The next fee-free days at U.S. National Parks will be September 25, 2010, 2010. More than 100 national parks will waive entrance fees for certain Free Days this year, including several in the San Francisco Bay Area, like Muir Woods, San Francisco Maritime National Historical Park, and some of our California favs like Yosemite National [...]

Achilles Tours gives the phrase “running around the city” a new twist. They give unique running tours of San Francisco, and offer a FREE “mystery fun run,” at a leisurely pace, every second Friday of every month. “We tell everyone where and when to meet, and the distance and difficulty level of the run, but [...]

This weekend, you can get a more than half off a two-hour kayak rental in Sausalito or in Half Moon Bay. This will appeal to beginners (and families) who like to paddle around the calmer waters, and to experienced paddlers who can ride the surf in wilder waters. The vouchers are good all year. The [...]

If you’ve ever thought about riding a bike around San Francisco, but didn’t want to pedal up all the hills, get a deal on an Electric Bike Tour that lets you ride around the city and over the Golden Gate Bridge to Sausalito, with a return by ferry. You can book this tour for $10 [...]

The Half Moon Bay Art and Pumpkin Festival (October 16-17, 2010), in the little town of Half Moon Bay, will draw the usual huge crowds of Bay Area folks willing to fight the terrible traffic just to see the giant pumpkins parade down Main Street. Or maybe it’s the pumpkin pie, pumpkin ice cream, and [...]

Of all the beautiful cycling tours in the Bay Area, these Wine Country tours are among the most popular. The emphasis here is on wine country and beauty rather than hardcore cycling, so don’t worry if you’re not fit for the Tour de France. Each of the following Napa Valley bicycle tours provide a relaxing [...]

Want to ride a Segway? I do. We’ve all seen these things gliding around the city, so, of course, I had to find out how to score a ride on one at a discount. Currently there are three ways to enjoy a Segway tour in San Francisco “on the cheap” from three different tour companies. [...]

Bay Area yoga classes are fun, but you can also get out of the studio and enjoy yoga runs, yoga bike rides, yoga hike/wine tastings, and other yoga adventures on the cheap. “Divine Footprints is all about combining outdoor activities with yoga,” says Kristen Atkinson, certified yoga instructor and Divine Footprints founder. Kristen loves Bay [...]

San Francisco Sunday Streets is back, with several upcoming dates for 2010. SF Sunday Streets, San Francisco is a fun and safe car-free way for families to explore different SF neighborhoods and participate in a wide variety of activities — most of them free. You can walk, bike or skate with family, and friends, enjoy free [...]

Here’s a great way to tour Sonoma for the day — paddle down the Russian River in an inflatable canoe. Take the family, take the dog, or just take it easy and roll down the river with your feet up over the tubes … all for half the regular price. This eco-adventure takes place along [...]

Want to get your 8-17-year-olds away from the remote? Sign them up for the Young Eagles program and let them take to the sky for free. The Young Eagles program, sponsored by the US Experimental Aircraft Association (EEA), invites youths interested in aviation to fly free on board a registered airplane flown by a licensed pilot. [...]

The Bay Area Dragons offer FREE dragon boat lessons every Saturday at 10:30 am in Foster City. They provide the life jackets, paddles, boats, and expert coaching. A dragon boat is a 44 foot canoe that seats 20 paddlers. Their flyer describes the dragon boat racing as “one of the fastest growing sports in North [...]

Want to circle the city–by bicycle? I found this posting for a test ride of San Francisco’s 49-Mile Scenic Bike Ride, planned for this weekend (Sunday, May 23, 2010) by David Baker + Partners, Architects. Riffing on the San Francisco Downtown Association’s 1938 49-Mile Scenic Drive, the bike ride gives you a close up and [...]

Riding a bike around the city is a great way to go green and get in shape. But it’s a lot easier to venture out when you know what you’re doing. Fortunately, the San Francisco Bicycle Coalition offers free bike education classes to help more people become safe and confident urban cyclists. These two-part workshops, [...]

When I was in my 20′s, I thought Tai Chi was just some silliness for old short people, not for me. Let’s just say I’ve been enlightened. When I see people in the parks practicing this ancient form of internal martial art, I’m intrigued and want to learn more. Some say Tai Chi’s graceful, dance-like [...]

If you’re faint of heart or afraid of heights, stick to mental mountain climbing and stop reading now. For the rest of you, check out the deals at Outback Adventures. This outfit will lead you on outdoor rock climbing trips to unique and beautiful Bay Area and Northern California destinations, some protected by State Parks, [...]

UPDATE: We will add many more Tahoe lift ticket deals and discounts for the 2010-2011 season. Bookmark this page or subscribe so you won’t miss any Tahoe skiing and sliding discounts, deals and coupons. _____ Skiers and sliders: You can get the Shell gas deal of one free lift ticket when you buy another adult [...]

Point Reyes National Seashore, in West Marin, provides hikers with some of the best views around: waves crashing against rocky headlands, fern-laden canyons, open grasslands, lush hillsides, and shaded forests. Bear Valley Trail is the most popular hike in the park. Tomales Point Trail offers views of the ocean. But if you’re not ambitious, Earthquake [...]

If you liked last month’s Treasure Island Sailing Center deal (Treasure Island Celebration – Sail & Kayak Free), there’s another free TISC family event you’ll enjoy on May 22, in honor of Safe Boating Week (May 22-28). The event offers free boat rides, music, games, raffle prizes, safety demonstrations, and they’ll even throw in a [...]

When life is sliding out of control, there’s only one thing to do: outslide it–and the Seward Slides Minipark is just the place for it. You’ll whoosh down so fast you’ll land on your butt, probably in a pile of cardboard left over from …