With its moderate temperatures year round, San Francisco is one of the best cities in the world in which to go outside and play. No matter what time of year it is, there is probably something you can find to do outside that is a lot of fun. Even if it is just “Singing in the Rain”. Beyond singing of course, there are plenty of activities that are best enjoyed out of doors. And there are few places in the world better to enjoy these outdoor activities than Golden Gate Park.

If you like wheels, there are plenty of places in the park where you can either rent biking and skating equipment. Of course if you plan on skating, it is quite easy to bring your own equipment along on your vacation. If you have children and are looking for fun activities that you can enjoy together, these are among the top on my list. Of course there are several more that you will find at Golden Gate Park as well.

I can keep my kids occupied for hours with one little Frisbee tossed between the three of them. And there are plenty of open spaces in this great park where Frisbee tossing is quite possible. In addition to Frisbee there are several other outdoor activities that can be enjoyed by you or your family.

There is an archery field and a shop where you can rent all the equipment you will need. In addition to equipment, which can be purchased or rented, you can also buy lessons for that equipment as well. If this is something you’ve never tried before, you should at least stop by and take a look. I think it’s a great sport that is incredibly fun for young and old alike. It’s also something that isn’t as commonly found as it should be so may actually be a real treat for your children.

If you love the water as I do, you will be delighted to find that in addition to beaches which offer surfing and sea animal watching, there is a huge lake in the park which offers paddleboat and row boat rentals. This is good fun and clean living if you ask me. Of course, I’m a water baby so I’m a little biased.

If water isn’t your thing, have you ever tried swing dancing? If not, it’s time you considered Lindy in the Park. Every Sunday, weather permitting, there is swing dancing from 11:00 am -2:00 pm with free lessons offered at 12:30 pm. Young and old children alike get a real thrill out of this and it’s a great way to trick yourself into exercising. Lindy in the Park is completely free and a lot of fun. If you are planning to include a trip to Golden Gate Park in your San Francisco visit, I strongly urge you to plan it for Sunday and plan to attend Lindy in the Park.

In addition to these activities there are handball tables both indoors and outdoors that can be used for a quick game. If this is something that you find interesting you might want to stake out a spot close by because there are only a few tables and a great deal of interest. Other interesting activities in Golden Gate Park include lawn bowling, tennis, dog runs, basketball, and disc golf. .

If all of that isn’t enough there are several other sites and activities available throughout the park that should spark your interest. Among those is a favorite for young and old children alike–The 1912 Herschel-Spillman carousel. This is very popular among children and seconded closely by the nearby playground. If you think about it, a day at Golden Gate Park isn’t your typical day at the park. With so much to do and see, it is hard to imagine that a day at this park isn’t a vacation in and of itself.

Black’s Beach is a two mile long, sandy strip of beach located at the base of the majestic cliffs that can be up to 300 foot high. Formally known as Torrey Pines City Beach, it’s jointly owned by the City of San Diego and the State of California. There is also a glider port atop the cliff that overlooks the beach where hang gliders and even remote control gliders can be seen soaring.

Gaining access to Black’s Beach isn’t easy due to the high cliffs and lack of stairways. The safest access is from the adjacent beaches to the north and south, although this way may be obstructed by high tides or surf.

The cliffs here are unstable as well, and slides can occur anytime, so it’s always best to stay away from them. There’s no permanent lifeguard station at this beach either. There are some on duty mid day from Spring Break through the end of the October.

Keep in mind, most California beaches experience very strong rip currents. Black’s Beach is no exception, as the rip currents can get very strong here. To be on the safe side, always swim near shore or near a lifeguard.

The water activity at Black’s Beach is virtually unregulated. Surfers and swimmers may mix, but they are all required to employ care and avoiding hurting each other.

Black’s Beach is also an excellent beach for surfing, especially at the south end. Scuba diving isn’t recommended here, due to access problems and surf conditions.

Even though access can be hard, Black’s Beach is still an excellent beach. It offers plenty of seclusion, views, and sand for the kids. If you’ve never been here, this beach can easily prove to be one of your favorites in the entire area of San Diego.