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You can rent in-line skates from Skates on Haight, at 1818 Haight Street ; tel. 415 752 8375.
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Hot-air balloon flights in the Napa Valley, followed by a champagne brunch, are available; tel. 1 800 464 6824 for details.
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Swimming The
icy waters of the Bay are an option only if you’re a polar bear or an
indomitable surfer. Most visitors will want to head for a pool – try the
Embarcadero YMCA. Embarcadero YMCAHiking The
Bay Area is replete with magnificent hiking trails for every type of
nature-lover. Land’s End offers some wild terrain to scramble over , and Mount Tamalpais is criss-crossed with trails. But just scaling the city’s hills is enough hiking for most people. In-line Skating Golden
Gate Park and in-line skaters make a perfect match, especially on
Sundays, when the main street in the park is closed to cars. Or try the
path that runs along Marina Green for smoothly paved surfaces. Skateboarding Skateboard
ramps are wherever you make them in this city – along Market Street in
the Financial District, in one of the dozens of parks, or on any plaza.
Protection against the inevitable vagaries of flying around on wheels
means you should gear up appropriately. DLXFTC SkateboardingRunning Now that Crissy Field’s restoration is complete, the Golden Gate Promenade
is an inspiring run. And, of course, Golden Gate Park offers endless
opportunities for jogging. If organized running is your thing, try the
Bay to Breakers or the San Francisco Marathon. Bay to BreakersSan Francisco Marathon
Joggers in Golden Gate Park
Tennis Free
public tennis courts abound in the city. Contact the Recreation and
Park Department for the one nearest you. Golden Gate Park has 21 courts,
for which a small fee is charged, but you can book in advance. Most
public outdoor courts are open from sunrise to sunset. Indoor courts are
the purview of private tennis clubs, with membership required. San Francisco Recreation and Park DepartmentGolden Gate ParkGolf The
Lincoln Park 18-hole course overlooks Land’s End, and Golden Gate Park
has a challenging 9-hole course. The newest addition to the scene, the
Presidio Golf Course, is considered one of the country’s best. Lincoln ParkGolden Gate ParkPresidio Golf Course
Lincoln Park Golf Course
Boating Sailing,
rowing and kayaking are all great here, although far from a cakewalk on
the Bay’s unpredictable waters and sometimes ferocious prevailing
winds. Play it nice and easy by taking a boat out on Stow Lake in Golden
Gate Park . Extreme Sports Surfing
here requires great fortitude and is not for beginners. The same goes
for windsurfing on the Bay. Hang-gliding can be tackled by novices
under guidance. San Francisco Hang-Gliding Center
Surfers
Biking Although
the hills’ amazing grades overwhelm all but those with legs of steel,
bicycling is very big in San Francisco. Rent bikes from City Cycle. City Cycle
Top 10 Spectator Sports
SF 49ers The National Football League team strut their stuff from September to January. Monster ParkSF Giants The city’s baseball team plays from April to October. AT&T Park24 Willie Mays Plaza 415 972 2000
Golden State Warriors An NBA basketball team. The Arena in OaklandOakland Athletics Members of the American Football League, and historic winners in the 1970s. Oakland Raiders Members of the American Football League. Golden Gate Fields The East Bay venue for horse-racing. Bay Meadows Racecourse Take the CalTrain to this seasonal racetrack. Infineon Raceway Auto-racing. Hwys 37 & 121, Sonoma 707 938 8448
San Jose Sharks Fast-paced ice hockey. HP PavilionSacramento Monarchs Women’s basketball team. Arco Arena
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