San Francisco is my favorite city in the world – I am biased since I’ve lived here since 2014 and refuse to leave, but when you come where you will fall in love with The Bay Area as well.
California as a whole has a reputation for being expensive and I won’t lie, the cost of living here can be high. But, if you know where to look in the right places, there are tons of amazing free things to do in San Francisco that won’t break the bank!
Free Things To Do In San Francisco Today, According To A Local
Grab comfy shoes, layers to manage the foggy vs sunny parts of the city, and get ready to explore all without spending a dime!
1. deYoung Museum Observatory
Want one of the best views in all of San Francisco? Head to the deYoung Museum in Golden Gate Park! Walk past the ticket booths to the right to find the elevators and take them up to the Observatory floor.
It’s totally free to access and has a 360 degree view of the city! It’s best to visit on a clear day as you can see the Transamerica Building, Golden Gate Bridge, the ocean and Sutro Forest easily.
But it’s also fun to visit when the fog is rolling in to see just how beautiful it can be.
2. Stern Grove Music Festival
Grab your friends, blankets, wine and snacks, and head into the Stern Grove forest to listen to beautiful concerts by the San Francisco Symphony and other bands like the Indigo Girls (lineup changes every year).
This tradition has been going on for 85+ years and is such a magical experience. I went with my friends a couple years ago and loved sitting on the hillside among the trees listening to classical music together. It’s entirely free, but you have to grab tickets ahead of time to keep an eye on when the Stern Grove Festival tickets drop.
3.Ghirardelli Square Free Chocolate
In Fisherman’s Wharf? Ghirardelli Square is literally just a chocolate store (no fun tours of chocolate making here) but they do give out free samples daily. Sometimes it’s a free chocolate square, other times it’s free fudge.
Head to the top level and look for a staff member handing out chocolate!
3. Chamber Of Secrets Door
If you’re a Harry Potter fan, you can’t miss the famous Chamber of Secrets Doors in the Fisherman’s Wharf/North Beach neighborhood!
The owner of a house there has installed two insanely cool doors that act as works of art. One is a dragon (we all like to think that’s Game of Thrones) and the other is the door from the Chamber of Secrets, complete with snakes and everything.
It’s located at 2645 Leavenworth Street and Bay Street. It’s one of my favorite Harry Potter locations in real life!
4. Land’s End / Sutro Baths Hike
SO many tourists and locals alike miss out on all the gems on the West Side of the city which is just silly, since this city is only 7×7 miles big to begin with.
One of my go-to urban hiking spots in San Francisco is at Land’s End and Sutro Baths. Head over in the Outer Richmond District / Vista Del Mar area to this iconic spot. Back at the turn of the century, the Cliff House and Sutro Baths were thriving jewels on the coast.
The bathhouses were large and beautiful, where folks swam every day. Eventually, the Cliff House burnt down (more than once) and the bathhouses were closed. The city then started to demolish the bathhouse, only to stop halfway and hand the land over to the Golden Gate National Recreation Area.
Now, visitors can climb all over old ruins that meet the sea. It’s really neat, and is one of the best places to watch the sunset in San Francisco. Or, visitors can go hiking on the trails in Land’s End and see epic views of the Bay and Golden Gate Bridge. Maybe even spot the Land’s End Labyrinth.
5. Fort Point Lookout
The Fort Point National Historic Site sits at the base of the Golden Gate Bridge and was originally built for an invasion that never came. Now, it’s a museum open to the public totally for free.
The old military base is fun to explore, but my favorite part is heading to the rooftop which puts you directly under the Golden Gate Bridge. The view here is utterly unique and so so cool.
6. Lombard Street
This is the famous crooked road you’ve probably seen tons of photos of from above. It has 8 hairpin turns taking cars down the steep hillside.
There’s also steps for folks walking, and I would recommend coming via foot rather than car as it is dicey to drive. I love this street – it’s lined with beautiful, expensive houses all covered with flowers. The view from the top of the street / hill is epic (you can see the Coit Tower easily from up there!) and it’s especially fun at sunrise.
7. James Turrell Light Space
There’s a true hidden gem inside Golden Gate Park that took me a few years to even realize was there, even though I walk past it weekly. Located inside the deYoung Museum sculpture garden is the James Turrell Light Space.
