Outdoor & Sport Activities in San Francisco

San Francisco nestles between mountains and sea and is scattered with alluring green spaces and beaches that call to outdoor lovers. Hike through San Francisco’s parks, ride a bike or GoCar through the hilly streets, surf at one of the many beaches or paddle through whitewater on a nearby river.

Add a shot of adrenaline or a romantic foray to your visit to the Bay Area. Choose from the vast array of outdoor sports and activities in San Francisco to spice up any sightseeing sojourn in the Pacific Northwest’s largest city.

Cruises

Take to the waters on a cruise of San Francisco Bay. Whether you want an affordable 1-hour jaunt with an audio guide or a private outing on a catamaran, there are plenty of options for a boat excursion. Soak in the sights and facts on an affordable large group boat tour with a multilingual audio guide.

Book a meal aboard a catamaran with a partner or group for sightseeing while you eat. Skip over the waves at high speeds in an adventure boat. Sip champagne as the sun sets on a romantic evening cruise.

Biking tours

Pedal through San Francisco’s famous streets with a guide to add colorful history to the sights. Visit the city’s many personality-filled neighborhoods and parks at a slower pace on a San Francisco bike tour. Mix things up with an e-bike tour to make short work of Francisco’s notorious hills. Even rent a bike and download a self-guided tour to explore on your own.

Cover more ground by bike than you would on a walking tour, and access corners of the city that you can’t access by car. Experience the city’s top attractions like Fisherman’s Wharf, Chinatown, Alamo Square’s Painted Ladies and more.

Hiking tours

Whether you want to trek through city parks or venture to locales just outside of San Francisco, you have your choices of hiking tours. Lace up your hiking boots to conquer the city’s hilly streets and many steps, trails through the Presidio, Golden Gate Park or to the summit of Twin Peaks for 360-degree views.

Less than 1 hour from San Francisco is Muir Woods, a breathtaking grove of ancient redwoods interwoven with hiking trails. Embark on a day tour to Yosemite for a hike among sequoias, to towering waterfalls and through valleys that afford you views of El Capitan and Half Dome.

GoCar tours

If you’re someone who’s tried it all, chances are you still haven’t taken a tour in a GoCar. Maneuver the city's many districts in an open-topped “talking” GoCar. San Francisco GoCar tours are independent ways to reach corners of the city that are hard to reach on foot or by car. Follow a pre-set GPS tour or customize your itinerary for tours that go as far as Sausalito.

Jeep tours

Feel the wind in your hair as you motor through San Francisco on a private jeep tour. With a driver guide, you’ll see the best of the “City by the Bay” in a short amount of time. In 2 to 3 hours, hit all the landmarks like Lombard Street, Chinatown, the Golden Gate Bridge and much more.

Seaplane and helicopter tours

Seeing one of America’s most distinctive cities from the air is a unique way to see San Francisco’s major sites in less than 1 hour. Go on a helicopter ride or seaplane tour over the city and bay as well as its islands and the nearby villages of Sausalito, Tiburon and Belvedere. Choose a sunset flight to add a dash or romance to your sightseeing.

Skydiving

Peering at the earth from the open side of an airplane takes your breath away. Knowing that in a moment you will tumble from the door for a hair-raising drop to the ground is an incomparable thrill. Sustain speeds of nearly 195 kilometers per hour in a 30-second tandem free fall before your guide pulls the chute. Absorb amazing views as you float to the land.

Skydiving adventures take place outside of San Francisco, either in Novato or Cloverdale. Jump from over 3,000 meters in Novato, just 45 minutes north of the city. Increase the excitement with a jump at over 3,600 meters out of the Cloverdale Airport, a 105-minute drive north of San Francisco.

Surfing lessons

Whether you’re a first-timer or a seasoned surfer, take advantage of the Pacific’s waves with a surfing lesson that provides gear and guidance for a 1.5- to 2.5-hour session. Lessons take place at Pacifica Beach, a 25-minute drive from the city or at Stinson Beach, 1 hour north of San Francisco in Marin County.

Opt for a private lesson or a package of several lessons. Some providers include board and wetsuit rental in the price, while others offer gear at an additional cost.

Stand up paddleboarding

Paddle through the calm bays of San Francisco and along bits of shoreline that you might not encounter on a boat tour. Stand-up paddleboarding lessons in San Francisco are great for beginners and experienced SUP-ers alike. Learn the basics of handling a board and paddle while you soak up your peaceful surroundings.

Whitewater rafting

Take a break from the city with a whitewater rafting day trip. With convenient pickup from San Francisco hotels, a rafting tour package adds some exciting variety to your stay in the city. Brave class III rapids on the American River in the Sierra Nevada foothills. The outing is appropriate for beginners as well as experienced rafters.

Hot air balloon rides

A hot air balloon tour from San Francisco is much more than a tranquil float over northern California. Luxuriate in private round-trip transportation through picturesque countryside from your San Francisco hotel to the Napa Valley.

Float above the rolling wine country early to witness the sunrise over the Sierras. Make the most of your time in Napa with an included wine tasting before your scenic drive back to San Francisco.

Paragliding

Are you after a rush of adrenaline or a meditative moment? Then a paragliding flight above San Francisco might be the answer. With the help of an experienced pilot, strap into the harnesses of an ultra-light glider. Lift off the ground with ease and revel in unobstructed views of the bay. Spy breaching whales, fly with pelicans and marvel at views of the rugged California coastline.