Top San Francisco Outdoor Activities

Ride a GoCar all over San Francisco as it navigates for you and provides a guided tour. Take as long as you like to explore the city with a storytelling car as your guide — what Time Magazine has called "one of the coolest inventions of the year." Let this tiny car show you what the city is all about, learn about its history and visit sites like the Presidio, Coit Tower, Chinatown and Lombard Street. Pick up your car at one of two convenient locations: Union Square or Beach Street near Fisherman's Wharf.

Explore the famous groves of the Northern California redwoods on this tour of Muir Woods. Departing from Fisherman’s Wharf in San Francisco, a local guide drives you over the scenic Golden Gate Bridge and into the moist air of Muir Woods National Monument. Crane your neck to admire these 1,000-year-old trees standing 260 feet (80 meters) tall. Afterward, enjoy a drive through the charming town of Sausalito before heading back to the city.

Combine three of the Bay Area's top attractions—Alcatraz Island, Muir Woods, and Sausalito—in a single tour from San Francisco. Enjoy comfortable transportation in a luxury tour van, which includes a trip across the Golden Gate Bridge, allowing you to focus on the scenery instead of driving and directions. Your Alcatraz admission includes the ferry ride and the audio tour, and independent travelers will love the free time to explore both Muir Woods and Sausalito.

Tired of the urban cityscape and feel like you need a breath of fresh air? Then jump on this San Francisco day trip by bus, and visit some of the world's tallest trees at Muir Woods National Historic Monument, only minutes from downtown. One moment you'll be kicking your way past the Golden Gate Bridge and Sausalito, and a short while later wandering beneath the majestic canopy of centuries-old California coastal redwoods.

Take in two of the San Francisco Bay Area’s top destinations, Muir Woods and Sausalito, on a 4-hour morning tour from downtown San Francisco. Drive through the Presidio and across the Golden Gate Bridge to Muir Woods National Monument where you have some time to walk among towering old growth redwood trees. Next, head to Sausalito for a stroll along the picturesque waterfront, which is full of great boutiques, cafes and restaurants. You can opt to remain on your own in Sausalito or return on the coach.

Fly in a helicopter over San Francisco's most famous landmarks on this scenic tour. Fly over the city's neighborhoods, then head for Alcatraz, Fisherman's Wharf, and the Golden Gate Bridge. Continue towards Angel Island and the Marin Headlands while you enjoy choreographed musical accompaniment and informative commentary from your expert pilot. 

Explore all the San Francisco Zoo has to offer at your own pace with this full-day admission ticket. Go to the Leanne B. Roberts African Savanna exhibit, and spot animals native to Africa such as giraffes, zebras, and kudus. Stop by Penguin Island to watch the adorable Magellanic penguins. Check out and learn about more than 250 species that call the zoo home. 

Explore San Francisco’s beautiful Golden Gate Park on this 2.5-hour Segway tour. Led by a local guide, you’ll pass top attractions like the Japanese Tea Gardens, the de Young Museum and the California Academy of Sciences. All equipment is included, as well as a safety training. Cover even more ground on a Segway as you soak up Golden Gate Park's rich history and hidden gems from your guide.

Conquer San Francisco's urban jungle on this 3-hour urban hike. Trek your way up Tank Hill and Kite Hill, spots favored by locals for great city views, and stroll through hidden forests. Visit the Seward Street Slides to play like a local kid and take spectacular photos from the top of Twin Peaks. Between the forests, lush greenery and hidden pocket parks, you'll find it hard to believe you're in the midst of one of the country's busiest cities. Learn urban legends, history and culture from your local hiking guide.

Located in the Financial District, these adventures offer a one-of-a-kind premium experience. Follow clues and solve puzzles to complete your mission together. You might escape...You WILL have fun! Choose to play one of five uniquely immersive games: - Gold Rush: Find hidden gold in the California hills! - Prison Break: Complete a daring escape from the evil warden! - Special Ops: Mysterious Market: Uncover the truth as a secret agent! - The Heist: Recover a stolen masterpiece from an art thief! - Playground: Complete your report card and get to summer break!

Riding across the Golden Gate Bridge in a tour van leaves you free to take in the epic views instead of focusing on the driving. This tour takes you from downtown San Francisco to Muir Woods and Sausalito—two of Marin's top attractions—in a single day. You'll have free time to explore both sites, making this organized option a great choice for independent travelers.

