New year, new travel inspo. If you’re already planning how to use your vacation days over the next year, look no further. San Francisco is the perfect travel destination for 2023, with its beautiful sights, delicious drinks and affordable eats.
As creator Mari Explores (@mari.explores) shared on Slice.ca’s TikTok, there’s so much to do and see in San Francisco without breaking the bank. Mari, who was born in Dubai before she moved to Canada with her family in 2000, has always been passionate about travel – and her trip to San Francisco was definitely a standout.
Watch the TikTok below, pack your carry on and read to see what Mari spent in a day (approximately, in CAD) in San Francisco.
@slicedotca putting #sanfrancisco on my 2023 travel list ✍️ #travel #whatispend ♬ original sound – .
Flight from Vancouver: $300
Kicking off her trip, Mari hopped on a flight from Vancouver to San Francisco, which only ended up clocking in at $300. But, if you’re looking to spend your time at the airport in style and have some extra cash to spend, try checking out a fancy airport lounge like Pearson Airport’s Plaza Premium Lounge in Toronto, where anyone can get in by paying $59.
Related: The 10 best places to travel in January 2023 outside of Canada.
3 nights at a hotel: $700
The biggest expense for Mari was the hotel, which ended up costing about $700 for three nights. While it was definitely on the pricier end, Mari opted for a high-end experience. You can really see that in the TikTok above, as the hotel boasts some grand, impressive architecture that definitely helps account for the cost.
Food: $80
Mari notes that “restaurant prices [in San Francisco] are very comparable to Vancouver’s prices,” so she only ended up spending about $80 on some tasty meals.
Looking for somewhere to stop and grab a bite? Sotto Mare is a must-visit, showcasing San Francisco’s famous seafood creation, cioppino – which is an Italian-American stew. You can also opt for other fresh seafood staples like Louie salads, Pacific shellfish or Dungeness crab.
See also: Italian Dream: What a Torontonian spent in a day as a tourist on the Amalfi Coast.
Drinks: $100
Over the course of the weekend, Mari ended up spending $100 on drinks, but if you’re a cocktail lover, you’ll want to check out some of the best drinks San Francisco has to offer. You can get some amazing cocktails at local hot spots like Red Window (which features Spanish-inspired cocktails and tapas) or Moongate Lounge (where the cocktails draw inspiration from the lunar calendar).
Transportation $160
Transportation was a big cost for Mari, as she spent $160 on Ubers and Trains over the course of the weekend. She notes that the Uber to and from the airport was the biggest cost for her. But, if you’re hoping to save on transportation, San Francisco has their historic cable cars, which is a great way for tourists to take in the city along scenic routes like the Powell-Mason and Powell-Hyde.
Related: Want to save money on travel in 2023? Here are a few tips.
Sightseeing: Free!
On the bright side, sightseeing was totally free. Mari didn’t pay any entrance fees to go anywhere, so if you want to take in the sights of San Francisco, make sure to head to the Fisherman’s Wharf, go hiking at Twin Peaks or check out the famous Golden Gate Bridge.
Total: $1,340
In the end, Mari spent about $1,340 for the weekend, making for the perfect weekend getaway full of historic sights and delicious eats.
You may also like: 18 hidden gems and unique places in Canada to visit right now.
