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By: Jill Loeffler • Updated: August 25, 2025
Enjoy these outdoor activities in San Francisco all year long! With our mild climate, you will find that most days are perfect for exploring outside.
You can head out on a cruise, spend the day in one of our parks, or go to a baseball game. My other top picks include spending time at the Golden Gate Bridge, admiring some of our amazing staircases, and soaking in the views at Twin Peaks.
Read on for more outdoor ideas for your San Francisco vacation.
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One of the best outdoor activities in San Francisco for visitors is our bay cruises. You will find a variety of cruises that run all year long.
The most popular is the 60-minute bay cruise. It's the perfect "highlights" cruise that will take you past top waterfront attractions such as the Golden Gate Bridge, Alcatraz, Angel Island, and Sausalito.
Other top picks include sunset cruises, the Escape from the Rock Cruise, and wine tasting on the bay. Read about my favorite bay cruises here.
All of the cruises leave from Fisherman's Wharf and many leave several times a day. Here are some of the most popular picks:
If you are a fan of big-league baseball and are visiting between early April until the end of October, then head to Oracle Park in the South of Market District for a San Francisco Giants game.
Oracle Park is also one of the most beautiful ballparks anywhere. Not only can you get a view of the SF Bay from it, but you can even see home runs hit into the waters of McCovey Cove!
The team has won a number of World Series championships since moving to Oracle Park and always shows their fans a great time when they play here.
This is definitely one of my favorite outdoor activities in San Francisco, as I get to sit in the sun, enjoy the great view, and indulge in my choice of beverages, food, and more.
>> See the current San Francisco Giants schedule and tips for attending a game
Find tickets for their upcoming games below:
Visiting the Golden Gate Bridge is definitely one of the most popular of the outdoor activities in San Francisco.
The incredible 2-mile-long suspension bridge is comprised of two massive towers, each over 700 feet tall. Another cool fact about this free SF attraction is that it contains over 80,000 miles of cable in total!
You could drive across the Golden Gate Bridge, but you'll have more time to stop and marvel at this architectural feat and the surrounding area if you are walking, cycling, or taking a tour on it.
Some popular tours that feature this beauty:
>> Discover more about the Golden Gate Bridge, including its history and tips for visiting
For some of the best views of the San Francisco Bay Area, you have to visit Twin Peaks.
At 922 feet tall, it is only the second tallest peak in San Francisco (Mount Davidson reaches 928 feet). However, Twin Peaks is more popular since it is open 365 days a year and gives 360-degree views of the city and beyond.
While I love hiking to the top, you don't have to walk at all. You can still get panoramic views from the parking lot that span from the Golden Gate Bridge to Alcatraz to downtown SF, and more.
Something that I love about Twin Peaks is that you can visit both during the day and at nighttime. This allows you to get a totally different perspective of the city and the surrounding areas depending on the time of day.
The park is open from 5 am to midnight every day.
>> Find all the details you need to know about visiting Twin Peaks
>> Discover 14 San Francisco hills with gorgeous views
One of the most relaxing places to visit in San Francisco is the Japanese Tea Garden in Golden Gate Park. It is the oldest Japanese Tea Garden in the U.S.
Highlights include the massive entrance gate, the utterly gorgeous High Arching Drum Bridge, the incredible five-story Pagoda, and the cute Dwarf Tree collection.
If you are looking for a bit more contemplation, there is a very relaxing Zen garden where you can look at the rock and stone formations and just let your mind drift as you sit or walk by it.
As you would expect in a Japanese Tea Garden, there is the Jack Hirose Teahouse. They are famous for their incredible teas, including my favorite, the Green Tea Latte. You can also enjoy miso soup, tea sandwiches, edamame, and much more in this picturesque setting.
Open 365 days a year. Admission is free on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday mornings from 9 to 10 am.
