I have to say I’m honored to have Pavement Runner visiting today. He’s a witty one and comes up with clever 140 character compositions that would probably take me a few hours to compose. He’s a runner extraordinaire with an adorable pup and little girl. And he’s from San Francisco. What’s not to like?
******************************************
I’m happy to be a guest post on Love, Life and Surf. Christine was very gracious in agreeing to guest post over on my blog last month. She provided 5 running locations in NY for my blog, so I was excited to return the favor and share 5 running locations in San Francisco.
Crissy Field
This is a great place to start because it has a several running options. You can head north-west and run to (or across) the Golden Gate Bridge. You can also head east and run through the Marina and enjoy all the million-dollar homes with views of the Bay, Palace of Fine Arts and Alcatraz. Another option is to go south and explore the Presidio which is typically quiet, hilly, and as close to trail running as you can get within the city. If you are starting (or ending) at Crissy Field there is also a Sports Basement and it’s always a great place to shop and re-stock supplies, at a discount.
Golden Gate Park
Love it or hate it, you can’t find a more run or bike friendly area in the city (it is also 20% larger than Central Park in New York). There are various routes you can take to explore different areas. It is over three miles long (east to west) and a half mile wide (north to south). It has two lakes, two windmills, two museums, several gardens, a stadium and a conservatory… and of course, several bathroom options which is alway important when running. You can also exit the park on the west end and enjoy Great Highway, the beach and get in some hill work climbing up to the Cliff House. Penny games anyone? Also, if you haven’t taken a potty break at the Beach Chalet, you can’t be considered a Bay Area runner. #unofficialruleijustmadeup
Along the Embarcadero
This would be the 2nd option for “run and bike friendly” areas in the city, the only reason it gets knocked down is because of tourists and cars. The trick is to run it in “off” hours and you’ll have a long stretch of distance with no lights for you to wait at. Fisherman’s Wharf at one end and AT&T Park, home of the 2010 World Series Champs, at the other end. It’s a straight stretch of over 3 miles that you can run without any traffic lights… tough to beat that in the city. And another #unofficialruleijustmadeup is if you claim to be a San Francisco runner, then you have taken a number 1 at the Ferry Building at some point in your running career.
Coit Tower
It’s San Francisco, there are hills. But if you are looking for a climb with a great view, head up to Coit Tower. You can take the road and twirl your way up to the top or come up from the Embarcadero side and get in some stair work. Great views, but you also have to be aware of heavy tourist activity and cars coming around the curves. It has sweeping views of downtown and the Bay (including Golden Gate Bridge and Alcatraz). Other hill options include: Bernal Heights, Nob Hill, and the famous California St.
Everywhere!
Did you know that San Francisco is only 7×7 miles. That’s right. You could get all sections of the city in a single long run. I’ve done it on training runs and if you’ve run the San Francisco Marathon, you’ve hit most of the major spots. Here is a 22 mile run that will take you to most of the spots listed above. It has it at 21.6, but it calculates going by streets so it’s plus or minus a half mile. This route is also based on an early start time to miss most of the tourist traffic. Click here to look at the route in more detail and view what you’ll encounter.
Have you ever run in any of these San Francisco areas?
If not, which looks the most inviting?
Pavement Runner
A runner since 2006 after finishing his first marathon in Florence, Italy. You wouldn’t think that would be possible to top, but it was just the start. With 10+ full marathons completed and even more at the half distance, ultras have started to join the party. After a few 50k’s, a 50 miler is next up at the end of 2012.
Blog: PavementRunner.com
Twitter: @pavementrunner
Facebook: facebook.com/runpavementrunner
YouTube: youtube.com/user/pavementrunner
I READ THIS VERY VERY CLOSELY.
<>
I’ve biked in Golden Gate Park (and across the bridge to Sausalito). I also ran along Embarcadero in the early morning before it got too busy. So many other runners out to enjoy the beginning of the day. Great city!
Angela @ Happy Fit Mama recently posted..Zucchini Muffins
I was only in San Fran once, about ten years ago, and I got incredibly lost on one of my street runs there. Fortunately, the residents of your city are very kind, and helped navigate me home. Brian, if and when I ever get back out there, I hope to try one of your suggested running spots – and if I am super, super lucky, perhaps you will join me for a jog!
ilene recently posted..Kids
I’ve never been to San Fran. but would LOOOOOVE too!
Pavement Runner rocks tha house!
Kierston recently posted..WIAW: Plain and Simple!
Pretty pictures!! I had no idea SF was that small….
Ali recently posted..What is Tendonitis?
When I went to San Fran for the first time this summer, I stayed near Haight Ashbury and did a 9 mile loop around Golden Gate Park, ending the run at brunch back near my hotel. It was one of the best 2 hours of my life – especially seeing the Pacific Ocean for the first time, and adding a Japanese Tea Garden into my route. Amazing. This was a really nice post/roundup.
Wow, I never realized San fran was 7X7! That is so cool! I love San Fran, and would love to run there next time I am there. Great guest post!
jobo recently posted..On being at peace with food.
Ooh, I’m going to San Francisco for a conference in January and will definitely have to check these spots out. Thanks for the tips!
Beth @ Running with the Sunrise recently posted..Sore legs feel good (sometimes).
Great picks! I absolutely LOVE San Francisco. Since you are from there, do you hate when people call it San Fran or Frisco?? I grew up in the Bay Area, so it kills me when I hear this!! lol
Maureen recently posted..TRX For the First Time
You have so many great options! I have only done one run in SF years ago and it was actually guided by someone at my hotel, which I thought was a really cool idea.
misszippy recently posted..Race bag oddities
I love running in San Francisco. Having done the SF marathon quite a few times, I’ve run in most of the above. I love running over the Golden Gate Bridge, if only for the experience. I love through the Presidio, around the Museum of Fine Arts, through the Marina district. I like running the the Haight district, along the Embarcadero, past the ball park. I actually like running in Golden Gate park, but it is true that it can get boring after a while when you know there is so much to see running through the city. The first year I did the marathon (a looooong time ago), the race started on the north side of the bridge, which you ran across for the first couple miles. That year you also finished in Kezar Stadium, running a lap on the track like an Olympic athlete.
Obviously, I need to go back.
Debbie @ Live from La Quinta recently posted..#Vegan Recipe: Quinoa, Avocado, and Mandarin Orange “Chicken” Salad
Beautiful pics. I’d love to go to San Francisco some day!
naw..don’t
I’ve done a lot of running in SF – one of my toughest was a 12 miler that took me from the Embarcadero to Chrissy Field across and back from the Golden Gate with a killer finish straight up to Pac Heights. A little ambitious but the sights were amazing!
Elle @ nutritionella recently posted..what your forks & spoons say about you
I run elsewhere(NOT any of the places you mention!) when in san fran-NOT where all the people are. Crissy Field and the Embarcadero are SOOOO crowded! yuck! I have my own place. You can hear the fog horns. It’s cool and foggy and I am not telling you where because then the next time I visit it will be overrun with “jogglers”! ha!
Hi,
the pictures just look amazing! I never got to go to San Francisco on my work travels, only LA. But my colleagues always told me it was such a great city. I bet that running around the city is the best!
Mariella Lombardi recently posted..Nutrition and Fitness Tips to Slim Your Waistline
I actually live in the Bay Area (Oakland) and have never run in San Francisco! I’m inspired to truck my a** over the bridge for a long run, one of these days!
Shauna@Pleasure, not Punishment recently posted..August Stats