San Francisco Travel: Must-Know Money-Saving Tips to Avoid Pitfalls!

Sisters! San Francisco will punish anyone who doesn’t plan ahead!
If it’s your first time visiting or planning a trip to San Francisco, these practical tips will save you money and help you dodge common traps!! Bookmark this now!

💸 Bring both credit cards AND cash for a hassle-free experience
✔️ Visa and Mastercard are widely accepted! Chip cards are recommended (some small shops don’t take magnetic stripe cards).
✔️ Cash is still essential! Some vendors in Chinatown/Fisherman’s Wharf only accept cash. Carry small bills for tips/public transport.

🚌 Public transport rules to know!
❗️ Always tap your card! Never use emergency exits to enter—fines up to $250 if caught without payment. Don’t risk it!
❗️ Wave to stop the bus, and pull the cord before your stop—or you might miss it!

🎫 Money-saving travel hacks
✔️ Get a Clipper Card! Works on buses, metro, cable cars, and BART—cheaper than cash tickets.
⚠️ Note: Buy/reload at convenience stores/metro stations, but there’s a $3 card fee.

💰 Tipping etiquette decoded!
✅ Tipping culture is big here—15%-25% at restaurants (select on POS).
✅ Hotel stays: Leave $5-$7 daily for housekeeping. Bellhops? $2-$5 per bag.
⚠️ Never tip with coins—it’s considered rude!

🚗 Drive with caution!
San Francisco’s hills are rollercoaster-level steep! Remember:
1️⃣ Choose automatic transmission! Lombard Street’s slopes are manual-car nightmares.
2️⃣ Parking pro-tip: Turn wheels LEFT uphill, RIGHT downhill.
3️⃣ Read street signs/curb colors! Wrong parking = huge fines/towing/jail.
💡 Use SpotHero or ParkMobile for legal spots.

👀 Safety first!
⚠️ Avoid Tenderloin/Mission areas alone at night.
🚇 On transit, steer clear of odd behavior—ignore panhandlers, avoid eye contact.
🔥 Crowded spots? Wear phone straps + front-facing backpacks to deter thieves.

🧾 Packing essentials
✅ Bring toiletries (toothbrush, etc.)/slippers—most hotels don’t provide them.
✅ US plug adapters (outlets differ from China). Power strips for multi-device users.
✅ Windproof jacket! Weather shifts fast—Fisherman’s Wharf is breezy, and foggy Golden Gate Bridge feels freezing!

💗 Insider favorites
✔️ Take Powell-Hyde Line cable car—passes Lombard St./Fisherman’s Wharf (best views!).
✔️ Summer fog = Golden Gate Bridge photos are best early AM. Check live cams.
✔️ Book Alcatraz tickets 3+ days ahead!

Share your own San Francisco travel tips below~
Search 🔍 [San Francisco Local Guide] for more authentic experiences!