by Chelsea Haley

Created on: February 14, 2009

One of the most invigorating and refreshing leisure activities is jogging. Running is sometimes too exhausting, but jogging helps one keep a steady pace and gives a person the energy and strength he needs throughout the day. One of the most beautiful places to jog is San Francisco. This city provides varying terrains and scenery. Here are some of the top places in San Francisco to go jogging:

Lake Merced Municipal Park:

With it's fairly flat asphalt sidewalk and quiet atmosphere, it is a very relaxing part of the city to go jogging. It's path is about five miles long and surrounded by beautiful golf courses.

Fort Point:

This fort was built before the American Civil War to defend the bay against warships. It is located on the south side of the entrance of the Golden Gate bridge. Lace up your running shoes for a quick jog, which will land you right under the Golden Gate bridge. The fort provides a beautiful view of the bay, as well as some interesting history.

Mountain Lake Park:

If you have children, bring them along with you to Mountain Lake. The park has a playground for the kids, as well as a lake for the children to feed the ducks. And, you can run around the park on its beautiful jogging trails. It also has a nice family picnic area to take a break from running and enjoy a delicious homemade sandwich.

Huntington Park:

Here is another place you can bring your kids along to since it also has a small playground. The park is located in Nob Hill, but since it's sort of tucked away, only locals tend to gather here, which makes it a relaxing area. It has a pretty fountain in the center and a beautiful view of the Grace Cathedral. And, it has grassy fields if you want to enjoy a family picnic or read a book after a nice run.

Crissy Field:

If you're looking for a place to run barefoot on the beach with the wind in your hair, you will want to go to Crissy Field. It has 100 acres of open shoreline. And, it has a gorgeous view of the Golden Gate Bridge, as well as views of the city and Alcatraz. In the 1920s, the area became one of America's main military airfields and a part of the Presidio army base. Today, most of those buildings still stand. Up on shore, Crissy Field has museums, cafs, and gift shops.

There you have it, some of the best places to go for a relaxing jog in San Francisco. Just remember to eat light beforehand, and do not eat a lot of dairy that could make you sick. Also, check the weather, since San Francisco is close to the water, it tends to be windy and chilly.

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