Travel tip: bay cruise

Sunset, April, 2004 by Harriot Manley

"Take me out to the ball-park" takes on a new twist in San Francisco. Now, just north of SBC Park (and south of the San Francisco--Oakland Bay Bridge) you can rent kayaks to paddle along the waterfront to McCovey Cove, which lies just beyond the park's right field wall and hosts would-be home-run ball collectors.

City Kayak, based at Pier 38, offers gear and guides. You'll love the seal's-eye view of the park, and "you can hear everything," says City Kayak owner Ted Choi, who leads special trips across the dark water for night games. And you never know when Barry Bonds might smack a splash hit your way. $15 per hour for a single kayak, $25 per hour for a double; free guides Thu--Sun (call for details). www.citykayak.com or 415/357-1010.