Japanese Tea Garden and other San Francisco, CA Tourist Trap Tips

The Japanese Tea Garden in Golden Gate Park was a tough tip to place... thing to do or tourist trap??? Though it is an interesting and unique sight in San Francisco, it is also a major tourist trap as it charges $4 a person to see a tiny one-acre park. Though this doesn't seem like much, there really isn't a whole lot in the park to keep a person busy... maybe a 20-minute stroll and you are done. If you want more, you can always blow money at the gift shop and the $5 per cup tea shop. That is, if you can avoid the lines of tourists trying for the exact same photo as the last group of tourists.

Yes, it's nicely manicured and peaceful, but no park I have ever visited is worth $4 for a 20 minute stroll. Similar gardens such as Sun Yat Sen Chinese Gardens in Vancouver are more impressive, not to mention free!

Even the semi-public restroom was not worth worth the price as both the mens and ladies' rooms smelled pretty bad.

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At Least Do This: Avoid the gift shop and tea house; visit on a quiet weekday in the fall or winter.
Alternative: The botanical gardens are across the street and free.