20 Free Things To Do In San Francisco
San Francisco is famous for being an expensive city, but did you know that many of the city’s most famous attractions are actually free? From iconic landmarks to world-class museums and parks, you can really experience San Francisco without paying a dime!
As a San Francisco local, here is a list of my favorite 20 free things to do in San Francisco:
Table of Contents
- Walk The Golden Gate Bridge
- Palace of Fine Arts
- Marshalls & Baker Beach
- Golden Gate Park
- Wood Line
- Explore City Hall
- Seward Street & Esmeralda Slides
- San Francisco Botanical Garden
- Grace Cathedral
- Lombard Street
- Bernal Heights & Twin Peaks Views
- Fort Point
- Free Museum Days
- Pier 39 and Fishermans Wharf
- Musée Mécanique
- City Lights Bookstore
- Cable Car Museum
- Amoeba Music
- Clarion Alley
- Marina Green and Crissy Field
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Walk The Golden Gate Bridge
Battery Godfrey
Probably the most iconic landmark in San Francisco, it’s totally free to walk or bike across the Golden Gate Bridge. Make sure to dress in layers since it tends to get quite windy on the bridge!
Most people start at the Golden Gate Bridge Welcome Center, but a great alternative is to begin at Battery Godfrey, which offers a stunning view of the Golden Gate Bridge that is a bit of a local secret!
An added bonus is that the parking is free at the attached Langdon Court Parking Lot.
Important: Remember not to leave anything valuable at all inside your vehicle! Unfortunately, car break-ins are a major problem in all popular areas like this.
Palace of Fine Arts
This spectacular building was built for the 1915 Panama Pacific Expo to exhibit art and was actually one of the few remaining structures of the Expo.
It was built by architect Bernard Maybeck to resemble decaying Roman and Greek ruins. It’s been the scene for many movies and tv shows such as The Rock and Wheel of Fortune. It’s also a popular spot for wedding photography, outdoor picnics, and outdoor concerts.
Make sure to walk under the massive rotunda and then to the far side of the lake to catch the reflection of the Palace of Fine Arts off the water.
Marshalls & Baker Beach
Another locals secret - Marshall’s Beach is a tiny slice of beach and rocky outcroppings that will afford you an amazing angle of the Golden Gate Bridge that few get to see.
Keep walking along the amazing Batteries to Bluff Trail to get to Baker Beach, which is a longer and wider beach that you can spend some chill time on. Baker Beach also has a pretty great view of the Golden Gate Bridge.
By the way, Batteries to Bluff Trail is one of the many great hikes in the San Francisco Bay Area!
Golden Gate Park
One of the largest green spaces in San Francisco - this is where many locals go to get their fill of nature, hang out with friends, or just have a nice run.
The Dutch Windmill is a must-see if you’re visiting - it’s an actual windmill with beautiful floral landscaping.
The Japanese Tea Garden (free admission Monday, Wednesday, and Friday, 9:00 am – 10:00 am) is an exquisite slice of Japan with a beautiful pagoda, koi fish, and a working Japanese tea shop.
DeYoung Tower is also free to enter and offers amazing panoramic views of Golden Gate Park and beyond.
The amazing San Francisco Botanical Garden is free from 7:30 am - 9 am and on the second Tuesday of every month. It’s also completely free to San Francisco residents anytime.
Check out:
Wood Line
Located inside the sprawling Presidio, this nature-inspired work of art is made up of cut eucalyptus trees laid in a gentle zig-zag pattern down a large swaying tree tunnel.
It’s quite calming to walk down the path while listening to the sound of the Pacific Coast air swirl through the treetops.
Explore City Hall
The San Francisco City Hall is one of the most beautiful buildings in the city with its graceful Beaux-Arts architecture, grand staircase, and beautiful light streaming in from all sides.
It’s free to enter Monday through Friday from 8 am to 5 pm.
You might see a whole bunch of wedding photography sessions as it’s a popular spot for that!
Seward Street & Esmeralda Slides
Two local favorites for some great fun - both the Seward Street and Esmeralda Slides are places to bring your inner kid out!
There are usually some cardboard pieces there for you to place under your bottom so you can slide faster and prevent your clothes from getting dirty.
The Seward Street slides have a slight curve in them and can pick up some serious speed while the Esmeralda slides are made of stainless steel and go straight down.
The bonus of Esmeralda is that you can hike up to Bernal Heights afterward for a great view of the city!
San Francisco Botanical Garden
Located inside Golden Gate Park, this one of my favorite places to stroll around in!
The garden is divided up into regions of the world and types of plants such as the Southeast Asian Cloud Forest, Succulent Garden, and Garden of Fragrance.
Due to the abundance of plants from all over the world, the park is pretty much in bloom all year round!
