I will be visiting Yosemite, Point Lobos, Golden Gate and any other park between San Francisco and Monterey, was wondering if its cost effective to buy the Park Pass? I keep reading about buying it for $50.00
Thank you

This park pass is only good for National Parks. Of the three you mention only Yosemite is a National Park. Yosemite is $20 for a week's permit, so you would have to stay for over two weeks to make the pass worthwhile--or you would have to visit three or four other National Parks. Some National Parks don't even have an entrance fee, like Redwood or Pt. Reyes, so the pass is unnecessary there. The pass covers only the entrance fees, not camping or lodging.

There is a California State Park pass, but since it costs $125 per year, it's only worth it if you visit a state park about 30 times during the year. At most Cal. State Parks, there is way to get in for free, legally, although often it involves a trailhead a few miles from the main attractions. At Pt. Lobos you can park along the highway and walk in through the gate for free, and it's only about a mile to ocean.

Also, one California state park pass is good for the whole day at all California state parks, so if you're travelling along the coast, you should only have to pay once, and you can enter any state park all day as long as they are open.

Golden Gate Park is a city park, there's no charge for entry, although there may be a charge for the museums and such within the park.

Good advice, but if you are 55 or over a Golden Age Pass, which is good for admission to National Parks for life only costs $10 or $20. They can be bought at the entrance to any national park.

Golden Gate park is free, only the Japanese garden has admission fee, it may be not covered by this pass.

The pass may work on the Hyde Street Pier - interesting place, great views.

The California Golden Bear Pass for seniors is only $5 a year for those 62 or over.

Otherwise, the daily use pass may be $2 to $5 -not a princely amount by any means. Our state parks system does a magnificent job of maintaining those state parks with the tiny fees it collects.

Enjoy your visit! Especially to Point Lobos. While in San Francisco, go to the Cliff House and gaze at the tremendous stretch of beach that forms the western boundary for San Francisco.

Thank you all for your advise.
Gina

easytravel: can you tell me how I get to this cliff house you mentioned?

Till EasyTraveler comes back... just drive up Geary till you get to the ocean. Or take bus 38 going to 48th avenue or L limited to the last stop (bus 38 goes to 2 other places, don't take those!).

There are 2 restaurants if you want a lunch/dinner with a view. And it's within walking distance to the Golden Gate park, Dutch Windmill, tulip patch, the lakes with turtles.

Fainaagain: not a problem your help is also welcome. Thank you.
Gina