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San Francisco is awe-inspiringly green, having banned plastic bags, plastic bottles, and Styrofoam to-go containers. Instead of looking at the city with envy from afar, book it to the bay to see their efforts in action. Here's how to go affordably without compromising your-or San Fran's-eco-spirit:
1. Find airfare fast! Airlines like American, U.S. Airways, and United are offering round trip fares for around $300 during the months of April and May. Choose a nonstop flight to avoid extra takeoffs and landings, which burn additional fuel into the atmosphere.
2. Carbon offset your travel: Spending as little as 10 bucks over at TerraPass will cover a trip of up to 6,000 miles.3. Shack up at an eco-chic hotel: Hotel Triton, under the popular, green Kimpton chain offers nightly rates starting at $111. Make sure to book 14 days in advance to get the best price.
4. Get around in green style: San Fran is a walkable city but the Muni (the San Francisco Municipal Railway) also offers cheap, energy efficient ways to cruise around including the subway, buses, electric streetcars, and famous cable cars.
5. Indulge your sustainable senses: The famous Ferry Building offers local Cali-style samplings from Cowgirl Creamery, Scharffen Berger Chocolate Maker, and the Hog Island Oyster Company. Pack up your local goodies and enjoy them in the city's famously green space, Golden Gate Park.
Difficulty level: Easy
