San Francisco activities

[Sgran]

My colleague is planning a one-day activity for 7 Hungarians in San Francisco on June 18. They already have a boat trip planned on another day, so that idea is taken. They're not keen on baseball. They prefer to do something active (for example, they recently had a blast playing paintball).

Any ideas? They have a whole day, so driving a few hours out of the city is in play. Thanks

[DaddyTorgo]

Alcatraz?

They could totally go across the bridge into Marin county and check out the redwoods

[Mizzou B-ball fan]

Originally Posted by Sgran

My colleague is planning a one-day activity for 7 Hungarians in San Francisco on June 18. They already have a boat trip planned on another day, so that idea is taken. They're not keen on baseball. They prefer to do something active (for example, they recently had a blast playing paintball).

Any ideas? They have a whole day, so driving a few hours out of the city is in play. Thanks

I'm not sure that this is 'active' or not, but you can rent a limo for the whole day for around $500-600 and take them to the wine country about 1-1 1/2 hours outside of town. Hopping from vineyard to vineyard to do free tasting is a lot of fun, especially when someone else is driving.

Alcatraz was another thing I would have mentioned. If you want to do that, you need to get tickets now.

[JonInMiddleGA]

My colleague is planning a one-day activity for 7 Hungarians in San Francisco

This could be a potential replacement for the phrases "Three nuns walk into a bar" and "An Englishman, an Irishman, and a Scotsman walk into a bar"

[cartman]

If they want to do a fun outside activity, have them check out Cache Creek. ( Cache Canyon White Water River Trips ) It is a one day rafting trip that isn't too crazy, but a lot of fun. They would need to find one extra person to go along, as it is two people per raft.

[Cringer]

Originally Posted by JonInMiddleGA

This could be a potential replacement for the phrases "Three nuns walk into a bar" and "An Englishman, an Irishman, and a Scotsman walk into a bar"

That was my initial thought, sounds like an opening line in a joke.

[AgustusM]

Golden Gate Park is an underrated treasure. Similar to the more famous Central Park, you could spend a week in GGP and do something different everyday.

Museum, gardens, lakes, boat rentals, bike rides, etc, etc. If your friends want to do something active - no better place in the city.

[AgustusM]

Also more than a few hours away - but being that close to Yosemite and not going is almost criminal.

[wade moore]

Originally Posted by AgustusM

Golden Gate Park is an underrated treasure. Similar to the more famous Central Park, you could spend a week in GGP and do something different everyday.

Museum, gardens, lakes, boat rentals, bike rides, etc, etc. If your friends want to do something active - no better place in the city.

Interesting. When I was in San Fran I found GGP to be the most underwhelming part of my trip.

[AgustusM]

Originally Posted by wade moore

Interesting. When I was in San Fran I found GGP to be the most underwhelming part of my trip.

where did you go? how was the weather?

[AgustusM]

http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo...eat=directlink

a couple of things that I enjoy when I get back to GGP (I grew up in SF, and now live about an hour away)

1. New academy of science - great place, but does get crowded
2. De Young Museum - even if you have no interest in art - take the free elevator up to the 360* observation area where on a clear day you can see the city in every direction
3. Stow Like - a little pricey, but the boat rentals and bike rentals are a great way to experience the park - especially on nice weather.
4. Botanical garden - peaceful, free
5. Japanese tea garden - not free, but beautiful

this is all in one concentrated area, there are also acres of open fields and diverse people engaged in a large assortment of activities.

[AENeuman]

When are you going to be there? may and june are the peak white water rafting months.

I ran summer programs for teens and young adults for years in sf, here are some ideas:

Go-Car, mini-car tour thing. you drive around the city, with or without a tour narration. It's silly, but fun GoCar - The Cure for the Common Tour. Exciting sightseeing activities in San Francisco, San Diego and Miami!

Zeppelin tours. new big thing. air ship tour of bay area. super fun, but expensive. Tours - Airship Ventures

Renting a bike is always a good. you can rent one from the wharf and ride it over golden gate bridge to sausalito . sausalito is a great little town to relax, eat drink and be merry. then, to avoid a big hill, you can take the ferry back over to the wharf. Blazing Saddles - San Francisco Bike Rentals and Tours

sea kayaking is also fun, a bit more mellow. you can go up way into the bay where its mild and see loads of sea life. Sea Kayaking in San Francisco Bay with Sea Trek: Kayak Rentals

finally, if they want to get out aggression try trampoline dodgeball! big warehouse of trampolines and tournament style games. i took my staff there once and we almost lost to a boy scout troop. Welcome

[wade moore]

Originally Posted by AgustusM

where did you go? how was the weather?

Now that I look at your map, it appears I'm mistaken.

I'm talking about the park at the foot of the bridge.

[Sgran]

Thanks for the tips, guys. I've forwarded this stuff to my colleague. One question: is Yosemite really a day option? How long would it take to get out there?

[Glengoyne]

I think Yosemite would be out of the question. If they would appreciate the "big trees" then the Coastal Redwoods would be more appropriate. Most European friends I have are simply overwhelmed at the size of the red woods.

I'd have to second some of the Golden Gate park options. You will need to get there early...as in before they open if you want to visit the academy of science. The planetarium is pretty cool..tickets to the planetarium are first come first serve...and are the reason to get there early.

There will be lots of other options for the rest of your day right there in GG park. For the evening, you can go tourist trap(pier 39/fisherman's wharf) or China Town for dinner.

[AgustusM]

Originally Posted by Sgran

Thanks for the tips, guys. I've forwarded this stuff to my colleague. One question: is Yosemite really a day option? How long would it take to get out there?

no, not really a day option. about 3.5 hours to drive there one way. It is just one of the most spectacular places in the world IMO, and if you had an option to drive there one day and back the next it really is worth it.