The single greatest thing about living in San Francisco is there is literally anything under the sun you could ask for by way of activities within the city’s 49-square-mile confines—from an aerial tour via passenger blimp to fulfilling a childhood dream of bouncing around in a room full of trampolines. And you know by now how much I like jumping.
The bizarre thing is that two Thursdays ago I went on a media hard hat tour of the new House of Air, which has been under construction since March. The place was set to open just eight days later, but it was virtually a construction zone and I was certain they wouldn’t be opening their doors for months, let alone the following week. Yet, lo and behold, somehow the place was in perfect order and all set to welcome its first visitors this past Friday.
As if the House of Air needed the added cool factor, it’s located on Mason Street just across from Crissy Field, in a nearly-LEED-certified former airplane hangar within a national park (the Presidio), with views of the Golden Gate Bridge from the Bay-facing windows sprucing up the stark interior. Only in San Francisco, kids.
It’s super easy, too: You pay your $14, receive a wrist band and Adidas rental shoes (to protect the ol’ ankles), and are admitted into the arena. No prior experience or training required. You can store your belongings in central lockers for an additional 50 cents. There’s also a cafe upfront should you need something to nibble (which I wouldn’t recommend before bouncing around like so—I made that very mistake with a late lunch of bangers and mash!).
The funny thing is that aside from one very short encounter on a trampoline with SVV in Denmark nearly five years ago, I probably haven’t been on one in over a decade. But it truly is just like riding a bike: I didn’t feel the slightest bit scared picking up my flipping where I left off as a child, as if I were a gymnast in a past life. SVV, on the other hand, was only marginally more awkward—he was the first to admit it. (I chalk it up to him being a dude.) Check out our mad skillz below.
House of Air from Camels & Chocolate on Vimeo.
The complex has specialty services such as fitness classes and organized games of dodgeball and basketball on a separate trampoline “court.” It also offers a training area for extreme athletes such as divers, wakeboarders and snowboarders to work on their moves. You don’t have to leave the little ones at home either, out of fear that they’ll get hurt: There’s the Air Junior Bounce House—one of those inflatable, castle-like structures—specifically for kids ages 3 to 6.
I was hardly expecting to leave exhausted after just an hour, but bouncing up and down for an hour gives you quite the cardio challenge, it turns out. Tip: Wear workout clothing that breathes easy, not heavy knits as I did, or you won’t be looking (or smelling, for that matter) much like a lady once you’re through.
Full disclosure: I was quite gamey by the end of our hour, not to mention out of breath. And man was I sore all day Saturday—I guess that’s the biggest difference to trampolining in your adult life! SVV felt it, too; in fact, he got up at 6:30am for an epsom salt soak in our tub. Oh the realities of getting old. (At least I’ll never be as old as my husband, heh.)
**Video taken with our favorite toy, the GoPro HD Helmet Cam.
House of Air is a mere two miles from my house, so you’d better believe I’ll be a frequent attendee. And if you’re visiting San Francisco and need a bouncing accomplice, now you know who to call. (Just don’t challenge me to a back-flipping duel, unless you’re well prepared to lose!)
Seriously? That’s awesome!
OMG that looks like so! much! fun! I love trampolining, and you guys looked like you were having a ball! Now I’m desperately trying to work out if we can fit in a quick trip to House of Air while we’re in town next month! :0)
That’s so cool! I took a trampoline class in college and it was a lot of fun. It is definitely hard work though!
I LOVE that you used the Glee version of “Jump” in your video. Hehe.
This makes me miss San Francisco. Looks so so so so fun!
I want to go! More reminders that I really want to move out there at some point.
That looks so fun! The video was cool – love the graphics/framing thingamabobs. I think I’d have wanted to lay down after 5 minutes. You rocked it!
Amazing! As a kid we had one of those giant tramps in our yard and I would spend HOURS on it. Now I’ll be hoping that Portland installs an indoor trampoline space just like this (good wintertime activity)! Thanks for sharing.
Oh my gosh, This looks like so much fun! I could feel my heart race reading your words and looking at your pictures! I wish they had these everywhere! I guess I’ll have to visit San Fran frequently! Thanks for posting this awesome adventure! Have you ever considered writing an “Adventure Fitness” type blog? LURVE IT!
When I come back again? SO GOING. Sprog would LOVE THIS!
Soooo much fun!!! What a great workout!
That looks like so much fun! When I get out to San Francisco someday soon, I’m definitely stopping there.
Is it weird that I was most shocked by the fact that you did this on a THURSDAY!? Ugh! While the rest of us are slaving away at our desks, you get to relive your youth on a trampoline! Living vicariously 🙂
OkaY, I was WAY more awkward than depicted here. Thanks sweets. And dang, you look smooth on those flippies.
Impressive back flips! I’ve been to the trampoline place in Seattle a few times (super fun!), but after reading a news article about the increased trips to the ER due to the place, I have yet to go back! Call me a scaredy cat!
That is my dream come true! Adding SFO to my list of future cities…
Wow, I LOVE that. What a great idea!
I’ve been wanting to go to this since I heard about it. Next time! It’s high up on my list of things to do in the Bay Area.
I have got to try that!
That. Is. AWESOME!
super cute video! will have to visit next time I am in SF.
omg. are you kidding me kristin? you have MAJOR hops! this looks super fun. i think a trip is definitely necessary.
also – LOVE the glee version of the song.
That is SO cool! Now I NEED to move to San Fran.
This looks so fun- wish we had something like it in NC! I also love the ‘Glee’ soundtrack to your movie!
Wow, what an awesome idea! I can imagine that while you are bouncing around you’re having a ball, but then the next day is when it hits you. I’d totally be a regular too if that was so near to me! 🙂
That looks like SO much fun! I used to love the tramp back in my gymnast days. Oh, was that almost 40 years ago. Too bad. I’d still do it again in a heart beat.
You should google Jacob Lake Inn for a writers retreat. You’d love it and be close to the North Rim, Zion and Bryce.
This looks like great fun! I hope we get one in the UK soon, great blog 🙂
you look like you’re having so much fun!
this reminded me that we wanted to try indoor sky diving when we were in l.a. but they were closed every time we went. have you ever tried it?
that looks like so much fun, i could do that the whole day
I am definitely going to House of Air the next time I’m back in San Francisco! Thanks for sharing! Looks like a lot of fun!!!
Yes! Come visit and I’ll take you there!
This is the coolest thing ever… and I’ve always LOVED trampolines and actually my dad always thought I was going to break my neck on one and would never let us do it as kids. next time I’m in San Fran… I”m doing this!!!
Had this bookmarked and just got back around to it…the video is hilarious! A friend of mine does one of the aerobics classes there and LOVES it to death. Looks like so much fun!
Well, that’s just very cool. Do they have those in other cities? I’m very impressed that you can do back flips!
Yes! All over actually. Sacramento, Vegas, Boston, Columbus, Minneapolis, Florida, Arizona, several cities in Denver–they’re everywhere! Who knew?
Superb fun by the looks of it and very well run. We have just had a trampoline park in the UK close down due to safety, which is a shame.
Keep up the fantastic fun