With a temperate climate year round, San Francisco is the perfect place to spend time outdoors. There are mountains perfect for hiking and climbing, as well as water for surfing and boating. All of these can be done with the beautiful scenery of the city and the ocean as your backdrops.

Here are some of our favorite outdoor adventures near San Francisco:

Hiking at Glen Canyon

Although you won’t find high peaks at Glen Park, you will have the chance to scale Glen Canyon. This landform is made up of boulders that San Francisco residents and visitors have been ascending since the 1930s. Whether you’re a beginning climber or a little more advanced, there are a wide variety of different routes.

Surfing at Ocean Beach

If you’re an advanced surfer, be sure to hit Ocean Beach. You’ll get waves that stretch up to 20 feet on the biggest days, attracting many of the top surfers in the world. Rent a board at the Aqua Surf Shop or Wise Surfboards, or bring your own to this picturesque sand and surf.

Kayaking at Pier 40

Rent a kayak and get some lessons from City Kayak before you head out onto the ocean. You can catch a Giants game from your boat in McCovey Cove, or you can paddle over to the houseboats of Mission Creek or to the Navy ships. There’s nothing like seeing some of the city’s top attractions from the comfort of your kayak.

Horseback Riding at Fort Funston

Head over to Mar Vista Stables at the edge of the city limits to borrow a horse and to go for a ride. The trail at the south end of Fort Funston travels by the beach and waves, allowing you to look for sea lions and dolphins from the back of your horse. You can also ride to the top of the bluff for a breathtaking view of the bay.

Windsurfing at Treasure Island

There are places where you can windsurf all around the bay, but when there’s little wind on the water, head over to Treasure Island. This place along North Point Drive offers the best breeze in the city, and you can rent the equipment and get lessons from the local Boardsports School to get you started.

Hiking at the Presidio

If the exercise of walking up and down the hills of the city is not enough, try hiking through the woods and up the coastal bluffs of the Presidio. You’ll find 24 miles of hiking paths and eight different scenic overlooks for breaks and for magnificent views of the city and the bay. You can find printed maps at the Presidio, or you can download your own trail maps.

These are just a few of the outdoor adventures that you can have in the city. Is there a great option that we missed? Let us know so that we can check it out!