10 Free Things To Do In San Francisco

Looking for free things to do in San Francisco? The city is known for being pricey, so keep on reading to learn how to enjoy your trip without breaking the bank.

San Francisco is one of the most beloved cities in America but it’s also among the most expensive! Does that mean you need to give it a pass if you don’t want to spend a fortune? No way!

The city has something for every budget and even if you want to save, you can still leave your heart in the city. Here are my suggestions for the best free things to do in San Francisco.

Top 10 Free Things To Do In San Francisco

1- Explore Sutro Baths

Sutro Baths was once a huge indoor pool complex featuring 7 pools of different temperatures. Today it lies ruined, but it’s still worth checking out!

After you climb over the ruins and admire its beachfront location, you can explore the sea cave right next door. Keep your eye on the conditions though, you would not want to be in the cave when a sneaker wave comes rushing in.

Free Things To Do In San Francisco — The view from the Caves at Sutro Baths

Before you leave, take a short walk up the Coastal Trail for a glimpse of the Golden Gate Bridge. If you pay enough attention to the water, you can see the color changing as the San Francisco Bay meets the Pacific Ocean.

2- Check Out The Musée Mécanique At Fisherman’s Wharf

Experience all the nostalgia of the world’s largest privately-owned collection of antique coin-operated games and arcade machines. There’s plenty to learn just walking through this free museum, but you will wish you had a pocketful of quarters, all the machines still work!

Read Also: The Top 10 Lake Tahoe Golf Courses

3- Take A Hike In The Presidio

It’s not every day when you can get lost in nature in the middle of a bustling city! The Presidio is the perfect place for it, though. Take the “Ecology Trail” for a chance to walk amongst the redwoods and admire the bay at Inspiration Point.

4- Relax At Crissy Fields

Sun tanning on the beach may not be what comes to mind when you think of San Francisco, but if the weather cooperates there is no place better than Crissy Fields. You can enjoy the views of the Golden Gate and Alcatraz while watching kite surfers and sailboats go by.

5- Walk Over The Golden Gate Bridge

Nothing is more iconic in San Francisco than the Golden Gate Bridge. I came to the city after exploring Sacramento and crossed the bridge was in itself a special moment.

The fenced-off pedestrian sidewalk makes it easy to walk across if you’re willing to jostle with all the other tourists to do it. Even with the crowds, it’s still worth doing, you can’t beat the view from the top!

6- Visit The Cable Car Museum

After the Golden Gate Bridge, the San Francisco cable cars are next in line for “most iconic.” You can’t ride a cable car for free (it will only set you back $7 for a one-way trip) but you can visit the Cable Car Museum and learn all about them.

Once you’ve brushed up on your cable car history, head down to the end of one of the lines and watch the operators turn the car around by hand. It’s the last completely mechanical cable car system left in the world! I’m sure you had no idea that the Cable Car Museum was one of the best things to do in San Francisco for free, right?

7- Explore China Town

The sights, sounds and smells of the largest China Town outside China make this a must-visit neighborhood. You’ll want to walk under the Dragon’s Gate and take a picture of all the lanterns on Stockton Street.

While you’re here, you’ll want to have some Dim Sum, one of the best and cheapest lunches available in town! This part of the city has a lot to offer, so once you’ve tried your Chinese delicacies, you will be ready to explore the other cool places to visit in San Francisco.

8- Visit The Maritime Museum

Learn about the maritime history and culture at this free museum in the Aquatic Park Bathhouse Building.

After you’ve explored the museum, check out the historic ships moored outside. You can pay a fee to explore the ships or you can admire them from the docks for free.

9- Visit The Sea Lions At Pier 39

Just because it’s on every tourist’s list, doesn’t mean you should skip a visit to the famous San Francisco sea lions! They make a lot of noise and they smell terrible, but they are still really fun to watch.

For the best views head to the second floor of Pier 39. If you are struggling with the crowds or the smells, settle for the view from Pier 40.

Apart from the sea lions, Pier 39 has a lot of fun activities, food trucks, restaurants and if you have a sweet tooth, here you’ll be able to try some of the best desserts in San Francisco.

10- Visit City Hall

Larger than the Capitol Building in Washington, San Francisco’s City Hall is worth a visit. Take a free Docent-Led tour or explore the art gallery in the basement. You’re sure to run into several newlyweds, be sure to offer best wishes!

Each of these attractions is available for free year-round, but every single week there is something new happening in San Francisco for free. Before your trip, check which museums will be having free days and find out if there are any free festivals or concerts going on! For a more comprehensive guide, click here to see other things to do in San Francisco – and enjoy your visit!