How to Enjoy San Francisco’s Outdoor Attractions

When one thinks of the enthralling city of San Francisco the first items to leap to mind are often its wonderful restaurants, museums and nightclubs. The truth is, however, that some of the city’s most amazing diversions can be found in the great outdoors.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Binoculars for the many amazing vistas
• A camera for all the great photo ops

1. Make sure to spend several hours in Golden Gate Park, a superb and sprawling haven rich with forested paths, rolling glens and pretty ponds. Stow Lake is a fine place to take to the water, with rowboats, pedal-boats and even motorboats available for rental.

2. While in GG Park, take a break from it all at the Japanese Tea Garden, one of the finest of its kind in America. and a Mecca of trout ponds, colorful pagodas, antique statuary and a high-arcing ‘moon bridge.’ An open-air teahouse and nifty gift shop add to the allure.

3. At the west end of the park you’ll come to Ocean Beach, a remote and unspoiled stretch of sand with an unfettered view of the Pacific and excellent bird-watching as well. The nearby San Francisco Zoo is a worthwhile attraction here, and just north lies the Cliff House restaurant, a longtime city dining institution with its own stunning vistas.

4. One of San Fran’s nicest strolls is along the Marina by Chrissy Field at the north end of the city a bit east of the Golden Gate Bridge. Walking west you’ll find some fine picnicking areas closer to the bridge.

5. Just inland you’ll find the Presidio, a sprawling park open to the public and host to hundreds of historic buildings as well. The former military base covers nearly 1,000 acres of open space, boasts several visitor centers and restaurants, and has several distinctive plant communities that include a historic 300-acre forest.

6. Coit Tower is a superb landmark in the middle of town with some of the best views in all of San Francisco. Telegraph Hill Boulevard is the only driving route to the tower, but as parking is usually full anyway the invigorating climb up Telegraph Hill is the best way to go, with a few different accessible wooden staircases leading past some splendid Victorian homes.

7. From April through September, AT&T Park is one of the best places in America to catch a Major League Baseball game. Skip the expensive close-up box seats and aim for an upper deck ticket that will give you a fine view of the bay as well.

Tips & Warnings

• If you have the time, numerous al fresco cafes in the charming North Beach neighborhood are a delightful option on a sunny day. Baker Beach, west of the Golden Gate Bridge is yet another pleasant outdoor choice.
• Even in summertime, be prepared for fog and/or wind in San Francisco by bringing along a sweatshirt or sweater.