altitude of cusco peru Be adventurous diners. The Mission, Chinatown, and the Richmond district have wonderful, inexpensive

your kids don t need you to swim with them, you can work out on the poolside cardio equipment at the Hotel Nikko, at 222 Mason St. (&800/248-3308 or 415/394-1111). If you d prefer to take it easy, the lounge chairs and J apanese altitude of cusco peru hot tub , all under an attractiv e glass ceiling, ar e a r elaxing alternativ e. S ee

DECEMBER Christmas at S ea, especially suited to children under 10, takes place on board the historic ships docked at the H yde Street Pier (p. 170), and offers singing, cider, and stories. altitude of cusco peru Call & 415/5616662 or visit www.maritime.org.

Be adventurous diners. The Mission, Chinatown, and the Richmond district have wonderful, inexpensive ethnic restaurants (Mexican, Chinese, Thai, and Middle Eastern, among others) that will expand y our horiz ons without depleting your pocketbook. Purchase a SF M unicipal R ailway (Muni) Passport (see chapter altitude of cusco peru 4). And, use buses and str eetcars in lieu of r enting a car or taking taxis. Minimize the use of a car while in the city. Parking is pr ohibitively expensive and fr ustrating. You ll not only sav e money, but y ou may hav e a mor e relaxed vacation. Take advantage of what s free. It may be difficult to schedule your trip around museums fr ee admission days, which are only once a month, but ther e ar e ways to spend a lo vely day without constantly digging into y our wallet. (See the bo x F ree (or N early F ree) Things to D o with Your Kids in S an Francisco, below.) Remember y our local memberships. Zoos, aquariums, and museums offer free or r educed admission prices if y ou are a member of y our local zoo, aquarium, and museum. F or example, the San F rancisco Z oo, the A quarium of the Bay, and the California Academy of Sciences all have such reciprocal agreements. So bring your home city s membership cards with you. ATMS