Going to San Franciso?

Beginning of April my girl frind and I are going to the bay area, San Franscio. We would like to do it on the cheap. Check out the city, maybe go to Santa Cruz, Big Sur. O r go north up the coast aways, maybe via the wine country. Where are cheap/ affordable places to stay? Hostels, B and B s, or how do we book accomadations we can afford. Dont want to pay an arm and a leg to sleep. Want to enjoy all the fun things there are to see and have some adventure. Any sugestions which can help us we do appricate. Thanks

Go here http://www.hostels.com/
and here http://www.hostelworld.com/

Between the two, you have the listings for just about every hostel in the world. B&Bs are expensive, especially anywhere worth going. If you check the budget hotel sites (Hotels.com, Priceline, Orbitz, etc...) you might be able to find some cheap rooms. Though at most hostels you can get a private room for around $70 a night. Not as glamorous as a hotel, but at least relatively affordable privacy.

There are several in the city... the one at Fort Mason (I think the sites above list it as Fisherman's Wharf, but while it's close, it's not... regardless, it's the one with lots of trees in the picture) and Green Tortoise in North Beach are the best, from the little I've seen (I've never stayed in any, but have heard about some/had friends staying in some). But keep in mind... they DO book up in advance, so the sooner you book, the better.

The wine country isn't really along the coast. The coast is nicer than the wine country, in my opinion. But meh... I hate wine. The northern coast is great. Big Sur and Monterey area/central coast are great. Petaluma's a really nice town, and is kinda the start of the wine country (but hardly). If you're really willing to explore, Lassen Volcanic Park, a couple hundred miles north of SF (near Redding), is great... the only park in the world with all 4 kinds of volcanoes (active).

If you want even *more* specific info, just ask... I tend to ramble.

I highly highly suggest not the Sana cruz, but the Alcatraz tour..awsome.

All fishing men's wharf is great.

If you like delicate, light cakes 1"x2" , with soft cloud lite whip cream frosting, and lots of delaciate choice - Choose can in boxes like you'd choice donut, BUT NO comparison
VISIT Chain town = bakery's.

All listed are very in-expense. And don't forget to go down the curviest road in the whole - Small but cool....

Bring the camera FOR SURE

There are a couple of nice hostels in SF, one out at Fort Mason (which is walking distance to Fisherman's Wharf), another on Van Ness.