Free Things to Do in San Francisco

Having sticker shock? There are plenty of free things to do in San Francisco, despite it being one of the most expensive cities in the world…and we’ve rounded up the best of the bunch:

Free Museums

• San Francisco Botanical Garden: Enjoy a peaceful stroll through this lush garden for free with proof of San Francisco residency, showcasing a diverse collection of plants from around the world. During the Spring, they have a collection of magnificent magnolia trees.
• Japanese Tea Garden: Step into tranquility at this beautiful garden, featuring traditional Japanese architecture and serene pathways. This is also free with proof of SF residency!
• Cable Car Museum: Learn about the history of San Francisco’s iconic cable cars at this free museum, located in the historic cable car barn and powerhouse.
• Free museum days: Legion of Honor (every Saturday for Bay Area residents), de Young (every saturday for Bay Area residents), Asian Art Museum (first Sunday of the month), Museum of Craft and Design (every Wednesday), full list and details at Funcheap SF.
• Musee Mechanique: Explore this fascinating collection of vintage arcade games and amusements like Zoltair, perfect for a nostalgic trip down memory lane.
• SF Library and the Discover and Go Pass: Not a museum, but the San Francisco library is an amazing resource. You can easily get free Books, eBooks, audiobooks, movies, and more. You also get free access to Kanopy, which is a streaming service of award winning classics and independent films. You can also utilize the Discover and Go Pass to get free museum and park passes, including access to museums like the Exploratorium and the California Academy of Sciences.

Free Seasonal Events

• Fleet Week: Around October in San Francisco, Blue Angel fighter jets fly Top Gun style through the air. This is much to the delight of revelers and terror of pets across the city. There are airshows, sailors, concerts, and more.
• Pride Parade: What better way to celebrate a legacy of pride in San Francisco than the annual Pride Parade that takes part on Market Street.
• Folsom Street Fair is an annual BDSM street fair. Maybe don’t bring the kids!
• Bay to Breakers: This is technically a paid event to register to run, but you can definitely feel free to hop in and/or people watch.
• Beach Bonfire: Gather your friends and some firewood and head to Ocean Beach for a cozy bonfire under the stars from March 1 – October 31. There are concrete fire pits you can snag. Be sure to put out your fire by 9:30pm.
• Grab a picnic blanket and hang at Dolores Park (or Golden Gate Park or other parks): Join locals at this popular park for a picnic, people-watching, and stunning views of the city. Accounting for 20% of SF, allegedly San Francisco has the most parks per person in the nation. It’s a wonderful way to hang out with friends and people watch.

Free Concerts

• Attend Free Seasonal Concerts:
  • Stern Grove
  • Hardly Strictly Bluegrass
  • Flower Piano in the San Francisco Botanical Garden
• Jazz in the bookshop at Bird and Beckett: On Fridays and Saturdays (and sometimes more), head to the Bird and Beckett bookstore for live music among the books. This is completely free to attend, though of course a donation is suggested for the artists. It’s bring your own booze (BYOB) too! If you are interested in other jazz spots, I have a roundup here.

Free Activities

• Attend City College: Take advantage of the San Francisco FREE CITY program. The registration process is frustrating and confusing, but once you figure it out, City College has a wealth of classes, workshops, and events that could help you pivot careers or allow you to embrace your artistic side. I explain more about City College here.
• Volunteer with Neighborhood Trash Cleanup: Join Refuse Refuse SF or similar groups for a rewarding way to give back to the community while exploring different neighborhoods. Many local businesses will sponsor your food or drink as a thank you for participating in the cleanup efforts.
• City Girls Who Walk San Francisco: Join this girl group for guided walks around the city, perfect for discovering hidden gems and local history.
• SF Board Walks: Every Saturday, Adele Bloch leads participants through a stroll through Golden. Gate Park where you can get to know newcomers and seasoned San Franciscans.

So, whether you’re a nature lover, history buff, or just looking for some budget-friendly fun, San Francisco has plenty to offer without costing you a dime. Enjoy exploring the city’s many treasures!