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San Francisco, the spellbinding city by the bay, boasts an alluring topography composed of picturesque hills and sweeping seascapes.
Speckled with over 40 hills, SF prestigiously occupies the northern tip of a peninsula bordered by the Pacific Ocean on the West, the San Francisco Bay on the East, and the majestic Golden Gate Bridge to the North.
Sadly, this captivating city comes with an exorbitant price tag.
Living here costs an arm and a leg, and visiting it as a tourist can be equally expensive.
But it does not have to be that way.
This blog post will walk you through the various attractions in the city that require zero spending.
Pro-Tip: Saving allows you to use the valuable cash on a nice meal or two or a cruise to Alcatraz – a recommended tour but not possible to book without shelling out some money.
Top Free Things to Do in San Francisco as a Tourist
1. Urban Hikes
San Francisco, arguably the most beautiful city in the United States, is divinely formed by nature as a gift to walkers and hikers.
The options are countless. You can choose between heart-pounding steep climbs to flat walks along the water.
Some trails meander through scenic neighborhoods, and views are almost always exceptional unless covered by its resident fog.
Only have time for one hike while in San Francisco? My recommended unmissable trail is Lands End.
This trail seems to have it all. Fascinating history, astonishing ruins, splendid Golden Gate Bridge views, and the opportunity to touch the mighty Pacific Ocean.
It is by far the best urban hike in any huge metropolitan city I have ever done in my travels around the globe.
A free downloadable map of my suggested itinerary can be found here.
2. Secret Stairways
Since San Francisco’s hilly terrain created a challenge in urban planning, the city had to construct numerous stairways – over 600 of them – to connect various neighborhoods and sloping streets.
These magical stairways paved the way for previously hard-to-reach sweeping viewpoints to be finally accessible to pedestrians.
Now, some of these stunning pathways have become major tourist attractions.
San Francisco’s 16th Street Tiled Stairway has been one of the city’s most visited spots for the past several years.
With the advent of social media, particularly Instagram, previously unpopular stairways have now found their way into the bucket lists of locals and tourists alike.
If you only have time for one stairway adventure, I recommend the hike that loops around Coit Tower and Telegraph Hill.
This urban adventure is brimming with enthralling vistas, remarkable neighborhoods, and two glorious stairways—the Filbert Steps and the Greenwich Stairway.
3. Street Art
Unbeknownst to many, San Francisco is a treasure trove of stellar street art.
Mesmerizing murals are strewn all over town, just waiting to be uncovered by many a curious traveler.
There are hundreds of amazing murals scattered all over SF but the “Mission District” is hands down the epicenter of this kaleidoscopic movement.
My top ten personal favorite murals in the Mission District that can all be enjoyed in a free walking tour that I created for you. The complete itinerary with downloadable maps can be found here.
4. Stunning Parks
Amidst this urban jungle are strategically placed parks that provide rejuvenating sanctuaries to San Francisco’s eclectic and diverse populace.
Parks of all sizes crown marvelous hills that showcase breathtaking ocean and city views.
But the king of all parks—Golden Gate Park—is the one park that should not be missed.
Stretching from the Pacific Ocean and cutting through colorful neighborhoods, this park seems to have everything.
From soothing Japanese gardens to world-class museums, it is the lungs of this city, where residents go to unwind and relax.
If you fancy small parks, a few are in every neighborhood.
The Stairways Walk that meanders through the North Beach neighborhood connects three pleasant parks in one hike – Washington Square Park, Pioneer Park, and Jack Early Park.
5. Coastal Walks
Surrounded by water on three sides, San Francisco is geographically blessed with miles of coastline waiting to be uncovered.
Well-maintained pathways and trails divide the city from the water, providing endless opportunities for exploration and exercise.
Sunsets along the Pacific coast are astonishing and a site to remember for decades to come.
It is possible to hike the entire coastline in a very long day trek, but we suggest taking it piecemeal.
Start from the Bay Bridge and end when you start seeing the Golden Gate Bridge.
