What are the best and cheapest places to go when visiting San Francisco?

Question

My Husband and I live in Detroit. We are going to San Francisco in October and are looking for suggestions on things to do in the area. We are a young couple on a shoe string budget so cheap and free things are the best. We are not the type to go to the Museums or stroll the flower gardens. We are more urbanites just looking to experience the area through food & fun. And we always like to go where the locals go and stay away from the big tourist traps/chains. (I would much rather support a mom & pop diner or store that a nation wide chain)

Some things I am looking for in particular are:

1. Nice and Cheap Oyster Bar and Seafood restaurant

2. Hip Hop Club or Bar

3. Soul Food restaurant

4. Area to get a cheap but nice hotel room

5. Suggestions for anything else to do in the area. Any "only in SAn Francisco" or "Must Do" type things.(we are planning on touring Alcatraz)

We are also interested in seeing any communitties that have a strong Afirican American presence. I've tried to research online but have had no luck. *In no way am I looking for a Complete "African American Heritage" experience - it'd just be nice to see where everyone at*

I appreciate any and all suggestions. THis is my first time traveling to Cali and I want it to be action packed.

Answer 1

Try http://www.AmericaCheapHotels.com

Answer 2

1. Swans' Oyster Depot (1517 Polk St at California). It doesn't get much cheaper than this hole-in-the-wall San Francisco institution. There's only a small bar (no sit-down dining), but the price is right. To get here by public transportation, take the California Street Cable Car to the end of the line.

2. Here's a listing of clubs.

http://www.sfstation.com/clubs/

Most clubs will have at least one "hip hop" night a week. But some are more consistently geared towards it than others (Club Six, Milk, Poleng)

3. Walk around Central Oakland (near the 12th and 19th Street subway stations) and you'll run into many, many excellent soul food restaurants. If you want something closer to Downtown SF, you can try the following places though:

http://www.memphisminnies.com/

http://www.da-pitt.com/

http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cg...

http://www.sfweekly.com/locations/blue-j...

4. You get what you pay for. San Francisco is America's second most expensive major city. Hotels near SFO and Oakland airports are more affordable, but they're obviously inconvenient for sightseeing.

5. San Francisco has a ton of landmarks, monuments, museums, and attractions. There aren't too many cities in America with as much random "stuff" packed into such a small space. In that sense, it is similar to New Orleans, Manhattan, and Boston. Just walking around is part of the fun.

A lot of it depends on your interests. I suggest you go to one of the main tourist offices (Pier 39, Hallidie Plaza / Powell Street station) and pick up all the free brochures. Then you can decide for yourself what you want to see.

Answer 3

For great seafood, try the Pacific Cafe at 34th Ave. and Geary.  Not much more local than that.  Not cheap, but very reasonable.  Scoma's on a back alley of Fisherman's Wharf is good too, but more frequented by tourists.  Take the ferry to Sausalito or Angel Island.  Beautiful views from the ferry, a dirt cheap boat ride on the Bay (MUCH cheaper than the cruise lines), and great places to visit.  If you get to Sausalito, try the Spinnaker for dinner.  Beautiful views of the city if you get a window table.  Climb Mt. Livermore on Angel Island for a first-rate 360 degree view of the Bay.  Walk on Ocean Beach.  Walk Golden Gate Park.  Free Museum days the first Tuesday of the month at the De Young museum in GG Park and the Palace of the Legion of Honor in the northwest part of the city.  See the new California Academy of Science in GG Park, which will newly open in Sept. after years of renovation.  Get up to Muir Woods if you have a car and like incredible redwood forests, but go early on a weekday.  Catch the Hardly Stricly Bluegrass Festival (http://www.strictlybluegrass.com/) the first weekend in October in Speedway Meadow in GG Park.  It is free for all shows Fri, Sat, Sun.  Some really great acts, and very crowded, but fun.   Neighborhoods not to miss for restaurants and clubs:  North Beach, Chinatown, the Castro, Pacific Heights, the Marina, Haight Ashbury, Polk.  See this map for the neighborhood locations:  http://z.about.com/d/sanfrancisco/1/7/S/...  If you have a car, get to the Napa wine country near St. Helena, or the Sonoma wine country around the town of Kenwood.  October is harvest season, so lots of stuff going on.  The bigger wineries have tours that are pretty neat and free, although tasting will cost you $5.

I'm not sure about where to stay.  B&B's are in the city.  Try this website.  You might find a deal in October.   www.cabbi.com.

Enjoy.  October is usually a beautiful month for weather, often the warmest of the year.  It is usually dry too.

Answer 4

If you're planning to tour Alcatraz, purchase your tickets in 1 - 2 weeks in advance.  My husband and I were in San Francisco two weeks ago and weren't able to do Alcatraz.  You can go to the Alcatraz website for information.  The Golden Gate Bridge is free to walk on but you have to pay to park.  Become familiar with Muni and BART to save on parking fees and gas.  Most places near Pier 39 charge up to $35 a day to park.  Enjoy your trip - you'll enjoy San Francisco.  The weather should be great in October, but be prepared for chilly nights.

Answer 5

I went to San Francisco on a shoe string budget. I was also traveling alone.

I don't know the answer to 1-3.

However i do have a suggestion for 4-5

I stayed at a hostel called the adelaide. Very clean, nice rooms, very safe location. I would recommend the place to anybody who wants just a simple cheap, but nice bed. The place is located 2 blocks from union square. The cable cars, muni, bart lines are all located in that square.

http://www.adelaidehostel.com/

Beside getting tickets for Alcatraz in advance (slightly cheaper), i'd recommend walking around in china town, get lunch there. I would also suggest walking around golden gate park, and across the golden gate bridge. I suggest going to the top of Coit tower on the top of telegraph hill. (it's 4.50). There's an interesting community in the mission hill district.

Hope that helps a bit

Answer 6

Walk across the Golden Gate Bridge.  A fantastic walk.