. The former is near the ocean, while the latter has views of San Francisco's hills. The Golden Gate Municipal Course has nine holes. The Mission Bay Golf Center offers balls by the bucket to hit.
Kayaking
San Francisco Bay is a favorite for kayakers, though currents do require those who attempt it to have a certain degree of upper body strength. Renting kayaks is not a problem, and guided tours may be best for those who don't have experience. Day and moonlight kayaking is available. Some people choose to paddle over to McCovey Cove, where they can watch Giants games for free, and maybe even catch a home run ball.
Walking
Walking tours combine exercise with sightseeing. Public transit is readily available, from the famous cable cars to buses and a subway, so it's easy to get between different parts of the city and continue on foot. The Mission, Chinatown, and Russian Hill are some of the neighborhoods with attractions in close proximity. Cafes and restaurants aren't in short supply, so stop to refuel frequently.
References
- "Lonely Planet City Guide: San Francisco"; 2006
- "Not For Tourists San Francisco"; Sue Barnett; 2007
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