With San Francisco being one of the most diverse and exciting cities I’ve been fortunate enough to live in, it is nearly impossible to narrow down the best adventures in San Francisco to just 10! There is so much to do in this City By the Bay.
But, with the goal of giving you an overview of the best of the best adventures you have to experience in San Francisco, I’ve narrowed it down to my 10 favorites of the great San Francisco outdoors! And yes, there are PLENTY of outdoor activities even in the city.
The city’s incredible location in Northern California provides for pretty great and mild weather year-round (even if it’s usually foggy), which is perfect for explorations around the city.
Here are a few of my favorite adventures to have in San Francisco, whether it’s your first time visiting the city or you’ve lived here for years.
Check out these San Francisco adventures a s part of a larger road trip – my California Road Trip itinerary is organized in a convenient loop to see all the important sites! See more on SF and California:
- Unique Places to Stay in California
- California Quotes + Sayings
- San Francisco Quotes + Captions for Instagram
- San Francisco Fun Facts You Won’t Believe
Walk Across the Golden Gate Bridge
A staple activity for visitors and locals alike, a walk (or bike ride) across the Golden Gate Bridge will not disappoint one of the top San Francisco adventures!
The bridge spans about a mile across the mouth of the San Francisco Bay and is one of the most iconic landmarks in the whole world. It will likely take you longer than you think to make your way across due to the endless photo opportunities, history, and the great views you’ll be absorbing as you go.
You can take in incredible views as you walk across, from Alcatraz to the city to the Point Bonita Lighthouse. Make sure to savor the amazing moments and to bring your camera!
Go HIKING – Check out Mt. Tamalpais or the Presidio
That’s right, hiking is one of the BEST things to do in San Francisco outdoors, and you can hike in MANY places in and around this city.
If you don’t want to venture across any bridges just yet, The Presidio is home to parks and trails so beautiful you will forget you’re actually still in the middle of a big city. There are a lot of forested shady trails and many along the bluff too, with views of the Golden Gate. Make sure to make it to the amazing Land’s End Labyrinth. See all presidio trails here.
If you fancy getting out of the city for a hike, the first and most obvious choice would be venturing to the Muir Woods to Mt Tamalpais, known locally as Mt Tam. This is the highest point in Marin county, often visible from the city (when Karl the fog isn’t visiting) and from which you can see the city and most of the bay, too. This is just a short drive, but there are some really epic road trips from San Fransicso too if you have more time.
Many like to hike to the top of Mt Tam, but you can also enjoy more leisurely strolls through flat paths around the base of the mountain in Muir woods, too. Some other popular hiking destination around the SF Bay Area are Fort Funston, Angel Island, and Golden Gate Park in the city, or even try a hidden stairways tour.
Climb the Lyon Street Steps
If you’re up for a serious stair workout with a serious payoff, the Lyon Street Steps are one of my favorite hidden gems for combining fitness and views. These nearly 300 steps climb from the Marina up through Pacific Heights, with landscaped gardens lining the way and jaw-dropping views of the Bay and Palace of Fine Arts at the top.
Go early in the morning or around sunset for the best light and fewer crowds. It’s a quick, intense climb that’ll make your legs burn, but you’ll feel like you earned that view.
Take a Tour of Alcatraz with a SF Bay Cruise
A piece of living history that really comes to life when you take a tour, the former military prison, Alcatraz is certainly a San Francisco experience you won’t forget anytime soon!
The official Alcatraz tour includes a ferry ride out and back from the island in the opening of the Bay, with a complete audio tour that lets your mind wander just enough to think, “did that cell door move or was it just my imagination?”. Many tours, like the one below, also include a more in-depth Bay Cruise so you can see more in less time.
To really get your money’s worth, do a night tour of the former prison. The eerie feeling and faint creaks are even more haunting when the cells are dark and there’s no more sunlight illuminating the hallways. It’s utterly spooky.
Bring Your Own Big Wheel – Silly Street Race!
Hit the slopes San Francisco-style and Bring Your Own Big Wheel to Potrero Hill for some old-fashion fun!
This event is a San Francisco tradition that’s been running since 2000, where families, friends, strangers, hippies, hipsters, yopros, techies, and fellow commuters come together to race “big wheels,” aka plastic tricycles, down one of San Francisco’s snaking streets.