>> More details, photos, and visiting tips about the Japanese Tea Garden
This 55-acre masterpiece is also set right inside Golden Gate Park. Exploring the beautifully manicured grounds is one of top the outdoor activities in San Francisco year-round.
With over 50,000 different plants from all around the world, you will always see something new and in bloom. Here are some highlights by season:
No matter when you visit the SF Botanical Garden, you will want to stop by the Magnolia Collection, as it is the best known one outside of China. There is also the amazing Redwood Grove, where you can see redwood trees that are centuries old.
There is a cost to enter. However, it is free every morning from 7:30 to 9 am, all day on the second Tuesday of each month, and on Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Years Day.
>> Discover more about this and other attractions in Golden Gate Park
I truly love whale watching near San Francisco. Not only will you see whales, but also all kinds of other sea life, including dolphins, porpoises, and sea otters!
Each season, you will find a different species of whale migrating through the area.
Tours start at Pier 39. They take you under the Golden Gate Bridge and out to the Pacific Ocean. Each tour has a professional guide and live commentary so you can learn more about the area and these animals.
>> Check out the details about whale watching tours from SF
The famous block of Lombard Street is known as the "world's crookedest street" because of the eight hairpin turns that cars have to make to drive down the hill at a 27% grade.
You can either walk or drive down this picturesque brick-lined road that is lined by gardens. Walking down the steps along the sides is one of my favorite free outdoor activities in San Francisco.
You'll experience how steep the hill is while you watch others drive down it, and you get to take your time admiring the gorgeous views looking out at the bay.
Then, when you get to the bottom, you'll turn around and snap those postcard-perfect photos. The morning light is best for photos, and it's also less crowded earlier in the day.
(If you can believe it, this little one-block section of the Russian Hill District gets over 20,000 visitors a day during the busy season!)
>> How to make the most of your visit to Lombard Street
Outdoor Dining: Find some great spots to eat outdoors in San Francisco. They range from waterfront eateries to sidewalk cafes to beer gardens and rooftop bars.
The iconic Palace of Fine Arts is one of the few remaining structures from the 1915 Panama Pacific Exposition. It initially built to be a temporary part of the Expo, but people loved it so much that they decided to make it permanent.
This architectural beauty is located in a 20-acre park right near the Marina. Visiting is beautiful both during the day and at night. I would suggest visiting at both times, as it looks entirely different lit by the sun than by the lights.
You will often see tourists and locals alike sitting on the lawns in front of the lagoon, having a picnic or just soaking in the tranquil scene. You might even see wedding parties taking their photos here, as the Roman-style dome and colonnades are so stunning.
>> See Palace of Fine Arts details and visiting tips
A trip to Crissy Field is a great way to relax on the beach, go for a bike ride, do a bit of walking, and take in the scenery all at once, since it sits on San Francisco's northern waterfront.
One of the main reasons that Crissy Field is so popular is the Crissy Field Trail. This trail is about 1.5 miles long and will take you from the Marina District, along the northern edge of the Presidio national park, all the way to the Golden Gate Bridge.
Most of the path is dirt, with some gravel, so it is an easy walk or ride. You'll see people of all ages cruising along it and doing all kinds of outdoor activities.
Since this path runs by the water, you'll get great views of the bay, over towards Marin, the Golden Gate Bridge, and more.
Taking a walking tour is one of the best outdoor activities in San Francisco if you love stretching your legs while enjoying fresh air and creating personal connections with the city during your visit.
Most SF walking tours last somewhere between 1 and 3 hours with some rest along the way as you soak in the sights and information from your expert local guide.
There are several types of walking tours:
>> Read about my top 10 walking tour recommendatios and what they feature
Below are some my favorites that you can book today:
Did you know that there are more than 1,000 murals spread throughout the city of San Francisco? Most of them are open 24 hours a day and free to visit any day of the week.
Our colorful, culturally diverse, and artfully eclectic Mission District holds the highest concentration of powerful street art. Highlights here include mural-lined Balmy Street and Clarion Alley.
