Visiting San Francisco soon? We are helping you to have a great time by compiling the best free things to do in the city. Promise, it won’t cause you a penny! Enjoy!

 

  1. Admire the Mission Murals: Makes a perfect background for your OOTD.
  2. See the Cables Spin at the Cable Car Museum: Learn more about cable car and its history.
  3. Hike the Coastal Trail: Get the perfect angle for the Golden Gate Bridge.
  4. Catch Three Innings of SF Giants Baseball: This one’s for the sporty.
  5. Discover SF’s History on a Public Library Walking Tour: Catch the five to ten free walking tours offered through the public library.
  6. Uncover SF’s Waterfront History at the Maritime Museum: Explore this recently opened museum in Fisherman’s Wharf.
  7. Celebrate Spring at the Cherry Blossom Festival: You don’t have to go to Japan to see cherry blossoms. Japantown is maybe enough.
  8. Ring in the Chinese New Year: Visit Chinatown in February to celebrate Chinese New Year.
  9. Check Out the Mansions on Billionaire’s Row: Feast your eyes with these mansions.
  10. Step Inside City Hall: Discover the museums inside the building.
  11. Watch the Sea Lions at Pier 39: Watch the adorable seals lazing around.
  12. Visit the SF Galleries: Visit during open houses on the First Thursday and Saturday of the month.
  13. View the Coit Tower Murals: Don’t miss Coit Tower!
  14. Walk the Hyde Street Pier: Capture the five historical boats. Don’t go inside to avoid getting cash from your wallet.
  15. Enjoy a Day at the Beach: Sunbathe at Crissy Field, Baker Beach and Ocean Beach.
  16. Discover an Important Piece of History at the Fort Point National Historic Site: Learn about the military history sites.
  17. Stroll the Golden Gate Bridge: Explore the several new outdoor exhibits that explain the bridge’s architecture and its history.
  18. Honor Veterans at the National Cemetery: Open from 6am to 6pm in the Presidio.
  19. Step Back in Time at the Palace of Fine Arts: For a dose of amazing architecture.
  20. Admire the Beauty of Grace Cathedral: …And say a prayer.
  21. Walk the Paths Around Stow Lake: Say hello to the ducks and geese in Stow Lake.
  22. Spend One Hour in the Japanese Tea Gardens: Free every Monday, Wednesday and Friday morning from 9am to 10am.
  23. Visit the SF Museums: Free every first Tuesday of the month like the de Young Museum, the Asian Art Museum and the Legion of Honor.
  24. Take Pictures of the Famous Painted Ladies near Alamo Square: Get a glimpse of Victorian houses, better known as “The Painted Ladies”.
  25. Check Out One of the Most Crooked Streets in the World: Yup that’s Lombard Street.
  26. Hang with the Locals at Dolores Park: Enjoy an afternoon with a good book and coffee.
  27. Stop & Smell the Roses in Golden Gate Park: Marvel at the Rose Garden near Park Presidio Blvd. and Fulton Street. While you are there, make sure you also check out the colorful Dahlia Garden near the Conservatory of Flowers.
  28. Listen to Free Music at Stern Grove: Watch free concerts at Stern Grove Park every Sunday in the summer, performances start at 2pm.
  29. Discover the History of the Fairmont Hotel: Explore the place where the United Nations Charter was drafted in 1945.
  30. Sample Gourmet Treats at the Ferry Building: Enjoy free samples from high-end food and beverage retail shops.
  31. Watch the Surfers at Fort Point: Get entertained by the surfers that rips the waves.
  32. Soak in the Amazing Views at the de Young Tower Get 360° views that include Golden Gate Park, the top of the Golden Gate Bridge and downtown for free.
  33. Uncover Your Fortune at the Golden Gate Fortune Cookie Company: Make sure make a quick stop here after visiting Chinatown.
  34. Admire the Ancient Artifacts at the Chinese Temples: Visit the three small Chinese Temples and get a glimpse of their artifacts and alters.
  35. See the Bakers Work their Magic at Boudin Bakery: Watch the bakers craft alligators and other characters out of dough in front of a large window.
  36. Visit the Photography Exhibit at Pier 24: Get a chance to see rare pieces of art from all around the world.
  37. Learn About the Murals at the Rincon Center: Watch these murals that follow the history of San Francisco located at 121 Spear Street.
  38. Dance to the Music at San Francisco’s Summer Street Fairs: Experience SF’s largest street festivals that offer free music like the North Beach Festival, the Fillmore Jazz Festival and the Haight Street Festival.
  39. Hear the Sounds of the Water at the Wave Organ: Get awed by how the wave organ creates music.
  40. Walk the Historic Tour in Japantown: Take a great self-guided walking tour throughout the neighborhood.
  41. Tackle the Filbert Street Stairs: Explore the famous stairs challenge.
  42. Catch Amazing Views of San Francisco at Twin Peaks: Get a full view of San Francisco from Twin Peaks, including the views of downtown, Alcatraz Island and a large part of the SF Bay.
  43. See How Chocolate Was Made at Ghirardelli Square: Discover how chocolates are being made and grab your free piece.
  44. Enjoy Bluegrass Music in the Park at the Hardly Strictly Bluegrass Festival: Open for three days every October.
  45. Honor San Francisco Fire Fighters at the Fire Department Museum: Discover great pieces from the 1906 Earthquake and Fire.
  46. Find Out About the San Francisco Street Cars: Visit the Railway Museum for free.
  47. Attend a Book Reading at City Lights Bookstore: catch a reading one to two times a week.
  48. Roam Through the Games at the Musee Mechanique: Play arcade games like Ms. Pacman or check out the old time music boxes. It’s free to walk around, but you will have to pay to play.
  49. Listen to the Beautiful Music of the Glide Memorial Chorus: Feel like you are at a concert, by listening to the songs of this world-renowned choir.
  50. Peek in at the Presidio Church Murals: Only open to the public for a few hours on Sunday afternoons from 12pm to 4pm.

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