One Day in San Francisco with Go Card

As you know, I love saving money and I love doing things. Usually these things don't go together, because doing things costs money and doing a lot of things costs even more money, but Smart Destinations allows you to both do things and save money. Budget travelers rejoice! 

A bit ago I wrote about how I'd use Smart Destinations to do all the awesome things I wanted to do in Philly, but I was lucky enough to work with Visit Philly on this trip and instead had a full 12 hours to spend in San Francisco with Eric and my friend Nancy. We had two one-day Go Cards and we're determined to make the most of our time.

Now, 12 hours isn't a huge chunk of time (except for a layover when you have nothing to do), but we went in hoping to do 3 things on our list. Eric and I have been to San Francisco before, but we've never been to Golden Gate Park and decided to start there.

I found a great Oceanside restaurant to grab lunch on the edge of the park and then we drove down the way to the San Francisco Zoo. Admission was included in our Go Pass, so our only cost was for parking ($10). 

I wouldn't say it was the coolest zoo we've visited (especially considering not everything was open on a Thursday), but it was one of the more interesting. There were animals we hadn't seen at other zoos, like a two-toed sloth, and you could get closer to many animals than you could other places. I was two feet away from a bunch of penguins.

We spent a lot more time than expected there, and there were supposedly gardens there that we didn't see, but the rainforest and the aviary we're both worth a little extra time to explore.

During the weekends this month they have an Oktoberfest food truck pod, they also have a fun day maze for kids, that we couldn't resist running around in. We're fun like that.

After the zoo, we drove through the Park to the waterfront and Fisherman's Wharf. Nancy had never been to the San Francisco Dungeon and always wanted to and we had only been to the one in London.

Unfortunately you can't take pictures inside the Dungeon, but it's all dark anyway. This is the closest thing I'll get to a haunted house, and it's not even scary, despite them wishing us all "Have a horrible time!" The Dungeon claims to tell the sordid history of San Francisco, but I'm not sure I learned much. You go to the Wild West and visit a courthouse, where everyone is proclaimed guilty, you visit a "doctor" that tells you about the plague in the city and announces you all have it, then you move on to a haunted room where a seance happens and spirits move things, and last you move on to Alcatraz to hear about a crazed criminal. 

The Alcatraz bit is the best part, due to the awesome actors. And at the end you get to "escape" from Alcatraz on the dumbest ride you've ever been on. Every Dungeon has a lame ride somewhere in it. London has a "boat ride" that goes about 30 feet. This one goes up 14 feet and then drops back down. Ha! It took longer to get in than to do it.

Somewhere in between you enter a mirror maze, which I made my friend hold my hand through, but nothing jumped out at us or scared us in any way. Aside from that, I found the whole experience hilarious rather than scary or "horrible"...unless you paid full price maybe. Look online for a discount coupon or use your GoCard, which I highly recommend.

Right next door to The San Francisco Dungeon is Madam Tussaud's Wax Museum where there are three (small) floors of famous celebrity figures, including historical figures like Rosa Parks and Martin Luther King. We took pics with all the greats like President Obama, Johnny Depp and Michael Jackson.

Amid the figures, which are sometimes disturbingly realistic, you learn about the process that Madam Tussaud used to create her wax figures and how they are made today, step-by-step. Check out how Neil Patrick Harris looks in different stages of the process.

After the Wax Museum, we had just enough time for dinner before heading back to the airport to continue on to Philadelphia. There are plenty of ways we could have configured our day, including getting on the Big Bus to hop off and on at all the great places in the city. So, what else could we do with GoCard? Check out the list:

• Hop-On Hop-Off Big Bus
• California Academy of Sciences
• Bridge 2 Bridge Cruise
• Aquarium of the Bay
• Ripley's Believe It or Not!
• California's Great America
• Escape From the Rock
• Exploratorium
• AT&T Park Tour
• Golden Gate Bay Cruise
• Blazing Saddles One-Day bike rental
• San Francisco Museum of Modern Art
• Six Flags Discovery Kingdom
• USS Pampanito
• de Young Museum & Legion of Honor
• Walt Disney Family Museum
• K1 Speed Indoor Karting
• Go Car San Francisco Tour
• Angel Island RT Ferry
• Asian Art Museum
• U.S.S. HORNET Museum
• Contemporary Jewish Museum
• California Historical Society
• UC Berkeley Botanical Garden
• The Beat Museum

That list is huge! If you can't find enough stuff on the list to make your vacation awesome, you just aren't trying. Choose 1-, 2-, 3- or 5-day passes or create your own pass (but you will save less if you do it this way). The more you do, the more you save, and with All-Inclusive Pass (what we used), you can save up to 60% off gate prices. How can you say no to that? You buy one card for each member of your travel group. They start at just $74, but there's definitely one that fits your travel style and length of trip.

