Sports and leisure activities San Francisco

Budget & Tips

Wherever you are in the world, the cheapest sporting activity is still running, and when you do it in Golden Gate Park, it takes on a whole new dimension! You can reserve the city's tennis courts free of charge, simply by registering online (www.spotery.com). Dolores Park, in particular, is a great spot. It's an aspect of San Francisco that we tend to forget, but the city, bordered by the Pacific Ocean, is blessed with lovely sandy beaches! Take Bakers Beach, for example, where the sunset is fabulous. Finally, if your dream is to go and see a basketball or American soccer game while you're in San Francisco and you haven't bought your tickets in advance, here's a tip: download the GameTime app (www.gametime.co) and check out the ticket prices on the day. Tickets still available are often sold out at unbeatable prices!

Northern California's natural beauty also invites you to enjoy a wide range of sports. You can go surfing in Santa Cruz or on Half Moon Bay south of San Francisco, go sailing in the bay, paddle or kayak on Lake Tahoe, go rock-climbing or hiking in the natural parks. The vertiginous granite walls of Yosemite National Park are one of the world's top climbing spots. For US$148, you can take on these granite colossi under the supervision of the park's climbing school.

What's very local

Although Europeans often find it hard to understand the appeal of baseball, it's one of America's favorite sports! It's played in Golden Gate Park, for example. You're welcome to sit on the grass and watch the players. The Giants, on the other hand, play at Oracle Park.

To be booked

If you're planning to attend a basketball game, buy your ticket before you go, especially if you're going to see the Golden State Warriors, who have a huge following.

Main events

Americans follow four sports with devotion: soccer (season from September to February, culminating in the Super Bowl), baseball (season from late March to September), basketball and field hockey (season from October to April for both). During the season months, you can watch the city's teams play in their respective stadiums, or watch them in the bars with San Franciscans.

Tourist traps

Tickets sold on the sly outside stadiums just before matches start are rarely official tickets. At your own risk...