Locals' picks: Places to play in the City by the Bay
— -- Hotel bargains aren't the only upside of a visit to San Francisco this summer. As these local experts can attest, the City by the Bay also is full of free and low-cost pleasures. They share three of their favorites with USA TODAY.
Matthew Poole Author of Frommer's San Francisco Free & Dirt Cheap and co-founder of LocalGetaways.com
Glide Memorial Church: "Rev. Cecil Williams' non-denominational Sunday services — exhilarating sermons accompanied by an amazing gospel choir — attract an audience that crosses ethnic, spiritual and socioeconomic boundaries." Celebrities make impromptu appearances; Bono, Maya Angelou, Oprah Winfrey and the Clinton family have attended. Services are at 9 and 11 a.m., but "unless you arrive about 20 minutes early it's standing-room-only." Info: 415-674-6000, glide.org.
De Young Museum:"One of the city's best free views is in Golden Gate Park from the de Young's 144-foot-tall tower," which is open to all visitors even if you haven't paid to enter the museum (admission is $6-$10, free on first Tuesday of each month). "You'll see fabulous views of Golden Gate Park, the Presidio, Lincoln Park, the Pacific and the Marin Headlands beyond." The tower houses a massive aerial map of San Francisco, with a gift shop that stocks a poster-sized version. Info: 415-750-3600, thinker.org.
Boudin Demonstration Bakery at Fisherman's Wharf:"The Boudin Bakery's ultra-modern baking emporium houses a wonderful museum that explains the history of the city and its unique sourdough bread. Arrive in the morning to watch and smell the action when the demo bakery is in full swing." Thursday mornings through September, a new "Breakfast with the Bakers" deal includes a hosted museum tour plus pastries, coffee and juice for $6 a person. Info: 415-928-1849, boudinbakery.com.
Lisa Rogovin Owner of In the Kitchen With Lisa culinary tours (inthekitchenwithlisa.com)
18th Street near Dolores Park:"Seasonal, organic and local is the San Francisco way of eating. And from Dolores Park, at the western edge of the Mission District, it's only a block to one of the city's greatest food streets." For picnic fixings (free movies are shown at the park the second Thursday of the month), try the European-style Bi-Rite Market. Or, share a huge pressed sandwich on walnut levain bread ($10.75-$12.50) at the Tartine Bakery & Cafe, then splurge on a $3.25 scoop of salted caramel ice cream at Bi-Rite Creamery. Info: 415-241-9760, biritemarket.com; 415-487-2600, tartinebakery.com.
Warming Hut Café:This onetime Army shed turned cozy local hangout is "the perfect break to refuel" with organic coffee and a strawberry and feta spinach salad ($8) while biking or walking along Chrissy Field's bayfront promenade. Info: 415-561-3040, parksconservancy.org
Ferry Building Marketplace:If you visit this historic transportation hub turned foodie emporium during its farmers' market (Tuesdays and Saturdays, plus Thursdays and Sundays during the summer), "you can fill up with free samples" from the 100 or so outdoor stalls. Don't miss the gratis nibbles at Scharffen Berger, "where they really want people to understand how chocolate is made," or the Cowgirl Creamery, where a half-round of triple-cream Mt. Tam cheese costs about $5-$7. And "don't leave without a $1.50 Parisian macaroon" from Miette Patisserie. Info: 415-693-0996, ferrybuildingmarketplace.com.
Rob Spoor Volunteer with San Francisco City Guides (sfcityguides.org)
Walking or biking the Golden Gate Bridge:"If you've got the constitution to walk or bike past the halfway point (the entire span is 1.7 miles long), it's the ultimate San Francisco experience. You'll feel the fog before you see it. The wind picks up, there's a 10-degree temperature drop, and within a half hour, the towers disappear into the mist." Info: 415-921-5858, goldengatebridge.org.
Alamo Square Victorians:The row of brightly hued "Painted Ladies" facing Alamo Square Park with modern San Francisco looming in the background may be a postcard cliché, "but I can't think of any other city in America that offers such a striking architectural contrast." On the San Francisco City Guides' free walking tour (offered the first and third Wednesdays and Saturdays of the month through September), "there's a chance one of the homeowners along the route will invite the group for a visit. Step inside, and you're transported back to the 1880s." Info: 415-557-4266, sfcityguides.org.
The Palace Hotel:Celebrating its 100th anniversary this year — it opened in 1875 but was rebuilt after the 1906 earthquake and fire and reopened in 1909 — the Palace has hosted a long list of dignitaries, moguls and celebrities. (Actress Sarah Bernhard raised eyebrows in 1887 when she arrived with her pet tiger, and Italian tenor Enrico Caruso was a guest during the 1906 shaker.) A stay or meal may "fall outside the reasonable category," but simply strolling through the gilded, Beaux Arts lobby "is a memorable antidote to all the bad economic news." Info: 415-512-1111, sfpalace.com.