This art installation uses the sunlight to cast shadows on the salmon pink walls and thus is different each time you visit it. It’s very serene and beautiful, I love to come here to take photos or just sit and listen to music alone for a while. If you travel, you can spot more Jame Turrell pieces around the country.
8. Musée Mécanique
This fun spot is in the Fisherman’s Wharf and one of the few things in Fisherman’s Wharf I actually like to visit as a local. Musée Mécanique is an interactive museum full of penny arcade games and artifacts.
But, the most famous game in there is something you probably recognize from the Princess Diaries movie. They have the arm wrestling machine here, the one that Queen Clarisse Renaldi plays with in the film! It’s still there, and you can arm wrestle it, too.
9. Princess Diaries Filming Locations
Speaking of Princess Diaries, if you’re a fan of the movies, use my guide to find all the Princess Diaries filming locations in San Francisco!! There are so many gems here, from scooter scenes to the iconic firehouse Mia lives in with her mom.
10. San Francisco Botanical Garden Free Days
The San Francisco Botanical Garden is personally one of my favorite botanical gardens in the world. It’s huge, spanning at around 55 acres and houses over 8,000 specific os plants. Including a Redwood grove!!
The gardens are ALWAYS free for San Francisco residents and free on the second Tuesday of every month, along with a few holidays like Thanksgiving and New Years Day.
11. Ocean Beach Bonfires
You haven’t properly done San Francisco until you spent an evening on Ocean Beach around a bonfire. The bonfire pits are totally free to use, but first come first serve, and usually fill up about 2 hours before sunset.
I love bringing a bunch of snacks, a cooler with drinks, chairs, firewood and friends to hang out with before watching the sunset over the ocean.
12. SFMOMA Free Days
I love free museum days! The San Francisco Museum of Modern Art is such a fun museum will well-curated exhibits that are always changing, along with a very permanent cool one-way colour tunnel that makes you feel like you’re walking inside a rainbow.
It’s free every first Thursday of the month to all Bay Area residents!
13. Japanese Tea Garden Free Mornings
San Francisco is home to one of 3 remaining Japantwons in the USA, and we are also lucky enough to have the Japanese Tea Gardens! This is one of my favorite spots in the Golden Gate Park as it literally feels like you are transported to Japan.
There’s a huge pagoda, a moon bridge, a Buddha statue, tons of koi fish and bonsai trees. There’s even a teahouse (I recommend grabbing some green tea cheesecake and an iced green tea matcha. YUM!)
and best part, it’s totally free to enter every Monday, Wednesday and Friday morning from 9am-10am!
14. Find Hidden Swings Around The City
Something locals love about the city are the secret swings that are constantly being put up (and then torn down by police). We’ll get whisper of a new swing on Bernal, or the swing at Kirby Cove being reinstalled, and we’ll all run over to be a little kid until it gets taken down. If you happen to hear of one being put up, go find it!
15. Geocaching
The San Francisco city area has a thriving geocaching scene and personally, I LOVE exploring the city via geocaches. They’re little treasure boxes that are hidden all over the city. You can use the app to get clues and log when you find a treasure.
It’s seriously so much fun and also can be really hard. Oh, and totally free!
16. Wave Organ
So, in the Marina is a hidden wave organ that uses the waves to play music. It also happens to be made up of cemetery parts (for real). It’s incredibly cool, unique and a little morbid.
17. Explore Chinatown
San Francisco is home to the oldest Chinatown in the country! And while eating at restaurants costs money, exploring all the shops and hidden corners is totally free! I love taking visitors to this area, there’s always good smells, and something fun going on to watch.
Make sure not to miss the Dragon Gate, a few blocks off Union Square!
18. Chinese New Year Festival & Parade
Speaking of Chinatown, eery February for the lunar new year, there’s a massive festival in Chinatown. It’s one of my favorite local events since they bring out firecrackers, lion dancers, vendors and tons of other fun things to do or see.
Stick around at night and grab drinks at Li Po, a historic bar with amazing mai tais.
19. Dolores Park Hang
Some of my favorite free fun in San Francisco is heading to a park on a sunny day! We have such an amazing park culture here and Dolores Park is the most popular. Come on a weekend with drinks, blankets and cards, or just people watch for an hour or so.
20. Hardly Strictly Music Festival
There’s a huge free live music in Golden Gate Park that takes place every year in October! Hardly Strictly has big names like Mumford and Sons, all for free.
It can get crowded, so come early. Bring your own drinks, snacks and blanket. Locals will come out in a spot all day and hang with friends, it’s always so much fun.
