The Best Outdoor Activities In San Francisco

There’s no reason to stay inside on a visit to San Francisco – the city of fog also has an abundance of activities that can be enjoyed al fresco.

San Francisco is a city that literally points to the heavens. A 7 x 7-mile (11 x 11-km) peninsula, the streets and buildings of this trendy city in California are eccentrically crooked, due to its steep hills and characterful architecture. You can spend days or even weeks discovering the city by the bay’s charming corners and the unexpected adventures they have to offer. From sea kayaking, to exploring famous parks and discovering secret roof gardens, many of the city’s experiences are in the open air. Here is our guide to the best outdoor activities in San Francisco.

1. Walk through Golden Gate Park

Botanical Garden, Museum, Park

The Victorian Conservatory of Flowers botanical garden in Golden Gate Park, San Francisco, California.

Right in the centre of the city, Golden Gate Park is among the most iconic areas in San Francisco and a must-visit spot for tourists and locals alike. The 150-year-old park is spread over 1,017 acres (412 hectares) in the city centre and is home to over 7,000 species of plant and animal. Golden Gate Park welcomes over 24 million visitors annually, making it the third most visited city park in the United States. Visitors here can choose to either sit back with a picnic and enjoy the greenery, or explore its many attractions, which include tea gardens, boathouses, polo grounds, beach chalets and memorial grounds.

2. Go sea kayaking on the bay

Natural Feature

USA, California, San Francisco, individuals endure the cold to kayak under the Golden Gate Bridge

San Francisco might not be the first place you think of for watersports, however the city’s bay area is actually home to many different leisure activities such as kiteboarding, windsurfing and sea kayaking. The Bay Area Sea Kayakers are a group of several hundred people who live throughout the San Francisco Bay Area and meet up for flat-water paddling, kayak-surfing expeditions around the bay. Anyone can join the group for free, as long as they have their own equipment. Follow the Bay Area Sea Kayakers online for details of their meet-ups and remember to sign the safety waiver before every aquatic activity.

4. Visit the POPOS

Park

POPOS, which stands for Privately Owned Public Spaces, can be found all over the city of San Francisco. These public areas have been a development requirement in the city since 1985 and provide an oasis of inner city calm for whoever needs it. The POPOS in San Francisco range from roof gardens and plazas, to terraces, atriums and small parks. Mostly based in downtown San Fran, visitors should look for the tiny city centre Empire Park, or spend a sunny lunch break on the beautiful Sansome Roof Garden. While these areas are free and open to the public, they do have differing opening times, so be sure to check them out online before heading over.

Since you are here, we would like to share our vision for the future of travel - and the direction Culture Trip is moving in.

Culture Trip launched in 2011 with a simple yet passionate mission: to inspire people to go beyond their boundaries and experience what makes a place, its people and its culture special and meaningful — and this is still in our DNA today. We are proud that, for more than a decade, millions like you have trusted our award-winning recommendations by people who deeply understand what makes certain places and communities so special.

Increasingly we believe the world needs more meaningful, real-life connections between curious travellers keen to explore the world in a more responsible way. That is why we have intensively curated a collection of premium small-group trips as an invitation to meet and connect with new, like-minded people for once-in-a-lifetime experiences in three categories: Culture Trips, Rail Trips and Private Trips. Our Trips are suitable for both solo travelers, couples and friends who want to explore the world together.

Culture Trips are deeply immersive 5 to 16 days itineraries, that combine authentic local experiences, exciting activities and 4-5* accommodation to look forward to at the end of each day. Our Rail Trips are our most planet-friendly itineraries that invite you to take the scenic route, relax whilst getting under the skin of a destination. Our Private Trips are fully tailored itineraries, curated by our Travel Experts specifically for you, your friends or your family.

We know that many of you worry about the environmental impact of travel and are looking for ways of expanding horizons in ways that do minimal harm - and may even bring benefits. We are committed to go as far as possible in curating our trips with care for the planet. That is why all of our trips are flightless in destination, fully carbon offset - and we have ambitious plans to be net zero in the very near future.