Prolong Your Summer with these Outdoor Activities

Summer in San Francisco means impromptu hikes, off-the-grid food truck gatherings and the best outdoor music festivals. While all good things must come to an end, there’s no reason why they can’t be prolonged.

Lucky for us, some of San Francisco's warmest weather is in September and October. Keep up those summer vibes and extend your stay in the city. Here are some ways to take advantage of sunny days in San Francisco.

1. Climb the Coit Tower

Maybe you’ve caught a glimpse of this tower from afar but never thought to climb it. The hike up Telegraph Hill is far more difficult than the actual tower itself, which is 210 feet tall. Regardless, scaling the hill is half the fun. We suggest the Filbert Street Steps or the Greenwich Steps. Once you reach the top, browse fresco murals created by 27 different artists and get in line to reach the top of the tower. It’s worth the wait! Get a clear 360-degree view of the city, surrounding San Francisco Bay and beyond.

2. Find the Hidden Garden Steps

The Hidden Garden Steps is a public art community project in the Inner Sunset district that’s made up of ornate, mosaic outdoor staircases tucked between buildings. The Hidden Garden Steps Project has created (and is still in the process of creating) decorative mosaic steps, a public garden and wall mural in the Golden Gate Heights/Inner Sunset neighborhood, extending from Kirkham to Lawton streets. The work is beautiful and makes for a good cardio workout. Find the steps! 

3. Go on a Bike Ride

We make this easy at Stanford Court Hotel. Bike rental is among the amenities included in the urban bundle, and guests have the option of New Albion bikes or Blix e-bikes. Ride around Golden Gate Park and visit the grazing buffalo, or brave crossing the bay on the Golden Gate Bridge bike path. Here are some of our favorite SF bike trails. 

4. Take a Ferry to Angel Island

There’s nothing that gives you that summer feeling quite like a ferry ride. Plus, Angel Island makes for a great outdoor day trip. The island is referred to as the “Ellis Island of the West” for its historic Immigration Station, where millions of people from Russia, Asia and the Pacific Basin passed through. It’s also a beautiful California State Park set in the middle of the bay with hiking and biking trails to explore. See the ferry schedule and plan your trip with Blue and Gold Fleet.

5. Walk (or Run) Along Andy Goldsworthy’s Wood Line in the Presidio

Andy Goldworthy’s unassuming installations in the Presidio are so attuned to its surrounding nature, it’s easy to miss. The world-renowned artist’s ongoing project takes fallen trees from the Presidio forest and creates natural art with it, which will slowly wear away with the elements before decomposing into the earth. Check out Spire (2008), Wood Line (2011) and Tree Fall (2013), located in different parts of the park. We suggest you check it out during your morning jog or an aimless walk in the Presidio.

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Stanford Court Hotel is a boutique hotel located in Nob Hill, San Francisco. Close to Chinatown, Union Square, and North Beach, Stanford Court Hotel offers free bike rentals, making every part of the city accessible. Our fitness center and eco-friendly amenities set us apart from the rest. Ready to book with us? Check out our online specials here.