There’s nothing like the unique charm of San Francisco with its near-perfect weather, cultural diversity, and impeccable Food. San Francisco is not known for being cheap; it’s actually one of the most expensive US cities to live in and visit.
Visiting San Francisco on the cheap is possible, even though it is typically rated the second city with the highest cost of living. Simple tricks like choosing the right time of year to visit and the cheapest modes of transportation will quickly add to your savings.
However, these aren’t the only tricks to budget traveling you’ll find here. There’s also more to a trip than keeping costs low. Where to go in San Francisco is arguably just as important. Not only for attractions but for safety as well. Keep reading for all you need to know about visiting San Francisco on the cheap.
What is the Best Time of Year to Visit San Francisco?
San Francisco is blessed with having relatively mild weather year-round with an average peak temperature of 70 degrees Fahrenheit and a low of 50 degrees Fahrenheit. So, if the temperature is a defining factor for when to visit, rest assured that you’ll find the city relatively comfortable at any time.
Your biggest weather obstacles will be rain and fog. Therefore, peak weather would be during the spring months of May and June or San Francisco’s “Indian Summer,” which lasts from September to October.
If you’re striving to avoid the tourist crowds or save money on a pricy flight, the best time to visit would be from November to December. However, be sure to avoid the traffic caused by the holiday seasons and be vigilant of any conventions taking place during your stay. These tend to bump up the costs of lodging in the area and increase tourist traffic.
(Looking for the best day to buy an airplane ticket, check out that link to help save a little cash.)
What is the Nicest Part of San Francisco?
Suppose there’s a neighborhood with the nicest San Francisco experience, in a nutshell, its Nob Hill. Once believed to be reserved for the most elite and wealthy residents, this picturesque area has slowly become more accessible to everyday travelers while still maintaining its most luxurious services.
Nob Hill is lined with some of the finest architectural specimens San Francisco has to offer, including trademark locations such as Fairmont Hotel and Grace Cathedral. Although the streets are filled with mansions and hotels that cost well over the average traveler’s budget, the views of them side-by-side along the streets are priceless.
Luckily, you don’t have to be rich to stay in this neighborhood. Nob Hill has increased significantly in socio-economic diversity and has more accessible housing than ever.
In addition to its architectural beauty, Nob Hill is ideal for individuals looking to get a history lesson on the city. There are several museums and tours offered here so that visitors can learn about San Francisco’s unique history.
Walking tours are a great way to get a general understanding of what’s around you. At the same time, more quirky museums, such as the Cable Car Museum and the Antique Vibrator Museum, provide more niche experiences you won’t get anywhere else.
Of course, if none of those appeals to you, dive into the vivacious nightlife. Nob Hill has countless bars and clubs that range from the swankiest in the city to the trendiest. Top-class favorites are the Tonga Room, a tiki-themed lounge in the Fairmont Hotel, or Top of the Mark, a classy cocktail bar that comes with a 360-degree skyline view.
But, if tiki and pricy cocktails aren’t your style, sing your heart out or bust a move at the popular dive-bar, Butter, whose interior design is just as random and enticing as its name.
Tips to Help You Tour San Francisco on the Cheap
Nothing Beats Free
Considering how expensive San Francisco can be, one of the best ways to save money is to find the best attractions and experiences that don’t cost you a penny. A significant amount of the most iconic spots in San Francisco are absolutely free.
Walk over the Golden Gate Bridge, sit inside Grace Cathedral, or join one of the many city tours led by local volunteers. There are also amazing cultural areas to explore, such as Chinatown, Pier 39, and the Palace of Fine Arts.
Additionally, if you’re lucky, or you time your trip right, you can find free festivals throughout the year. Some local favorites include the Sea Lion’s Arrival Celebration in January, Bay Area Dance Week in April, the Fillmore Jazz Festival in July, and the Chinatown Autumn Moon Festival in September. These festivals are a great way to immerse yourself in the city’s history and culture for a day without spending anything to participate.
Get that Pedometer Ready
San Francisco is only seven miles across, a distance the average person could walk in a little over two hours.
Most of the city’s popular attractions are relatively close together, so if you’re new to the city, the best plan of action would be to save money on car or taxi rentals and walk to as many attractions as you can.
Odds are, when getting from point A to point B, you’ll find several worthwhile stops along the way to justify the journey.
