It ’s been so affectionate lately that you ’re probably head straight for the beach this weekend , hop to feel the sun on your nerve for a brief instant before the fog rolls back in . But rather than unwind your walkover blanket onto the sand like every other San Franciscan , seek in reality venturing out onto that water that you ’ve just been admiring from the shoring all these age . We are , after all , the City by the Bay … we might as well get out on the water . Here are a few ways to enjoy the Bay besides see at it .

Pretend you’re fancy and go sailing

The most classic of boat options , sailing conjures up images of tony moneyed East Coasters holiday off Cape Cod . But there ’s a grounds the America ’s Cup was in San Francisco in 2013 : navigate on the Bay is unique and exciting . You never bang on the button what ’s proceed to happen , besides the fact that you will definitely append some confidential information - blown colour to your look . To get a line this ancient artistry yourself , take a navigation course of instruction with theMarin Sailing Schoolorthe San Francisco Sailing School(an offshoot ofthe San Francisco Sailing Company ) . Or , if you ’d rather not ruin the closed book by ascertain stuff , simplycharter a sailboatand relish the ride .

Explore the local flora and fauna via kayak

You ’ve probably seen the brave kayakers under the Golden Gate Bridge and consider about how epic that would be , but you ’ve never quite rally up the bravery . Now ’s the prison term . Sign up fora Sea Trek tourunder the bridge or even paddle out to Angel Island . They forebode that no experience is necessary , but if that makes you nervoustake a class first . There are so many dissimilar kayak offerings : paddle amoonlight kayak tour , takea trip to Muir Beach , or visitthe Elkhorn Slough wildlifeup closely . You do n’t even have to do an organized jaunt , if masses are n’t your thing . Just rent a kayak and boat paddle on your own around Tomales Bay , along the city shoreline by AT&T Park , or down in Half Moon Bay .

Learn how to row (and get super fit in the process)

Yeah , if kayak and sailing seem intimidating , then rowing might feel downright terrific . It really does n’t have to be scary , though : nobody ’s anticipate you to start out like an Olympian . Boththe Dolphin Cluband theSouth last Rowing Clubhave been home to local rowers ( … OK , and some Olympians ) since they were founded in the late 1800s . While you have to be a fellow member to use the fleet of boats or the deftness at Aquatic Park , there are public event and clinics for newbies to seek out the old - shoal row boat . you’re able to even start out rowing at Lake Merced in the metropolis , or stress your acquisition on Corte Madera Creek withMarin Rowing .

Give SUP a shot

Stand - up paddleboarding ( or , if you want to sound in the know , SUP ) has been booming in popularity the last few years , and for good rationality . You look really cool standing up on a board , nonchalantly paddling along the water , and here ’s the kicker : it ’s actually not difficult … especially if you do n’t manage about plump tight . You may want to bug out off your SUP life in the calmer waters of somewhere like Richardson Bay , or in the hands of a store like101 Surf Sportsin San Rafael . They host lessons on Sundays , group boat paddle breeding session hebdomadally , and races nearly every weekend in the summer – which often come with wacky costume ( bonus ! ) . If you get really into it , corrupt the $ 120 inexhaustible 30 - day paddler pass . Or if you ’re up for an surplus challenge , trySUP Yoga .

Pretend you’re in SoCal and learn how to surf

OK , it ’s colder up here , and kind of hard . But you cantake a tyro surfing class down in Pacificato get started , or ride the gentler waves out in Bolinas before you take on Ocean Beach and Fort Point . If you require something even faster and trickier , attempt windsurfing ( or the increasingly popular kite - surfing).California Windsurfing , off the Foster City Lagoon , is a scurvy - primal path to get commence . We ’re not give way to lie to you : unlike swallow , surfing and all its variations are really hard to study … even the basics . So , you know , check that you know what you ’re doing before attain any monolithic waves .

Rent a wetsuit and take the plunge

Yeah , yeah , you ’ve credibly splashed around in the H2O … but rightfully swim out in the Bay is a dissimilar beast entirely . While some intrepid swimmers take the dip in just their swimsuits , the piddle is too cold for most of us – the water ’s typically in the high 50s . However , there ’s a way to add a stratum of auspices against the elements : grab a wetsuit . If you ’re not into committing to own one , you may grab a rental atSports Basement . jump out in at Aquatic Park , and you ’re trammel to see other swimmers , or join a grouping session –Water World Swimhosts them . Start out in protected coves before venturing farther into the deep . You ’ll desire usher gravy holder or an organize result if you plan to head into open water supply ; you do n’t require to get stick out there with a shipping boat bearing down on you . Boththe Dolphin Cluband theSouth End Rowing Clubhave facility at the east last of Aquatic Park , and even club swim events . For a $ 10 day fee , you ’ll even get accession to the Dolphin Club ’s lockers and shower for after your swimming ( worth it ) .

Throw down on a booze cruise

If all of these things finger just a little too , uh , active , then there ’s always another way to get out on the urine . Take a booze cruise around the Bay and out under the Golden Gate . Try a wine-colored - tasting Bay cruiseor rent out a whole gravy boat with your booster . Ruby Sailingcosts $ 400 / hour for up to 28 friends , andJust Dreaminghas a $ 36 / hour ( per person ) receptive bar option . Just hold on to your drinking glass when the waves bug out to tramp .

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san francisco bay

Flickr/Coralie mercier

sailing san francisco

Flickr/dsleeter_2000

san francisco kayak

Flickr/Daniel Canon

paddleboard san francisco

Flickr/Susan Smith

windsurfing

Flickr/Airwolfhound