21. Visit The Painted Ladies
Aka, the Full House houses and they’re totally free in San Francisco to go see! Located on Alamo Square are the famous Painted Ladies, a row of colorful, Victorian houses with a skyline view behind them.
I love this park, it has beautiful houses on the square, a great view, cute local puppies and it makes a great place to hang out on a sunny day. Or, swing by for a free visit during your tour! Taking a selfie here is just one of those iconc San Francisco free things to do.
22. Marshall’s Beach Hike
This is my favorite coastal hike in the city. You walk down past an old Battery, through flowers and along a bluff trail before coming to a beach where you can spot the Golden Gate Bridge up close.
It’s usually not too crowded and on a nice day, this is a must do in San Francisco.
23. Sutro Forest Hike
Another cool hiking spot is Sutro Forest, with so many hidden hiking trails amongst the eucalyptus trees. This area truly does not feel like it’s in the literal middle of a huge city, but it is. So dang magical!
24. San Francisco Asian Art Museum Free Day
Come visit this museum on the first Sunday of every month! It’s one of the world’s largest collections of Asian art, which makes sense since San Francisco is so rooted in Asian cultures.
25. Twin Peaks Sunset
For the best golden hour view of the city, walk up to Twin Peaks. You can spot twinkling city lights, can see City Hall, the Bay Bridge, the Salesforce Tower and more landmarks from top. Makes for great photos, too!!
26. Bison Paddock
Did you know there’s bison inside Golden Gate Park? For real!!! They came over for the World Expo and we’ve had a herd ever since. You can go view real actual bison, all for free, at the Bison Paddock any time of day.
27. Visit The Dutch Windmills
On the West end of Golden Gate Park are two huge Dutch Windmills, which were originally built to help pump water into the park. But now they’re just pretty landmarks to visit.
And, in the springtime, you can view the tulips!
Best Events & Free Things To Do In San Francisco Today Based On Time Of Year
There’s always something fun happening in the city to do! These are the best free events in San Francisco based on month!
Free Things To Do In San Francisco in January
- Visit the Botanical Gardens for free on New Year’s Day
- See the Grace Catherdal “Grace Light”
- See the magnolias bloom in Golden Gate Park
Free Things To Do In San Francisco in February
- Attend the Chinatown Lunar New Year Parade
- Spot Cherry Blossoms bloom all over the city
- Valentine’s Day Pillow Fight
Free Things To Do In San Francisco in March
- St. Patrick’s Day Parade & Festival
- Watch all the tulips bloom at the Dutch Windmills
- SF Giants Fan Fest
- Union Square Tulipmania (free tulips outside the Westin Francis!)
Free Things To Do In San Francisco in April
- Easter Hunky Jesus Contest in Dolores Park
- Bay Boat Parade
Free Things To Do In San Francisco in May
- Watch or run Bay to Breakers
- Cinco de Mayo festival in the Mission
Free Things To Do In San Francisco in June
- Watch San Francisco’s Pride Parade
- Spot the Pink Triangle during Pride on Twin Peaks
- Stern Grove festival
Free Things To Do In San Francisco in July
- Watch July 4th fireworks at Fisherman’s Wharf
- Stern Grove festival
- Filmore Jazz Festival
Free Things To Do In San Francisco in August
- Stern Grove festival
- Cable car celebration (rides are usually free for this month)
Free Things To Do In San Francisco in September
- Attend the Folsom Street Fair
Free Things To Do In San Francisco in October
- Stop By Clancy’s Pumpkin Patch for seasonal photos
- Hardly Strictly Music Festival
Free Things To Do In San Francisco in November
- Dia de Los Muertos
Free Things To Do In San Francisco in December
- Union Square Tree Lighting
- Visit the Fairmont Gingerbread House
- Go hunting for all the best holiday lights in San Francisco
- Ps I have a few city guides, this one is my San Francisco Christmas guide!
@whimsysoul name a better bus stop view ❤️ when visiting San Francisco you’ll want to hop on the 28 Muni bus – it stops right at the Golden Gate Bridge! #goldengatebridge #sanfrancisco #sanfransiscocalifornia #muni #california #epicview #bayarea #sanfranciscotravel ♬ Éphémère – Tony Anderson
If you’re looking for free things to do in San Francisco this weekend, I hope this guide helps you!
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@@Pe4my
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