33 Free Things to do in San Francisco

San Francisco combines cool fog with hot entertainment opportunities.

Ride a cable car through the streets of San Francisco, splash in the bay, cruise its coves or just sit back and take in the city’s many parades and festivals.

It’s easy to become visually drunk on the many fascinations of the City on the Bay.

From sunsets over the Golden Gate Bridge to the fascinations of Fisherman’s Wharf, San Francisco offers something for everyone, all wrapped in a romantic fog. Best of all, you’ll find a wide variety of free activities in this most European of American cities.

1. Cable Car Museum
   Visitors can experience the history of Cable Cars. Here there are a wide variety of different photo graphs, engines, and tools from all different eras in Cable Car history.
2. Chinese Culture Center
   Come visit and learn about the rich Chinese history throughout San Francisco.
3. Golden Gate Park Band Concerts
   Admission is free on Sundays April through October.
4. San Francisco Shakespeare Festival
   Free performances in varying parks throughout the city during the summer.
5. Stern Grove Concerts
   Free outdoor concerts on Sundays during the summer.

   
   Photo by jamison

6. Guided tour of San Francisco
   You will be able to choose from over 30 different tours that you can go on. The tours last for 1-2 hours and are led by volunteers.
7. Ferry Building Marketplace
   This is a farmers market like no other. If you come on Tuesdays and Saturdays you will be able to get free samples and may even run into some famous chefs.
8. Heard of Buffalo at Golden Gate Park
   Here you can visit a roaming herd of buffalo that have been in the park since 1892.

   
   Photo by ndm007

9. Musée Mécanique
   Visit this location to see a broad array of different arcade games all gathered into one location. Have fun watching others try to beat the games or bring a few quarters to give them a try yourself.
10. Walk the Golden Gate Bridge
    If you want to experience going across the bridge but want to avoid the hefty toll this is a great option. This walk is going to be about 1.7 miles in length.
11. Wave Organ
    Visit the giant Wave Organ that makes music based on San Francisco Bay’s movements. The sound comes out of pipes and concrete.
12. Asian Art Museum
    This museum is free on the first Tuesday of each month. It offers a wide array of different collections of Asian art, ceramics, textiles, paintings, and more.
13. de Young Museum
    Visit this sculpture garden that is located in Golden Gate park. The museum is free the first Tuesday of each month.
14. Oakland Museum of California
    This gallery has different exhibits exploring the different ecosystems throughout California. It also has different art exhibits and artifacts from the history of the state. Entrance is free the second Sunday of the month.
15. San Francisco Maritime National Historic Park
    Visit this park to see historic ships that are docked with a view of the Golden Gate Bridge. It is free to visit all year round.
16. Sea Lions at Pier 39
    If you make a stop at Fishermans Warf checkout the Sea Lions at Pier 39.

    
    Photo by eclecticblogs

17. Lombard Street
    If you have a car on your trip this is a great thing to do. Many people have seen this street in the movies, why not experience it? Have fun driving down the extremely crooked road.
18. >San Francisco Railway Museum
    This museum focuses on the history of transportation in San Francisco. The museum is only open Wednesday – Sunday from 10am-6pm.
19. Grabhorn Institute
    If you are a book lover this is a must while in San Francisco. Come and see a free gallery including rare books, printing facilities, and typefaces.
20. Museo ItaloAmericano
    This museum focuses on the Italian American culture and lifestyle. It includes different works of art and is free Tuesday – Sunday from noon until 4 pm.
21. Mocha Museum of Children’s Art
    The gallery has free admission but if you are interested in going into the studio for the young artists you will need to pay $5.
22. Chabot Space and Science Center
    Take a 180 degree look at the evening sky for free. Come on Friday or Saturday evenings for this free show. It is open from dusk -10:30pm April to October and 7:30pm -10:30pm November to march.
23. San Francisco Zoo
    Visit your favorite animals for free on the first Wednesday of each month.

    
    Photo by gorditojaramillo

24. Steinhart Aquarium
    Come and visit all the different sea life at this aquarium. Admission is free on the first Wednesday of each month.
25. Bay Area Discovery Museum
    This museum is geared toward children including a bunch of different hands-on attractions for the kids. Admission is free on the second Saturday of the month between 1 and 5 pm.
26. Go Sailing
    You can go on a free introductory boat ride with the Cal Sailing Club on certain Sundays about once a month between 1 and 4pm. See site for schedule.
27. San Francisco Botanical Gardens
    Come view the beautiful plants that cover over 55 acres of land. Tours are offered Monday through Friday at 10:30 am and 1:30pm. Weekend tours are only offered at 1:30pm.
28. Yerba Buena Gardens
    This garden has a waterfall, art display, and memorial to Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Admission is always free between the hours of 6am and 10pm.
29. Lindy in the Park
    Attend a free swing dance party every Sunday between 11 am and 2pm at the Golden Gate Park.
30. Pier 39
    Walk to the end of the Pier made famous for the Sea Lions.
31. Coit Tower
    Visit this historic landmark created in 1933 at the top of telegraph hill. The tower is 210 feet tall and has different murals inside it.

    
    Photo by mptsk

32. Jelly Belly Factory
    If you love Jelly Beans this is a great tour to go on. Go inside the inner workings of this famous jelly bean company and even receive a free Jelly Belly sample for going on the tour. All tours and visits to the factory are free.
33. Anchor Steam Factory
    Tours of this brewery must be scheduled 3-6 weeks in advance of your planned visit. The tour will take 2 hours and is completely free including samples.