San Francisco

san Fransisco, america
They say only in San Francisco for a reason. San Francisco is the fourth most populous city in California, and the 12th most populous in the United States. Known for its culture, music, diversity, picturesque views throughout the city, and not to forget you’re are just a skip away from wine country. Need I say more?  San Francisco is close to Napa, Lake Tahoe, Silicon Valley, the Ocean, and Santa Cruz making it a backpackers paradise. Skiing one day and surfing the next, and well mix a little wine in there in between.

Costs in San Francisco

  • Hostel Prices:Dorm rooms cost between $20-$27 and private rooms $33-$40 per night.
  • Budget Hotel Prices: Budget hotels cost between $60-90 USD per night for a double room.
  • Average Cost of Food: San Francisco offers quite a few budget menus and moderately priced eateries to its visitors. Chinese food is very good here, and tends to be less expensive than other choices. If you go to SFGate.com and click on advanced search you can find over 200 Bay-area restaurants offering meals for less than $10 USD.
  • Cost of Internet: You can find free wi-fi access across the city and in Starbucks. Hostels have free wi-fi too and the library has computer terminals.
  • Public Transportation Cost: The SFMTA applies to buses, metros, and historic streetcars. You can buy an adult pass for $2.00. Or you can but a 1-day pass for $13, 3 day pass for $20, or a 7 day pass for $26.

Things to Do in San Francisco

  • Visit Fisherman’s Warf, Pier 39, and Ghirardelli Square: This covers numerous blocks along the waterfront, is the pure image of San Francisco, and one of the most popular free things to do in the city. There are street performers, souvenir shops, and tons of restaurants. This is a very popular area, and of course full of tourist. It is a an area you need to see, but keep in mind to divulge into the local areas of San Fran, and not spend too much time in this area.
  • The Golden Gate Bridge: The Golden Gate Bridge may be one of San Francisco’s most famous locations as well as being an piece of engineering art. This is also one of the most photographed sights in the world. You must take a walk on the Golden Gate Bridge while you are there. Be sure and venture over to the Golden Gate Park from here as well.
  • Visit Alcatraz: Alcatraz is one of the most popular destinations in San Francisco. This is a former federal prison on Alcatraz Island and is a landmark famous throughout the world. There is not charge to visit the island, but you will have to pay to get there. A Smart Destination San Francisco CityPass would be best to consider.
  • Mission San Francisco: This is San Francisco’s oldest building and California’s second oldest Spanish mission. Mission San Francisco preserves the city’s beginnings and gives you a window into its Spanish past..
  • Ride the Cable Cars: Riding the cable cars are an excellent way to tour the city and experience various neighborhoods in San Francisco. Map out your route and head out to explore the city! Also visit the Cable Car Barn Museum where you can see the massive motors that spin the cables that draw San Fran’s cable cars up and down the hills. Exhibits include antique cable cars and photos from renovation.
  • Visit the Exploratorium: This is a hands-on science museum inside The Palace of Fine Arts. A Roman style remainder of the 1915 Panama-Pacific International Exposition. The outdoor rotunda, and its lagoon, are some of the city’s most photographed sites.
  • Camera Obscura: The small building behind the Cliff House dressed up like a giant camera is a camera obscura, its design based on a fifteenth century design by Leonardo da Vinci. Inside, views are reflected from the surrounding ocean and beach and displayed on a parabolic dish.
  • Chinatown: Next to NYC, this is the most famous Chinatown in the United States. Immigrants from China first came to the west coast and first to San Francisco. Explore the shops and eateries here in this amazing area.
  • Harbor Tours: Take a cruise of the bay to see the city from the water.

Budget Tips for San Francisco

  • Eat with the locals: San Francisco has tons of restaurants and dining options. Know that high traffic tourist areas and Fisherman’s Wharf area will be pricier than venturing and finding a local place. Scout out where the locals eat and go there instead!
  • Hop on cable cars in less populated areas: When riding the cable cars Ghirardelli Square is typically where most climb aboard so the lines are long. Find stops on the street along of the cable car routes to hop on instead. You will purchase your ticket for $5 for a single ride or you can get a smart destinations San Francisco CityPass and get local attractions including cable car rides.
  • Parking for the Golden Gate Bridge: If walking the Golden Gate Bridge, The Marin County side has a free parking lot at Vista Point, but you will drive a one-way $5 toll to drive across to San Francisco. Or there is a metered parking area on the San Francisco side and you can opt to do the entire 3.4 roundtrip experience.
  • Seek out the free events: Union Square is a prime hot spot where you will find exhibits or various other forms of free entertainment. This is also a prime area to see the works of local artists.
  • Don’t get a rental car: It is incredibly expensive to park in San Francisco, and with some of the best public transportation in the country, take advantage of this!