How can we help make the world a better place, even during our vacations? By becoming an eco-tourist! Let’s try becoming an eco-tourist in San Francisco.
1. Golden Gate Bridge
Visit the majestic Golden Gate Bridge, and walk or bike across its 1.9-km walkway. An average walk may take at least an hour and a half to go to the other side of the bridge. Depending on a person’s resistance to strong winds, it may take him longer. You also can rent a bike to ride from end to end of the bridge. Most bikes are available for rent at $7/hour. To get to the bridge by Muni bus, take bus number 28 from Laguna Street (on Chestnut or Lombard) or along 19th Avenue.
2. Golden Gate Park
Golden Gate Park is the third most visited city park in the United States. Its 1,017 acres of park area houses several sites you can visit. There’s the Kezar Stadium, Conservatory of Flowers, the AIDS Memorial Grove, the San Francisco Botanical Garden, the Stow and Spreckels Lake, the Golden Gate Park Stadium, the Japanese Tea Garden, the de Young Museum and the California Academy of Sciences. There are several ways to get here through Muni transportation. Take the 5 from Market Street through Fulton Avenue. Take the 71 from Market Street through Haight Street. Take the 28 from Golden Gate Park. Or take Muni Metro N and get down at 19th Avenue and either take 28 or walk from there.
3. Farmer’s Markets
Make a difference. Eat local. Shop local. And what better way to do it than to shop at one of the numerous farmers markets all over the city. Be sure to visit year-round market at the Ferry Building, Alemany Market, Divisadero and Noe Valley. Most farmers markets in San Francisco are accessible by Muni. Check out http://www.511.org to find the right bus.
4. Transportation
San Francisco is a small city and using a car to get around the city can be a burden, what with all the one-way streets and hills and lack of parking spaces. Navigate through the city through Muni transportation (which includes the electric bus, commuter trains and cable cars). There’s always a bus going to any of your destinations! Or better yet, be one with the locals and walk the streets of SF.
What else can you contribute as an eco-tourist? Let us know your thoughts through the comments box!
