Top 10 things you can do for free in San Francisco
San Francisco is a looker. The bay, mountains, architecture and bohemian eclectic vibes are a tremendous draw. But all those looks don’t come cheap. San Francisco is also one of the nation’s most expensive cities. So how can you see this lovely city without leaving your heart as collateral? Well, here are ten things you can do for free in the city by the bay
10) Musee Mecanic
Located at Fisherman’s Wharf, the Musee mecanique has one the largest privately owned collection of arcade games in the world. The usual suspects are all here: video games and pinball but also a large assortment of novelty arcade machines from the nineteenth and twentieth century. Coin-operated music machines, fortune telling machines and feats of strength are here. While the machines do require coins to operate, they are free to watch.
9) Palace of Fine Arts
Looking like a playground for a Roman emperor, the palace of fine arts is a photographic gem that holds its own in a city with so much competition. Originally built as part of the 1915 Panama-Pacific exposition and refurbished in 1965, the building is a local favorite for weddings and strolling romantic couples. It probably doesn’t hurt that Ghiradelli Square and its sumptuous assortment of chocolates is just a short walk away either.
8) Free tour of Golden Gate cookie factory
Fortune cookies come at the end of every meal in Chinese restaurants in most western countries but not often in China. While there is some debate as to the exact origin, most who study such subjects agree they originated in San Francisco. The tour is very informative and you get to find out your fortune. And don’t forget to try a yummy chocolate fortune cookie, which is totally a thing now.
7) Tour some beautiful houses of worship
All of these churches are free to enter. Just dress modestly, be respectful, and don’t go during a worship service unless you plan on attending. (But you knew all that)
6) Chinatown
A total immersion experience, Chinatown really is almost like a micro-nation. Amazing restaurants, shops, and even theaters that feature films in the Chinese languages. Chinatown’s denizens are proudly American all while honoring their past. A paragon of diversity in action
5) The Castro District
Aside from being a hub of San Francisco’s LGBT community, the city also has several free museums the mission that started the city and frequent street fairs. While not free the districts LGBT museum is thought-provoking and quite moving, you won’t even notice the five dollar admission.
4) Haight-Ashbury
Once the epicenter of the counter culture movement of the late 1960’s most of the hippies are gone, but not all. The clothes may have changed but the ideas still resonate with many here. The district still has its share of bohemian and avant-garde shops, restaurants and music stores. Many of the homes here have been gentrified and rebuilt but the district’s charm lives on.
3) The sea lions of Pier 39
Given their adamant mien, you would think that the sea lions had always called pier 39 home. This is not so. The sea lions actually only arrived after the 1989 earthquake. The merchants of the pier were none too happy about the new tenants and asked the California Department of wildlife to disperse them. Studies were conducted and it was determined that it would be too disruptive to move them. Few had the prescience to realize just how much a draw the colony would become. Whenever I am in San Francisco one of my favorite pastimes is to sit at the dock, drinking coffee and having some fresh sourdough toast while watching the sea lions cavort. Based on the crowds I see there, I’m thinking I am not alone in my enjoyment
2) Hiking the Presidio and crossing Golden Gate Bridge
With over 25 miles of paths, the Presidio area has something for everyone and every level of fitness. Many of the paths lead to overlooks and some even to abandoned gun batteries. A nice capper to the hiking would be a walk across the Golden gate bridge. You can walk, run, or even rent a bike. There are only two things you can’t do. You can’t take your pet, and you can’t avoid staring in awe of the beautiful vistas. Unless of course, the fog is out
- Golden gate park and the Japanese tea garden
Waterfalls, Windmills, Pagodas, Buffalo Herds, Celtic Crosses, and interior rain-forest botanical gardens. This park doesn’t miss anything. 
The Buddha blesses all who enter the tea garden While there is normally a small fee to enter, if you arrive before 10am on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays, it is free.
The garden just exudes serenity There is a tea house in the garden where you can enjoy green tea and a light snack for a fee.
The lushly textured shrubbery is a nice respite from the city. So next time you are in San Francisco check these locations out and let me know how it worked out for you. As always, questions or comments are humbly appreciated.
I used to visit SF all the time when I lived closeby. Great place to visit, and your excellent photos & comments brought it all back for me. what memories.
Thank you for these posts. They are gems.
🙂 Thank you Jerry. Glad you liked it.
I would have loved to know about the Golden Gate Park free entrance before I went there! Maybe next time… And there will be a next time, because I really wanted to go to Castro District the first time around but didn’t have the time. Thanks for posting!
It’s a nice walk across the bridge, but can get kind of windy mid way. But on a clear day it is so worth it.
Just outside of The Stockton street entrance to China Town, is Burritt Alley. A plaque on the wall commemorates it as the place where Miles Archer, Sam Spades partner in the Maltese Falcon, was done in. Born in the Bay Area, I’ll always have a piece of The City in my soul.
San Francisco is one of my favorite american cities. I’ll have to look for that plaque next time I’m there.
I love the title of this article 🙂
Thank you. It just came to me. I was fortunate.