10 MORE THINGS TO DO WITH YOUR EXTRA HOUR IN SAN FRANCISCO

Photo by torbakhopper / CC BY

With the start of Spring and more sunlight as time goes on, what better way to spend that time than in San Francisco. Here are ten more bright ideas to fill that extra 60 minutes of sunshine:
Discover new artists and revisit others

Discover new artists and revisit others on the first Thursday of every month when many local art galleries stay open until 8 p.m. or later.

Tap into San Francisco’s urban winery scene

There are several to choose from including two in San Francisco’s burgeoning Dogpatch neighborhood: Bluxome Street Winery and Dogpatch WineWorks; The Press Club on Yerba Buena Lane; Winery Collective in Fisherman’s Wharf, and The Winery SF on Treasure Island. 

Indulge in a deep tissue massage or a round of reflexology

Indulge in a deep tissue massage or a round of reflexology at one of San Francisco’s day spas. No longer the exclusive province of women, many locations offer complete spa services for men as well. Cure jet lag, soak tired muscles in an outdoor tub with a bay view or lift the edge off a hangover. Several hotel-based spas also offer hotel/spa packages. 

Play a round of 18

San Francisco has six municipal golf courses under the jurisdiction of the San Francisco Recreation and Park Department: TPC Harding (18 holes), site of the 2009 Presidents Cup; Fleming (9 holes), Lincoln Park (18 holes), famous for its fairways along the Golden Gate; Sharp Park (18 holes); Golden Gate Park (9 holes), and Gleneagles (9 holes). Courses are open from dawn until dusk. Investigate the twilight rates (where available) for savings; non-resident rates are higher. Opened in 1996, the 18-hole Presidio Golf Course also offers twilight and early bird discounts and if the weather is inclement check out Eagle Club Indoor Golf.

Paddle on the bay

Paddle on the bay on a twilight tour with City Kayak. Recommended for individuals with previous kayaking experience, the route includes McCovey Cove, Mission Creek and goes under the Bay Bridge for a spectacular view of The Bay Lights.

Walk across the Golden Gate Bridge

The walk across the Golden Gate Bridge is often called “the walk of walks.” It would be hard to match the exhilaration of walking across this vital link between San Francisco and Marin counties. Considered one of the foremost engineering triumphs in the world, the bridge is the seventh longest suspension bridge in the world. During daylight savings time, pedestrians have access to the east walkway of the bridge from 5 a.m. to 9 p.m. Be sure to check out the new Bridge Experience which debuted during the bridge’s 75th anniversary.

Hang out at Crissy Field

More than 100,000 plants representing 73 native species and 100 acres of wild, windswept shoreline at Crissy Field provide the perfect opportunity to drink in one of nature’s great labors of love: San Francisco. Stroll, sit, sip (café lattes from the Beach Hut Café or fresh organic orange juice from the Warming Hut).

Exercise the intellect and the body

Exercise the intellect and the body on one of the free, guided walks offered by San Francisco City Guides. More than 30 tours are offered day-in-and-day-out by the volunteer group. They canvass every corner of the city from the ever-changing Castro District to Victorians of Alamo Square.

Bonfire at the beach

Grab the Graham crackers, dark chocolate and marshmallows for an old-fashioned s’mores party at the beach. Small wood bonfires for groups of less than 25 (without permit) are permitted on Ocean Beach between Fulton and Lincoln. The full regulations are posted at www.nps.gov/goga.
San Francisco at twilight can be magical

San Francisco at twilight as seen from an airplane or helicopter on a “flightseeing” excursion, even more so. Aerial tours include Golden Gate Helicopters, San Francisco Helicopter Tours, Seaplane Adventures and SF Air Tours.