This Tour will take you across the Golden Gate Bridge and stop at the north Vista Point for pictures, walk during 1h30min among old growth coast redwoods of the famous Muir Woods National Monument Park (entree fee $15 not included for and free for 15 and under. As well free up to 4 people if you have the National Park pass). Then we will stop for an hour and admire the beautiful seaside Mediterranean style City of Sausalito you you. The transportation will be in a luxury brand New Mercedes Sprinter Van with only 11 passenger total. The toll and parking fees is included. You will have a particular attention from your tour guide during all your trip.

Get up and out to rent your GoCar before noon for a cost savings on this great way to explore San Francisco. After rider orientation, zoom off into the city for a whirlwind tour that covers much more ground than you could on foot. Use the provided map to make a route that focuses on the sights that interest you, and return your car by noon to continue your day exploring.

Explore San Francisco with this 2-day combo: a guided bike tour plus admission to Alcatraz Island. Venture to the infamous prison in the afternoon to hear audio commentary about former inmates like Al Capone. On the prior day, cycle along the waterfront from Fisherman’s Wharf and ride over the Golden Gate Bridge into Sausalito via the car-free national park bike path. Your tour includes a full-day bonus bike rental.

Take to the sky and soar over San Francisco on an exhilarating helicopter tour. During the flight, get an unbeatable perspective of iconic attractions like Alcatraz, the Bay Bridge, the Embarcadero, the city’s famous hills, and the San Francisco Bay. During suitable weather conditions, experience the thrill of flying under the Golden Gate Bridge.

The California coastline is dramatic, iconic and rugged, but also difficult to enjoy when you're trapped behind the wheel of a car rental. So take this day trip to Carmel and Monterey, and enjoy the cliffside and ocean views from the window seat of your coach.

Get two classic San Francisco experiences—a bike ride starting at Fisherman’s Wharf and a visit to the notorious prison island of Alcatraz—in one combined tour package. Take a scenic ferry ride to Alcatraz Island, where you can explore at your own pace on a self-guided audio tour. Use the flexible 1-day bike rental on the day of your choosing and enjoy a safe ride with a helmet included.

Experience the thrill of skydiving without jumping from an actual aircraft. You’ll have similar adrenaline-pumping conditions during your 60-second free-fall (twice), except it takes place inside an indoor vertical wind tunnel. Head to the state-of-the-art skydiving facility at iFLY San Francisco Bay, where you’ll participate in a training session and personalized flight with the help of an instructor.

So many adventures to have in San Francisco with so few funds. If the pocketbook is feeling a touch light then consider these invigorating smartphone-guided scavenger hunts. The three-hour events force adventurers to solve clues and navigate the city streets; plus all the SF scenery you can absorb during the journey. Pricing is per individual but teams must book together to be in same adventure.

Despite its many hills, San Francisco is a fun city to explore by bike, and this 24-hour bicycle rental allows you to see it at your own pace on a self-guided tour. Pick up your bike at a convenient Fishermans Wharf location, then go where you like, perhaps riding through the city and across the Golden Gate Bridge to Sausalito and Tiburon. Your rental includes maps and use of equipment such as helmet and lock.

Rent your very own surrey to explore Golden Gate Park for an hour. These high-quality vehicles are the best way explore the park in a relaxing way with your friends and family. Pedal past Kezar Stadium, the Conservatory of Flowers, Shakespeare Gardens, the Japanese Tree Garden, Stow Lake Boathouse, and much more. Every handlebar features a take away map with a curated Surrey Route to make your ride even easier.

Experience the majesty of Northern California’s Coastal Redwood Sequoia trees at Muir Woods. This half-day tour takes visitors to some of the Bay Area’s most peaceful spots. Spend 1.5 hours beneath some of the tallest Redwood trees in the world, take a short hike, or just enjoy the views. Then stop for lunch in Sausalito and opt to take the scenic ferry ride back to the city, or be driven across the Golden Gate Bridge. Ideal for visitors looking to get out of the city and spend some relaxing time in the forest.

Walking the street of San Francisco might be the ideal way to explore the individual neighborhoods, but it's impossible to cover enough territory on your two legs. This San Francisco day trip by bus offers a narrated and scenic drive for all. From the Legion of Honor, travel across the majestic Golden Gate Bridge, visit the quaint and picturesque bayside village of Sausalito and spend time at Muir Woods National Monument (entry own expense).

On most shore excursions you're relegated to cityscapes in ports of call. However this half-day tour of the Muir Woods National Monument will get you out of the urban jungle and into some of northern California's most-famous redwood country. Pass over the majestic Golden Gate Bridge with dramatic views of the Marin headlands, and eventually drop down into Muir Woods to wander the loamy soil beneath centuries-old coastal redwoods. Choose from tours at several different start times, and bring comfortable walking shoes.