In addition, you'll find plenty more murals on the streets of Chinatown and North Beach.
Other famous murals in the city offer free public access but are hidden inside iconic buildings like Coit Tower and the Beach Chalet. Both of these are surrounded by beautiful outdoor settings that you can relish walking through on your way to or from admiring the art.
>> Discover more top places around town to see murals
The Hop-On Hop-Off Bus is a fantastic, convenient way be outdoors while touring the sights all around San Francisco. The route includes 15+ stops at our most popular attractions and allows you to cover a lot of ground in a short amount of time.
If you ride the full circuit without getting off, you get to see all the locations in just two hours while feeling the wind in your hair and taking in the view from the open-air top level of this double-decker bus. You'll also learn about what you're seeing as you go.
You can hop off at any of the designated stops, take your time exploring, and then hop back on the next bus to continue to your next destination. The buses run every 15 minutes from 10 am to 6 pm each day.
Popular stops include the Golden Gate Bridge, Golden Gate Park, the Haight-Ashbury District (home of the 1960s "Summer of Love"), and one of the most photographed places in San Francisco, the Painted Ladies of Alamo Square.
Other stops include City Hall and Pier 39, where you can enjoy loads of dining, shopping, and other waterfront activities.
Here are a few combo packages that include the Hop-On Hop-Off tour:
If you enjoy cycling, taking a bike tour is another one of the best outdoor activities in San Francisco. Some are led by a tour guide, while others are self-guided. Most of the guided ones last about 3 - 4 hours.
The most popular of all the bike tours is the Golden Gate Bike Cruise, which starts in Fisherman's Wharf and then takes you along the waterfront and up a hill to the Golden Gate Bridge.
After your invigorating ride across the 1.7-mile landmark, you will head down to the cute town of Sausalito, where you can do some shopping and eating before either cycling back or taking the ferry to return to SF.
If you want to go at your own pace and design your own route, you can always rent a bike, helmet, and bike lock (a map is also provided) by the hour or for the day, and cruise around all the parts of town that you want to see.
Some tours offer battery-powered e-bikes, so you can let the bike do most of the work for you.
>> Read details about my five favorite bike tours in San Francisco
Check these out if you're ready to book:
Another one of my favorite outdoor activities in San Francisco is walking up and down our beautiful, unique stairways. Some that take you through interesting neighborhoods and others are covered with brightly colored mosaics.
One of the most popular is the 16th Avenue Tiled Steps. This Instagram-worthy spot is covered in colorful designs. As you climb up the stairs, you get a new perspective of each part of the mosaic.
Other top picks include the Hidden Garden Stairs (not far from the 16th Avenue Tiled Staircase), the Filbert Street Stairs that take you up to Coit Tower, and the Lyon Street Stairs near Billionaire's Row.
All of these staircases are free to visit and offer a unique experience as you explore the best of San Francisco.
>> Discover more than a dozen hidden staircases around SF
One of the most popular outdoor day trips from San Francisco lies about 12 miles north of the city in Marin County.
The old-growth coastal redwood forest, named after the environmentalist John Muir, offers beautiful walks through towering trees, many of which date back more than 500 years and reach heights of nearly 300 feet.
These ancient trees are relatives of the giant sequoia and only grow in this region of the world. The oldest one you’ll find here is more than 1,200 years old! They are such a natural treasure that Teddy Roosevelt declared the forest a national monument in 1908 to preserve the awe-inspiring landscape.
Because of the park’s location, the cool, moist air not only provides the perfect climate for the impressive flora and fauna that thrive here but also allows visitors to take in the wonder of the marine layer fog that is so characteristic of this area’s beauty.
If you’re going to drive, note that parking reservations are required ahead of time and fill up during the summer months. Alternatively, you may join one of the many tours that leave from San Francisco.
