San Francisco is one of the world's top travel destinations. Nighttime offers several outlets for activity, some you can just go and do, some that require some planning and gear. You can head out for an urban hike or get lost sweating from hours of dancing at a club. San Francisco offers a relatively mild climate but can get cold at night if the fog comes in. No matter what you do at night in San Francisco, be prepared for an unexpected temperature drop and bring an extra layer of clothing or a jacket.
Climb a Hill
The city of San Francisco has 44 hills, each one steeper than the last. The original city was built on seven hills, all around what is now the downtown area. Take a nighttime urban hike through the central area of the city and climb. Your calves will thank you later.
From Market Street in downtown San Francisco, which rests at sea level, you can climb 375 feet up California Street to the top of Nob Hill. Also accessible from downtown is Telegraph Hill in the North Beach neighborhood. At the top of Telegraph Hill is the landmark Coit Tower.
From the Marina District you can climb just as high on Fillmore Street to the top of Pacific Heights. Fillmore is so steep that city buses on the Fillmore line detour for the last few blocks of the climb.
Cross the Golden Gate
The Golden Gate Bridge crosses from San Francisco to suburban Marin County. Some say you cannot really understand the greatness of the bridge until you have walked over it. At dusk, the sun will be setting on one side of the bridge while the city and Alcatraz will be lighting up on the other side.
The trip back and forth is about 3 /12 miles. Make sure to bring an extra layer if you walk the bridge at night as the wind coming off the ocean can sometimes be harsh. You can get to the bridge walkway from the Golden Gate National Recreation Area.
Skate on a Friday Night
Every Friday night by 9 p.m., dozens if not hundreds of inline and roller skaters gather at the Ferry Building in downtown San Francisco for Midnight Skate. The skaters travel around the city, taking breaks at designated spots. There are some rules to joining the crowd, so make sure you have appropriate gear for urban skating.
Go Dance
San Francisco is a diverse city with several cultures converging, especially at night. The South of Market area, called SOMA, is a hotbed of straight and gay dance clubs, some open until early in the morning.
In the Mission district you will find both traditional and contemporary Latin dance clubs. You can also find world music, reggae, or live music clubs with dancing. The club scene is ever changing in San Francisco. Check the local free weekly papers for reviews and listings of dance clubs.
Catch the Sunset
San Francisco's main getaway park is Golden Gate Park, which stretches for 2 miles from the western end of the city to the sea. The park itself is full of running, walking and cycling trails, all that end at Ocean Beach. Along Ocean Beach you can continue your walk, run or ride on a paved path along the beach. Take in a Pacific Coast sunset for some of the greatest colors you'll ever see.
References
- "Frommer's San Francisco"; Matthew R. Poole and Erika Lenkert, 2010
- Golden Gate National Recreation Area
- Official San Francisco Guide
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