Why Go
San Francisco is one of the activities capitals of the United States, and whether you’re a competition mogul or a casually active person, this lovely and stylish west coast mecca is particularly great for running and biking. The city is famous for its hills, and it is partly the challenge of these elevation changes that makes the city great for road runners and road bikers – but the city also has excellent parks, trails, and flat areas that accommodate a wide variety of aerobic idealism.
Insider Tips
- Running along the Golden Gate Bridge is a fantasy for many, but actually quite easy to achieve once you arrive in San Francisco. The pedestrian path is safe, easily accessible from the Golden Gate Bridge visitors’ center, and does indeed offer the excellent views of the bay you came for. Do be aware, however, that the bridge will be filled with tourists: it’s infinitely fun to run across it, but do not expect a perfect race time because you will have to accommodate the crowds.
- San Francisco has a great race schedule, and many choose to conquer their first marathons in this challenging environment. The San Francisco Marathon, scheduled for the last weekend in July every year (July 29, 2012), is one great option. However, should you choose to run this race as a half marathon, consider carefully which half you would like to run. The first half has an agonizingly early start time and the second half is much easier, with a large downhill portion and mostly flat routing – but the first half includes an exhilarating run over the Golden Gate Bridge, a special opportunity considering the race closes the bridge to the traffic you would normally encounter.
- The Bay to Breakers Race is one of the most fun options in the city, taking place on the third Sunday in May every year (since 1912!). You may not be looking for the race as you scour schedules for the perfect event, since it is an atypical 12k distance, but Bay to Breakers is worth joining for the pure joy of it. Participants are expected to follow their whims, show up in costume, and enjoy the race as one of San Francisco’s traditions.
- Fisherman’s Wharf is a tempting destination for runners and bikers, particularly those who enjoy running from the downtown area along the blessedly flat Embarcadero northwards. Fisherman’s Wharf sounds like an appealing destination, with its cacophony of distracting sounds and sights to distract the bored or tired runner, but in reality, the crowds are always so thick that running here quickly becomes a game of dodge-the-tourist.
Where to Stay
As with any top-ranked city, San Francisco is filled with an impressive range of hotels. Those coming to the city for its outdoor activities may be less interested in all of the luxury associated with the interior rooms of the most expe
nsive hotels – after all, you are coming to the city to spend time outside of your room, jogging Oceanside or pedalling to the top of the nearest steep incline. The Stanyan Park Hotel is a great option for those looking to take advantage of all the trails in Golden Gate Park. This intimate, 36-room hotel is located across the street from the park, and the continental breakfast is a great convenience for those looking to head out on a morning round of exercise without the heaviness or inconvenience of going out.
You may also want to stay in Sausalito, the charming town across the bridge, for easy access to both the city, the Marin headlands terrain, and wine country. Hotel Sausalito will provide all of the convenience of a Sausalito location, plus property on the town’s park for walks to ease your sore muscles and all of the luxurious amenities to complement activity-laden days. Their staff is also well-versed in all of the local options, including the nearby Golden Gate National Recreation Area’s trails.
Also in the vein of comfort intersecting convenience, The Laurel Inn in Pacific Heights, San Francisco is a safe bet for visiting runners and bikers. Not only is the Laurel Inn adjacent to the Presidio National Park, but it is also nestled in the classic and safe Pacific Heights neighborhood, next to Laurel Heights, a residential area, which is a great advantage: You can stroll right outside the hotel’s front door and begin your morning run towards the Marina, the western beaches, or right in the neighborhood immediately. The Laurel Inn is also a beautifully modern hotel in and of itself, so that you have a special and comforting place to return to for your post-workout pampering.
Where to Eat
San Francisco’s culinary offerings are no secret – and it is particularly convenient that the city has a large number of places to satisfy runners and bikers, whether they are looking to stay healthy or treat themselves a little bit.
For those headed back into the city after biking in Marin County, the Murray Circle restaurant at Cavallo Point is the perfect place to take a break and reflect on your day of adventure. Situated right on the bay on the Sausalito side, the restaurant has excellent views and lets you wait out any traffic there might be on the Golden Gate bridge in style. One dish that epitomizes the sophistication of the menu is the new crop beet salad with fine herb ricotta and champagne vinagrette; the menu is teeming with colourful fresh options that allow diners to treat themselves the healthy way.
For those taking part in the Mission neighborhood scene – a neighborhood just teeming with young, vibrant urbanites who bike to work and beyond every day – I would recommend a pit stop at Luna Park. The fun atmosphere is only improved up by its creative and delicious menu; I would recommend Luna Park most for their weekend brunch menu. Begin the day with one of their fresh smoothies, or go for a full breakfast item, like their Salmon and Sweet Corn Scramble – a sure way to get your protein fix before a full day of cycling.
Every runner and biker needs a coffee shop pit stop, and Blue Bottle Coffee in Mint Plaza between Mission Street and Market Street offers some of the best warm drinks in the city. Ease back into urban life after a weekend out in the mountains with one of their single origin coffees or signature hot chocolate.
What to Do
San Francisco’s Golden Gate Park is more than a historic testament to the Summer of Love and a home to the excellent de Young and California Academy of Sciences museums. The park is actually over a 1000 acres in size, and is filled with both paved paths and hiking trails for running. Running through the park is actually the best way to see all of the elements within this natural playground, from the tucked away National Aids Memorial Grove to the Japanese Tea Gardens to Strawberry Hill. Even just turning a corner and coming upon a quiet section of a lake with the swans or paddle-boaters is reward enough for your efforts.
One of the best ways to take advantage of the park is to run in at the Fulton Street entrance on the upper end, take the dirt trail that begins there, and follow it all the way to the opposite end of the park (the park is over three miles long) towards the ocean – a dramatic finish!
For a more continuously coastal route, tracing the outline of the city from Fort Mason and Crissy Field park (bordering the San Francisco Bay) towards the Golden Gate bridge, and then around the northwest corner of the peninsula to the South Bay side is an excellent option. There are well-kept trails on this side of San Francisco – follow signs to Baker Beach and reward yourself with the stunning sunset views on this westward facing ocean outlet.
In terms of biking, it is hard to find a city that is more cutting-edge, more stylish, and more pervasive with its bike-talk. Don’t miss the famous Mission Bicycle Company on 766 Valencia Street. The company makes customized city bikes, and is a staple of the trendy Mission neighborhood. Stop by and see why the whole city is excited about urban biking – from both an eco-friendly and a chic perspective.
San Francisco offers great running and biking options on its very own peninsula, but it’s important to remember that the city is also a gateway to great running and biking all along the northern California coast and wine country.
For the more adventurous travelers, mountain biking in Marin County – just over the Golden Gate Bridge – is a destination in itself. The Stoked SF company also offers excellent combination bike and wine private tours, consisting of a half day of mountain biking followed by a half day winery tour, complete with a tasting for $295 per person.
Experienced mountain bikers looking for a less organized experience can choose their own trails in the Marin Headlands; for instance, making a loop out of the Miwok Trail, Dias Ridge trail, and Middle Green Gulch trail offers an 11.5 mile ride that gives you a little bit of everything, including cliff views and farmland.
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Photos: Salim Virji, niallkennedy, erulehto, Kwon Yee Cheng