30 Free Things To Do In San Francisco That People Keep Recommending

Key takeaways

San Francisco has a reputation for being expensive, but there are plenty of things to do without breaking your travel budget. The city offers dozens of free experiences across neighborhoods and landscapes.

Parks, nature, and outdoor views

• Golden Gate Park: Over 1,000 acres with gardens, trails, a bison paddock, and free weekly concerts.
• Lands End Trail: A four-mile coastal hike with Golden Gate Bridge views and atmospheric Sutro Baths ruins.
• Twin Peaks: A 64-acre hilltop park with 360-degree panoramic city views.
• Baker Beach: Mile-long beach with one of the best views of the Golden Gate Bridge.
• Mission Dolores Park: A lively neighborhood park known for skyline views and a social local vibe.
• Ocean Beach: San Francisco's largest beach, stretching 3.5 miles along the Pacific—perfect for sunset watching.
• Crissy Field: Flat waterfront path with restored wetlands and stunning bridge views.
• The Presidio: A former military base turned national park with trails, art installations, and picnic spots.
• Bernal Heights: A quieter hilltop park with panoramic views and off-leash dog areas.

Neighborhoods and iconic streets

• Chinatown: One of the oldest and most vibrant Chinatowns in the US, with temples, markets, and the Golden Gate Cookie Factory.
• Haight-Ashbury: The legendary birthplace of 1960s counterculture, also home to vintage shops and record stores.
• Mission District: Known for colorful street murals, taquerias, and the city's oldest building.
• Sausalito: A charming waterfront town just across the Golden Gate Bridge with houseboats and galleries.

Culture, art, and history

• Mission murals: Vibrant street art in Balmy Alley and Clarion Alley tackling themes like human rights and gentrification.
• Cable Car Museum: Learn about the world's last manually operated cable car system—admission free.
• Institute of Contemporary Art SF: A free 11,000-square-foot gallery in the Dogpatch neighborhood.
• Free museum days: The De Young, Asian Art Museum, and others offer free admission on select days each month.
• Stern Grove Concert Meadow: A forested outdoor amphitheater hosting free concerts all summer, featuring both major artists and local performers.

Views, landmarks, and photo opportunities

• Golden Gate Bridge: Walk across San Francisco's most iconic landmark for epic views of the bay and skyline.
• Painted Ladies at Alamo Square Park: The famous row of Victorian homes with the downtown skyline behind them.
• Lombard Street: The "crookedest street in the world" with eight hairpin turns and blooming gardens.
• Coit Tower: Depression-era murals inside and panoramic views from Telegraph Hill.
• Palace of Fine Arts: A stunning Beaux-Arts rotunda and lagoon in the Marina District.
• San Francisco City Hall: One of the most beautiful Beaux-Arts buildings in the US, with free docent-led tours.

Walking tours and unique experiences

• San Francisco City Guides: Over 80 free walking tours led by local experts, covering everything from Victorian architecture to Beat Generation history.
• Jack Kerouac Alley: A hidden pedestrian alley with literary murals and engraved poems, next to the famous City Lights bookstore.
• Hamon Observation Tower: Free 360-degree city views from inside the De Young Museum—no ticket required.

Markets, food, and local atmosphere

• Ferry Building farmers market: A bustling marketplace with local vendors on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays.
• Fisherman's Wharf: Street performers, sea lions, and the free Musée Mécanique arcade museum.
• Pier 39: People-watching, symphonic stairs, and live entertainment on weekends.

1. Walk across the Golden Gate Bridge

With its epic views of the bay and city skyline, this iconic landmark is easily one of the best free things to do in San Francisco—and it makes for a nice bit of exercise too. The 3.4-mile roundtrip walk takes 1–2 hours, depending on your pace and how often you stop to take pictures. 

A walkway on the eastern side of the bridge near Vista Point South is open to pedestrians 5am–6:30pm. Dogs are not allowed. There is a small parking lot at the Welcome Center and free parking on the Marin (north) side of the bridge. If you’d rather admire the view without the walk, the nearby Golden Gate Overlook observation deck located in the Presidio is a great alternative.

