San Francisco, with its iconic panoramic vistas, is a city best appreciated in the open air. The picturesque beaches and lush acres of parkland provide visitors and residents many options for recreational activities. For your first time in San Francisco, consider a walking or biking tour through the city's famous neighborhoods or over the Golden Gate Bridge. After your trek, pack a picnic of healthy foodstuffs from the farmers market, find a nearby park and enjoy the view!
Beaches
San Francisco is graced with scenic beaches, although with cool summer months and rough surf, ocean swimming should be left to only strong swimmers. The pounding waves at Ocean Beach, San Francisco's most prominent beachfront, make the waters popular with surfers, but others enjoy the dunes and look for century-old shipwrecks while strolling or jogging along the shoreline. Sea kayaking is another great way to see the city. Outfitters provide lessons, rent equipment and offer tours to Alcatraz, Angel Island and the Golden Gate Bridge.
Healthy Eating
The city's best-known farmers market, Ferry Plaza Farmers Market, is run by the Center for Urban Education about Sustainable Agriculture. Located by the Embarcadero, the market is open Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday, and offers fresh produce, meat and dairy products, much of which are grown or raised locally by organic farmers. On Thursdays, artisanal sandwiches and healthy snacks are available, and Saturdays feature appearances by local chefs and farmers. TimeOut San Francisco also notes that organic and healthy food options can be found in eating establishments throughout the city, some which offer all-organic cocktails and wine lists.
Parks
San Francisco maintains more than 2000 acres of parkland, including the largest and well-known Golden Gate Park and the Golden Gate National Recreational Area. Smaller city parks include Buena Vista Park, Ina Coolbrith Park, Lincoln Park and Sigmund Stern Grove. Walking, running, skating and biking are all popular on the paved trails. In Golden Gate Park, you can also rent a rowboat or pedal boat from the Golden Gate Park Boat House located by Stow Lake.
Recreational Sports
Golfers have numerous courses from which to choose in San Francisco, including the two municipal courses: the 9-hole Golden Gate Park course and the 18-hole course at Lincoln Park, the oldest and one of the most scenic in the city. Free handball courts are available at Golden Gate Park, and the city provides more than 130 free tennis courts throughout San Francisco. Additional tennis facilities are maintained at Golden Gate Park, but a fee is charged.
Walking and Bike Tours
Free walking tours are offered by San Francisco City Guides in partnership with San Francisco Parks Trust through many of the city's most popular neighborhoods and attractions such as Chinatown, Fisherman's Wharf, North Beach, the Castro, Nob Hill, Mission Bay, the Japanese Tea Garden, Golden Gate Park and the Embarcadero. Guided bike tours are also available. Outfitters provide the bikes and have established routes for riders of all levels that pass over the Golden Gate Bridge, by the Palace of Fine Arts and through the Presidio National Park.
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