Get Out of Town and Stay Out: Top 5 Outdoors Cities

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Get Out of Town and Stay Out: Top 5 Outdoors Cities
When you want the excitement and glamour of the city, as well asthe calm and quiet of the great outdoors, make tracks for thesefive stimulating cities.

By Aefa Mulholland


Who says that you cant have the best of both worlds? Check outthese hot, fit cities that offer fantastic accommodations,thrilling restaurants, and pulsating nightlife, as well as asurfeit of outdoors opportunities within city limits and on theirdoorsteps.

Seattle
Like its outdoors adventure-focused neighbors, Portland andVancouver, Seattle is a city obsessed with going out to play. Localpapers run Hike of the Week columns, mountain bike ownership ispractically obligatory, and when summer fades, Seattleites gamelyswap their trail running shoes for snowshoes and hit the slopes.

What to Pack: Running gear, hiking boots, climbing gaiters, skis, snowboard,snowshoes, mountain bike, fishing rod, deck shoes, PFD.

Make Tracks: Run or bike in the fresh Pacific breeze along the citys 75 milesof trails through parks and across sandy beaches. Kayak or sailLake Washington or Lake Union, or head out into the Puget Sound forstunning skyline views. Head north to Mount Baker, east toSnoqualmie, or south to looming Mount Rainier for incredible hikesand climbs among alpine flowers in summer. In winter, Mount Bakerand Snoqualmie offer spectacular slopes for skiing, snowboarding,and snowshoeing.

Going Clubbing: Its no surprise that Seattle has a slew of LGBT outdoors clubs.If you want to join other like-minded types, contact Out Ventures and head out hiking, climbing, backpacking, horseback riding,kayaking, biking, and scuba diving.

San Francisco
San Francisco is a perfect urban playground with a plethora ofparks to play Frisbee in, an abundance of natural wonders withineasy reach, and think of the exercise youll get just by hiking upthose hills.

What to Pack: Wetsuit, running gear, hiking boots, climbing gaiters, chalk bag,mountain bike, fishing rod, deck shoes, PFD.

Make Tracks: Pedal over the Golden Gate Bridge and head left for the three-mileclimb up to the headlands to glorious city views. Also across thebridge, Mount Tamalpais is the perfect spot for hiking, running, orjust picnicking. Ocean Beach, in Golden Gate National RecreationArea, is a top spot for surfing.

Going Clubbing: The city has dozens of gay sports and outdoors clubs. Contact SanFrancisco Gay Hiking Club (www.sfhiking.com), Different Spokes , or San Francisco Gay Outdoors Club and hit the road.

Phoenix
Among its dramatic red buttes and striking rock formations, Phoenixoffers some utterly spectacular outdoors opportunities.

What to Pack: Running gear, hiking boots, mountain bike, chalk bag.

Make Tracks: Home to petroglyphs and a natural rock crevice, South MountainPark is the worlds largest city park. Hike, bike, run, climb, orhorseback ride its 16,500 acres. For cliffs, caves, and Dr.Seuss-esque rock formations, head to Camelback Mountain. The viewsfrom the summit make the arduous 2.32-mile climb worthwhile. Theglowing red volcanic mountains of Papago Park, on the border ofPhoenix and Tempe, make excellent options for less experiencedhikers.

Going Clubbing: Desert Adventures organize camping, hiking, and other outdoors adventures for theLGBT community.
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