>> Find guided tours to Muir Woods
>> Find out more about visiting Muir Woods
There are few sights or sounds as iconic as the “ding-ding” of the bell as one of San Francisco’s red and gold cable cars climbs a hill, pulled by the impressive cables running underneath the street.
The passengers enjoy a cool breeze as they hold onto the poles on the sides, taking in the sweeping views of the city.
The conductor and the grip-man (or woman) serve the public with a smile, showing off their signature bell-ringing, for which there is an annual contest. You would never guess that their job requires herculean strength and coordination to work the various levers that stop and start the 15,500-pound vehicles!
A century and a half ago, SF became the first city to launch this technology for transport, making riding the cable cars one of the most historic outdoor things to do in San Francisco. There are three lines that currently operate from downtown to the Fisherman’s Wharf or the Golden Gate Park area.
The cable cars run every day of the week from 7 am to 10:30 pm. You can pay through the MuniMobile app, a Clipper card, or in cash (but only with exact change).
>> Cable car maps and tips to ride
Thanks to San Francisco's mild climate, you’ll find several outdoor festivals and fairs throughout the year—many of them free—that offer a little something for everyone.
Most are family-friendly, featuring arts and crafts, music, food and drink, or a combination of the above. There is nothing like strolling through the city to the sounds of salsa, hip hop, folk, jazz, or bluegrass as you sample some of the local delights.
San Francisco’s festivals and streets fairs can be a great way to get to know different cultures: the Chinese New Year customs in Chinatown, the Cherry Blossom Festival in Japantown, Italian traditions in North Beach, celebrations of Juneteenth, Gay Pride, and more!
Check out which events will be held during your visit, as there is always something fun going on in one of SF’s diverse neighborhoods. It’s a great reason to check out corners of town that you might not have ventured to otherwise.
>> A calendar of upcoming festivals and street fairs
For many tourists, Alcatraz is a must-see on their list of San Francisco attractions, as this captivating place has appeared in numerous films and TV series over the years.
The world’s fascination with “The Rock” is not because it’s home to the oldest operating lighthouse on the west coast, but because of this former federal prison’s unique setting on an island in the middle of the San Francisco Bay.
To get there, you’ll take a short ferry ride from Pier 33 in Fisherman’s Wharf. While there, you’ll learn about the prison’s history from 1934 to 1963, when it housed some of the country’s most notorious criminals, including Al Capone.
You’ll hear about the various escape attempts and tour different parts of the prison grounds, from the cells and the dining hall to the warden’s house and the officers’ club.
In addition to touring the abandoned facilities on the island, you’ll have the opportunity to enjoy the outdoors, admiring the bird sanctuary and variety of plants, including the restored gardens of families who once lived there. While you’re out exploring, take in the views of the Golden Gate Bridge, San Francisco, Sausalito, and the bay itself.
>> More tips to visit Alcatraz
>> More National Parks and Monuments in and near SF
Here in northern California, you won’t find the warm sandy beaches that people often see in Hollywood movies, but since San Francisco is surrounded by water on three sides, you will find plenty of beautiful beaches, both on the Pacific coast and in the bay.
There are many outdoor activities you can enjoy on our beaches, from taking in the spectacular views, to admiring the wildlife of the cliffs and rocky shores, to strolling in the cool moist air and watching the surfers and kiteboarders tackle the waves.
You can easily extend a visit to Golden Gate Park by walking over to Ocean Beach just west of it. You can visit Baker Beach while stopping in the Presidio for close-up views of the Golden Gate Bridge. Or, you can walk across the street to Aquatic Park after enjoying the chocolates at Ghirardelli Square.
San Francisco’s beaches are a great way to spend time outdoors while exploring the city. Just remember to bring a jacket or windbreaker with you and be aware of the cold water and large waves if you dare to take a dip!
>> Details about all of SF's top beaches
It's fun to enjoy the outdoors at Pier 39. This pier along the waterfront in Fisherman's Wharf offers you the chance to do a little shopping, enjoy a meal (either indoors or out) and check out the silly sea lions in San Francisco playing on their platforms.