Bundle Passes for the Win
Now, if you shuddered at the thought of walking seven miles worth of San Francisco’s notorious hills, don’t worry. You can still save money on transportation with passes like the Muni Passport or CityPass. If you’re staying for an extended period of time, you will most likely lose money paying for every individual trip you take on public transportation, but these passes will significantly decrease that cost.
The Muni Passport will give you unlimited rides on any Muni form of transportation in the city for time slots ranging from one to three to seven days. However, if you’re trying to see all of the city’s best attractions, get the CityPass.
Not only does it provide unlimited rides, but it also includes free admission to popular sites such as the San Francisco Museum of Modern Art and the Aquarium of the Bay.
Try the Affordable Local Cuisine
San Francisco has a gleaming reputation for having impeccable cuisine that ranges from classic American to Mexican to Chinese. Here, quality doesn’t have to come at the expense of dollar signs.
Not only have the restaurants perfected traditional foods, as well as creating their own unique culinary masterpieces, but they also do it at a price that allows individuals from all walks of life to enjoy. Here is a list of restaurants that provide delicious quality-sized meals at prices under $10.
- WesBurger ‘n More- for all your signature burger needs.
- Bini’s Kitchen- although they’re only open for lunch, you can’t leave the city before trying their picture-perfect dumplings.
- Kasa- don’t want to waste time sitting? No problem. Grab a mouth-watering kati roll and head to the streets.
- Proper Food- if Michelin star restaurants turned to fast-food, they’d follow Proper Food’s footsteps, where everything is made from scratch with elevated flavors at a reasonable consumer price.
Shop on Haight Street
There’s no shortage of high-end luxury shops in San Francisco. But, if you can’t afford, or don’t prefer, the pricey boutiques of Union Square and Hayes Valley, you won’t be disappointed by what Haight Street has to offer.
Haight Street is known for its unique vintage stores and affordable thrift shops. This is a popular location for those who enjoy a more artsy hipster vibe and don’t mind digging around a bit for hidden gems in every corner.
(Find out more things to do in San Francisco in 3 days, for shorter trips to this amazing city!)
Is San Francisco Dangerous for Tourists?
No location is risk-free, especially when visiting for the first time. That being said, San Francisco does have a reputation for car break-ins, pickpockets, and a significant homeless population. Although these are issues common in most large cities, it is always important to be aware of potential risks and knowledgeable of your surroundings.
During the day, most areas of San Francisco are safe for tourists, but at night, there are some neighborhoods it would be wise to avoid.
The best way to avoid potentially dangerous situations on the city streets is to educate yourself about the area and at least moderately plan your evening in regards to where you will be and how you will get around at all hours of the day. This limits the possibility of getting lost and turning down a street that would be best avoided.
What Should I Avoid in San Francisco?
- Bringing a Car: It is significantly easy to travel around San Francisco without a car and, considering the city’s most common target of property damage is automobiles, it would be wise to leave your car behind if you can. If this is unavoidable, don’t store valuables in your car. Bring them with you or leave them at home or in the hotel.
- Large Crowds (If You Can): San Francisco is a densely populated city with a substantial tourist population. As a result, it could prove an immense challenge to stay out of large crowds. However, touristy areas with a lot of foot-traffic attract pickpockets. If you can’t avoid crowds, be sure to take extra precautions to ensure your belongings are secure. Use locks or keep belongings fastened under your clothing.
- Risky Neighborhoods at Night: As we mentioned before, most areas are safe for tourists during the day. However, the Tenderloin and some areas of the Mission are best avoided at night.
There are a considerable number of panhandlers and pickpockets in these locations, and many of them suffer from mental illness or various forms of addiction, which can occasionally drive them to be unpleasant or even aggressive with passersby. Is travel insurance important might be something to research if you are looking to ease your mind.
Rest assured, this is not a common occurrence and does not pertain to all the individuals in these unfortunate circumstances. You are most likely going to be asked for money at one point or another during your trip, and typically you can respectfully accept or decline their inquiries and walk away.
Final Thoughts
Nothing beats having a worthwhile trip without blowing a hole in your savings. The culmination of these tips will help you save plenty of money, but don’t be afraid to splurge every now and then.
For more ways to save on a trip to San Francisco, check out cheap flights to San Francisco for information on places to stay, things to do, cheap flights and more!
San Francisco might be an expensive city, but some of those expenses are totally worth the experience. Pricier attractions like seeing the San Francisco Giants at AT&T Park, sitting in the cells of Alcatraz, or having high tea at the Fairmont or Ritz-Carlton Hotel are sure to elevate your trip and change your perspective of the Golden Gate City.