Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
charges and tickets for concerts
run from $5 to $30. In the
summer, free weekly Sunday
concerts are held amid the
redwoods in Stern Grove, but
be sure to arrive early to get a
decent seat.
Major museums, such as the
Museum of Modern Art
(see
pp120-23)
, have entry fees
ranging from $5 to $10, but
discounts are available for senior
citizens, children, and students.
Many museums have discounted
admission on Thursdays, and
most large institutions offer free
entrance once a month (phone
for details), in addition to free
guided tours, demonstrations,
and lectures. Smaller museums
are either free or request
a donation.
In Fort Mason
(see pp74-5)
,
Yerba Buena Gardens
(see
pp116-17)
, and Golden Gate
Park, several museums and
venues are grouped together.
Golden Gate Park's Culture Pass
allows the holder entrance to
three museums and two
attractions, saving 30 percent
on admission charges. A
CityPASS, available from the San
Francisco Visitor Information
Center, offers reduced rates on
several must-see sights and
public transportation.
The lobby of San Francisco's Museum of Modern Art
morning hours. Almost all banks
have cash machines operating
round the clock.
Some museums are closed
on Mondays and/or Tuesdays
and major public holidays.
Some occasionally stay open
in the evening (see individual
entries). Closing time for bars is
2am; no liquor can be served in
California between the hours
of 2am and 6am.
to sign and show photo ID
whenever you use a credit card.
It is illegal to smoke in all
workplaces, stores, bars, and
restaurants, and in the seating
areas at AT&T Park
(see p261)
.
However, smoking is allowed
in owner-operated bars where
the owners have opted to allow
it. Hotels must designate 35
percent of their rooms and 75
percent of the lobby as non-
smoking zones, though many
have adopted a complete
non-smoking policy. Inquire
about smoking policies when
booking a room.
Etiquette and Smoking
Although more formal than
the carefree sandals-and-shorts
approach of Southern California,
Northern California is still fairly
laid-back. Even at elegant
restaurants in San Francisco,
it's not uncommon to see jeans,
albeit a dark wash, paired with
a nice shirt.
Bring identification with you
everywhere you go: bars and
restaurants are required by law
to ask anyone who looks under
40 for ID before serving them
a drink. Moreover, the United
States is not yet on the PIN
system used by many European
establishments, so be prepared
Public Restrooms
Public facilities in bus depots
and underground BART stations
(see p286)
are often frequented
by the city's homeless and drug
users. The same holds true for
the large, green, self-cleaning
toilets that line Market Street.
As an alternative, major hotels
and department stores have
facilities that are free and
usually well maintained.
Opening Hours
Most businesses in San Fran-
cisco are open on weekdays
from 9am to 5pm. Shops
(see
p232)
typically stay open until
8pm to allow for after-work
errands. All banks operate from
10am to 3pm Monday to Friday;
in addition, some banks open as
early as 7:30am, some close at
6pm, and some offer Saturday
Taxes and Tipping
Sales tax in San Francisco is 8.75
percent, and it is charged on
everything except take-out food.
In restaurants, tip around 15 to
20 percent of the total bill. A
useful trick to figure out the tip
is to double the tax. Allow for an
average tip of 15 percent for taxi
drivers, bar staff, and hair stylists.
Hotel and airport baggage
handlers expect $1 to $1.50 per
bag. Leave hotel chambermaids
$1 to $2 for each day of your stay.
SS
Balclutha
at the Maritime Museum, closed on major public holidays
