Here around the Bay Area, we get out alot for outdoor activities, thanks to the mild weather year-round, although from November through to April there is usually more rain and it can get quite cold, especially at night.
Some favorite outdoor activities include hiking, biking, sailing, wind-surfing, kayaking, rock climbing, hang-gliding, roller-blading, flying a kite, horseback riding and tennis, as well as running and plain old walking.
Some sporty social clubs include: The Sierra Singles Club, call 510-848-0800 to get info on activities, and Outdoor Adventure Club at www.outdooradventureclub.com, and more.
Biking
Mount Tamalpais starting in Mill Valley. Check out www.parks.ca.gov/north/marin/mtsp239.htm
Golden Gate Park Check out www.hps.gov/goga/sites.htm
East Bay Regional Park District Lots of great places, check it out at www.ebparks.org
Santa Cruz
Wine Country
Fly a Kite
To the right of the Berkeley Marina, you'll find plenty of kite-flyers in this prime windy spot. Usually there is someone selling kites as well.
Great Places to Hike
Marin Headlands www.hps.gov/goga/site,htm
Mount Tamalpais www.parks.ca.gov/north/marin/mtsp239.htm
Point Reyes www.nps.gov/pore
East Bay Regional Park District www.ebparks.org
Hang-gliding Heaven
San Francisco Hang-Gliding Center 510-528-2300 www.sfhanggliding.com
Horseback Riding
Daly City Mar Vista Stable, 2152 Skyline @ John Daly, 650-991-4224
East Bay Regional Park District has several equestrian facilities, so check it out at www.ebparks.org .
Golden Gate Park
Half Moon Bay
Marin County Five Brooks Ranch, 9001 State Route #1, Olema, 415-663-1570, www.fivebrooks.com
Pacifica
Kayaking
Berkeley Marina Cal Adventure - see "Watersports Galore" below
Monterey Monterey Bay Kayaks, 693 Del Monte Ave., Monterey 1-800-649-5357
Oakland at Jack London Square California Canoe & Kayak, 510-693-7833 or, for classes and trips only, call 1-800-366-9804
Sausalito
Rock-Climbing Mecca
The Pinnacles Officially called Pinnacles National Monument, it is a spectaular place to explore by hiking, or by rock-climbing for the extremely adventurous. Excellent information about this unique place can be found at www.pinnacles.org .
Roller-blading Rendezvous
Golden Gate Park, especially on Sundays when there are no cars allowed!
Running and Walking
Alameda, along the beach
Golden Gate Park
Lake Merritt in Oakland
All over the Bay Area!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Surfing
Santa Cruz These two come hightly recommended from those who know surfing: www.richardschmidt.com and Club Ed at 831-459-7873.
The Mavericks (near Half-Moon Bay, only for total pros!!! Check out www.maverickssurf.com for more info.)
Read about Wendy's Very First Surf Lesson in Santa Cruz (click here)!
Tennis, anyone?
San Francisco Tennis Club
Claremont Resort, Berkeley
Best Free Courts to Play on: Golden Gate Park and Dolores Park; in the East Bay, Piedmont next to Oakland.
Watersports Galore
Cal Adventure is the Outdoor Education Program of UB Berkeley. They offer classes and rentals for sailing, windsurfing, sea kayaking, and rowing. It's located near the Berkeley Marina off the University Exit off Hwy. 80 at 5 Haas Clubhouse, Strawberry Canyon Recreation Area, Berkeley; 510-642-4000; www.strawberry.org
Windsurfing
Alameda
Berkeely Marina See Cal Adventure directly above in "Watersports Galore"
Emeryville
Larkspur
South San Francisco
Learn How to Fly OR Just Hire the Plane with a Pilot for Fantastic Views of the Bay!
Oakland Flyers 8135 Earhart Rd., next to the Oakland Airport. It's a real thrill to see the San Francisco Bay area from the air in a small plane! Just pray that it's not too foggy! Call 510-568-3317; www.oaklandflyers.com
NOTE: This section will have alot more details as time goes by. In the meantime, please e-mail any questions you might have about anything listed on this page to wendy@sanfranciscoandbeyond.com , and I will try to e-mail you back as soon as possible.