11 Cheap Things You Can Do By Yourself In San Francisco

Because the ~City Of Love~ isn't just for lovers.

1. Get Lost in the magic that is City Lights Bookstore

Abigail Johnson

City Lights Bookstore is a must see in San Francisco. The historic booklovers landmark is how heaven looks in my dreams. With rooms upon rooms of books... just when you think its over, another nook appears. Keep one eye open for Lawrence Ferlinghetti, founder, poet, and 97 year old resident.

Abigail Johnson

2. Wander up and down Jack Kerouac Alley

Abigail Johnson

“The air was soft, the stars so fine, the promise of every cobbled alley so great, that I thought I was in a dream - Jack Kerouac."

So says one of the many plaques in this gorgeous alleyway that connects Chinatown and Little Italy. Located right beside City Lights, this a perfect place for reading.

3. Solo drink it up at Vesuvio

Abigail Johnson

Make friends with the bartender, and the ghosts of Jack Kerouac, Dylan Thomas, and Allen Ginsberg.

Paul Mountfort

Me :D

4. Make friends with the locals at Caffe Trieste

Abigail Johnson

Another historic beatnik haunt- it's here that Francis Ford Coppola famously wrote The Godfather screenplay.

I came here on a Sunday morning and spoke to locals about Trump, San Francisco, and millennials. Nothing like a 40+ year age difference to make for new perspectives.

5. Grab a selfie with Gaga

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Check out Madame Tussauds on Fisherman's Wharf, and compare heights with the short queen.

~YAS MAMA~

Abigail Johnson

You can also check out Jimmy Fallon for free. Everyone else you must pay for.

6. Walk up the crazy that is Market Street

Abigail Johnson

You can literally experience all there is of SF along this one street. Begin at the beautiful Ferry Building, pass the Westfield, descend into the turbulent Tenderloin, and onto the LGBT haven that is The Castro. You'll share the road with thousands of people, and a bustling plethora of cable cars. Hop on one, its a long road.

7. Check out the Palace Of Fine Arts

Abigail Johnson

There isn't a WHOLE lot to do here besides, like, grabbing a coffee and LOOKING. And it's worth looking at. Located in the Marina district the Palace of Fine Arts is otherworldly. Surrounded by ponds and built in 1915, you don't want to miss wandering through these arches. A perfect setting for contemplative solitude.

Abigail Johnson

~SHINE BRIGHT LIKE A DIAMOND~

8. Go to church

Abigail Johnson

Stop laughing.

I'm not religious myself, but I am curious as to how different cities run their church services, particularly if those cities are extremely liberal or extremely conservative. SF sits on the liberal side of things, so it makes sense their churches reflect as much.

Recently Dignity San Francisco, an LGBT Catholic Church, ran a free screening of Spotlight- the best pic winning film that explores Catholic Priest pedophilia.

They do things different here.

9. Sit at the bar

Abigail Johnson

If you're solo dining it you may want to sit at the bar, its a lot less conspicuous than ~table for one~.

Check out Lori's Diner for classic 50's kitsch. (Musical website- beware.)

10. Have a round on the Children's Creativity Carousel

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Or just watch it go round.

There's something strange, eerie, and fascinating about this inner-city carnival ride. $4 per person (good for 2 rides).

Ignore (or embrace) the horror-movie vibes.

11. And while you're there check out Yerba Buena Garden

Abigail Johnson

On a grey day its like being in a David Fincher movie.