The city by the bay is a place that celebrates diversity, entertainment and wellness possibilities. With close to a million citizens, this metropolis is a land of opportunity for all healthy lifestyles. Many of the area parks are dog, bird-watcher, art-enthusiast and jogger friendly. The community nature, historic architecture and modern expression of ideas along the downtown terrain make this city unique.
Golden Gate Park
The heart of the city is the world-renowned 1,000-acre park that offers activities as diverse as the city itself. Dozens of indoor and outdoor gardens grow throughout the park in the midst of paths for strollers, bicyclers and horseback riders that travel through tennis courts, golf courses, sports stadiums and a lawn bowling field. A carousel rotates in one corner of the park, near the recently renovated Koret Children’s Quarter. Historical and modern artwork add charm to any manner of park tour. Restaurants and food stands are available within and around the park.
Exercise Opportunities
Jog up America’s “crookedest” road, Lombard Street, which is a quaint red brick avenue on a hill that includes a view of the Golden Gate Bridge. Join one of the many tennis clubs or play on the 132 public courts throughout the city. Enjoy the nine public swimming pools, the indoor rock climbing at Mission Cliffs or public yoga classes at the Iyengar Yoga Institute. Recreational donation classes can be found at the many wellness venues. There are many trails and bike lanes throughout the city, as well as the Bay Trail that travels along the shoreline. Buena Vista Park is around 35 acres of a hiker and off-leash dog’s paradise, as well as the oldest park in the city. Mountain Lake Park has a dog park and playground, along with fields for pick-up sports games set against a sizable lake and neighboring golf course.
Cultural Opportunities
Tours of the historic and lively San Francisco sights are available via foot, bicycle, Segway, bus, fire engine and even vintage cars. Plan your own tour and visit places the organized tours would introduce to you, such as Union Square and Coit Tower. Peruse the cultural communities of Chinatown, Japantown, the Hispanic Mission District and the homosexual community along Castro Street. The theater district regularly offers live performances. The Winery Collective allows city-goers to taste the wine country products that are produced just beyond the city and throughout California’s notorious vineyards.
Mindfulness
The California Academy of Sciences offers visitors the chance to experience a planetarium, aquarium and four-story rainforest, as well as a natural history museum. The USA Hemp Museum at the Hemp Food Room is among the best locations for nutritious food and information in the world. Stroll through the masterful and eclectic collections on display in the San Francisco Museum of Modern Art, Yerba Buena Center for the Arts, Exploratorium, Cable Car Museum and the many other museums and galleries throughout the city. Pick up some of the local publications in hotel lobbies or grocery, gas and music stores for pleasant reading and current information on special events.
Festivities
The downtown area is bustling with cafes, clubs and bars with a variety of enticing themes and atmospheres. San Francisco frequently hosts festivals and celebrates many of the major holidays from world cultures. Live music is available in many downtown venues and along busy streets, such as Polk and Geary. Cheer for the local sports teams, such as the 49ers or Giants.
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