San Francisco's cable cars are an affordable means of seeing the city

A Pacific gem, San Francisco sparkles

Pricey, so plan ahead

June 19, 2000
Web posted at: 3:49 p.m. EDT (1949 GMT)

From CNN Correspondent Rusty Dornin

SAN FRANCISCO (CNN)-- A ride on the famed cable car costs only two bucks, but if you want other bargains in San Francisco, you had better plan ahead.

San Francisco is one of the most expensive cities in the United States, though that apparently hasn't deterred tourists. It remains a popular destination, thanks in part to its scenic setting, distinctive architecture, fine dining and popular spots like Fisherman's Wharf and Alcatraz.

Hotel rooms, in particular, don't come cheap.

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"We weren't smart enough to book a hotel room before we came, so we ended getting something around $170" a night, Canadian visitor Rayanne Laborss said.

Rates for the city's 31,000 rooms run about $100 and up, but they're typically closer to $150, said Laurie Armstrong of the San Francisco Convention and Visitors Bureau. They nudge $200 a night near Fisherman's Wharf and downtown.

And while drivers can rent a mid-sized car for $50 a day for four days, they have to pay up to park at the hotels.

Walking, sight-seeing

If you can handle the hills, walking is one of the best ways to see the streets of San Francisco.

Since a freeway was removed after the 1989 earthquake, the Embarcadero has been transformed into a popular, palm-studded street with new restaurants and impressive views of the Bay Bridge. Along the route, visitors can catch one of the vintage trolley cars dating back to 1928.

Fisherman's Wharf, where fishermen today are few and far between, remains one of the city's biggest tourist draws, but some visitors prefer to steer clear of the crowds.

The city's Chinatown offers a bounty of bargain restaurants and shops

The noisiest free attraction is down at the docks at Pier 39, where 600 or so barking sea lions entertain the crowds.

Down the street, you can rent a bike for $5 an hour and ride across the 63-year-old Golden Gate Bridge to Sausalito, then take a ferry back across the bay for $6.

Alcatraz, the former maximum-security prison in the middle of the San Francisco Bay, is another tourist favorite. It takes about 20 minutes to get there by ferry, and with an audio tour costs $12.25 for adults and $7 for children. The ferry is packed during the summer, so make sure to call ahead for reservations.

Other attractions

There's more. Visit Chinatown, home to the largest concentration of Chinese outside of China, or head for the 5 million square feet of popular shops and upscale stores at Union Square.

Kids can explore the interactive museums at the Exploratorium, and don't forget the museums south of Market Street. Need a pro-baseball fix? Check out the Giants at the new Pac Bell Stadium downtown.

The most popular things to look at in San Francisco can be found just about anywhere. And here's a bonus in such a pricey city: The views - breathtaking and easy to find - are free.

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San Francisco Convention and Visitors Bureau
Alcatraz Island
Golden Gate Bridge
Fisherman's Wharf Merchant's Association
San Francisco Giants
The Exploratorium
San Francisco Chinatown

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