The magnolia bloom in early spring and the California native garden blooms in late spring are quite spectacular.
It’s free to enter from 7:30 am - 9 am and on the second Tuesday of every month. In addition, if you’re a San Francisco resident, it’s completely free to enter anytime.
Grace Cathedral
One of the most beautiful cathedrals in San Francisco - Grace Cathedral is a French Gothic church and the third-largest Episcopalian Church in the USA.
If you visit make sure to check out the bronze front doors, which are an exact replica of the Baptistery of the Duomo in Florence, Italy.
Inside, there is a wonderful labyrinth that is covered with beautiful light from the multicolored windows adorning the sides of the cathedral.
It’s free to visit almost every day from 8 am to 6 pm unless there is a scheduled mass going on.
The cathedral is also a major supporter of the arts, so check the church schedule to see if there are any interesting events happening when you’re in San Francisco.
Lombard Street
Named the ‘Crookedest Street’ of San Francisco, it’s quite the experience driving down Lombard Street and it’s totally free! As a local, I always make it a point to drive down Lombard if I’m nearby!
You’ll start at the top of Lombard and slowly wind your way down while appreciating all the beautiful landscaping and flowers that the locals have planted on the street.
I also like to park the car at the top and walk down the steps on either side to absorb in more of the details.
Bernal Heights & Twin Peaks Views
Visiting San Francisco isn’t complete without visiting one or both of these incredible vistas of the city.
Twin Peaks is a bit higher up and offers a direct view of San Francisco with Market Street lined right up with the view.
Bernal Heights is more of a local affair with panoramic views and more options for hiking around. There’s also a swing that is sometimes installed on a tree with views overlooking the city. It’s taken down by the city though every now and then, so if you’re lucky it might be there when you visit!
Fort Point
For an amazing and up-close look at the Golden Gate Bridge, this historical fort offers up an interesting mix of history and incredible views of the Bay.
If you’re lucky, you’ll catch surfers and kiteboarders catching waves right at the break near Fort Point and the Golden Gate Bridge.
Free Museum Days
San Francisco is home to some world-class museums and luckily they each have free entrance days.
Asian Art Museum - one of the most extensive museums in the USA dedicated to Asian Art is free to enter on the first Sunday of every month.
Legion of Honor - dedicated to mostly European fine art with works of art from Rodin, Monet, Picasso, Van Gogh, and more - it’s free the first Tuesday of every month
DeYoung - showcasing an eclectic mix of contemporary and classic art, this fantastic museum is free to enter on the first Tuesday of every month. The Viewing Tower is always free to enter.
Pier 39 and Fishermans Wharf
One of the more lively spots in town, it’s worth walking around Pier 39 to do a little window shopping, soak in the boardwalk atmosphere, and see the boisterous sea lions that are parked on a flotilla of wooden pallets.
Afterward, take a walk down Fisherman’s Wharf to take in the sights and sounds of the seafood stands, street performers, and streetcars.
Musée Mécanique
A remarkable collection of antique, mechanical arcade games - this playable museum is like walking into a time machine.
It’s free to enter and it’s quite fun to watch people play all the antique arcade games!
If you do decide to play a couple of games, most of them cost around a quarter to 50 cents to play - not too shabby!
City Lights Bookstore
This famous bookstore was founded by Lawrence Ferlinghetti, one of the members of the Beat movement, and became synonymous with the Beat Generation. It’s a popular meeting place for the San Francisco literary and creative community as well.
Swing by to check out their great collection of local writers as well as a fantastic selection of the latest books. They regularly have book readings and signings by popular writers, so check out their schedule if you’re interested in that.
Cable Car Museum
San Francisco is famous for its cable cars - but did you know you can visit a live functioning cable car barn? You can see the cables spin and pull and pose alongside some real cable cars inside as well!
Best of all, it’s free to enter! :)
Amoeba Music
If you love old-school record and music stores, Amoeba Music will be a place you want to check out!
Located in the colorful Haight Ashbury district, you’ll be taken aback by the sheer size and collection of music in this store! You can listen to all sorts of music while browsing their impressive music collection.
They also have free live music events, so make sure to check out the store schedule.
Clarion Alley
One of Mission District’s hotspots for street art, the murals here are regularly updated based on an interesting mix of political views, cultural commentary, and local artwork.
It’s free to enter.
My recommendation would be to enter via Valencia and then turn around back to Valencia when done.
Marina Green & Crissy Field
If you keep walking from Fisherman’s Wharf towards the Golden Gate Bridge, you’ll reach Marina Green and then Crissy Field.
Both are local’s favorites for anything from outdoor picnics, beach time, kite surfing, and impromptu parties.
Stop by the iconic Ghiradelli Square to check out the chocolate fountain!