San Francisco Activities

San Franciscans are an energetic lot, and there are plenty of opportunities to burn calories even within the city limits. A glance over the sail-dotted bay would suggest this is prime sailing and windsurfing country, but it's not the easiest stretch of water to navigate, icy winds don't help either.

Say you've got a day to spend in San Fran. Start our express tour with the ultimate breakfast at Campton Place Restaurant, then pick a museum at Yerba Buena Gardens. Catch a cab to the corner of Haight and Ashbury Sts, have lunch at the Pork Store Cafe then walk west to Golden Gate Park. Stroll or snooze, depending on your energy levels, then take a cab to the Golden Gate Bridge. Walk across and back, trying to time your return to San Francisco for sunset. Now you need another cab to head to the restaurant of your choice. Otherwise, hop on the Powell St cable car to Broadway, where North Beach beckons to your left and Chinatown winks at you on your right. Just follow your nose to something good to eat.Say you've got three days in this city by the bay. That should be long enough to get into the swing of it. Spend your first day covering the essential sights, as outlined in the touristy day above. Chill out a bit on your second day. Have a late breakfast on Haight St then walk up to Golden Gate Park. Hire a bike from Avenue Cyclery and ride right to the end of the park where it hits the Pacific Ocean. Drop the bike back (or hang on to it if you can tackle the hills) and head for lunch to the Magnolia Pub Brewery. Hit the shops on Haight or wander over to Buena Vista Park, where there are great views on a clear day. Cross the park and head to Castro St, where any southbound bus will take you into the Castro. Catch a movie at the Castro Theatre or head to Harvey's for happy hour. Have dinner in the neighbourhood or take MUNI along Market St and hop off when you spy a restaurant you like.Your third day could be well spent in the East Bay. You'll never regret an afternoon in the Oakland Hills and dinner at Chez Panisse.