Other fun outdoor activities at Pier 39 include checking out the free performances on their stage, riding the historic carousel, and running up and down the musical stairs.
In addition to this outdoor fun, you can also head indoors to the Aquarium of the Bay, the 7D Experience, or the colorful mirror maze.
>> Find out more about visiting Pier 39
You don’t have to go far to enjoy a coastal nature hike (or bike ride) with rugged landscape and stunning views. Just head to the trails at Lands End, which occupies the northwest corner of San Francisco.
As you wind the trail around rocky cliffs above the Pacific Ocean, you’ll soak in the incredible photo opportunities at every turn. It’s like discovering a little piece of the city that’s still wild.
Enjoy walking through the cypress and eucalyptus trees as you look out at the Golden Gate. You might also catch a glimpse of the historic shipwrecks and the sea lions in the water down below. Other fun things to check out here include the Sutro Baths ruins and Fort Miley. You can also head down to Mile Rock Beach.
Some of the trails lead to sandy steps or steep drop-offs, so just be cautious as you enjoy the scenery. It’s a great spot with plenty of space for couples, families, dog-owners, and bikers.
>> More about hiking Lands End
For a quick escape from the hustle and bustle of the city, head south a little and check out one of the natural hidden gems in the middle of San Francisco: Glen Canyon Park.
This urban park has done a great job of preserving the local habitat for the variety of owls, hawks, and native plants that populate this 77-acre canyon with its green hills, rocks, and nearly four miles of trails that wind up and down the canyon.
Have a picnic while taking in the views of the city, or walk downhill after your hike to enjoy one of the many local joints in this less-touristy area.
If you’re traveling with children, they’ll enjoy the Walter Haas Playground. The park also offers basketball, baseball, and tennis courts. It’s the perfect place to get away from the downtown buildings while getting to admire unobstructed views of the city and the surrounding area.
>> Discover more urban hikes around SF
Whether you’re traveling with kids or you’ve simply got a big kid inside that loves a thrill, one of the lesser-known outdoor activities in San Francisco awaits in a quiet neighborhood tucked away just beyond the Castro District.
The Seward Slides are twin parallel cement slides that allow two riders to zoom down next to each other. They are quite steep and contour the hillside perfectly, offering a fun curve and a bump to keep things exciting!
To use the slides, you’ll want to bring cardboard with you to sit and slide down on, though you can usually find some cardboard at the park. Pick your side, yellow or red, keep your elbows tucked in, and enjoy a moment of pure joy!
The slides are open Tuesday to Sunday, 10 am to 5 pm, and they are actually blocked with metal barriers when they’re closed. The park is a fun little place to romp around, hidden behind trees in a residential area with a community garden up above.
We are all familiar with the sound of the waves hitting the shore, but can you imagine nature actually playing music through a huge organ consisting of 25 tubes artistically arranged for outdoor audiences?
It might not be “music” as we traditionally think of it, but as you walk around or sit down at the impressive sculpture, the majestic sounds of the waves get amplified and wash over audiences in a surprisingly fun outdoor concert.
Built in 1986 by Peter Richards and George Gonzalez as a project sponsored by the Exploratorium, the Wave Organ is located at the end of a jetty that extends from the Golden Gate Yacht Club in the Marina District into the San Francisco Bay.
This attraction is not well known, so you’ll get to enjoy a peaceful moment in the bay at this strange find. Adding to its other-worldly atmosphere, the builders used granite and marble pieces that had been salvaged from a demolished local cemetery to create the organ’s structure.
>> More about the Wave Organ and tips to visit it
Right in the heart of Golden Gate Park, just to the west of some of the city’s best museums and Botanical Garden, sits the serene Blue Heron Lake, which offers lots of outdoor things to do in San Francisco.
This is a relaxing place to have a picnic or just sit back and enjoy the sights and sounds of nature. Admire the variety of birds and turtles that call this place home. Take a stroll on the flat trail that makes its way around the entire lake.
