San Francisco's rich history and diverse natural settings provide a picturesque backdrop for the 47-square-mile city. Despite an average temperature of 58 degrees, San Franciscans spend a lot of time outdoors. You'll find plenty of free ways to stay healthy and active in San Francisco, with more than 225 parks, 200 historic buildings dating back as far as 1791 and a million trees in Golden Gate Park alone.
Sports in the Park
A playground for sports enthusiasts, Golden Gate Park offers a variety of public facilities where you can enjoy your favorite pastime, without having to join a team or pay a fee. Play soccer and football on the Beach Chalet fields, or tennis on one of more than 20 courts. Take a free lawn bowling lesson from the oldest public club in the country, or learn how to fly fish at the park's fly-casting pools. Meet new people by joining a game of Ultimate Frisbee at Speedway Meadow or by challenging a stranger to a match of handball or racquetball on indoor or outdoor courts.
Marin Headlands Hiking
Escape the urban scene for a day and hike through the Marin Headlands of the Gerbode Valley, with its rolling hills, fields of fennel and coyote brush, spring vetch and milkmaid wildflowers, and panoramic views. The network of trails ranges from the easy Bobcat Trail to the 4.5-mile advanced Rodeo Valley Cutoff Trail, with views of the coast and the city. Look out for deer, coyotes, birds of prey and other resident critters.
Sightseeing
Though not a traditional form of exercise, sightseeing, especially in hilly San Francisco, burns plenty of calories. Enjoy window shopping and people watching in Haight-Ashbury, setting of the famous 1960s hippie movement, or wind down one of the most crooked and steep roads in the country, past historic Victorian mansions, on Lombard Street. For more lively free entertainment, head to the waterfront and PIER 39 to watch street performers show off their juggling, magic and fire-eating skills, while listening to the distinct barks of sunbathing sea lions below. Walk two blocks down the road and you'll find the famous Fisherman's Wharf, where at night you can enjoy live music, comedy shows and dancing.
The Presido
At the historic Presidio in Golden Gate National Recreation Area, you can walk, jog or ride a bicycle along the 1.5 mile scenic path from Crissy Field, past marsh lands, historic aircraft hangers and viewpoints of the Bay and Golden Gate Bridge, to Fort Point. Constructed in 1861 to protect San Francisco Bay from opposing forces during the Civil War, Fort Point, which showcases the exceptional brickwork and architecture of the time, is a National Historic Site and can be toured for free.
The Beach
Although summer temperatures typically stay below 65 degrees, you can still soak up some vitamin D on San Francisco's beaches. Bring the dog and play Frisbee or just relax at Baker Beach. While the strong rip current makes swimming dangerous, you can grill up a healthy meal on the beach's public barbecues and enjoy unobstructed views of the Golden Gate Bridge, Lands End and Marin Headlands. If you can't resist paddling out, and you can handle the often frigid water, head to Ocean Beach on the western shore to surf some waves. Stretching 3.5 miles, Ocean Beach is the city's longest, which means finding your own space for everything from yoga and meditation to kite flying and sandcastle building is easy.
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