FREE MUSEUM DAYS or FREE EVENTS
When deciding on when to visit San Francisco, look for free days and/or discounts. Go online to museum and attraction websites and check on their exhibits, as well as specials. For instance, on the first Tuesday and Wednesday of the month, various museums around the city offer free admission. If with a group, this can be especially budget-saving.
Also, on any day of the year, you can visit either the de Young Museum or Legion of Honor and then visit its sister museum (the same day) for free, using the same ticket. Plus, with the de Young Museum in Golden Gate Park and the Legion of Honor in Lincoln Park, you’re sure to get a full day of sightseeing out of the excursion(s) (e.g. the Japanese Tea Garden, Strybing Arboretum, Land’s End, Cliff House, etc.).
Tuesdays:
California Historical Society | Cartoon Art Museum (pay any fee you wish) | Conservatory of Flowers | de Young Museum | Legion of Honor | Museum of Craft & Folk Art | San Francisco Museum of Modern Art | Yerba Buena Center for the Arts
Wednesdays:
Exploratorium | San Francisco Zoo
And finally, remember Thursdays. On Thursdays, the Asian Art Museum is open late and admission is only $5 after 5 p.m.; at the San Francisco Museum of Modern Art, admission is half-price from 6 p.m.-9 p.m.; and when the California Academy of Sciences opens back up, look for the return of Third Thursdays, which keeps the museum open until 9 p.m. at a reduced admission.
FREE ATTRACTIONS (More)
There are also various free attractions to not be missed. Some are natural, while at least one, is mechanical (Musee Mecanique). Free admission means you only spend what you want. Just remember your camera and you’ll have a lovely time, snapping photos of striking scenes, tranquil views, and interesting sights.
- Musee Mecanique: Pier 45, at the end Taylor Street. Relocated in 2002, the mechanical museum houses nickel-and-dime ($.25 or $.50) musical instruments and antique arcade games.
- Golden Gate Park: An awesome urban park full of beauty. From the Shakespeare Garden of Flowers to the Japanese Tea Garden (cherry blossoms in the spring) to the windmills, tulips, lake, ponds, and conservatory.
- Ocean Beach: A favorite for surfers, the beach runs along the coast of the Pacific Ocean. Nearby is the Cliff House, Sutro Baths, and the San Francisco Zoo.
In the summertime, there are a number of concerts held for free. Starting in mid-April for instance, enjoy Sunday afternoon concerts in Golden Gate Park; from May through October, nearly 100 programs will be held in Yerba Buena Gardens. The festival features music, theater, dance, and cultural events right in the heart of South of Market; and finally, there’s the Stern Grove Festival. In 2007, the historic outdoor fest enjoyed its 70th season, making it the oldest admission-free summer festival of its kind in the United States. Each year, it stages a great lineup of acts, from opera to classical to folk to rock. The outdoor amphitheater at Sigmund Stern Grove proves a perfect venue every time.
BUDGET EATS
San Francisco’s restaurants collectively are a draw for visitors. The diverse cuisine, the wine lists, the commitment to supporting local growers. All of this and more contribute to the richness of S.F.’s restaurant scene. To experience it, research databases (like at SFGate.com or Yelp) and see which restaurants within a certain price range are scoring high. For more recommendations, be sure to ask your hotel concierge when you arrive (or the locals, who all have favorites).
And finally, starting in 2008, remember that the city’s Dine About Town promotion is being offered twice a year: January 15-31 and June 1-15. With it, you can enjoy three-course prix-fixe meals for a set price: $21.95 per person for lunch and/or $31.95 per person for dinner. Some of the cities finest restaurants participate in the promotion each year and it’s a great way to sample some of S.F.’s best.
PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION
Using public transportation is not only a good idea when in San Francisco, but also a contribution to the environment. Be green and ditch that rental car (exception: taking the 49-mile Scenic Drive for the day).
A MUNI (Municipal Railway) pass provides you access to the city’s public transportation system, including streetcars, buses, the Metro, and cable cars. A one-day All-Day Passport is only $11. Depending on the length of your stay in S.F., there’s also a 3-day pass ($18) and a 7-day (bargain $24). To provide more perspective on MUNI pass savings, consider this:
- The fare for a cable car ride alone is $5 each way; an experience well worth the price, but with a Passport, you can ride it all day long for $11. After two rides, it’s essentially free.
- Parking is expensive. If you can find it, you’ll likely pay much more than $11. Maximum parking fees in garages are reached pretty quickly and though your car will be safe, you’ll likely spend a good deal of time finding an open space. An example is the Bank of America Center (555 California Street). This garage fills quickly during the week and for each 15 minutes spent there, it’s $4. The maximum is $35 a day, which you can be met in just over two hours. (This being said, a good parking bargain is the Civic Center Parking Garage between Larkin and Polk.)
So, these are my five. When planning your trip, keep them in mind and I think you’ll find that your dollars are lasting a bit longer than you thought they would. Always a pleasant and welcome surprise. Enjoy S.F.!
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