I would definitely go to the City of Seven Lakes: San Pablo City.
This has been a habit of mine over the years. San Pablo City has its own rustic charm I possibly couldn’t turn my back from! Below I listed my guide, estimated expenses and activities I do during a day visit. I could satisfy my love for old structures by visiting San Pablo Cathedral and the adjacent old house. Be united with nature as I hang-out at Sampaloc Lake, with the picturesque Mt. Cristobal standing not so far. Have a food trip from the various street foods along the lake shore. Bust out my wallet in the numerous ukay-ukay shops downtown. And finally relax by taking a dip in the cool waters in a quiet resort tucked away in the outskirts of the city center.
(fares quoted in Peso)
8 – jeepney fare from my house to van terminal going to San Pablo City Center (10-15 mins)
80 – Van fare from Balibago Complex Sta. Rosa City (Laguna) to San Pablo town proper (1 1/2 to 2 hours, depending on the traffic)
FREE- Walk from town center to Sampaloc Lake
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| source: bukisa.com |
30 – merienda along the sidewalk. There are lots of food stalls along Sampaloc Lake in San Pablo. These stalls are alloted by the local government and offer almost every Pinoy street food you are wanting to indulge on!
100 or below – rent a bike, stretch your sleeping legs and tour the entire stretch of Sampaloc Lake
FREE – Walk back to the City Center
FREE – Visit San Pablo Cathedral
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| Photo by Traveler on Foot |
FREE – Visit the different ukay-ukay shops. Walk to the direction towards San Pablo Mall. San Pablo has a vast array of thrift shops shop-a-holic girls should not miss! Great finds at reasonable prices. I suggest to visit the old cinema near the public market.
30 – trike fare to Sanctuario de San Pablo Resort and Spa in Callihan, near Max’s Restaurant.
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450 – day tour at Sanctuario de San Pablo. This resort and spa is my favorite hang-out here. You can go on a day tour even if you are not a hotel guest. For P 450 (on weekdays) and P 550 per person (on weekends) you have free use of cabanas, swim time until 9 PM including a set meal from their chosen menu. Check-out my entry here.
8 – jeep to city center
80 – van fare back to Sta. Rosa City
8 – jeep ride back home
TOTAL: P 694. Saved about P 300. Not bad.
This post is my entry to the Pinoy Travel Bloggers’ Blog Carnival for August 2012 with the theme “WHERE WOULD YOU TRAVEL GIVEN A P1,000 BUDGET?“. Cris Reyes of Pinay Thrillseeker hosts this edition of the blog carnival.
Visit Estan Cabigas’ Langyaw to see the archive of Pinoy Travel Bloggers’ Blog Carnival!
sulit.com.ph tlga yung lakad mo …. tga laguna ka lang pala 🙂
Ay ayos.ph talaga dito! 🙂
danda…syempre di mawawala ang simbahan! 🙂
Salamat! Aba'y syempre either may old house or old church! 😀
I've never been to San Pablo pero naintriga naman ako dahil sa post mo. I would love to see the lake! I wonder if merong boats for rent though?
Hey Aleah, sa Sampaloc Lake sa last na punta ko there are for rent na floating…the last time I went there, meron ding for rent na floating hut where you can do picnics…:-) i just forgot what they call it…yung pinepedal parang sa Enchanted….mas scenic sa Pandin Lake. Also in San Pablo. 🙂
If galang ako sa Quezon city, how do I go to San Pablo directly??
Hi Kathlynne, you have to ride buses which are Lucena, Quezon-bound. Just kindly ask the conductor to drop you off at San Pablo City. 🙂