Free or Cheap: 5 Fun Things to Do in San Francisco

San Francisco offers many great activities for all types of people. Whether you’re visiting for the weekend, or live in the Bay Area, here are 5 things that are free (or almost free) things that the City by the Bay can offer:
1) Ghirardelli Square / Fisherman’s Wharf / Pier 39
While many locals avoid this area like the plague, Fisherman’s Wharf area offers many activities and is one of the best places to people watch. Start at the western part near Ghirardelli Square (there’s always free samples of chocolate being given away at the store). Walk down towards the ocean and dip your feet in the bay. Walk east on Jefferson Street and say hello to the costumed bellmen at the Argonaut Hotel – take a peek inside the nautical themed hotel – before continuing down the street towards Fisherman’s Wharf. You can pass by the Boudin bakery and watch the workers create animal shapes from the bread. Further down by Pier 39, you can watch the sea lions sun themselves by the west marina.

2) Walk the Golden Gate Bridge
Considered one of the most beautiful bridges in the world, the Golden Gate Bridge is certainly a marvel to behold – get a close up look by actually walking this amazing structure. You can start at either end (San Francisco or Marin), or just walk halfway and back– either way it’s a refreshing walk with fantastic views – try to time your walk during sunset. The Marin side of the bridge does offer amazing displays of the San Francisco skyline.

3) Take a drive on the Crookedest Street in the World
While originally constructed as a solution to the unusually steep grade of this particular hill, the 8 sharp turns on Lombard Street unwittingly became one of San Francisco’s tourist attractions. Dozens of cars line up by Hyde Street to traverse Lombard’s twists and turns – much to the annoyance of many of its residents. Try to visit on a weekday morning or afternoon when there is almost no wait. There are also steps on the sides to let visitors walk up and down the hill.

4) Watch the Cable Car turntable on Powell Street
A visit to San Francisco certainly isn’t complete without seeing or riding the famous cable cars. Go to Powell Street and Market where the cars are still turned manually– at the end of the route, cars are placed on turntables and one or two employees will push the car to turn it around. A single rider fare costs $5.00, but an all-day pass (which includes the buses and street cars on the SFMuni System) is $11.00. There’s also the Cable Car Museum where you can see the cable cars from a more unusual point of view – from underground - and admission is FREE.
Tip: While there are other cable car lines, the Powell-Hyde line has a particular treat – the conductors will pause right by Lombard St – make sure to get a seat on the right side of the car to get the best view!

5) Visit the San Francisco Musuem of Modern Art
For art lovers, The SFMOMA houses a permanent collection of artwork by such artists as Henri Matisse, Ansel Adams, Andy Warhol, Frida Kahlo and Rene Magritte, as well as various exhibitions throughout the year. For those in town for a more flexible amount of time, admission during the first Tuesday of each month is free, while Thursdays are half-off.



While there are many other fun and free things to do in San Francisco, these certainly are can’t-miss items!