Summer Staycation

By Gia DiNicola, Summer 2010

Don’t let the recession spoil your vacation plans. If monthly rent is causing you to desperately dig for change in your favorite jeans but only come up with pocket lint, we’ve got some cheap staycation ideas to help brighten your mood and summer days.

If you have…
$22 (M-F) to $25 (weekend) and a whole day, head over to Kabuki Springs for their Japanese-inspired communal baths to, “ … encourage harmony and relaxation.” The facilities include a hot pool, cold plunge, dry sauna, and steam room with traditional Japanese-seated bathing areas. Women only: Sundays, Wednesdays, and Fridays; Men only: Mondays, Thursdays and Saturdays; Co-ed: Tuesdays with bathing suits required. www.kabukisprings.com/baths.php.

$5 (with student ID) and you like flowers, get on over to the Conservatory of Flowers in Golden Gate Park. Permanent exhibits include potted plants, lowland tropics, highland tropics, and aquatic plants. They also offer special exhibits and events to keep things interesting. www.conservatoryofflowers.org.

$3-$7 and a sweet tooth, visit the Crème Brulee Cart Man. Have you ever had a lavender crème brulee? How about a toasted coconut one or green tea? Well if this is your bag, then follow the Crème Brulee Cart Man on Twitter - twitter.com/cremebruleecart. This guy tweets where he’s going to be, which flavors he’s selling for the day, and when he runs out. Mini-brulees start at $3.

0$ and are looking for something so cheap it’s free, check out the Seward Street Slides. There is a little park on Seward St, just off Douglass between 19th and 20th in the Castro Hills where you can take a ride on some concrete slides. You have to see them to believe them. You can go quit fast on these slides so in the interest of your clothes and backside use a piece of cardboard or wax paper to protect yourself (it will also help you go faster). Be mindful that this park is some folk’s backyard, so try not to scream and only go during open park hours.