I left Chicago all those years ago because the winters were such a downer. Man do I feel at home this month! 22 out of 28 days of rain this month has almost everyone I talk to ready to slit their wrists or move to LA, although I hear it’s been pretty crappy there this winter too. But as you can tell from the distinctive lack of daily photos on the site recently it’s been tough to go out in the city lugging camera gear when you don’t know when the clouds are going to blow in and dump all over you. But in anticipation of a great April I started doing some research on walking tours in the city and I ran across the SF City Guides website.

According to their website City Guides, founded in 1978 , is a non-profit organization with more than 200 trained volunteers who lead FREE history and architectural walking tours in San Francisco. We are sponsored by the San Francisco Public Library and are a project of the Tides Center. Join us for a walk along the streets, sidewalks, and byways of America’s most beautiful — and fascinating — city!

After sitting inside staring out the rain covered windows that will hit the spot! I love this city for it’s sheer walkability to begin with and this is even more of an excuse to get out and see it. From all the places in the country I’ve lived San Francisco is without a doubt the best city for walking that I’v ever lived in and I’ve said so on this site many times. Many many times :-) Why go to the gym and run on a treadmill when you can get to somewhere scenic with fresh air in a matter of minutes from almost anywhere in the city? Just go outside and start walking or running or riding your bike or whatever it is you do! For the most part it’s an amazingly safe city (until they start taking all the handguns that is) so why not enjoy it on foot.

SF City Guides offers tours 52 weeks a year, rain or shine with approximately 30 different walks each month. Check out the schedule if you are in the mood to get out of the house. I know I sure as hell am…