The week before last we featured Maui as a great fitness vacation location and this week we will be highlighting three cities in the State of California as the great fitness vacation location. California is a huge state and there a many locations that would be great for a fitness vacation, but we just have space for three cities. While the rest of the nation offers wonderful options as well, the focus is upon locations that I have personally experienced recently, and there are only so many weeks to cover this topic. So, perhaps next summer we will concentrate on other fitness vacation locations within this wonderful country. As always, prior to beginning any exercise program, please consult your physician.

San Francisco

With its hilly terrain and temperate climate, San Francisco offers many great fitness vacation options. There are, of course, dozens of fantastic health clubs and fitness studios that offer drop-in options for the visitor. And, most good hotels/resorts include a health club on the premises or at least access to one close by. That said, one of the most challenging ways to stay fit while in this city is physically experiencing the hilly terrain. You can go for a walk/run from downtown to Fisherman's Wharf and back, and trust me, your calves and shins will be talking to you the next day. There are hiking and cycling trails nearby many with spectacular views of the bay and Golden Gate/Bay Bridges which makes this a great fitness vacation location.

Los Angeles

Well, talk about the land of the health clubs and cutting edge fitness trends, Los Angeles is simply amazing. Take the time to drop-in to some of these clubs and treat yourself to fitness trends that you may not have experienced. Many resorts offer health clubs, tennis courts and swimming pools to spice up your workouts and the close proximity to the beaches, hiking and cycling trails/paths make this city a great place to visit and workout. In the surrounding communities which are plentiful, you have access to mountain terrain conducive to mountain biking. Add to that the beautiful weather that this location provides and you have an ideal environment to get your outside workouts in almost all year round.

San Diego

Having attended many fitness conferences in San Diego, I can attest to all of the fitness vacation options it offers. Again, due to its size and lovely weather, outdoor fitness options are numerous. Whether you are right in the downtown area and can run around the marina, or in the outskirts where you have access to the beach communities where just about everyone owns a bike or a pair of running shoes, you have the flexibility to exercise regularly while on vacation.

It has been fun to share with you the great fitness vacation locations of Colorado, Maui and California. If you have any questions regarding any of these locations, please feel free to drop me an email and I can provide you with specifications and details for health clubs, cycling/running trails/paths or resorts that offer fantastic health clubs.

Next week, get ready for training tips for Fall 2010.

Jackie Wright is the owner/manager of Never Summer Fitness, LLC located in Grand Lake, Colorado. She can be reached at her website at www.neversummerfitness.com, her email at NSFGL@comcast.net and her blog at www.skyhidailynews.com