The event is free to watch, and participation is donation-based to keep the race free of corporate branding – you’ll need to register online in advance and check in on race day to get your wristband (and they almost guarantee an injury, so race at your own risk!). The best part of this event is the costumes – most of the participants dress up both themselves and their trikes!
Swim in the Bay (Polar Bear Swim)
Have you ever swam in frigid Northern California waters?
Most people wear a wetsuit when they decide to brave the ~55℉ brisk, ocean waters. For those wanting to take it to the next level and really get a jump start to your day, hop in the bay for a polar bear swim!
Not sure what it entails? Traditionally, it means stripping down to your bathing suit and hopping into a nearly freezing body of water (think Canada or New York in the winter), usually as a fundraiser.
But no one said you can’t do the polar plunge on your own, and believe me when I say that San Francisco waters are certainly cold enough! It would be one of the most daring adventures in San Francisco for sure.
Take the Ferry to Angel Island
One of the best outdoor adventures in San Francisco spans a boat ride on the bay AND some hiking across beautiful landscapes. Angel Island is a short ferry ride away from the city and provides incredible views of the concrete jungle from a more remote-feeling state park.. as well as views of the Golden Gate, Alcatraz, Sausalito, and the Richmond Bridge.
On Angel Island, you can find MILES of hiking trails as well as historic American civil war forts and immigration post sites. You can hike to the summer of Mt Livermore, or if you are more into soft outdoor adventure you can take a segway tour with a historical guide OR a tram tour that takes you around the main points of the island.
The Angel Island Cafe at Ayala Cove serves sandwiches, salads, and snacks in a casual to-go format, with tables available for dining (they’re cashless, so bring a card). There’s also a seasonal cantina and oyster bar, and during summer weekends you can catch live music while you eat. You can even camp on Angel Island to keep the SF outdoor adventure and views going even longer! For locals and visitors alike, this is a must!
Join in the Fun at Bay to Breakers Run
Bay to Breakers is the city’s annual foot race that goes throughout San Francisco. It started in 1912 as a way to boost morale and reunite the city after the devastating 1906 earthquake. The name ‘bay to breakers’ means that they would originally run from the bay side of SF to the beach side, or the breakers.
Today, it is much the same as it was when it first started and has really become a city-wide, even Bay Area-wide event that is a race just as much as it is a silly, dress-up cultural event.
People come from all over to participate in Bay to Breakers – in one way or another. Costumes are highly encouraged if you’re in town for this event. Both runners and sideline enthusiasts alike spend weeks coming up with the best costumes – a true testament to the unique, zaney diversity of San Francisco!
Watch the Sunset from Twin Peaks
Offering one of the most incredible views in the city is Twin Peaks, the highest point in San Francisco. This spot has 360 degree views of the city and surrounding Bay Area, and is spectacular to visit at any time of the day, but especially at sunset.
Bring a warm jacket and a blanket to cozy up under (it’s windy up there!), and be mesmerized as the warm, orange or pink sky turns a darker shade of blue and the city lights get brighter and brighter. You can simply drive up to the top in your car – or for more of an adventure, you can hike!
But this is NOT the only amazing sunset spot in San Francisco. If you’ve been to Twin Peaks already or want to check out some other sunset spots, check out my list of the best sunset spots in San Francisco or take a popular sunset bay cruise.
Kayak or Standup Paddle on the Bay… and Even Catch a Giants Game from the Water!
You can rent a standup paddleboard from City Kayak on Pier 40, and set free on the Bay! One of the best ways to experience San Francisco is from the water, and a SUP is surely one of the most adventurous ways to do it.
Doing SUP on the bay is a pretty surreal experience – it’s not what you’d expect from a big city, but it’s way more fun than it sounds, and the views are amazing. Just hope for a calm day, since the wind on the bay can pick up fast!
If that doesn’t scratch your adventure itch, you can also kayak on the Bay for one of the most fun outdoor activities in San Francisco. And, the BEST way to kayak is to set out kayaking on the bay during a Giants Game!
Of course getting stadium tickets is always a fun way to watch a ball game, but San Francisco has its own funny tradition when it comes to the Giants. The stadium is located right along the Embarcadero waterfront and right next to a small cove, providing a perfect view of the jumbotron screen and a perfect spot to catch a fly ball heading out of the stadium!
Rent a few kayaks with friends and join the small crowd that gathers there for nearly every single Giants game. You can stock your kayak with a few snacks, some warm layers, and waterproof tunes for a guaranteed good time and one of the best adventures in San Francisco.
