| San Francisco is my favorite city hugging the west | | | | The Chinatown in San Francisco is second in size in |
| coast. It is also one of the most expensive especially | | | | the U.S. only to New York City. It is great place to |
| for hotels. Lucky for the frugal traveler, many of the | | | | get cheap supplies and an inexpensive meal. |
| sights are free. | | | | Lombard Street |
| Note: When I first went to San Francisco (driving up | | | | Known as the crookedest street, Lombard is another |
| from L.A.), I was very surprised by the decrease in | | | | one of those photo opps tourists love. Walking down |
| temperature. Check the weather before arriving. | | | | is free. |
| Fisherman's Wharf | | | | The Golden Gate Bridge |
| Fisherman's Wharf, Pier 39 and Ghirardelli Square | | | | Another famous and picturesque walk is across The |
| cover about 6 blocks along the waterfront. This | | | | Golden Gate Bridge. On a clear day, the views are |
| tourist destination offers great views of the famous | | | | fantastic (and will work off all that great Chinese |
| Alcatraz, souvenir shopping, seafood vendor and | | | | food you'll be eating). This suspension bridge is a little |
| street performers. Some of the local "residents" | | | | less than 9,000 feet long so plan your round trip |
| include pelicans and sea lions. The souvenir to take | | | | accordingly. |
| back for chocolate loving Moms? Ghirardelli chocolate. | | | | Cable Car Museum |
| This is where it all started. | | | | Love the cable cars? Then visit the Cable Car |
| Cable Cars | | | | Museum on Mason Street. Admission is free and the |
| While at Ghirardelli Square, grab a few photos at the | | | | museum deck overlooks the huge engines and |
| Cable Car Turnaround (the end of one of the lines). | | | | winding wheels that pull the cables. Great photos can |
| The cable cars, calling San Francisco's living | | | | be taken in the vintage cable cars. |
| monument, are a good break for the weary. | | | | A city of different cultures, bordered by the sea, San |
| Note: There are no transfers with cable cars. Each | | | | Francisco has a perfect mixture of historic attractions |
| ride requires a new ticket. | | | | and modern sights. Many of them free. |
| Chinatown | | | | |