Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Traveling on a Budget
San Francisco is notoriously
expensive, but that doesn't
mean there aren't any deals to
be found. In addition to the
many inexpensive hostels, a
local chain of nicely designed
hotels,
Joie de Vivre
, offers
several bargain-priced options.
Visitors can also sign up for
websites such as
BloomSpot
,
Groupon
, and
Living Social
,
which send out daily emails
with discounts on everything
from restaurant dinners to spa
services. The website
Goldstar
offers discounts on tickets to
concerts, comedy shows, and
other events.
Visitors with proof of student
status receive discounts at many
museums and theaters. The
most widely accepted form of
student ID is an International
Student Identity Card (ISIC).
Apply for one at your local
student center, youth hostel
organization, or student travel
association prior to traveling.
Working vacations for foreign
students may be arranged
through
STA Travel
, which has
one office in the Bay Area.
Muni bus, adapted for disabled travelers
Travelers with
Special Needs
Most public transportation in
the city is equipped for easy
access. See the
Muni Access
Guide
for details. Hotels usually
have a few accessible rooms,
and major entertainment
venues have seats adapted for
the disabled. Direction signs,
toilets, and entrances are
specially adapted for blind and
disabled visitors, while some
movie theaters offer special
audio equipment for hearing-
impaired patrons. Parking spaces
reserved for the disabled are
marked by a blue-and-white
sign and a blue curb. A
wheelchair outline is often
painted on the sidewalk. Parking
and public transportation are
discounted for the disabled.
Senior Travelers
Senior travelers might struggle
a bit with San Francisco's
ubiquitous hills, but public
transportation is extensive and
reliable, and there are many
senior-friendly attractions. Movie
tickets, museum entry fees, and
some sporting events are
discounted for people aged 65
or older (ID must be shown).
Transportation is also cheaper
(75 cents instead of $2 for a
standard return fare), and many
restaurants offer senior discounts
as well. For more information on
senior travel, contact the
American Association of
Retired People (AARP)
.
Gay and Lesbian
Travelers
San Francisco is arguably the
most gay-friendly city in the
world, and it is completely
accepted for same-sex couples
to show affection in public. It
was one of the first US cities to
legalize gay marriage; state
legislation subsequently
revoked that right, but it has
since been reinstated. It is a
judicial battle that is likely to
continue. The annual Gay Pride
Parade at the end of June is one
of the city's main attractions
(see
p51)
. The Castro is the center of
gay life in San Francisco, marked
as such by a giant rainbow flag
at the intersection of Market
and Castro streets. Although all
of the Bay Area is gay-friendly,
there are a few hotels that cater
specifically for a gay clientele;
visit www.sfgay.org for a
detailed directory.
The International Student Identity Card,
offering many benefits
Traveling with
Children
San Francisco is a family-friendly
destination: many hotels offer
“kids stay free” deals, and many
restaurants have children's
menus. Kids also enjoy discounts
on tickets to sporting events,
movies, and museums. Except
for cable cars, which charge a
flat rate (£6), children under the
age of 4 ride the city's public
transportation system for free,
and those between the ages of 5
and 17 ride for just 75 cents (the
adult fare is $2). San Francisco has
many free parks and playgrounds;
for a full list, visit the
City and
County of San Francisco
website. More useful information
and ideas are available on the
Travel For Kids
website.
What to Take
Despite its location in sunny
California, San Francisco is not
typically a warm city. Bring
clothing appropriate for every
season and be prepared to
dress in layers, especially in the
summer, when the city is at its
foggiest. There are two main
swimming beaches (Ocean
Beach and Baker Beach), and
many hotels have either indoor
or heated outdoor pools, so
packing a bathing suit is a
good idea. Comfortable shoes
are a must; not only is it often
more practical to walk to a
particular destination, but it is
also the most enjoyable option
(see p281)
.