• Location: Northern tip of San Francisco, connects to Marin County
• Best time to visit: Mid-morning to early afternoon (Fog usually burns off by noon. Even so, the fog can make for some interesting photo ops if it’s not too dense.)

2. Watch the sea lions at Pier 39

One of San Francisco's most entertaining attractions are the sea lions at K-Dock, a fixture at Pier 39 since 1990. It's loud, it's chaotic, and it's absolutely free. These rowdy marine mammals lounge, bark, and jostle for position on floating docks while crowds gather to watch the show. The sea lion population fluctuates seasonally—there can be anywhere from a few dozen to over 1,000 at peak times.

The Sea Lion Center, staffed by volunteers from the Marine Mammal Center, offers free educational information about these beloved animals.

• Location: K-Dock, Pier 39, Fisherman's Wharf
• Best time to visit: Year-round; largest numbers typically January–May

3. Snap photos of the Painted Ladies at Alamo Square Park

The row of colorful Victorian homes along Steiner Street (made famous by the opening credits of Full House) is one of San Francisco's most photographed spots. Known as the "Painted Ladies" or "Postcard Row," these pastel-hued houses contrast beautifully against the downtown skyline behind them. Alamo Square Park also offers grassy hills perfect for a picnic with a view.

• Location: Alamo Square Park, 700 block of Steiner Street
• Best time to visit: Year-round; morning or late afternoon for best photos

4. Walk down Lombard Street, the world's crookedest street

Lombard Street's famous zigzag block between Hyde and Leavenworth Streets draws visitors from around the world. The one-block section features eight hairpin turns, lined with beautifully maintained gardens and hydrangeas.

While cars inch their way down the steep brick road, pedestrians can walk along the sidewalk staircases on either side. The surrounding Russian Hill neighborhood is charming and worth exploring on foot.

• Location: 1000 block of Lombard Street, Russian Hill
• Best time to visit: Early morning to avoid crowds; spring and summer for blooming flowers

5. Hike Twin Peaks

Rising 922 feet above the city and sitting almost in its geographical center, Twin Peaks is a grassy 64-acre hilltop park with 360-degree postcard views of the city and entire Bay Area. It's a popular attraction and where locals like to take guests from out of town.

The 0.7-mile hiking trail network leads to a wind-swept summit. Bring layers—it's often windy and foggy at the top. If you're coming by car, park along Crestline Drive and use the gate off Portola Drive to access the park. Muni Line 37 stops along Crestline Drive and Muni Line 48 stops along Portola.

• Location: Geographic center of San Francisco
• Best time to visit: Clear days for best views; sunset is spectacular

6. Take in the views from Coit Tower

Perched atop Telegraph Hill, Coit Tower is one of San Francisco's most recognizable landmarks. While there's a fee to ride the elevator to the observation deck, the tower's ground floor and surrounding Pioneer Park are completely free.

The interior features stunning Depression-era murals painted by 27 different artists as part of a public works project. The murals depict California life and industry, and they're worth the visit alone. The views from Pioneer Park are also impressive.

• Location: Telegraph Hill Boulevard, Telegraph Hill
• Best time to visit: Clear days; the murals can be viewed during regular hours

7. Hike Lands End

The Sutro district of Golden Gate National Recreation Area in the northwestern corner of San Francisco has miles of hiking trails, but the Lands End Trail is considered the most scenic with fantastic views at almost every turn (think fabulous sunsets, pelicans wheeling above the Pacific, and the Golden Gate Bridge from different angles).

The four-mile trail is dog-friendly, but bring a leash. It features nine detours and landmarks, including a stone labyrinth and the Sutro Baths. At its start, the Lands End Lookout features a visitor center, retail space, café, and restroom. With room for 75 cars, the Sutro Baths parking lot (1004 Point Lobos Ave.) often fills up fast on weekends, but the 38R Geary Rapid Bus can drop you at 48th Street nearby.

• Location: Sutro district, northwestern San Francisco
• Best time to visit: Clear days; sunset is spectacular from the labyrinth

8. Explore the ruins of the Sutro Baths

These atmospheric ruins are all that remain of what was once the world's largest indoor swimming facility. Built in 1894 by entrepreneur Adolph Sutro, the complex once housed seven saltwater pools, a museum, and seating for 10,000 spectators. After a fire destroyed the structure in 1966, nature began reclaiming the site.

