Connoisseurs of culture are spoilt for choice with three major venues, the Herbst Theatre, Davies Symphony Hall and War Memorial Opera House, all part of the San Francisco Art Center (tel: +1 415 621 6600; www.sfwmpac.org). If you can only plump for one, attend the opera or ballet at the stately Opera House.
Things to do in San Francisco
Catch a show at the beautiful Beaux-Arts Opera House
Swing by San Francisco's public golf courses
Even though San Francisco’s climate doesn’t exactly match the Californian ideal, golfing is still a popular pursuit thanks to some excellent public courses. The city’s Park and Recreation Department (tel: +1 415 831 2700; www.sfrecpark.org/parks-open-spaces/golf-courses) maintain six, whilst golfers who don’t mind a drive should head south to the famous Pebble Beach (tel: +1 800 877 0597; www.pebblebeach.com) course near Carmel-by-the-Sea.
Explore breathtaking scenery with a hike
San Francisco’s surroundings are perfect for trekking, with a temperature that doesn’t bake and a wealth of forests, woodlands and hills. If you like coastal scenery, the Batteries to Bluffs trail along the Presidio is unrivalled, whilst Mount Diablo’s Grand Loop has a great name and astounding Bay Area views.
Zip across the Golden Gate Bridge on a mountain bike
Two-wheel fans are spoilt for choice when it comes to exploring San Francisco, with mountain biking the perfect pursuit. Hire from Bike and View (tel: +1 415 563 8616; www.bikeandview.com) and start your ride by crossing the Golden Gate Bridge, a mountain in terms of engineering feat, before tackling the Tennessee Valley (www.nps.gov/goga/planyourvisit/tennessee_valley) and Marin headland trails.
Hold your breath with a deep-sea dive
If you’re hoping to nose up to tropical fish, think again. Most tours happen out of the Bay Area, where the waters are colder, meaning you have to work that little harder for a rewarding dive. Instead, head to the established spots around Monterey. Bamboo Reef (tel: +1 415 362 6694; www.bambooreef.com) offers diving tours.
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