Everyone has hard days and weeks, and it’s always important to make space for your mental health and give yourself an opportunity to clear your head. Sometimes you only have a few moments to take a deep breath, but if you have more time, there are some wonderful places in SF you can go to help you feel less stressed. Take a look at some of our recommendations for places to relax after a bad day.
1. Indulge in a happy hour
Sometimes you just need an after work drink, and luckily they don’t have to be expensive. There are plenty of great happy hours in SF if you want to unwind after a long work day. From scenic waterfront restaurants like Waterbar to rooftop delights at El Techo in the Mission, there are many great options.
2. Take a scenic hike in the city
Getting out in nature and moving is a great way to fight off stress and clear your head. Lucky for us, SF is filled with plenty of local hikes with incredible views, and they’re often right in the city and accessible by public transit. Land’s End is a popular destination, along with the Presidio Loop.
3. Enjoy the view in a scenic park
This hidden, peaceful park is the perfect place to clear your head. Nestled on the hilltop in North Beach, Jack Early Park offers beautiful views of the bay from a secluded perch. Bring a coffee or your lunch and enjoy the view in the quiet atmosphere.
4. Eat some great comfort food
If you’re having a bad day getting some warm comfort food in your stomach can be very calming. Our personal favorite is a warm bowl of ramen to help you get through a hard day. Check out some of these tasty ramen places in SF to you clear your head.
5. Go for a long walk
Sometimes the best way to clear your head is with a simple walk. If you don’t have time to get in a full hike in nature, a walk in the city is still very therapeutic. Check out our recommendations for a good walk SF, including Golden Gate Park, Marina Green, and more.
6. Check out this tea room and yoga studio
The Center SF is a cozy tea room filled with comfy chairs great for relaxing. The space also includes a yoga studio with daily classes and meditations, perfect for clearing your mind. Grab some tea, bring a book and settle in for a relaxing afternoon.
7. Wander through the Botanical Garden
The SF Botanical Garden is stunning all year with various plants and gardens perfect for exploring. The gardens cover 55 acres with beautiful landscaping and are open daily.
8. Try some retail therapy
Whether you want to buy yourself a treat or just window shop there are some great places to shop in SF. Check out these shopping streets filled with delightful local shops to get the retail therapy started.
9. Check out a free art museum
The ICA in SF is a free contemporary art museum that consistently hosts exciting art exhibitions. The museum recently moved to a stunning downtown location that is definitely worth checking out.
10. Have a picnic at Dolores Park
The stunning park is perfect for relaxing in SF, especially if the sun is out. Pick up some takeout from a restaurant in the Mission and spend the day in the park enjoying the view and people watching.
11. Browse a local bookstore
Pickup a new book at a cute local bookshop to help take clear your head. SF has plenty of great local bookstores, and it’s a great way to spend an afternoon looking at new books.
12. Go to a free yoga class
Salesforce Park regularly hosts free events, including yoga classes. Not only are the classes free, but they happen right in the scenic park that is conveniently located downtown.
See also: 30 Lovely Things To Do This November 2024 In San Francisco