[Photo via hanggliding.org]
San Francisco is blessed with an abundance of natural features that create a haven for adventurous outdoor activities right here in the city. Want to try your hand at some of the biggest surfing waves in the United States? Head to Ocean Beach (not a spot for beginners!). Care to soar over picturesque scenery on a hang glider? Fort Funston's your spot. We've rounded up the top ten adventurous activities within the city limits and the best places to do them.
Hang Gliding, Fort Funston
According to the Fellow Feathers of Fort Funston Hang Gliding Club, this spot at the far edge of San Francisco is one of the best places in the world to hang glide. If you want to learn how to fly, you'll have to get out of the city, though. Lessons are available at Fremont's Bay Area Hang Gliding.
Surfing, Ocean Beach
Ocean Beach's huge waves pick up in the fall and carry through winter, where they can reach 20 feet on the biggest days. Rip Curl held their Pro Search event at the beach in 2011, bringing some of the top surfers in the world to San Francisco. Normal humans can venture out on calmer days and rent boards from Aqua Surf Shop or Wise Surfboards. However, if you're a beginner, venture down to Santa Cruz first and take some lessons on smaller waves at Santa Cruz Surf School.
[Photo via SF Rec and Park]
Rock Climbing, Glen Canyon
If you want to get high up off the ground in the city, indoor climbing gyms may be your best bet. But if a bit of technical bouldering sounds appealing, Glen Park's Glen Canyon is where it's at. People have been scrambling up these rocks since at least the 1930s. There are lots of beginner options. Climbers have compiled lots of different routes over the years.
Sea Kayaking, Pier 40
Enjoy the bay from inside a kayak. Paddling out to watch a Giants game from McCovey Cove is one of the most popular kayak trips available and offers the chance to catch a splash hit. Check out the houseboats of Mission Creek and the Navy ships while you're at it. Rentals and lessons are available from City Kayak on Pier 40.
Horseback Riding, Fort Funston
Head down to the south end of Fort Funston's beach to ride alongside the waves. The trail goes along the bluff overlooking the ocean and then down to the beach, where riders keep an eye out for dolphins and sea lions from horseback. Mar Vista Stables, which is located just outside the city limits, offers rides every hour with no reservations necessary.
Mountain Biking, Mount Sutro
There's plenty of mountain biking in the Bay Area, but the trails within the city are lesser known. One of the best places to mountain bike in San Francisco is Mount Sutro, a 61-acre park near UCSF. SF Urban Riders have mapped the trails and maintain them every month. McLaren Park is also a center of city riding and hosts the SF Mountain Bike Festival.
[Photo via Chase Hasch]
Kiteboarding, Oyster Point Park, The Marina
Kiteboarding is a wild sport that seems to made for San Francisco's windblown waterfront. During the spring, kiters dot the shores of Crissy Field every weekend. Take a beginner's course at KITE415, which has a center at Oyster Point Park.
Windsurfing, Treasure Island
If kitesurfing sounds a little too crazy, there's also great windsurfing in San Francisco. Spots to windsurf dot the bay, but when wind is nonexistent at Crissy Field, you can often catch it out at Treasure Island. Windsurfers park on North Point Drive on the island and then head out into the water. Boardsports School can get you started with a beginner's lesson in Alameda.
[Photo via the Presidio]
Hiking, The Presidio
From shaded woods to coastal bluffs, the Presidio offers up some of the best urban hikes imaginable. There are 24 miles of routes and eight scenic overlooks. The Presidio has mapped them all, or you can check out our trail running map for some ideas in other parts of town.
Stand-up Paddleboarding, Pier 40
Stand-up paddleboarding, otherwise known as SUPing, has boomed in popularity in recent years. Paddleboards can be rented from City Kayak and taken out on the relatively flat waters of the bay. Or, if you want something wilder, paddleboards can also be used to surf waves.
ยท Outdoors Week 2014 [Curbed SF]