Goldenbackpacker.com

SAN FRANSICO - STAY FOR LESS "$$"

SAN FRANCISO where “ little cable cars climb half way to the stars” is true from Fisherman's Wharf to Nob Hill is like climbing Everest, so take a Trolley & hang on! From the Heights see the World icon “ Golden Gate Bridge ” & in Town enjoy a cultural bonanza, Little Italy, Chinatown & Castro. You must visit this “ Golden City ” in the Golden State of California, it's a dream adventure & GB gives you the low down!

ACCOMMODATION

NO 1 BAY – HI FISHERMENS WHARF at Building 240, Fort Mason, CA 94123 (situated in historic Fort Mason Park, above the Bay front) tele 415 771 7277 – www.SFHostels.com - $25 bunk & begal breakfast, sheets & towels incl., 170 dorm beds with under lockers (they also have pte. rooms) sep washroom/ showers . Large well equipped basement self – catering kitchen, eve meals provided in café if wanted, grand lounge & social room on main floor,oh! & laundry. This is a prestige Hostel well managed with IT& lots of information & services.

NO 1 CENTRAL – GREEN TORTOISE GUEST HOUSE, 494 Broad way (off Kearny St. near to Coit Tower in the liveliest part of town) $20 - $25 b&b in dorms, sheets $3 extra (pte double room $50) good sep. showers. Self – catering kitchen & equipment linked to the unique “International Party Room” with a giant TV, pool table & way out décor. There's free internet, free sauna & free Wed. night evening “baked potato” bistro. The GT is one of those special places which grow on you & it may not be to every ones taste but check it out it's an experience for the true adventurer.

FOOD for self – catering needs are in supermarkets all over the City but be warned prices are much higher than Europe . Safeway Stores are probably the most widespread the one for HI Hostel is located just outside the Park . Central GT's SM is a couple of blocks away open 24 hours per day but the best up – town deals for fresh fruit & veg are to be found in Chinatown on Stockton St. where the experience is also a treat. For local flavours be sure to try the local specialities, Boudin's sourdough bread, Gallo salami & Anchor Steam beer!

TRAVELLING AROUND is by SF Municipal Transport or MUNI made up of buses, trolleys & cable cars which run up & over the City's hills. Trains also run underground & become streetcars when they emerge from the downtown metro system. All you need are the route guides & a little time to work em out! The fares on busses & trolleys are $2 for 2 hours approx., you put your $ cash in the drivers fare m/c, make sure you get a ticket which allows you to transfer to other routes!( I got a bus ticket on Sun. dated Mon. so I got 2days travel for a $) Cable cars are $2 for one journey, pay on car.

*Note: Airport catch Sam Trans bus no 292 (from SFO upper level $1.10 – Transbay Stn.to SFO $2.20)

“FREE” ESSENTIAL SIGHTS TO SEE

1. Golden Gate Bridge (1937) walk the walk on this awesome “International Orange” SF structure
2. Cable Car Barn Museum (1873) Power House runs 40 cars on 10.5 ml network, see video show
3. Union Square – SF Central, find best shops (Macys) & best hotels (Hyatt) Sq.reconstructed 2002
4. Fort Mason Park – Museums, Galleries, Community Garden , Great Meadow, overlooking GGB
5. Golden Gate Park – begun in 1871it covers 1017 acres of woods & gardens; built on sand dunes
6. Nob Hill – smartest district in Town where most prosperous SF people lived in Palatial Houses
7. Fisherman's Wharf / Pier 39 – Bay Front with clam chowder soup, submarine, sea lions & ferrys
8. Lombard Street – “ the Crookedest Street in World ” 10 zig zags on Russian Hill & the steepest
9. China Town – on Grant Av. settled by Chinese immigrants around 1850 its an authentic experience
10. Transamerica Pyramid (1972) Ins Co. Tower soars to 853', aluminium sheeting & 6000 windows

CHARGE SIGHTS NOT TO MISS

1. Alcatraz Island – Spanish for “Pelican”, first building a lighthouse 1853, Al Capone prison 1934
2. Coit Tower - built 1933on Telegraph Hill, to Fire Brigade from Lillie Coit with murals in lobby
3. SF Museum of Modern Art – opened 1995 nr. Yerba Buena Gardens , major abstract works

Recommendation: Visit Yosemite National Park on a special Green Tortoise Weekend Tour, you'll never forget it!

* Jeanice & Jason, Richard, Ken, Tom, Rob, Doug & Martin, David,Gareth, Hendrik, Erin,