A Sunny day in San Francisco is unparalleled– beautiful views, the city’s coastlines, and numerous parks are all their best when the sun comes out. Unfortunately, it can seem like SF sunshine is rare or sandwiched between foggy days. This makes it all the more important to take advantage of a sunny day in SF.
It can be easy to be overwhelmed by options when the weather is nice, especially in a city like San Francisco, where the many parks, lakes, and beaches are easily accessible. Luckily, more options mean it’s easy to find something to do no matter what mood you’re in. From relaxing to a day packed full of activities, SF offers plenty of ways to take advantage of the good weather.
1. Ride a boat in Blue Heron Lake
Golden Gate Park is full of wonderful things to see and do, especially when the weather is great. Stow Lake is an artificial lake that is over 100 years old. The lake was made in 1893 and has been a central part of Golden Gate Park for years. The scenic small lake has pedal and rowboats that are available to rent and after you’re done boating, you grab a bite at the coffee shop in the boathouse.
2. Picnic in Dolores Park
A sunny day in San Francisco is perfect for exploring one of the many great parks. People regularly flock to Dolores Park on weekends to enjoy the spacious, rolling slopes and vibrant energy perfect for meeting with friends. ring a blanket to lay on, some water, and you can spend your day people watching and sunbathing. After you soak in plenty of vitamin D you can grab lunch or coffee at nearby cafes or enjoy a delicious dinner at one of the Mission District’s numerous restaurants.
3. Walk through the Presidio
The Presidio is a historic San Francisco staple. The beautifully manicured grounds, Tunnel Top Park, and close proximity to the Golden Gate Bridge make it perfect for a sunny day. You can hang out on the manicured lawns or walk to the Golden Gate Bridge. Plus, you can have dinner at one of the nearby restaurants to end your day.
4. Walk the Battery to Bluffs Trail
Battery to Bluffs is a scenic trail that starts at the Golden Gate Bridge and ends at Baker Beach, or vice versa. The full loop is only 2.3 miles, but walking the trail one way is less than a mile. You’ll see gorgeous views of the bridge and the rugged cliffs. Plus, the secluded Marshall’s Beach is along the way.
5. Go to a rooftop Bar
Sunny days don’t have to mean only hiking and nature activities. San Francisco has plenty of gorgeous rooftop bars where you can enjoy the blue skies while you sip on a cocktail. Plus, most rooftop bars also double as restaurants, making it easy to satisfy your post-drinks cravings.
6. Check out a Beach
A beach day is probably the first thing that comes to mind for a sunny day. Luckily, San Francisco has many beaches, each of them incredibly scenic and unique. From long spans of soft sand at Ocean Beach to swimmable waters, make sure to take advantage of the sun to see SF’s beautiful coastline. Even if the sun is out, remember to bring a layer, SF beaches are known for being windy.
7. Explore the Palace of Fine Arts
The Palace of Fine Arts is a beautiful piece of SF history, with its Roman architecture and stunning gardens. The well-kept grass is perfect for a picnic while you enjoy the stunning view, plus plenty of shops and restaurants are just a short walk away in the Marina.
8. Take the ferry to Sausalito
Sausalito is a charming waterfront town just across the Golden Gate Bridge. The town is packed with adorable shops, waterfront restaurants, and scenic neighborhoods. You can easily drive to the town, but if you want to go car-free for the day, you can take a small ferry from Embarcadero to Sausalito. The ride is only about 30 minutes, and there are several trips a day.
9. Ride a cable car around the city
While many people still use the iconic cable cars for their everyday commutes, if you haven’t been on one recently, it can be a fun way to explore the city. Plus, to celebrate the cable car turning 150, several iconic bars and restaurants along cable car routes have made specialty cocktails. Participating venues include the Tonga Room, Clock Bar, Beuna Vista, and Scomas.
10. Play tennis on a free court
If you want to do something active with your day, try playing tennis at one of the numerous free outdoor tennis courts. San Francisco’s parks are packed with activities, and many parks feature tennis courts open to the public throughout the city. Golden Gate Park has courts available for reservations, including the Presidio, McLaren Park, and many more.
11. Check Out Sutro Baths
The remains of the historic Sutro Baths result in stunning waterfront views. For history enthusiasts, Sutro Baths was built in 1894 by a San Francisco millionaire. The result was a massive ocean pool that hosted many swimmers during its time. While not much remains of Sutro Baths, you can walk along the shore and explore hidden caves.
12. Go to an open-air market
San Francisco has no shortage of open-air markets that are ideal for exploring on a sunny day. From weekly farmers markets to art markets, you can find local vendors selling the best of the Bay Area. Many markets include food and beverage options, making it easy to grab coffee while you shop, and you can finish your market day with an local lunch.
13. Go to an outdoor restaurant
For all the SF foodies, a sunny day can mean the perfect opportunity to visit a restaurant with a great outdoor space. From private patios to waterfront views, sunshine always makes a great meal better. Plus, after your meal, checkout a local ice cream spot for the perfect summer dessert.
14. Bike across the Golden Gate Bridge
Biking Golden Gate Bridge is a scenic adventure perfect for getting active on a sunny day. After your bike ride, you can reward yourself with a dinner in one of the many Marina restaurants. If you don’t have a bike, you can use a bike rental service or use a city-sponsored bike share.
15. Visit Twin Peaks
Twin Peaks delivers stunning views of the San Francisco skyline and the surrounding rolling hills. The sun gives the perfect opportunity to explore the short trails and stairs around Twin Peaks to take in the views unobstructed by fog and clouds. After taking in the views, walk down to Cole Valley and check out the delicious restaurants.
16. Check out the free activities at Salesforce Park
A sunny day in San Francisco is the perfect opportunity to take advantage of the many free activities and events that are regularly hosted at Salesforce Park. The park has many family-friendly activities such as Toddler Thursdays or a recess cart on Saturdays. Plus, dance classes, trivia, and fitness bootcamps are all available at the park.
17. Try the rapidly growing sport Padel on the new SF courts
Padel, a mix of tennis, racket ball, and pickle ball has quickly gained popularity, and now SF is home to many new courts that you can reserve. Plus, you can rent equipment for the sport at the new courts.
18. Watch a free movie in a beautiful SF park
Sundown Cinema is back for another year of free moving screenings in the park, and it’s the perfect way to end a beautiful day in SF. The screening happen every few weeks, with some of your favorite movies on the schedule.
Check out the full schedule here:
- Friday, May 17 @ Dolores Park – Selena (sing-along)
- Friday, June 14 @ Presidio – Bullitt
- Friday, July 12 @ Glen Park – Labyrinth
- Friday, August 2 @ The Ferry Building – Barbie
- Friday, September 6 @ Duboce Park – SF’s Lost Landscapes: Found Home Movies
- Friday, October 4 @ India Basin Waterfront – The Princess and the Frog
- Friday, October 18 @ Jerry Garcia Amphitheater – The Nightmare Before Christmas (costume contest)
19. Take a stroll around these great shopping streets
San Francisco has plenty of great streets for window shopping and checking out some great local stores. Some of our favorites include Haight Street for vintage shopping and great thrifting, Grant Street filled with adorable shops in North Beach, and many more. Check out the full list of shopping treats perfect for exploring on a nice day.
20. Explore a new neighborhood with a scenic walk
Sometimes the best way to enjoy the weather is with a nice walk, and there’s plenty of great places in SF to get your steps in. You can explore the historic Presidio or give yourself a little workout withe the famous Lyon Street Steps in Pacific Heights.