| If you've ever visited San Francisco, you | | | | with a nice, inexpensive Italian restaurant |
| know it can be a very expensive city. Hotel | | | | located just north on Steiner Street |
| costs, restaurant tabs, valet fees and cab | | | | (Ristorante Parma). One caveat I have about |
| fares can add up quite quickly. But, if you | | | | Cow Hollow, which can probably be applied to |
| know where the values are, that trip to San | | | | any of the motels on Lombard Street, is that |
| Francisco can actually fit into your budget | | | | you will probably want to request an inside |
| quite nicely. | | | | room off the main streets, as they can get |
| | | | quite loud. Another motel you might consider |
| First, let's start with lodging. Yes, it's | | | | would be La Luna Inn (415-346-4664), a |
| nice to stay at the Grand Hyatt on Union | | | | recently renovated inn with some luxuries you |
| Square or the Mark Hopkins. But, let's face | | | | wouldn't expect from a budget motel, such as |
| it, they're expensive. For budget | | | | pillow-top mattresses, flat screen TVs, |
| considerations, I suggest you consider | | | | wireless internet access and complimentary |
| Lombard Street. No, not the crooked part of | | | | muffins, breads, coffee, tea and juices |
| Lombard Street, but the section of Lombard | | | | served every morning. All that for just under |
| Street which runs through the Cow Hollow and | | | | $100 per night for a single king or queen |
| Marina districts in the northern part of San | | | | bed. |
| Francisco, near the Golden Gate Bridge. | | | | |
| | | | Restaurants can also add up to the cost of a |
| You can find a nice room on Lombard Street | | | | vacation. San Francisco has a large amount of |
| for just under $100 a night, which is a far | | | | wonderful restaurants at inexpensive prices. |
| cry from the hotels on Union Square. But, | | | | Of course, you have to know which ones they |
| what kind of room will your $100 get you? Of | | | | are. Those would usually be the ones the |
| course, you're not going to get the luxury of | | | | locals frequent, so if you want to avoid |
| a fancy hotel, but you're not paying for | | | | over-priced restaurants, you'd stay away from |
| luxury. You're paying to enjoy San Francisco. | | | | restaurants in tourist traps like Fisherman's |
| Your $100 will buy you a comfortable, clean | | | | Wharf and go for neighborhood restaurants, |
| room. Also, you will generally receive free | | | | such as those found in Cow Hollow and the |
| parking. If you drive to San Francisco or | | | | Marina District, 24th Street in Noe Valley, |
| rent a car in San Francisco, free parking is | | | | or Potrero Hill. One very inexpensive |
| a big deal. The luxury hotels usually charge | | | | restaurant I'd recommend in Potrero Hill is |
| for parking, as well as a in & out fees when | | | | San Francisco Bar B Que, 1328 18th St., a |
| you retrieve your car for a day trip or night | | | | wonderful little Thai BBQ restaurant that |
| out. | | | | serves great food at cheap prices. If there's |
| | | | a wait, just put your name on the list and |
| Lombard Street is also a great location. Just | | | | bop into Bloom's Saloon a couple doors down |
| north of Lombard Street is Chestnut Street, | | | | for a drink and great views of the downtown |
| with a movie theater, shops and wonderful | | | | skyline. |
| food. To the south a few blocks you'll find | | | | |
| Union Street, with upscale shops and, again, | | | | As for inexpensive things to do in San |
| wonderful food. Lombard Street is also a good | | | | Francisco, check out the free walking tours |
| location for bus service to all parts of San | | | | offered by San Francisco City Guides, a |
| Francisco, eliminating the need for expensive | | | | non-profit organization of more than 200 |
| taxi rides. | | | | trained volunteers who lead free walking |
| | | | tours in San Francisco. Their website at |
| You have numerous choices for lodging along | | | | sfcityguides.org lists all the many different |
| Lombard Street. I've stayed at the Cow Hollow | | | | walking tours of such sites as Chinatown, |
| Motor Inn (415-921-5800) and find it to be | | | | Golden Gate Bridge, Coit Tower, and even |
| good, inexpensive choice, with free parking, | | | | ghost walks of supposedly haunted locations. |