Get your Go Card for San Francisco, or any of the other city's that Smart Destinations works with. Purchase by 10/31 and save 10% off as well!

Find Smart Destinations (GoCard and Explorer Pass) online to see how awesome it is for the budget traveler: Facebook | Twitter | Pinterest | Instagram

How would you spend one day in San Francisco?

Disclaimer: I was given two 1-day all-inclusive cards from Smart Destinations as a promotional special and for the purposes of this review. As always, all opinions are 100% my own. This post also includes affiliate links which will result in monetary compensation if you purchase through said links. Thanks in advance.

Making The Most of Your 3-1-1 Bag

As I'm doing some last-minute packing for a trip, it occurs to me that I still pack more in my toiletry bag than I need, though I take the smallest one possible to avoid taking too much. On vacation I always think I'm going to put on a whole face and look fabulous and then I don't do any more than I do at home, and, in some cases, even less. I want to be low maintenance, but still look great. 

If you typically use the same few items at home, don’t take a bunch of extra items that will just take up room in your bag, because chances are that you won’t use them when on vacation either. Here’s how to put together your Travel Beauty Bag that helps you minimize, still look great and pack light (so you don’t have to pay to check a bag):

Hang onto those samples

When I purchase from Sephora or anywhere else, I look for samples that I will use in the future. I have a good collection of trial size items that I can rotate into my travel bag, including powder, mascara and eye shadow. I buy smaller sizes of my foundation, or go for a powder foundation and everything else is tiny and lasts me several vacations before I need to toss and replenish. If you’re a member of ebates, you can always find great promo codes for deluxe size samples of Sephora buys.

Decant or put into a zip-top bag

I don’t need to take a full-size product with me anywhere. I’m not moving to my destination. I decant my moisturizer, face scrub and other items I only use small amounts of into smaller containers and bring toner or facial exfoliating pads in a zip top bag to eliminate bulky packaging and avoid putting such things in my 3-1-1 bag. If you have a favorite toner, soak some cotton pads in them, toss them in a zip-top bag, squish the air out and put directly in your toiletry bag. This way it won’t spill out in your 3-1-1 and also doesn’t need to be put in that bag at all.

Simplify

Do you actually need those 47 products you almost never use at home? I don’t. I barely even use eyeliner when I’m at home, so I tend to only pack the basics: moisturizer, foundation, powder, blush, mascara and a tiny eyeshadow quad (which I may not use either). I’d rather use my toiletry space for things that I do use, like hair products to keep my hair from getting all frizzy or dry.

Speaking of, I have invested in a great solid shampoo and conditioner, so I don’t have to waste space on liquids when I don’t have to. These work just as good as my at-home products, and no chance of spillage. If I feel like my hair needs a little extra help, then I will bring a small, extra-moisturizing liquid conditioner instead. Usually, I just pack a tiny bottle of hair oil, which you can find just about anywhere, that will de-frizz whenever I need it.

Size down

That full-size shampoo that lasts you 6+ months really belongs at home. I mean, you’re going to be gone 2 weeks (or less!), so 3oz is likely to be more than you actually need, even if two of you are sharing it. Same goes for moisturizer and other products. You can purchase smaller, reusable, containers pretty much anywhere. I like these, though you can also use a spare contact case if you need something smaller.

I take this same stance on hair appliances. I have a travel-size flat-iron that will actually fit in my small toiletry bag. The one I take most often has a rounded edge, so it can be used as a curling iron, too. Don’t waste all the room in your carry-on with a full-size iron, hair dryer or other item. You can find “mini” ones that work just as well, or better, that you can keep in your bag.

I typically travel with that and a folding brush, too. It makes my mornings really easy, because I don’t have to juggle a bunch of things and they don’t take up the entire bathroom sink area…if there’s even counter space for them in the first place.