Today, concrete foundations and passages create an eerie, photogenic landscape that's perfect for exploration. The ruins sit at the end of the Lands End Trail and are free to visit any time.

• Location: Point Lobos Avenue, near Lands End
• Best time to visit: Low tide reveals more of the ruins; sunset is magical

9. Catch the sunset at Ocean Beach

Ocean Beach is San Francisco's largest and most popular beach, stretching 3.5 miles along the Pacific coast. The water is cold and the currents can be dangerous, so swimming isn’t encouraged, but the beach is also perfect for walking, jogging, building sandcastles, and watching experienced surfers tackle the waves.

The beach faces west, making it an ideal spot for sunset watching. Bonfires are allowed in designated fire rings (first-come, first-served), and nearby Beach Chalet brewery offers views and refreshments while Java Beach Cafe serves up mean breakfast and lunch fare and caffeinated bevvies.

• Location: Western edge of San Francisco, from the Cliff House to Fort Funston
• Best time to visit: Late afternoon through sunset

10. Stroll along Baker Beach

Baker Beach offers one of the best views of the Golden Gate Bridge from the sand. This mile-long stretch of beach is popular with locals for picnics, sunbathing, and photography. The northern end of the beach is clothing-optional.

The water is cold and currents are strong, so swimming isn't recommended, but it's a beautiful spot to walk, watch the waves, and take in the scenery. There's a parking lot, but it fills up quickly on sunny weekends.

• Location: Presidio, southwestern corner
• Best time to visit: Clear days; arrive early on weekends for parking

11. Hike up Bernal Heights for city views

Bernal Heights Park offers some of the best panoramic views in San Francisco, without the crowds of Twin Peaks. The grassy hilltop summit sits at 433 feet and provides 360-degree views of downtown, the Bay Bridge, and the surrounding neighborhoods.

The hike to the top is short but steep, and the park is popular with dog owners (it's an off-leash area). There are no facilities, so bring water and snacks if you plan to linger.

• Location: Bernal Heights neighborhood, south-central San Francisco
• Best time to visit: Clear days; especially beautiful at sunrise or sunset

12. Climb Hamon Observation Tower for sweeping city views

For panoramic 360-degree views of downtown San Francisco, head to the Hamon Observation Tower inside the De Young Museum. The tower is free and open to the public Tuesday through Saturday 9:30am–4:30pm, even if you don't have a ticket to the museum.

This one is best saved for a sunny day, as you'll be able to see across Golden Gate Park, the Richmond district, and miles beyond. The tower's glass-walled elevator ride is part of the experience.

• Location: De Young Museum, Golden Gate Park
• Best time to visit: Clear days for best visibility

13. Picnic in the Presidio

The Presidio was formerly a military base. Today, it's known as Golden Gate National Recreation Area with miles of hiking and biking trails, picnic areas, and historical landmarks to explore. The park's newest addition, Presidio Tunnel Tops, features 14 urban acres with spectacular views, walking trails, lawns, picnic tables, and playgrounds.

The PresidiGo Shuttle provides free public transportation around the park seven days a week, including service to and from downtown. Start at the Presidio Visitor Center before setting off to find sculptural installations like Wood Line (near Lover's Lane) and Spire (near Inspiration Point) by British artist Andy Goldsworthy.

• Location: Northern tip of San Francisco
• Best time to visit: Year-round; weekdays are less crowded

14. Walk or bike along Crissy Field

Crissy Field is a flat, scenic waterfront path that runs along the San Francisco Bay with stunning views of the Golden Gate Bridge. The restored tidal marsh and sandy beach are popular with joggers, cyclists, and families. The grassy lawns are perfect for picnics and kite flying, and on windy days you'll see windsurfers and kitesurfers riding the waves.

• Location: Presidio, along the northern waterfront
• Best time to visit: Clear days; late afternoon for golden light on the bridge

15. Relax at Mission Dolores Park

"Dolores Park" is San Francisco's most popular urban park and the city's unofficial outdoor living room. On sunny days, the park fills with locals sunbathing, playing sports, having picnics, and enjoying views of the downtown skyline.

