San Francisco · Backpacking
ON A BUDGET
Steep, foggy and costly to sleep in, but the parks, the coast path and the bridge are free.
North Beach and Fisherman's Wharf
Three long-running hostels cover the ground between North Beach, Union Square and an old military fort above the wharf, which trades a central location for a view.
What a day costs
Bed 45–75 USD, food 20–40 given a Mission burrito runs about 13, and a Muni day pass at 6 covering buses, trams and cable cars.
Getting around cheap
A Clipper card or the Muni app runs everything; day passes include the cable cars, which otherwise cost 8 a ride. BART reaches the airport for about 11.
Free by day
Golden Gate Park, the Lands End coast trail, walking the bridge, the Painted Ladies and the sea lions at Pier 39 all cost nothing.
Where travellers meet
Dolores Park on any sunny afternoon, which functions as the city's living room, plus the North Beach hostel bars once the fog comes in.