Fun and Inexpensive Things to Do in San Francisco

San Francisco is known for being a costly vacation destination, but if you keep your eyes open you can have a great time for minimal cash. If you live nearby you can do these things more often and spread them out over a lifetime, but if you live out of state you will want to do more in a short amount of time. Here is a list of cost effective activities in San Francisco.

One of the more inexpensive things to do doesn't cost anything at all, besides gas for your car. Lombard street is one of my favorite landmarks in San Francisco. Known as the " crookedest street in the world", Lombard street is situated on one of San Francisco's famed hills. Not only is the street inclined, but a one-block section of the street winds downward like a snake. This section is located between Hyde and Leavenworth streets . Both sides of the street are lined with bushes and flowers adding to the beauty of the red-bricked drive. If you can find a place to park, get out and walk, as it's an even better experience on foot.

Second on my list of favorite things to do in the city by the bay, is take a ride on a cable car. The charge for riding a cable car is only 5 dollars. Of course it will cost you another 5 bucks to get back but the views alone are worth the ticket price. You can take a cable car to 1201 Mason street to the San Francisco Cable Car Museum where you can see how cable cars work and view old cable cars dating back to the 1870's. Admission to the museum is free and open everyday except New Year's Day, Easter, Thanksgiving and Christmas.

If you like animals, San Francisco has one of the best zoos in California, with more than 250 different species. Admission price is 11 dollars for adults and 8 dollars for youth and seniors. Children ages 3-11 get in for 5 dollars and 2 and under are free. The zoo is open every day from 10-5 including holidays. If you like noise you don't want to miss the lion house. When they all start roaring at once it can get deafening. The zoo is located on Sloat Blvd and 47th ave.

The Exploratorium is the place to go if you and the kids have scientific minds. The Exploratorium is a huge museum with exhibits that teach lessons ranging from astronomy and meteorology to earthquakes. Many exhibits deal with how your mind perceives images and sounds. The museum is open Tuesday through Sunday from 10-5. Admission is 14 dollars for adults and 11 for youth and seniors and children 4-12 get in for 9 dollars. Admission is free on the first Wednesday of every month.

A trip to San Francisco's famous Fisherman's Wharf can be rather costly if you're not careful, so plan ahead for this. First of all there is no free parking. There are a couple things you can do to get around the parking issue. Leave your car parked at the hotel and use public transportation, or park in the parking garage across from Pier 39 and eat at one of the restaurants that will validate your parking.

Fisherman's Wharf is like a one stop shop when it comes to fun things to do. First and foremost at the wharf is the food. Clam chowder served in a sourdough bread bowl, fish and chips, fresh crab, and fried calamari are just a few delicacies that the many shacks along Fisherman's Wharf serve up. Before you buy any food, make sure to take a walk through the wharf to check prices. You are sure to find a deal that won't leave you with empty pockets.

Across the street from the sidewalk crab shacks is an area where people are entertaining the tourists. Guitar players, jugglers, and dancers and magicians will thrill and delight as you finish your meal. It's always fun to people watch down there, as it doesn't cost anything.

Pier 39, known for its many restaurants and attractions, is another place where you can easily go broke if you are not careful, but there are plenty of things you can do to prevent that from happening. If you love sea lions, go to the west marina of Pier 39. You can see up to 900 sea lions in that area depending on the time of year. The sea lions bark and play, or just rest only feet from spectators lining the pier. Among popular attractions at Pier 39 is an aquarium, the Hard Rock Cafe, a carousel and an arcade, to name a few. This is another awesome place to watch the street performers.

The best deal in town is called CityPass. For 54 dollars you get 7 different attractions that would cost you double if you were to pay for each individual attraction. Some of these attractions are things I have already mentioned. With CityPass you can ride the cable cars and buses unlimited for a week. You can also take the Blue&Gold fleet, which is a one hour cruise around the bay, which takes you under the Golden Gate Bridge, around Alcatraz Island, past Angel Island, and has another great view of the sea lions at Pier 39.

In addition to that, you also get admission to Pier 39's aquarium, the de Young and Legion of Honor museums, SF Museum of Modern Art, and the option of the Exploratorium or Asian Art Museum. You must visit the de Young Museum and Legion of Honor Museums on the same day or you will have to pay for the one you didn't visit, so be sure to take advantage of that. You might think that this offer is too good to be true but its a real bargain.

Once you go to San Francisco, I am sure you will find plenty of things to do along the way besides what I have listed. Every time I go I find more new and exciting things to do for a low price. I am sure you will too. Have fun!