San Francisco is one of the best cities in the country for outdoor exercise and enjoyment. The temperate climate may seem cold to some, but any day of the year you can find San Franciscans combining city life with healthy exercise. The city contains numerous parks, is surrounded by National Parks, and is a world-class place to eat healthy foods. Labor Day weekend brings tourists to town and gives locals an extra day to indulge. Visitors be warned: San Francisco can be surprisingly cold and is frequently fogged-in during the summer, warming up as the day goes on. To meet the changing climate, wear layers of cotton that you can easily remove and put back on later.
Walk the Golden Gate
The Golden Gate Bridge connects the city of San Francisco with Marin County. Any day of the year, the eastern side of the bridge is open to pedestrians. On holiday weekends in the summer, it is not unusual to see locals and visitors alike taking the walk across and back on the bridge. The hike back and forth is approximately 3.5 miles long. Dress warmly. Access the pedestrian walk from the Golden Gate National Recreation Area.
Take a Walking Tour
San Francisco sports 14 hills of various inclines, but each one a hike. If you are adventurous, grab a map and hike on your own to see Victorian mansions in the Pacific Heights neighborhood or the painted ladies of Alamo Square, or climb to Coit Tower on top of Telegraph Hill. For a more organized walk, several vendors offer walking tours of different areas of the city year round. Check the newspaper for tours offered on Labor Day.
Sunday in the Park
Golden Gate Park is San Francisco's largest public park. It is 2 miles long and ends at Ocean Beach. On Sundays and holidays, the main traffic route through Golden Gate Park is closed to automobile traffic, and the central drive fills up with people jogging, cycling, skating and taking casual strolls. The Conservancy is within walking distance of the main drive, as are the California Academy of Sciences and the De Young Museum. Skate and cycle rentals are available in the Haight Ashbury neighborhood on the eastern side of the park.
Hike or Cycle the Presidio
The Presidio is in the northwestern corner of the city of San Francisco. Formerly a military base, the property is now used for various purposes. The Presidio has beautiful overlooks and scenic stops along many walking and cycling paths. The Presidio is within walking distance of the neighborhoods of the Marina, Cow Hollow and Pacific Heights. It is also accessible through the Golden Gate National Recreation Area.
Fly a Kite off the Golden Gate Promenade
You can hike, jog, skate or cycle along one of the most beautiful waterfronts in the country. Opened in 2000, the Golden Gate Promenade is a path that connects the city with Fort Point, a historic fort under the southern tower of the Golden Gate Bridge. Along the way is Crissy Field, one of the best places you will ever fly a kite.
References
- "Frommer's San Francisco"; Matthew R. Poole and Erika Lenkert . 2010
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