Getting to San Francisco can be pricey enough because flying into SFO is more expensive than flying into LAX, for example. And being that San Francisco can be expensive travel destination because it is one of the highest cost-of-living cities in the world, taking advantage of discount San Francisco vacation packages can make the Bay Area extremely accessible for even the tightest of budgets.
Of course, you’ll want to begin with an airfare and hotel package that gives you what you’re looking for in price and location, but there are many attractions in the area that are free or very cheap and still offer the rich flavor and culture the area has to offer.
Discount San Francisco vacation packages can be obtained as low as $285 per person, and even when ranging into the low $1,000s, excellent accommodations with airfare included are worth it. Some packages may offer sightseeing or guided tours to landmark destinations such as the Golden Gate Bridge and Fisherman’s Wharf. There are a number of trolley trips and bus rides through the various classic destinations, including the Castro District, Alamo Square, Cathedral Hill, Chinatown, and of course, Golden Gate Park. Other affordable tours will offer destinations such as the Japanese Tea Garden, the Conservatory of Flowers, and the Maritime National Historical Park.
For those who “just want to get there,” without a real budget to work with, there are so many events and fun things to do for free. Some of San Francisco’s greatest attractions are free to the public. Depending on the time of year, check out some of these completely free activities for the whole family or for just adults:
- The YMCA in the Financial District offers free yoga classes,
- Free swing dancing, known as “Lindy in the Square” is available in Union Square,
- Silent Film Day is available in Fremont for just 50 cents per person,
- When the San Francisco Symphony performs at Dolores Park admission is free,
- In summer and early fall concerts at the Yerba Buena Gardens (during festival time) are free,
- The Mini Street Fair in Mint Slope is free,
- The Coit Tower Mural Walk is free,
- The MUNI art show in the Mission District is free,
- A sustainable gardening workshop in Visitacion Valley is free,
- “Friday Nights at the De Young” in Golden Gate Park are free
This is just a smattering of free events in San Francisco and there are literally hundreds more to choose from.
Depending on where you’re coming from, driving may be easier on the wallet and make for the scenic trip of a lifetime. If you’re coming from San Diego or Los Angeles, a drive up the Pacific Coast Highway (PCH) will take you all the way there. The PCH is known to be a bit longer of a drive, but the huge tradeoff is a road trip second to none in the United States. Whether you’re driving up the coast with college friends or your spouse, there’s plenty of sightseeing and stop-offs to eat along the way.
No matter how you get there, make good use of discount San Francisco vacation packages – stay long enough to soak in it’s one of-a-kind culture, and make sure your tagalongs are people who you can cherish the trip’s memories with for years to come.
Photo via Jaganatha
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