San Francisco’s Top 10 : Outdoor Activities – Top 10 Spectator Sports

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You can rent in-line skates from Skates on Haight, at 

1818 Haight Street


Hot-air balloon flights in the Napa Valley, followed by a champagne brunch, are available; tel. 1 800 464 6824 for details.



  1. Swimming

    The
    icy waters of the Bay are an option only if you’re a polar bear or an
    indomitable surfer. Most visitors will want to head for a pool – try the
    Embarcadero YMCA.

    Embarcadero YMCA

  2. Hiking

    The
    Bay Area is replete with magnificent hiking trails for every type of
    nature-lover. Land’s End offers some wild terrain to scramble over , and Mount Tamalpais is criss-crossed with trails. But just scaling the city’s hills is enough hiking for most people.

  3. In-line Skating

    Golden
    Gate Park and in-line skaters make a perfect match, especially on
    Sundays, when the main street in the park is closed to cars. Or try the
    path that runs along Marina Green for smoothly paved surfaces.

  4. Skateboarding

    Skateboard
    ramps are wherever you make them in this city – along Market Street in
    the Financial District, in one of the dozens of parks, or on any plaza.
    Protection against the inevitable vagaries of flying around on wheels
    means you should gear up appropriately.

    DLX

    • 1831 Market St

    FTC Skateboarding

    • 622 Shrader St

  5. Running

    Now that Crissy Field’s restoration is complete, the Golden Gate Promenade 
    is an inspiring run. And, of course, Golden Gate Park offers endless
    opportunities for jogging. If organized running is your thing, try the
    Bay to Breakers or the San Francisco Marathon.

    Bay to Breakers

    San Francisco Marathon




    Joggers in Golden Gate Park

  6. Tennis

    Free
    public tennis courts abound in the city. Contact the Recreation and
    Park Department for the one nearest you. Golden Gate Park has 21 courts,
    for which a small fee is charged, but you can book in advance. Most
    public outdoor courts are open from sunrise to sunset. Indoor courts are
    the purview of private tennis clubs, with membership required.

    San Francisco Recreation and Park Department

    • 415 831 2700

    Golden Gate Park

    • 415 753 7001

  7. Golf

    The
    Lincoln Park 18-hole course overlooks Land’s End, and Golden Gate Park
    has a challenging 9-hole course. The newest addition to the scene, the
    Presidio Golf Course, is considered one of the country’s best.

    Lincoln Park

    • 415 221 9911

    Golden Gate Park

    • 415 751 8987

    Presidio Golf Course

    • 415 561 4661




    Lincoln Park Golf Course

  8. Boating

    Sailing,
    rowing and kayaking are all great here, although far from a cakewalk on
    the Bay’s unpredictable waters and sometimes ferocious prevailing
    winds. Play it nice and easy by taking a boat out on Stow Lake in Golden
    Gate Park .

  9. Extreme Sports

    Surfing
    here requires great fortitude and is not for beginners. The same goes
    for wind­surfing on the Bay. Hang-gliding can be tackled by novices
    under guidance.

    San Francisco Hang-Gliding Center

    • 510 528 2300




    Surfers

  10. Biking

    Although
    the hills’ amazing grades overwhelm all but those with legs of steel,
    bicycling is very big in San Francisco. Rent bikes from City Cycle.

    City Cycle


Top 10 Spectator Sports

  1. SF 49ers

    The National Football League team strut their stuff from September to January.

    Monster Park

    • 415 656 4900

  2. SF Giants

    The city’s baseball team plays from April to October.

    AT&T Park

    • 24 Willie Mays Plaza

    • 415 972 2000

  3. Golden State Warriors

    An NBA basketball team.

    The Arena in Oakland

    • 7000 Coliseum Way, Oakland

    • 510 986 2222

  4. Oakland Athletics

    Members of the American Football League, and historic winners in the 1970s.

  5. Oakland Raiders

    Members of the American Football League.

  6. Golden Gate Fields

    The East Bay venue for horse-racing.

    • 1100 Eastshore Highway, Albany

    • 510 559 7300

  7. Bay Meadows Racecourse

    Take the CalTrain to this seasonal racetrack.

    • 2600 S Delaware St, San Mateo

    • 650 574 7223

  8. Infineon Raceway

    Auto-racing.

    • Hwys 37 & 121, Sonoma

    • 707 938 8448

  9. San Jose Sharks

    Fast-paced ice hockey.

    HP Pavilion

    • 525 West Santa Clara St, San Jose

    • 1 800 888 2736

  10. Sacramento Monarchs

    Women’s basketball team.

    Arco Arena

    • 1 Sports Parkway, Sacramento

    • 916 928 0000