budget travel – Jellybeans in the City

The Bay Area is one of the most iconic and culturally rich regions in the United States, with a unique blend of natural beauty, diversity, and history. From the stunning vistas of the Golden Gate Bridge to the vibrant cultural scene of San Francisco, there are countless reasons to explore this dynamic region.

Exploring the Bay Area can be a dream come true for many, but it can also be expensive. The good news is that there are plenty of ways to experience the Bay Area’s beauty and culture without breaking the bank.

Here are some tips for exploring the Bay Area on a budget:

Take advantage of public transportation

The Bay Area has an excellent public transportation system, including buses, trains, and ferries. Use the Bay Area Rapid Transit (BART) to travel to and from major cities like San Francisco and Oakland, and take the bus or ferry to explore nearby destinations like Sausalito and Alameda.

Visit the Golden Gate Bridge

The Golden Gate Bridge is one of the most iconic landmarks in the Bay Area, and it’s completely free to walk or bike across the bridge. Bring a picnic and enjoy the stunning views of the city and the bay.

Be sure to check out Point Bonita Lighthouse while you’re there. Explore the rugged coastal landscape, walk across a suspension bridge, and visit the historic lighthouse for a glimpse into the area’s maritime history.

Explore the Presidio

The Presidio is a national park that offers hiking trails, beaches, and picnic areas. Admission to the park is free, and there are plenty of opportunities to explore the park’s natural beauty and historical sites.

Visit free museums and cheap attractions

There are several museums in the Bay Area that offer free admission on certain days or at specific times. Check out the Contemporary Jewish Museum, the San Francisco Museum of Modern Art, and the Asian Art Museum for free or discounted admission.

Explore iconic landmarks

The Bay Area is also known for its iconic landmarks that showcase the region’s rich history and breathtaking views. Make sure to landmarks such as include Coit Tower and Lombard Street in your itinerary:

Located atop Telegraph Hill in San Francisco, Coit Tower offers panoramic views of the city and the bay. Climb to the top of this Art Deco tower and take in the stunning vistas while admiring the beautiful murals inside.

Known as the “crookedest street in the world,” Lombard Street in San Francisco is a must-visit attraction. Marvel at the tight turns and beautiful flowerbeds as you drive or walk down this iconic street.

Go to the beach

The Bay Area has several beautiful beaches, including Ocean Beach, Baker Beach, and Half Moon Bay. Pack a picnic, bring a book, and spend a day relaxing on the beach.

Take a hike

The Bay Area is known for its beautiful hiking trails, and many of them are free. Check out the Muir Woods National Monument, Mount Tamalpais State Park, and Point Reyes National Seashore for stunning views and memorable hikes.

Check out Silicon Valley

While it may not be the first destination that comes to mind for many tourists, it is a fascinating and unique place to visit for anyone interested in science, engineering, and entrepreneurship. The area is home to numerous tech giants, including Google, Apple, and Facebook, as well as the NASA Gift Shop. Aside from being a hub for venture capital and start-up companies, Silicon Valley is also known for its natural beauty and outdoor activities.

Book Your Lodging at Airbnb.

Booking your lodging at Airbnb can be an affordable and comfortable way to explore the Bay Area. You can find options that are much cheaper than hotels, and you can often get access to a full kitchen to cook your own meals. Your hosts may also point out local areas of interest such as affordable dining spots and shopping centers.

Exploring the Bay Area on a budget is easy when you take advantage of these tips and resources. Whether you’re a local or a visitor, there’s plenty to see and do without spending a fortune.

Pictures were taken during a family trip to the US in 2019.

Did you know that aside from guiding mariners by night or during storms, lighthouses also serve as daymarks – landmarks that are visible from the sea during daylight hours. To serve as a day mark, the light tower should be brightly painted, and feature distinctive colors and patterns.

One such light tower in the Mukilteo Lighthouse which the fam explored during our trip to the Pacific Northwest. Designed by renowned architect Carl W. Leick, this Victorian-style lighthouse, which stands 38 feet high (one of the shortest in the United States), has been operating since March 1, 1906. By 2001, the US Coast Guard has transferred the Mukilteo Light Station property to the City of Mukilteo, although it still maintains the light and the foghorn as working aids to navigation.

When it was originally built, the lighthouse was equipped with an oil lamp and a rotating lens; the oil lamp had to be refilled and the rotating lens had to be rewound every three hours.

Currently, its light is made possible by a fourth order Fresnel lens built in Paris, France in 1852 and brought to Mukilteo when the lighthouse was converted to electricity in 1927. With a flash pattern of two seconds on / three seconds off which is unique to Mukilteo, the lighthouse is now fully automated and on 24/7.

Atop the light tower is a breathtaking view of the Possession Sound, named by George Vancouver in 1792 when he claimed possession of the land of “New Georgia” for Great Britain. Possession Sound connects the main Puget Sound basin to the south with Saratoga Passage and Port Susan to the north.

Beside the lighthouse is a structure known as the Assistant Keeper’s House which was also designed by Architect Leick as part of the light station. Today, it serves as a venue for historical exhibits and as a gift shop for visitors.

Encompassing the light station compound, the sandy beach and shoreline walkway is the Mukilteo Lighthouse Park. This has one of the most easily accessible shorelines in the Snohomish County, especially among those needing ADA access. It also displays sculptures by Tulalip tribal carvers and artworks by Joe Grobin and James Madison.

The fam spent a long while here just enjoying the view, skipping rocks along the beach and cooling off with some ice cream at the nearby Diamond Knot outlet.

The Mukilteo Lighthouse Park is a thirty to forty-minute car ride from Seattle. It is located at 609 Front St, Mukilteo, WA 98275, open 4am to 10pm from May 1 to September 30, and 6am to 10pm from October 1 to April 30. For inquiries or more information, call (425) 263.8180 or visit its website.

Check out the attractions the fam and I visited during our US trip:

Cannon Beach, OR

Tag: budget travel

8 ways to explore the Bay Area without breaking the bank