San Francisco

San Francisco's surroundings—the bay, ocean, mountains, and forests—make getting outdoors away from the city a no-brainer. Muir Woods, Point Reyes, and Stinson Beach in Marin County offer dozens of opportunities for exploring the natural beauty of the Bay Area. But the peninsular city—with its many green spaces, steep inclines, and breathtaking views—has plenty to offer itself.

Bikers and hikers traverse the majestic Golden Gate Bridge, bound for the Marin Headlands or the winding trails of the Presidio. Runners, strollers, and cyclists head for Golden Gate Park's wooded paths, and water lovers satisfy their addictions by kayaking, sailing, kite-surfing, and even swimming, in the bay and along the rugged Pacific coast.

Prefer to watch from the sidelines? The Giants (baseball) are San Francisco's professional sports team; the A's (baseball) and the Golden State Warriors (basketball) play in Oakland; and the 49ers (football) are based in Santa Clara. But the city has plenty of other periodic sporting events to watch, including that roving costume party, the Bay to Breakers race in May. For events listings and local perspectives on Bay Area sports, pick up a copy of the San Francisco Chronicle (www.sfgate.com) or the San Francisco Examiner (www.sfexaminer.com).

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  • Baseball

    San Francisco Giants. Three World Series titles (2010, 2012, and 2014) and the retro-modern design of Oracle Park lead to sellouts for nearly...

  • Beaches

    Taking in a beachside sunset is the perfect way to end a busy day—assuming the fog hasn't blown in for the afternoon. Always bring a sweater...

  • Bicycling

    San Francisco is known for its treacherously steep hills, so it may be surprising to see so many cyclists. This is actually a great city for...

  • Boating and Sailing

    San Francisco Bay has year-round sailing, but tricky currents and strong winds make the bay hazardous for inexperienced navigators. However...

  • Climbing and Jumping

    House of Air. Inside a historic former airplane hangar you can jump over and over and over again on massive indoor trampolines with names...

  • Fishing

    Fisherfolk angle for salmon and halibut outside the bay or striped bass and the occasional sturgeon within. On land, you can cast your line...

  • Football

    San Francisco 49ers. State-of-the-art Levi's Stadium, 45 miles south of San Francisco, has more than 13,000 square feet of HD video boards...

  • Golf

    Gleneagles Golf Course. Expect to use every club in your bag to tackle the fast, sloping greens and unpredictable winds at this challenging...

  • Hang Gliding and Paragliding

    Airtime of San Francisco. Paragliding is like hang gliding, but uses a parachute-like nylon glider instead of a fixed wing. Airtime of San...

  • Hiking

    Hiking options in and around San Francisco include everything from the easygoing Golden Gate Promenade along the city's waterfront to the more...

  • Ice Skating

    Yerba Buena Ice Skating & Bowling Center. Floor-to-ceiling windows border the NHL-regulation skating rink here, bathing the rink in natural...

  • Kayaking

    Surrounded by water on three sides, San Francisco has plenty of opportunities for kayaking enthusiasts of all skill levels. City Kayak. ...

  • Running

    San Francisco is spectacular for running. There are more than 7 miles of paved trails in and around Golden Gate Park ; circling Stow Lake...

  • Skating

    The Church of 8 Wheels. Dance or roll along to disco-era tunes at this retro-themed skating rink inside an old church. Friday and Saturday...

  • Tennis

    Golden Gate Park Tennis Courts. Playing at one of the 21 courts in Golden Gate Park costs from $4 to $6; call for weekend and holiday reservations...

  • Whale-Watching

    Between January and April, hundreds of gray whales migrate along the coast; the rest of the year humpback and blue whales feed offshore at the...