Handy resource for the occasionally-connected... wiPod, an iPod-based field guide/reference listing free wi-fi hotspots across a good number of US cities. I loaded the California and Bay Area regional guide onto my iPod this Wednesday, and have been happily wireless-squatting across the city ever since. Handy resource- check to see if your city (or cities) are included, there's quite a good amount of coverage already.
You can check all of the cities from http://www.metrofreefi.com.
Merry Christmas!
Scott