On the next day, you can continue from the Golden Gate Bridge onto Ocean Beach and go on one of the most mesmerizing hikes you’ll ever do.
My favorite urban hike—Lands End—is a segment of this stretch and should not be skipped unless the fog is present.
For a great introduction to San Francisco, I recommend the Bay Walk from the Ferry Building and Bay Bridge to Ghirardelli Square, which passes through one of SF’s most famous avenues – the Embarcadero.
6. Bridge Walks
Tourists flock to this city just to catch a glimpse of the Golden Gate Bridge, one of the world’s most phenomenal bridges.
Although the pictures are stunning, nothing can prepare you for the immensity and grandeur of this dazzling structure.
Even after visiting it a hundred times, I still feel awe at its sheer beauty. It is truly astounding to see in person.
Walking or biking across it is possible as lanes dedicated to bikers and hikers flank either side of this remarkable roadway.
The total distance from end to end is 1.7 miles. But, you can certainly walk for as long as you want until you have had your heart’s delight.
If negotiating through crowded spaces does not strike your fancy, an alternative hike is the Bay Bridge.
It is longer (2.2 miles), more spacious, less crowded, and warmer.
Plus, you can visit two islands along the way – Treasure Island and Yerba Buena Island.
7. Scenic Beaches
Even though the water is frigid, SF’s coastline boasts an exciting array of beaches offering stupendous views that you will most likely remember.
Sunbathers flock to these sandy shores on a hot summer day while surfers rub elbows with each other to capitalize on the Pacific’s signature waves.
If the stars align, it is possible to see shipwrecks, dolphins, whales, and sea lions along the coastline.
San Francisco’s most famous beaches—Crissy Field, Bakers Beach, and Marshalls Beach—all have outstanding views of the Golden Gate Bridge, but the Lands End hike is recommended if you want to visit three other beaches in one terrific hike.
8. Free Museum Day
San Francisco has several world-class museums that can be accessed for free on certain days of the month.
SF-FunCheap.com has an updated list of which museums offer these money-saving perks.
It is not unusual for SF museums to charge upwards of $20, so strategically visiting when they charge zero is certainly a recommended option.
On certain days, the entrance fee is reduced, which can be an alternative if you want to dodge the vast crowds.
If you only have time for a few museums, I’d recommend the following:
- California Academy of Sciences – great for families and kids
- SFMOMA – art lovers rejoice
- De Young Museum – impressive exhibits
Final Thoughts
Despite San Francisco’s reputation as an expensive city, exploring its many attractions without breaking the bank is still possible.
Gorgeously situated along the coast and blessed with spectacular rolling hills, SF’s treasures primarily reside outdoors.
With some planning and the weather cooperating, you will have an unforgettable time charting the countless urban trails and scenic pathways lining its world-class coastline.
I hope this post has provided you with numerous frugal options for experiencing the United States’ most beautiful city while keeping your wallet intact.
San Francisco was the first city I visited in America over 30 years ago.
Yet it never fails to amaze me every time I visit. I wish you’d feel the same.
Happy and safe travels!
EDITORIAL DISCLOSURE – Opinions expressed here are the author’s alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, hotel, airline, or other entity. The content has not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of the entities included within the post.
This is a fantastic list! So I worked for a San Francisco based IT company from Florida for 8 years and my husband worked for a San Francisco based Dental Insurance company from home for 5 years and neither one of us has ever been to San Francisco!
As a traveler who has been to all states but 3 I certainly haven’t been to every major city! Once the pandemic is over I definitely need to check this city off the list! ?
~Aloha
Love this post! We were due to go to San Francisco earlier this year but unfortunately the pandemic hit.
It’s amazing to see the free things that can be done as well as your normal trips and excursions which can work out quite expensive. Hopefully we’ll get to try them all one day
Thank you for this! My kind of vacation is one where we walk everywhere! San Francisco wasn’t really on my radar until now!!
That’s good to know! I’d love to return some day and do all these things!
I love this! These are all great ideas and extremely helpful!
Great post! Walking and exploring outdoors is my favourite way to see a city! I haven’t been to California yet, but I’d love to visit one day