The City by the Bay boasts some of the richest cultural and technological wonders of the world. While San Francisco can feel like a slam on your wallet, there are plenty of ways to discover this elegant, timeless city on a budget.
Accommodations at regular hotels can cost well over $100 during any given season. Check out AirBnB and look for spaces in the historic, booming Mission or the Lower Haight. Both of these neighborhoods are famous and affordable, boasting the quirky energy of the city.
Start off your morning at the Ferry Building Marketplace just east of the Financial District. Have a jolt of high-quality coffee at Blue Bottle Coffee (bluebottlecoffee.com), a local superstar in the java world. For about $4, you can get the nuttiest, smoothest coffee in the area. Then stroll through the Ferry Building to sample the best bread, cheeses and produce in the area for breakfast. Pick up a round of the famous San Francisco sourdough for a few bucks and take a walk outside along the waterfront to gaze across the bay. It this point you’ve spent about $15 for breakfast and a sampling of the culture.
Ferry Building, San Francisco © Tangducminh | Dreamstime
Once you have taken in the view across the water, take a 20-minute walk towards Chinatown and stop by the Chinatown Restaurant for some classic dim sum. Sample a wide range of dishes each for around $5 apiece. After lunch, stroll by the famous City Lights Booksellers a few blocks away. The bookstore was the home of the beat poetry movement and you can find classic works as well as locally published books for a range of prices. This is the perfect spot to buy some gifts.
Sea Lions, Fisherman’s Wharf, San Francisco © Sguazzini | Dreamstime
Make your way up to Fisherman’s Wharf in the afternoon and visit the Mechanical Museum, which is free. You can also stop by the Aquarium of the Bay.Admission is $19.95 for adults, but it is one of the most prestigious aquariums in the country. If you choose to visit the aquarium you should still have about $40 left for the rest of your day.
To finish out a long day of walking throughout historic neighborhoods, take the cable car from Hyde and Beach all the way down to Powell and Market streets. For only $2.25, you’ll get a scenic ride to the center of the city.
End your day on the rooftop of the landmark Macy’s store in the Cheesecake Factory. The restaurant has a balcony that overlooks Union Square and all the bustling downtown traffic. Grab a cocktail and some dinner for a reasonable price in the heart of it all to end an affordable day in the
Read This Next
Under $100: San Francisco, Haight-Ashbury
North America
Oct 16, 2014#TrazeeTravel
Insta FeedHotel
Jan 28, 2025Spend Valentine’s Day in Mexico at These Luxury Resorts
Solmar Hotels & Resorts in Mexico invite travelers to celebrate Valentine’s Day at its properties in Cabo San Lucas. With a variety of romantic offerings available at each property, there is something for every sweetheart.
Sponsored Content
Madrid: The Charm of an Authentic City
They say Madrid is in vogue for many reasons: its lifestyle, its heritage, its cuisine and all of its new attractions. And it’s true, because Madrid is on the radar of travelers looking for a cutting-edge destination that still holds onto its essence. Join us as we explore its charms.
Slideshow
Jan 28, 20256 Must-See Sites in Phuket, Thailand
It’s time to start dreaming of your next trip. Here are six must-see sites in Phuket, Thailand.
Hotel
Jan 28, 2025Love in the City of Love: 4 Parisian Hotels with Valentine’s Day Experiences
Paris doesn’t hold back when it comes to Valentine’s Day celebrations, especially at these four upscale hotels. Up your Valentine’s Day this year with a special experience at these hotels:
Sponsored Content
Seoul: Your Favorite Worldwide City
Seoul is the place for your next bleisure destination.
Airlines
Jan 27, 2025Fly with Your Pets with BARK Air
If you’ve ever struggled traveling with your dog, either due to your favorite airline’s restrictions or because you just don’t want to put Fido in the luggage hold for a long-haul flight, you’re not alone. In fact, there’s such a demand for a better way to fly with dogs, the world’s first air travel experience designed specifically for dogs and their parents has been born: BARK Air. (Yes, brought to you by the same folks who founded BarkBox and BARK Super Chewer toys.)
ShareThis