San Francisco is known to be one of the healthiest cities in America, with and that is likely due in no small part to the beauty of the city, its parks, and the great natural expanses surrounding it. For those looking to stay in shape like the locals and take self-guided San Francisco tours at the same time, here are a few suggested spots to link together to get immersed in the city.
The wide opened expanses of the Marina Green and Crissy Field are a great place to start where you can stretch and begin your run, and catch some exercise work-out stations along the way. Head over to the Lyon Street steps up the road that runs from the marina past the Palace of Fine Arts. If the three hundred steps don’t kill you, you’ll be at the high-end neighborhood of Pacific Heights and at the end of billionaires’ row. Turn around and reward yourself for your efforts with a few minutes enjoying one of the best views of the bay in the city. But, just as your heart rate settles a bit, head back down the steps toward the marina again. Run along the path that follows the water and up and over the hill at Fort Mason.
You’ll arrive at the Aquatic Park which is at the north end of the Fishermen’s Wharf. This area has a small beach and bleachers where you can pause to strip down to your swimsuit and head into the cool water of the San Francisco Bay after heating up over your run and workout. But your workout isn’t completed just yet as the protected flat waters of the Aquatic Park are the ideal spot where many of the city’s swimmers find the room to stretch their limbs and do their swimming exercise. There are buoys which provide clearly marked swimming at one third of a mile per lap. And if you feel so inclined, you can complete your exercise for the day with a sauna and a shower at the South End Rowing Club or the Dolphin Club, which, while they are both private clubs, offer access every other day for a small entrance fee. Ending your workouts at the Aquatic Park allows you to truly immerse yourselves in San Francisco tours with healthy benefits.
