“This is a sponsored post written on behalf of Hipmunk.”
The City by the Bay is famous for being an expensive city to visit, but with a few tips and affordable hotels in San Francisco, you can have a great experience and not break your travel budget.
Free Things to do in San Francisco
San Francisco has several museums with free admission one day per month. It is usually the first Sunday, but may be the first Tuesday or Wednesday. Some of the museums are:
– California Academy of Sciences
– Exploratorium
– Asian Art Museum
Admission is always free at:
– The Cable Car Museum
– The Wells Fargo History Museum
– The San Francisco Fire Museum
– The Golden Gate Bridge
Other fun things to do that immerse you in the atmosphere of the city are a trip down Lombard Street, Golden Gate Park where there are performances and other attractions, Chinatown and Fisherman’s Wharf and Pier 39 and the 49-Mile Drive. If you have a car, you can travel on the 49-Mile Scenic Drive that showcases San Francisco’s major attractions including the Palace of Fine Arts, Stow Lake and Twin Peaks. It is a designated scenic road tour and was created in 1938 for the Golden Gate International Exposition.
Some Tips for Saving
There is a lot of good seafood in San Francisco, and the most expensive is at Fisherman’s Wharf. It’s a great place to visit, but find your favorite seafood dinner somewhere else.
Start your requisite cable car ride at California Street. The ride up the hill is exciting and you can get off at Chinatown or Nob Hill.
When visiting Chinatown, avoid the tourist attractions on Grant Street and visit the side streets.
Enjoy a hot-fudge sundae at Ghirardelli Square, but buy your chocolate elsewhere.
Find a multi-attraction pass. It will save you money on admission fees.
Take a free walking tour of the city with a volunteer guide.
Do Some Prison Time
Visit Alcatraz. It may take a half-day, but you won’t regret it. It’s one of the most popular sites in the city and there is more on the island than the cell blocks. You’ll get an audio tour and be able to walk around the island on your own to visit the beautiful gardens that were started by and tended by inmates for more than 100 years. You’ll also get some spectacular views of the Golden Gate Bridge and the city viewed from the bay. The ferry leaves and returns to Pier 33 on the Embarcadero.
The Beach
Ocean Beach on the western border of the city is the best beach for families. The Cliff House is nearby and, even if you don’t go in the water, you can watch people participating in many watersports such as kite-sailing, surfing, skim boarding and fishing. It’s the best place in the city to fly a kite. At Cliff House you get a great view of Seal Rock where seals take a rest from the crashing waves. A nearby camera obscura gives great 360 degree views of the area.
San Francisco has a lot of attractions that have admission fees, but it you plan ahead and find a budget hotel, hostel or vacation rental, you can save a lot and have enough to enjoy all the attractions the city has to offer.
This article was written and provided by Fiona Moriarty of Hipmunk, the ultimate platform for all your travel needs.
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