Whether you’re new to the city or simply exploring your own backyard, there are a plentitude of attractions in San Francisco that won't break the bank! In addition to a robust list of free places to visit, San Francisco offers discount days for residents throughout the year which offer free admission to various venues. San Francisco is known for its diverse population, its decadent summers, countless landmarks, architecture, fog and rolling hills. You are sure to enjoy this list of 25 destinations and activities that will entertain your family for free while exploring the City by the Bay.
- Cable Car MuseumVisitors can experience the history of Cable Cars. Here there are a wide variety of different photo graphs, engines, and tools from all different eras in Cable Car history.
- Sea Lions at Pier 39 If you make a stop at Fishermans Wharf checkout the Sea Lions at Pier 39.
- Chinese Culture CenterCome visit and learn about the rich Chinese history throughout San Francisco.
- Cable Car Museum Putting the cable in ‘cable car,’ this museum occupies a still-functioning cable-car barn, and shows off three 1870s cable cars as well as those famed cables that pull those cute open carriages stuffed with tourists up and over the hills.
- Golden Gate Park Band ConcertsAdmission is free on Sundays April through October.
- San Francisco Shakespeare FestivalFree performances in varying parks throughout the city during the summer.
- Stern Grove ConcertsFree outdoor concerts on Sundays during the summer.
- Guided tour of San FranciscoYou will be able to choose from over 30 different tours that you can go on. The tours last for 1-2 hours and are led by volunteers.
- Ferry Building MarketplaceThis is a farmers market like no other. If you come on Tuesdays and Saturdays you will be able to get free samples and may even run into some famous chefs.
- Fort Point Built in 1861 to protect the city from - get this - Confederate attacks that never came, Fort Point is now more famous as the spot where Kim Novak lept into the frigid waters of the bay in Hitchcock’s Vertigo. It’s an ideal vantage point for views of the Golden Gate Bridge if you aren’t up to the walk across.
- Heard of Buffalo at Golden Gate ParkHere you can visit a roaming herd of buffalo that have been in the park since 1892.
- Musée MécaniqueVisit this location to see a broad array of different arcade games all gathered into one location. Have fun watching others try to beat the games or bring a few quarters to give them a try yourself.
- Walk the Golden Gate BridgeIf you want to experience going across the bridge but want to avoid the hefty toll this is a great option. This walk is going to be about 1.7 miles in length.
- Wave OrganVisit the giant Wave Organ that makes music based on San Francisco Bay’s movements. The sound comes out of pipes and concrete.
Golden Gate Park When weather cooperates, the 1017-acre park of redwood, green meadows, and museums is an unreal setting to laze half a San Francisco day. Plus a lot is free, including weekly concerts and events like Hardly Strictly Bluegrass and Shakespeare in the Park. But better yet there are free lawn bowling lessons every Wednesday at noon. Yes, some dreams do come true.
- Asian Art MuseumThis museum is free on the first Tuesday of each month. It offers a wide array of different collections of Asian art, ceramics, textiles, paintings, and more.
- de Young MuseumVisit this sculpture garden that is located in Golden Gate park. The museum is free the first Tuesday of each month.
- Oakland Museum of CaliforniaThis gallery has different exhibits exploring the different ecosystems throughout California. It also has different art exhibits and artifacts from the history of the state. Entrance is free the second Sunday of the month.
- The Wave Organ is a sound system of PVC tubes and concrete pipes capped with marble from an old cemetery built right into the tip of the Marina Boat Harbor jetty. Tones shift depending on waves, winds and tide - sounding alternately like spooky breathing on a phone to nervous humming of a dinnertime line chef.
- San Francisco Maritime National Historic ParkVisit this park to see historic ships that are docked with a view of the Golden Gate Bridge. It is free to visit all year round.
- Lombard StreetIf you have a car on your trip this is a great thing to do. Many people have seen this street in the movies, why not experience it? Have fun driving down the extremely crooked road.
- San Francisco Railway MuseumThis museum focuses on the history of transportation in San Francisco. The museum is only open Wednesday – Sunday from 10am-6pm.
- Grabhorn InstituteIf you are a book lover this is a must while in San Francisco. Come and see a free gallery including rare books, printing facilities, and typefaces.
- Museo ItaloAmericanoThis museum focuses on the Italian American culture and lifestyle. It includes different works of art and is free Tuesday – Sunday from noon until 4 pm.
- Mocha Museum of Children’s ArtThe gallery has free admission but if you are interested in going into the studio for the young artists you will need to pay $5.
- Chabot Space and Science CenterTake a 180 degree look at the evening sky for free. Come on Friday or Saturday evenings for this free show. It is open from dusk -10:30pm April to October and 7:30pm -10:30pm November to march.
- San Francisco ZooVisit your favorite animals for free on the first Wednesday of each month.
- Steinhart AquariumCome and visit all the different sea life at this aquarium. Admission is free on the first Wednesday of each month.
- Bay Area Discovery MuseumThis museum is geared toward children including a bunch of different hands-on attractions for the kids. Admission is free on the second Saturday of the month between 1 and 5 pm.
- Go SailingYou can go on a free introductory boat ride with the Cal Sailing Club on certain Sundays about once a month between 1 and 4pm. See site for schedule.
- San Francisco Botanical GardensCome view the beautiful plants that cover over 55 acres of land. Tours are offered Monday through Friday at 10:30 am and 1:30pm. Weekend tours are only offered at 1:30pm.
- Yerba Buena GardensThis garden has a waterfall, art display, and memorial to Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Admission is always free between the hours of 6am and 10pm.
- Lindy in the ParkAttend a free swing dance party every Sunday between 11 am and 2pm at the Golden Gate Park.
- Pier 39Walk to the end of the Pier made famous for the Sea Lions.
- Coit TowerVisit this historic landmark created in 1933 at the top of telegraph hill. The tower is 210 feet tall and has different murals inside it.
- Jelly Belly FactoryIf you love Jelly Beans this is a great tour to go on. Go inside the inner workings of this famous jelly bean company and even receive a free Jelly Belly sample for going on the tour. All tours and visits to the factory are free.
- Anchor Steam FactoryTours of this brewery must be scheduled 3-6 weeks in advance of your planned visit. The tour will take 2 hours and is completely free including samples.