Want to launch somewhere a little quieter? The Mission Bay and Dogpatch waterfront near Chase Center has become a solid alternative in recent years, with a small boat launch at Mission Creek Park near the houseboat community – an easy, low-key way to get out on the water without the Pier 39 crowds.
Soak at a Japanese Bathhouse in Japantown
For a cultural adventure, spend an evening at Kabuki Springs & Spa, a traditional Japanese bathhouse that’s been part of San Francisco’s Japantown since 1968. The communal baths, steam room, and sauna make for one of the most relaxing (and different) ways to spend an evening in the city.
This is truly a one-of-a-kind experience, and one that even many locals haven’t taken the opportunity to enjoy.
The bathhouse itself doesn’t serve dinner, but Japantown is packed with excellent restaurants just steps away – ramen, izakaya, and sushi spots galore – so plan to soak first, then wander over for dinner and drinks after. Kabuki Springs also offers acupuncture and massage if you want to make a full spa day of it.
San Francisco Outdoor Adventures: FAQ
Can you kayak in San Francisco Bay?
Yes! You can absolutely kayak in San Francisco Bay. City Kayak at Pier 40 offers rentals and guided tours that take you under the Bay Bridge and along the Embarcadero, and it’s also the launch point for paddling out to catch a Giants game from the water. The water’s calmest in the mornings, and you get unbeatable views of the skyline from the bay – just dress warmer than you think you’ll need, since the wind picks up fast out there.
What’s the best hike near San Francisco?
For a hike actually in the city, the Presidio and the Land’s End Labyrinth are hard to beat. If you’re willing to drive a bit further, Mt. Tamalpais and Muir Woods in Marin are phenomenal. And for something closer with a serious workout, the Lyon Street Steps give you panoramic city views after climbing those gorgeous terraced stairs.
Is the Golden Gate Bridge walk free?
Completely free! You can walk across the Golden Gate Bridge anytime during daylight hours at no cost. The walk from one end to the other is about 1.7 miles and takes 30-45 minutes depending on how often you stop for photos (which will be often). Dress in layers – it’s almost always windy and cooler on the bridge than you’d expect.
Where can you watch the sunset in San Francisco?
Twin Peaks is the classic choice, with 360-degree views as the city lights start twinkling. Baker Beach puts you right on the sand with the Golden Gate Bridge in frame, and the Land’s End Labyrinth offers dramatic coastal views as the sun drops. For something more active, climb to the top of the Lyon Street Steps for the climb-then-reward version.
What outdoor activities can you do in San Francisco year-round?
San Francisco’s mild climate means most outdoor activities work year-round: hiking the Presidio, walking across the Golden Gate Bridge, kayaking in the bay, and climbing the Lyon Street Steps are all doable in any season (just wear appropriate layers). The only thing that really shifts is fog – summer brings Karl the fog rolling in most afternoons, while fall and early spring often have the clearest, warmest days.
These unique and classic adventures in San Francisco should give you a good idea of where to start when it comes to exploring San Francisco like a local in an adventurous way.
If you’re looking for more ideas on how to spend your time in the city, or in California as a whole, don’t forget to check out my bucket list post on the top places to visit in Northern California as well.
Author’s Bio: Mimi McFadden is a travel blogger and freelance writer. Originally from California, she has been slow traveling the world since 2013. When she’s not writing, you can probably find her sipping on a pint of craft beer, chasing waterfalls, or planning her next adventure in a foreign land.
After living abroad for five years in Australia, New Zealand, Thailand, Greece, and Portugal she has finally found a home in San Francisco, California. You can find her on Instagram, Facebook, and her blog, The Atlas Heart
Passionate, full-time travel blogger with over 230k on social media and 150kMPV blog. Extraordinary photographer with two DSLR's + a drone with a love for capturing candid moments, epic drone shots, and magical compositions. I'm a natural-born content creator originally from California, but I've been on the road for 9 years living, working, traveling, blogging, and photographing my way around the world. I recommend the most amazingly adventurous and unique + boutique travel experiences/stays and helpful products to my audience and write comprehensive guides on my website that have helped millions of travelers so far. I love to inspire people to plan their dream trips, and many readers have given feedback as such. The reach on my platforms continues to soar, especially when combining cutting-edge social content with optimized articles on my high-authority website.
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