The park has playgrounds, tennis courts, a dog run, and plenty of grassy hills. Nearby Mission Street is lined with taquerias, coffee shops, and boutiques.

• Location: Mission District, between 18th and 20th Streets
• Best time to visit: Sunny afternoons; weekends are lively

16. Listen to live music in Golden Gate Park

This 1,017-acre oasis draws 24 million visitors annually, making it one of the most visited city parks in the country. It's home to a herd of bison and several of San Francisco's top attractions, including the Japanese Tea Garden (free to visit from 9–10am every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday).

The Golden Gate Park Bandshell runs weekly free and family-friendly concerts from March 1 through mid-November as part of its Illuminate Live series. There are over 5,000 free parking spaces here, but it can be challenging to find a spot—the Golden Gate Park Free Shuttle, which operates seven days a week, is a great option.

• Location: Between Richmond and Sunset districts
• Best time to visit: March–November for concerts; early morning for free garden admission

17. Catch a free concert at Stern Grove Concert Meadow

A beautiful spot for hanging out with friends and listening to live music, Stern Grove is one of the city's most beloved free attractions. Located at 19th Avenue and Sloat Boulevard in Pine Lake Park, the outdoor amphitheater has hosted summer concerts since 1938.

Concerts run on Sunday afternoons from mid-June through mid-August. Arrive early to claim a good spot on the lawn.

• Location: 19th Avenue and Sloat Boulevard, Pine Lake Park
• Best time to visit: Summer Sundays for the concert series

18. Stroll through Chinatown

Covering 24 square blocks, San Francisco's Chinatown is one of the oldest and most established in the US. Beyond its iconic Dragon's Gate and ornate temples like Tien How, the maze of streets and alleyways—many adorned with colorful storefronts, murals, and decorative street lamps—are best explored on a free or self-guided tour.

A must-see is the Golden Gate Cookie Factory. While the factory is free to enter, if you plan to take photos, a donation or purchase of handmade cookies is appreciated. On the second Sunday of each month, the Chinese Historical Society of America Museum is open and free of charge to all visitors.

• Location: Between North Beach and the Financial District
• Best time to visit: Morning for fewer crowds; weekends for lively atmosphere

19. Hang out in Haight-Ashbury

The legendary birthplace of the 1960s counterculture movement, Haight-Ashbury still channels its hippie roots with vintage clothing shops, record stores, and colorful Victorian homes. The neighborhood was ground zero for the Summer of Love in 1967. Today, you can browse independent bookstores, admire psychedelic murals, and stop by Amoeba Music, one of the largest independent record stores in the country. 

• Location: Between Golden Gate Park and the Castro
• Best time to visit: Afternoons for shopping and people-watching

20. Explore the charming streets of Sausalito

Just across the Golden Gate Bridge, the waterfront town of Sausalito feels like a Mediterranean escape. Colorful houseboats bob in Richardson Bay, and the main street is lined with galleries, boutiques, and waterfront restaurants.

You can reach Sausalito by car, bike, or ferry. The ferry ride from the Ferry Building offers spectacular views of the skyline, Alcatraz, and the Golden Gate Bridge. While the town itself is free to explore, you need to account for the ferry, parking, or other means of transportation to get there.

• Location: Marin County, across the Golden Gate Bridge
• Best time to visit: Clear days; combine with a bike ride across the bridge

21. Stroll down Jack Kerouac Alley

Literary fans and those interested in Beat Generation history will enjoy strolling through this one-way pedestrian alley connecting Grant Avenue in Chinatown to Columbus Avenue in North Beach. Named after novelist Jack Kerouac, who used to hang out at a nearby pub, the hidden-gem spot features colorful murals and engraved poems with verses by John Steinbeck, Maya Angelou, and Kerouac himself.

It's also located beside City Lights Booksellers & Publishers, one of San Francisco's most famous bookstores and a sacred stop for book lovers. The store often hosts free author talks and readings.

• Location: Between Chinatown and North Beach
• Best time to visit: Anytime; combine with a visit to City Lights bookstore

22. See the Palace of Fine Arts

Designed by architect Bernard Maybeck, the Palace of Fine Arts was originally built for the 1915 Panama-Pacific Exposition. The beautiful Beaux-Arts style landmark is a popular spot for taking photographs, with plenty of green space in its surrounding gardens to sit with a coffee and enjoy the scenery.

