What budget for activities and outings San Francisco?
It's going to be difficult for us to give you good tips on how to pay less - everything in San Francisco is overpriced! That's why it's a good idea to buy a pass to visit San Francisco's must-sees at unbeatable rates. The City Pass (www.citypass.com/san-francisco), for example, will save you money if you plan to visit 4 of the city's must-see points of interest.
Wherever you are in the world, the cheapest sporting activity is still running, and when you do it in Golden Gate Park, it takes on a whole new dimension! You can reserve the city's tennis courts free of charge, simply by registering online (www.spotery.com). Dolores Park, in particular, is a great spot. It's an aspect of San Francisco that we tend to forget, but the city, bordered by the Pacific Ocean, is blessed with lovely sandy beaches! Take Bakers Beach, for example, where the sunset is fabulous. Finally, if your dream is to go and see a basketball or American soccer game while you're in San Francisco and you haven't bought your tickets in advance, here's a tip: download the GameTime app (www.gametime.co) and check out the ticket prices on the day. Tickets still available are often sold out at unbeatable prices!
Northern California's natural beauty also invites you to enjoy a wide range of sports. You can go surfing in Santa Cruz or on Half Moon Bay south of San Francisco, go sailing in the bay, paddle or kayak on Lake Tahoe, go rock-climbing or hiking in the natural parks. The vertiginous granite walls of Yosemite National Park are one of the world's top climbing spots. For US$148, you can take on these granite colossi under the supervision of the park's climbing school.
A shopping session in San Francisco will cost you more or less the same as in France, especially since the euro is at parity with the dollar. Don't forget that in the U.S., local taxes are not included in the listed price. In San Francisco, it is 8.875% on clothing.
Tickets for musicals easily sell for over US$100 per person, and the experience is often grandiose. But there's no shortage of intimate, off-the-beaten-track venues, and the performances are almost always top-notch. Push open the door of a small jazz club and you may see virtuosos for the price of a single drink... The same goes for small theaters, which can hold some wonderful surprises. In comedy clubs and certain jazz clubs, you often have to add two obligatory drinks to the price of the ticket (which is usually around US$10-15).
If you're broke, the best solution is to queue outside the theater where the play of your choice is being performed to obtain rush tickets, often sold for as little as US$30. These are unsold tickets for shows playing on the same day. In some cases, a handful of even cheaper tickets (from US$25) allow you to see the show standing up, behind the last row of spectators!
The best deal is the Music City Hotel, which gives away free concert tickets to its guests. Let's hear it...
At last, you can buy tickets at reduced prices without lifting a finger, thanks to ticket resale websites:
www.ticketswap.com - sfbay.craigslist.org - https://tixel.com/San-Francisco
What budget to eat San Francisco?
As long as you're not in a Mexican taqueria or sandwich shop, expect to pay at least fifty dollars for an honest restaurant, and often much more.
It's best to go out with a well-stocked wallet, as the prices quoted do not include local tax (8.875%) or tip. It is customary to leave between 10 and 20% of the bill. Rooftops undoubtedly charge the highest prices, as do speakeasies, where cocktails can cost up to US$20. Beer remains the most affordable, and there are some interesting local and artisanal brands. Conversely, wine is atrociously expensive, especially if you're from France... Between US$10 and US$15 a glass. Finally, in cafés and tearooms, a hot drink generally costs between US$3 and US$4. The solution: go out duringhappy hour, which takes place on weekdays between 5pm and 7pm, sometimes earlier. In some bars, reduced prices also apply to food, generally starters or plates to share.
What is the budget for accommodation San Francisco?
Hotels. Most U.S. cities are home to clusters of unattractive hotels. The advantage of these "corridor hotels" is the reliability of the hotel chains. You usually know what to expect as soon as you see the sign on the side of the highway. Although impersonal, they have recently been making efforts to stand out from the crowd. They do, however, stand out from independent or higher-end hotels. Whatever category you choose, rooms come with telephone, cable TV and bathroom, and the price often includes breakfast.
Mid-range hotels add minibars, microwaves, hairdryers, Internet access, air conditioning, gyms and swimming pools. Higher-category hotels add a restaurant, bar and business center (computers and printers available to guests). Rooms normally have a king-size bed (195 cm wide) or a queen-size bed (155 cm wide). Rates are for two adults. Extra beds for children are often charged. Beware of charges for telephone calls from the room: long-distance calls are always overpriced. Local calls may even be billed, as may toll-free numbers.
Motels. Originally, motels were located near highways. You parked your car in front of your room. Today, they're more like hotels, except that the room door opens onto a parking lot rather than a corridor. Motels are located at the exits of the main roads linking cities. Most are modest and inexpensive. Breakfast is rarely included, but you can make a cup of tea or coffee in your room. Rooms also include TV and telephone. A decrepit, uninviting façade sometimes conceals rooms of impeccable cleanliness. The reverse is also true. It is advisable to ask to see the room before taking the key.
Chambres d'hôtes. Most are romantic addresses set in small, tastefully restored and furnished historic residences, run by friendly, independent owners who prepare delicious breakfasts. Prices are usually in excess of US$100 per night. To put things in perspective, the finest Bed and Breakfasts charge between US$200 and US$300 a night, or even more. A minimum length of stay is sometimes required for weekend stays. Bed & Breakfasts may close out of season, and reservations are essential for the most luxurious establishments, which are often in great demand. Websites to consult: www.bedandbreakfast.com - www.bnbfinder.com - www.selectregistry.com
Youthhostels. The Western U.S. is well endowed with youth hostels. There are over a hundred HI-affiliated hostels (Hostelling International: www.hiusa.org). They generally have single-sex dormitories, a few rooms, shared bathrooms and kitchens, and most provide bed linen free of charge or for a small fee. Smoking and alcohol are prohibited. Entertainment is sometimes provided. In major cities, hostels are open 24 hours a day and do not require guests to help with household chores. Elsewhere, they may close between 10am and 5pm. Some ask their guests to do the housework, in exchange for free use of their rooms. Dormitory prices range from US$20 to US$40 per night per person, sometimes more in larger cities. Reservations are recommended in high season, and the maximum length of stay is sometimes set at 6 nights. Independent youth hostels are also available (www.hostelworld.com - www.hostels.com).
Campsites. Campsites can be found on most federal lands and state parks. The most rudimentary campsites offer no infrastructure whatsoever. They cost less than US$10 a night and operate on a first-come, first-served basis. A basic campsite has sanitary facilities, drinking water, space for a campfire and picnic tables. A night costs between US$5 and US$15, and reservations are often possible. More elaborate campsites, generally located in national and state parks, are better equipped and have more complete sanitary facilities. They cost between US$12 and US$30 per night, and most can be booked here: www.recreation.gov or www.reservamerica.com
Travel budget San Francisco and cost of living
Money has a way of slipping through your fingers in San Francisco! The cost of living has risen dramatically in recent years. For European tourists, the USA is an increasingly expensive destination. A stay in San Francisco will generally leave you with lasting memories and a bank account that looks rather grim... It's hard to eat in a decent restaurant for less than US$20 or US$30, it's hard to stay in a barely salubrious hotel for less than US$150, public transport is expensive, it's hard to eat without leaving a 15-20% tip, and so on.
