San Francisco Outdoor Adventures

About Hotel The Presidio The Golden Gate Island Cruises Outdoor Activities

A thriving center of culture, one of the most unique things about San Francisco are the many outdoor and recreational activities available. In the shadow of the Golden Gate Bridge, the northern tip of San Francisco offers stunning views of Marin, Alcatraz Island, Angel Island and the most outdoor activities outside of Golden Gate Park.

Walk, hike and bike through the Presidio, which occupies the northwest corner adjacent to the Golden Gate Bridge.

The Presidio of San Francisco.

A National Historic Landmark, the Presidio is the perfect spot to enjoy outdoor sightseeing tours in San Francisco with 11 miles of designated hiking trails, designated landmarks and breathtaking waterfront like Baker Beach. Top hiking trails include the Coastal trial, Bay Area Ridge Trail, the Anza National Historic Trail and the Golden Gate Promenade. The Presidio has paved roads throughout for cycling and a few unpaved areas for mountain biking on the Bay Area Ridge Trail. For more details on hiking trails, bike paths and taking guided tours in the Presidio, go to ww.nps.gov/prs. [Top]

The Golden Gate Bridge, San Francisco.

Hit the bike route that runs along the Embarcadero through the Marina and Crissy Field, all the way to the Golden Gate Bridge to enjoy some of San Francisco’s most stunning natural views. The Golden Gate Bridge stretches for a spectacular 4,200 feet and offers one of the world’s most iconic and beautiful landscapes. There are both dedicated walking paths and bike paths on the bridge. To learn more about the spectacular Golden Gate Bridge, go to www.goldengatebridge.org. [Top]

Alcatraz & Angel Island Cruises.

Alcatraz prison remains one of the most notorious chapters in American history, due in no small part to prisoners like Al "Scarface" Capone and the "Birdman of Alcatraz" Robert Stroud. And countless movies and books have done nothing to dim the allure. Experiencing Alcatraz Island is a not-to-be-missed experience. Once inside, be sure to take the audio tour, “Doing Time: The Alcatraz Cellhouse Tour.” Alcatraz Cruises offers tours to both Angel Island and legendary Alcatraz Island during the day and night, including the 30-minute Rocket Boat tour of the San Francisco waterfront. The Alcatraz Night Tour has been voted “Best Tour of the Bay Area.” Tickets for Alcatraz Island tours often book weeks ahead, buy tickets well in advance. For more information and tickets for Alcatraz Cruises, visit www.Alcatrazcruises.com. [Top]

Golden Gate Park Outdoor Activities.

Golden Gate Park stretches for 1,017 acres in the heart of San Francisco and offers all kinds of outdoor sports like biking, boating, polo fields, there’s even a 9-hole golf course. See Golden Gate Park by paddle boat on Stow Lake. Hit one of Golden Gate Park’s extensive bike trails or just walk around and check out a museum. Often compared to New York’s Central Park, Golden Gate Park is the site of many landmarks and museums, including the California Academy of Science, the de Young Museum of fine art, the Japanese Tea Garden, the San Francisco Botanical Garden at Strybing Arboretum , which is one of the world’s largest wood-and-panel conservatories. To learn more about Golden Gate Park, visit www.golden-gate-park.com. [Top]