The rotunda and colonnade reflected in the lagoon create one of the most romantic settings in San Francisco. 

• Location: Marina District, near Crissy Field
• Best time to visit: Golden hour for photography; weekday mornings for fewer crowds

23. Admire the architecture of San Francisco City Hall

San Francisco's City Hall is considered one of the most beautiful Beaux-Arts buildings in the United States. Its massive dome—taller than the US Capitol—rises 307 feet and is topped with gold leaf that gleams in the sunlight. The interior is just as impressive, with grand marble staircases, ornate details, and the rotunda where Marilyn Monroe married Joe DiMaggio, and Harvey Milk was sworn in as city supervisor. Free docent-led tours are offered Fridays at 11am and 1pm.

• Location: Civic Center, 1 Dr. Carlton B. Goodlett Place
• Best time to visit: Weekdays for tours; the building is illuminated beautifully at night

24. Learn about the Mission street murals

San Francisco's buzzy but laidback Mission district is home to the city's oldest intact building, Misión San Francisco de Asís, but it's also where you'll find vibrant street art. Best explored on a self-guided walking tour, Balmy Alley features many murals in various styles, tackling subjects like human rights and gentrification.

Clarion Alley is another mural-covered spot worth visiting. San Francisco City Guides offers a free guided walking tour every Saturday that starts in Precita Park and ends in Balmy Alley.

• Location: Mission District, centered around Balmy Alley and Clarion Alley
• Best time to visit: Daytime for best light; Saturdays for the free guided tour

25. Check out the Ferry Building

Located on the Embarcadero, the Ferry Building is a historic landmark built in 1898 to serve as the city's central transportation hub. Today, it's a popular tourist attraction and bustling marketplace featuring a variety of restaurants and specialty food shops.

Enjoy views of the Bay Bridge and the San Francisco Bay while strolling through the outdoor farmers market on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays. The Saturday market is the largest and most popular, drawing locals and visitors alike.

• Location: Embarcadero, at the foot of Market Street
• Best time to visit: Saturday mornings for the farmers market

26. Take a (free) guided walking tour

Whether Alfred Hitchcock's cinematic vision of San Francisco, the famous Victorian Painted Ladies of Alamo Square Park, or the hippie capital of Haight Ashbury piques your interest, San Francisco City Guides offer over 80 free historical and architectural walking tours. Usually lasting from 90–120 minutes, they are led by a team of local expert volunteers.

Register online to receive a confirmation email with details on where to meet. While walks and tours are free, donations to the nonprofit organization and tips for your guide are greatly appreciated.

• Location: Various starting points throughout the city
• Best time to visit: Check the schedule for tour times and topics

27. Visit the Cable Car Museum

August 2, 2023, marked the 150th anniversary of when cable cars began operating in San Francisco—the world's last manually operated system of its kind. Located steps from the Powell-Hyde and Powell-Mason cable stops in the Nob Hill district, the Cable Car Museum (which doubles as a storage facility for the cars at night) is a fun place to learn all about these iconic streetcars.

Admission is free, and there is a well-curated collection of historic cars, photographs, and mechanical displays. You can watch the massive wheels and cables that power the system in real time.

• Location: 1201 Mason Street, Nob Hill
• Best time to visit: Daytime hours; less crowded on weekday mornings

28. See contemporary art

Opened in October 2022 and located in the half-industrial, half-residential Dogpatch neighborhood, the Institute of Contemporary Art San Francisco (ICA SF) features contemporary art exhibitions, performances, and events by rotating artists in its 11,000-square-foot gallery space.

Cozy couches and a pop-up Mexican coffee cart in the foyer invite visitors to linger. ICA SF is open Wednesday through Sunday, and there is free two-hour street parking nearby. Several SFMTA bus stops and the 22nd Street CalTrain station are blocks away.

• Location: 901 Minnesota Street, Dogpatch
• Best time to visit: Weekday afternoons for a quieter experience

29. Enjoy free museum days

On certain days, many museums and attractions around the city offer free admission throughout the month, including the Asian Art Museum (first Sundays), the Museum of the African Diaspora (every second Saturday), and the San Francisco Botanical Gardens (every second Tuesday). The Presidio’s Walt Disney Family Museum has one free day a year on Walt Disney’s birthday (December 5).