Bring Multi-use products

This is a must. I make sure I bring items that have SPF in them, so I don’t have to bring a separate facial sunscreen. I also have a great lip and cheek stain. And I swear by philosophy bath gel, which I use as shower gel and in place of shave cream. It can also work as a shampoo or bubble bath if needed, plus they all smell heavenly.

Packing light can actually help you pare down at home, because you see what you really use and what you don’t. It also allows you to be a little creative, get out of the room more quickly and care more about your actual vacation than looking like a beauty queen. You can still look great with fewer products, and you’ll be able to pick up your travel bag. Think of all the things you can spend baggage fees on instead. That’s an extra $25+ – each way – in your pocket.

How do you pare down and/or simplify your beauty bag? 


Disclosure: this post contains affiliate links and making a purchase through them will result in monetary compensation. Thank you in advance.

Celebrate Oktoberfest with Big Bear Cabins

I love a vacation rental. I will almost always book one over a hotel if I can, because I enjoy having the extra space and a kitchen, so I can make breakfasts and also bring back leftovers. If you enjoy the same things, then a vacation rental might be more for you as well.

If you’re headed to southern California and looking to get away from it all, Big Bear has activities for the whole family, or can be just a super relaxing destination that isn’t home. And if you are into that, then check out Big Bear Cool Cabins. They’re your home away from home, but better, because it isn’t home.

With over 350 rentals (homes, condos, or cabins), you can find exactly what you want for everyone you’re traveling with, whether you want to stay on the lake, be in the secluded woods, or somewhere in between. It’s the perfect way to get away for a few days or weeks.

Many rentals come with WiFi, so you aren’t too out of touch with the real world, and you can book ones that let you bring your pup(s), ones that have hot tubs, or ones that have game rooms if you’re coming with the whole family.

photo credit: Big Bear Cool Cabins // Shell Cottage

Right now, they are running a special for Oktoberfest. Book for 2 nights for the weekend of November 2-4 and get 20% off your rental, FREE Oktoberfest tickets, 2 free 2-hour bike or kayak rental and 10% off the Scenic Sky Chair or a round of golf. That’s, like, a totally packed weekend! Just use promo code ENCORE when you book.

Ocktoberfest in Big Bear is the #1 rated Oktoberfest in Southern California, and it doesn’t just have beer, but German music, entertainment and food. Enjoy the very same beers poured at Munich’s Oktoberfest for more than 150 years!  You’ll be so tired (and full), you’ll just fall into your awesome Cool Cabin bed. That’s the best feeling, in my opinion. Then you can sleep it all off and head home in the morning, or stay longer if you want. It’s all up to you.

photo credit: Big Bear Cool Cabins // Pine View Heaven

There are great rentals on special for the Encore promo, from 1 bedrooms that sleep 4 to 7 bedrooms that sleep over 20.  Go with your sweetie for a romantic stay or take a whole crew out there to indulge in the celebration. Whoever you bring, you’ll be able to stay affordably and in comfort.

So, what else is there to do in Big Bear that’s just a quick drive or a longer walk (or bike ride) from your Cool Cabin? So much! Big Bear is a four-season destination at 7,000 ft elevation. Many off-roading trails are open all year, but in the fall and winter, you can find ski opportunities, snowboarding and even snow tubing. If those aren’t quite your thing, maybe check out a nice hike on snowshoes.

Fishing is a big attraction to those going to Big Bear. You can also bring your boat or charter one for even better chance of catching “the big one”. 

photo credit: Big Bear Cool Cabins // A Wonderland

Year-round activities abound for the whole family. Head to The Village and go bowling, try an escape room, no go on a scavenger hunt, visit the Big Bear Alpine Zoo, get cultural at the Big Bear History Museum to learn more about the area. You can get a little retail therapy in funky and quaint boutique shops, or relax further with a trip to the spa for a massage or facial. Return in the summer for a whole bunch of other cool stuff to fill your days, from ziplining to riding on a pirate ship!

So, hop over to Big Bear Cool Cabins and book your Oktoberfest Encore getaway now. Just remember to use code ENCORE to get your awesome deal. Check back for other special offers throughout the year, so you can save even more off a great vacation for the whole family…or just go solo and enjoy the solitude.

For more about Big Bear Cool Cabins Vacation Rentals, find them online all over, including:

website (please use code SHEREENTRAVELSCHEAP)

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Disclaimer: This is a sponsored post on behalf of Big Bear Cool Cabins Vacation Rentals and I have been compensated for my post, but all opinions are 100% my own, as always.