If you’d like to visit the island in the middle of the lake known as Strawberry Hill, simply walk over one of the two bridges. There, you’ll find the Chinese Pavilion and Huntington Falls.
You can go out on the water by renting a pedal boat or rowboat by the hour. You can also grab some food at the cafe right on the lake.
>> Find details about this Golden Gate Park attraction
If you’re looking for a nice day trip out of the city, an hour and a half drive northeast of San Francisco will take you to beautiful Napa Valley, world famous for its wines.
This is a great option for outdoor activities because it’s usually quite a bit warmer in wine country than in San Francisco, especially when the fog rolls in during the summer.
Napa Valley is home to hundreds of wineries that offer tastings and tours of the vineyards. You can easily spend a full afternoon sipping on delicious local varietals and taking in the sweeping views of the picturesque rolling hills.
Napa also has a cute downtown area to walk around that boasts local shops and award-winning restaurants.
You can either drive here yourself or join one of the tours that leave from San Francisco, some of which include stops at the Golden Gate Bridge or Muir Woods on the way. There are half-day and full-day tours.
>> More about visiting Napa Valley
Visiting Sausalito, a quaint waterside village just north of San Francisco, is a fun way to spend time outdoors. They offer kayak rentals, historic walking tours, art and music events, and even houseboat tours.
Whether you ride across the Golden Gate Bridge to get here (usually a two-hour endeavor when you factor in photo stops and rests) or hop on the 30-minute ferry ride from SF, you’ll enjoy the views of the bay just getting there!
Once you land in Sausalito, browse the array of local shops, restaurants, and wine tasting rooms. Options for eats range from casual to high-end, with excellent offerings of fresh seafood, outdoor dining, and stunning views of San Francisco.
>> More things to see and do in Sausalito
If you’re in San Francisco gazing northward across the Golden Gate Bridge, your eye can’t help but settle on the rising green peak that lies just across the water. Why not strap on your walking shoes and check out the view of the city from up there?
At about 2,500 feet above sea level, Tamalpais, affectionately known as “Mt. Tam,” is the highest peak in Marin County and offers incredible panoramic views of the entire Bay Area. On a foggy day, it’ll put you above the clouds.
Because of its dramatic climb in elevation, Mt. Tam hosts many microclimates, from the foggy redwood forests at its ocean-side base, to the warmer and drier manzanita slopes, to the cool and windswept summit. You’ll enjoy a wide range of flora and fauna as you explore.
You can drive to the top, or hike up. If you’re visiting during the summer months, a popular pancake breakfast up at West Point Inn might motivate you to get your feet moving! Alternatively, the famous Dipsea Trail will take you up and back down across the park, starting in Mill Valley on the east and ending at Stinson Beach on the west.
For a taste of Northern California’s almost untouched wilderness, venture north a little over an hour from San Francisco along the Pacific Ocean and find yourself immersed in the beautiful expanse of Point Reyes National Seashore.
Depending on how long you want to spend here, there are tons of options for outdoor activities. On a one-hour visit, you can walk the flat Woodpecker Trail through local forests and meadows, learn about the geology of the area on the Earthquake Trail, or visit the Morgan Horse Ranch.
If you’ll be at Point Reyes for at least a few hours, enjoy its many beaches including Tomales Bay, explore the park’s 150 miles of hiking trails, and spot some tule elk roaming free in the expansive reserve.
You might even want to make a mini trip by camping at Point Reyes, giving you more time to bike, kayak, enjoy the tide pools, observe the elephant seals, go whale watching, and more.
Hi, I’m Jill!
I’ve been sharing San Francisco travel advice since 2009 and have helped millions of people explore the city like a local. Whether you’re dreaming of sea lions, cable cars, or a great sourdough bread bowl, I’m here to help you plan an unforgettable trip with real tips from someone who actually lives here.
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