Some museums also offer free general admission to their permanent collections, such as the De Young Museum (daily starting at 4:30pm and the first Tuesday of every month).

• Location: Various locations throughout the city
• Best time to visit: Check schedules and arrive early—free days can be crowded

30. Wander along Fisherman's Wharf

One of the city's busiest tourist areas, Fisherman's Wharf might be packed with souvenir shops and stalls selling sourdough bread bowls filled with tasty crab chowder. However, there are plenty of free fun things to see and experience by wandering along repurposed wooden Pier 39.

Aside from the rowdy sea lions on K-Dock, you can also find a set of symphonic stairs located mid-pier (inspired by the Tom Hanks movie "Big"), free shows by street performers on the Smartwater Stage, and musicians at the Entrance Plaza on Friday and Saturday nights. A five-minute walk away on Pier 45, admission to the Musée Mécanique is free 365 days a year.

• Location: Northern waterfront, from Pier 39 to Ghirardelli Square
• Best time to visit: Mornings for fewer crowds; evenings for live entertainment

Going Picks for best free things to do in San Francisco

Whether you’re traveling with kids, planning a romantic escape, or exploring solo, these free activities highlight the best of San Francisco for every type of traveler.

For families

• Golden Gate Park is a standout for families, offering playgrounds, open green spaces, and even a bison paddock that feels like a hidden surprise in the middle of the city.
• The Presidio Tunnel Tops provide wide lawns, scenic trails, and thoughtfully designed play areas with views of the Golden Gate Bridge.
• The Cable Car Museum is another favorite, where kids can watch the massive machinery that powers San Francisco’s iconic cable cars.
• Down at Fisherman’s Wharf, families can enjoy the sea lions lounging on the docks, street performers along the promenade, and hands-on fun at the vintage arcade games inside the Musée Mécanique.

For couples

• Couples looking for romance will love the Palace of Fine Arts, where classical architecture, a quiet lagoon, and soft lighting make it one of the city’s most photogenic spots.
• A walk along the Lands End Trail at sunset offers dramatic coastal views and a peaceful stone labyrinth overlooking the ocean.
• Sausalito, just across the bridge, is perfect for a waterfront stroll through charming streets and marinas.
• For a more laidback experience, Mission Dolores Park is ideal for a picnic, with panoramic skyline views and a lively local atmosphere.

For solo explorers

• Solo travelers can dive into the city’s history and culture through free walking tours, which are a great way to learn about San Francisco while meeting fellow travelers.
• Art lovers can also plan around free admission hours at the de Young Museum, where world-class exhibitions are accessible without an entry fee.
• Chinatown is ideal for exploring at your own pace, with colorful streets, markets, and temples around every corner. Plus, literary fans can wander through Jack Kerouac Alley and browse the shelves at City Lights Bookstore.

For experiences locals love

• San Francisco locals know where to find the city’s quieter, more authentic experiences. Bernal Heights offers sweeping views without the heavy foot traffic of more famous lookouts, and it’s a favorite spot for dog walkers. 
• The Ferry Building farmers market is perfect for browsing fresh produce and local specialties, even if you’re just there to soak in the energy.
• For skyline views without the crowds, the Hamon Observation Tower provides an elevated perspective that often flies under the tourist radar.

For nature lovers

• The Lands End Trail is a must for nature lovers with its rugged coastal scenery, wildlife sightings, and historic ruins along the cliffs.
• Baker Beach offers a wide stretch of sand with postcard views of the Golden Gate Bridge, especially striking on clear days.
• Twin Peaks provides one of the best panoramic views of the entire city, while Crissy Field combines waterfront walking paths, open grassy areas, and unbeatable bridge views for a relaxed outdoor escape.

*The original article, written by Keri Bridgwater, has been modified to include additional valuable tips and recommendations for travelers.

Other San Francisco guides

• The Travel Guide to San Francisco
• San Francisco International Airport (SFO) Guide
• Where To Stay in San Francisco
• 22 Best Day Trips From San Francisco
• San Francisco Itinerary: 2, 3, and 4 Days