San Francisco is one of the world's great party cities. It is also one of the most health conscious. Combine the two, and you have the ideal place to spend New Year's Eve. You can get fit by dancing or skating. You can eat some of the best vegetarian food at the world. If you really want to get away from the crowds and the noise, you can spend the evening at the Zen Center. It doesn't get more peaceful than that.
Dance
Dancing is great exercise, and there is no shortage of places to dance in San Francisco on New Year's Eve. Depending on your mood and your bankroll, you can dance on the Davies Symphony Hall stage, in one of the many swank hotels that put on New Year's Eve parties, at the Sea of Dreams extravaganza at the Concourse Exhibition Center, or in your neighborhood bar. For optimum health, go easy on the sweets and the alcoholic drinks, and keep yourself hydrated with plenty of good old water.
Go Out on the Bay
Watching the fireworks from a boat on the San Francisco Bay gives you an up-close view and a chance to relax, away from the crowds onshore. If you get a New Year's cruise package that includes dinner, check the menu, which should be posted on the boat company's website, to make sure it includes healthy choices. For the ultimate New Year's Eve fitness experience, go on a fireworks paddling tour with City Kayak at South Beach Harbor. Reservations are required for most New Year's boat excursions, and they fill up fast, so make your plans early.
Meditate
The San Francisco Zen Center on Page Street provides a peaceful alternative to the usual frenzied New Year's Eve activities. You start by cleaning the temple. Then you eat soup, do zazen meditation, listen to the bell ring 108 times and gather around a bonfire in the courtyard.
Skate
Skate indoors in the Yerba Buena Center, or outdoors in Union Square or at the Embarcadero Center. The rinks have traditionally been open in the evenings on New Year's Eve until a few hours before midnight.
Eat
San Francisco is known for its healthy gourmet vegetarian and vegan restaurants. The Millennium Restaurant, one of the best, traditionally serves a special dinner for New Year's Eve.
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