I love a boozy brunch as much as the next 30-something, but sometimes I just get the itch to be a little more adventurous. I’ll admit that being a thrill seeker is a new phenomenon for me; I used to be scared of pretty much everything—the ocean, heights, kickball, fish (well, I’m still kind of scared of fish)—but I eventually realized that opting out of things that freaked me out often meant missing out on some really incredible experiences.
So I decided to stop being such a namby-pamby, and ever since, I’ve tried some pretty wild things in the Bay Area. It turns out that we live in a perfect place for overcoming one’s fears, whatever they might be. So whether you’re an adrenaline junkie or just ready to stop being a wuss, you’re in luck—we’ve put together a list of eight of the area’s most exhilarating activities.
1) Swim with Great White Sharks at the Farallon Islands
Just 29 miles away from the Golden Gate Bridge, great white sharks are gathering around the Farallon Islands to hunt and mate. The islands fall inside the San Francisco city limits, making it the only major metropolitan city in the world to host a population of white sharks. Going to visit them sounds a little insane, and it probably is, given that this is an activity that is legitimately scary (though safe). After all, we’re talking about the apex predator of the ocean. Gulp.
There are a few different companies that’ll cruise out to the Farrallons in search of sharks and other marine life (check out Great White Adventures or Shark Stewards). You can go all in by diving in a shark cage, or you can stay onboard and rely on a trusty pair of binoculars instead. Just be warned that there’s no guarantee that you’ll see a shark, and if you do, you’ll probably witness a “feeding event” (a shark eating a seal).
Great White Adventures, 201 University Avenue, Berkeley—starting at $375 for a for a 12-hour, all-inclusive excursion
2) Rock-Wall Climbing in the Presidio
Climbing to the top of a 45-foot wall might sound a bit terrifying (especially for those of us who didn’t exactly excel in P.E. or have a fear of heights), but it’s not nearly as scary as you might think. At Planet Granite, an indoor rock-climbing and fitness facility at Crissy Field, the instructors put you at ease, giving you a full-fledged safety lesson before you even touch the wall. It’s definitely a workout and is empowering; you feel more confident with each step, and the feeling you get at the top is worth the effort.
It’s true that you might fall (but your harness will catch you), and if you look down, you might wanna hurl, but I promise you that you’ll be just fine. Plus, after you’ve conquered the wall, you can celebrate your achievement with a (mimosa-filled) picnic at Crissy field.
Planet Granite, 924 Mason Street, San Fransico—$25
3) Flying-Trapeze Lessons
If the idea of flying through the air with nothing but your own body strength standing between you and the ground totally freaks you out, then this is the adventure for you—or maybe it isn’t. My palms are sweating just thinking about it!
But don’t worry; it’s totally safe. The instructors at Circus Center, a performing-arts school offering lessons on all things circus, really know their stuff. And if you fall (which you probably will), your harness will allow you to glide gently down onto the safety net. Even better? If you totally fall in love with the trapeze, you can enroll in legit classes in which you’ll learn how to flip and fly through the air. How cool would it be if the flying trapeze was your hidden talent?
Circus Center, 755 Frederick Street—starting at $25 per class
4) Take a Seaplane Tour over the City
This one checks a lot of the classic fears: water, small propeller planes and heights — eek! But the breathtaking, panoramic views make the anxiety worth it. Seaplane Adventures has been doing tours of the Bay Area by seaplane for decades. You’ll board a six-passenger plane at their headquarters just north of Sausalito, cruise out into Richardson Bay and take off from the water. Soaring over the city in a tiny plane is pretty invigorating, and the pilot will tell you all kinds of fun facts along the way. You’ll also get to see views of the Golden Gate Bridge, Alcatraz, Muir Woods, downtown SF and more. It’s stunning from every angle.
After you land, treat yourself to lunch in Sausalito, where you can watch the next seaplane tour take off, knowing that you have been there, done that. Man, you’re such a badass.
Seaplane Adventures, 242 Redwood Highway Frontage Road, Mill Valley—starting at $149
5) Hug a 300-Pound Pig
Take a trip down to Half Moon Bay to visit the animals that live at Sweet Farm Sanctuary, and you’ll make tons of new furry, feathered and curly haired friends — both big and small. This outing may be heaven for some animal lovers but frightening for those who don’t do well with them. If that’s you, never fear, as rescue pigs Kevin, Piggy Sue and Piggy Smalls are here to help you conquer your fears. Hot tip: pigs love belly rubs and snout scratches. Sweet Farm also rescues and provides a lifelong home to goats, chickens, cows, ducks and sheep.
The farm hosts a monthly Member’s Day each May through October. You can also do a private tour of up to six people for a suggested donation of $150. During the tour, you’ll learn all about each resident animal’s unique survival or adoption story while getting up close and personal with your new pals.
The Sweet Farm, 131 Tunitas Creek Raod, Half Moon Bay—$65 for a one-time membership fee or $150 as a suggested donation for a group of up to six
6) Race a Car at the Sonoma Speedway
You know that feeling you get after watching a Fast and Furious movie? Like, you really want to drive your car at 100 MPH down Van Ness? Well, you can get the same feeling with a quick trip up to wine country for a race experience. This one is pricey, but if you can swing the dough, it’s highly recommended.
The Sonoma Raceway is home to a race-car school, Simraceway Performance Driving Center, where you can take an F3 race car or even a McClaren for a spin on a real-life race track. And if it turns out that you’re a natural, you can think about entering the next drag-race bracket. You’re basically Vin Diesel now. And if you can’t swing the price tag, you can rent speedy go-carts for a less—albeit still hefty—fee.
Simraceway Performance Driving Center, Turn 1, 29359 Arnold Drive, Sonoma—starting at $1,495
7) Learn to Shoot a Bow and Arrow in Golden Gate Park
OK, so this might not be scary, per se, but it’ll make you feel like a totally empowered BAMF, so I think it belongs on the list. Channel your inner Katniss Everdeen (you know you want to) with an archery lesson at the SF Archery Pro Shop.
Let me tell you: it’s not as easy as it looks, but trying to hit the bull’s-eye (and occasionally succeeding) is really fun. And yes, feel free to wear your hair in a side braid and be fierce. Open to both serious archers and novices alike.
SF Archery Pro Shop, 3795 Balboa Street, San Francisco—starting at $25
8) Jump out of an Airplane over the Freaking Ocean
Skydiving is the ultimate way to face your fears—and what better place to do that than over the sparkly blue sea? If you’re up for a mini road trip down the coast, check out Surf City Skydiving in Santa Cruz. If you can, try to go first. Having to watch as someone else falls out of your tiny airplane into the vast, open sky can be freaky, and it’s best to just get it done.
The anticipation is the worst part. After the heart-pounding jump and minute or so of free-falling, your parachute will open, and your fear is likely to totally evaporate as you take in the incredible views. Eventually, you’ll float down to the beach for a nice, safe landing, still high from the whole experience.
Surf City Skydiving, 160 Aviation Way, Watsonville—starting at $199
