Housely
Los Angeles may have better weather, but block for block, San Francisco is perhaps the most interesting city in California. With majestic architecture, sweeping views, and historic sites at every turn, you’re never at a loss for things to do in the City by the Bay. The only problem? San Francisco is insanely expensive — prohibitively so for a lot visitors and even for some outer Bay Area residents. It has one of the highest costs of living in the entire country, and those exorbitant prices trickle down to many tourist and sightseeing attractions.
But fear not — you can still enjoy San Francisco on a tight budget! There are quite a few things to do that will cost you less than a Hamilton, and you can even find some off-the-beaten-path activities that are 100% free. What should you do in San Francisco if time is long and money’s tight?
Check out these ten awesome things to do.
1. City Hall Tours
San Francisco’s City Hall is a stunning Beaux-Arts building that’s reminiscent of the US Capitol, with its clean lines and ornate dome. It’s also seen quite a bit of history, from celebrity marriages (including Marilyn Monroe and Joe DiMaggio) to the assassination of Harvey Milk. If you’d like a tour, you’re in luck: there are three 45-minute public tours every week day, and they’re free and open to the public. A small donation is appreciated, but not necessary. If you’re interested in local politics, a tour of San Francisco City Hall is a wonderful way to get an insider’s view of what goes down.
2. Ride a San Francisco Cable Car
New York has the subway, Chicago has the El, New Orleans has streetcars, and San Francisco has its famous cable cars. A ride on the city’s famous public transportation system gives you a window seat on some of its most well-known and popular neighborhoods; it’s a great way to see a lot without exhausting yourself by walking all of San Francisco’s notorious hills. Plus, at five bucks a ride, you can get on at the beginning of the line and ride it all the way to the end. Optional for ‘80s kids: bring a box of Rice-A-Roni and recreate your favorite one of your childhood commercials.
3. Take Advantage of Free Museum Days
San Francisco has no shortage of amazing museums. Whether you love art, history, nature, or something more specific, you’ll find a veritable shrine to it in the city. However, admission fees can be quite steep, sometimes as much as $20 per person or more. However, there’s a budget friendly loophole: free days! Just about every museum in San Francisco offers a handful of free days every year. For many, it’s the first Tuesday of the month, though that’s not a given. If there’s a museum you’re interested in seeing and you’re short on funds, check their website or give them a call and find out when their next free day is. If it fits in your schedule, you’ll get to see the exhibits for nothing.
4. Stroll Across the Golden Gate Bridge
It’s not every day that you get to see one of the true Wonders of the Modern World, and it’s even less frequent that you have an opportunity to walk across one. But in San Francisco, the magnificent Golden Gate Bridge is open to pedestrians every day. You can walk only on the east sidewalk, and hours change with the seasons, but they mostly follow daylight. If you’d like to get more out of your visit, there are free historical tours offered every Thursday and Sunday; again, check for exact times.
5. Find Harmony and Tranquility at the Japanese Tea Garden
Admission to this lovely spot in Golden Gate Park is just $6 for San Francisco residents and $8 for non-residents, and it’s a real bargain. The grounds are meticulously manicured, and visitors will enjoy a variety of blooms, a Zen garden, koi ponds, and so much more. If you’re hoping for a respite from the concrete jungle of the city, the Japanese Tea Garden is the perfect spot.
6. Find Peace and Love at Haight Ashbury
It’s the center of the hippie movement, the birthplace of counterculture, and a real time capsule of Americana, and it’s therefore worth checking out. You won’t find the Grateful Dead playing on the corner of Haight and Ashbury these days, but what you will find are head shops, music shops, and beautifully painted Victorian homes. Hold your hand in a peace sign and smile at passersby — it’s expected.
7. Explore Fisherman’s Wharf
The locals may think of Fisherman’s Wharf as a tourist trap, but so what? It’s a fun place to walk around outdoors and have your senses assaulted by just about everything. There are shops, of course, and restaurants, but there are also museums and sea lions within spotting distance. Just keep your guard up, or you’ll get the wits scared out of you by the World Famous Bushman. (Hint: if you see eucalyptus branches where no eucalyptus branches should be, he’s probably hiding behind them.)
8. Hike the California Coastal Trail
More than ten miles of this 1200+ mile public trail run through San Francisco, and you can hike it all, free of charge. Along the way, you’ll see many local attractions, like the Golden Gate Bridge (which the trail actually crosses), the Presidio, Fort Point, and many more. Lace up your hikers, grab your water bottle, and get going on a beautiful walk through some of the city’s finest wildlife and urban life.
9. Eat the Best Burrito Ever in the Mission District
Whether you hit up La Taqueria or one of the many other Mexican joints in the Mission, you’ll probably end up with the best burrito you’ve ever tasted. While price varies from restaurant to restaurant, no self-respecting taco place will charge you more than $10 for a simple (yet highly delicious) burrito made to order. It’s worth every penny.
10. Skate at the Church of 8 Wheels
Roller skating? Yeah, roller skating! On the weekends, the Church of 8 Wheels comes alive with open skate and roller disco sessions. Admission is just $10 for a two to four hour session, and while that price doesn’t include skates (skate rental is another five bucks), we’re sure you have a pair buried beneath some old stuff in your basement. Get rollin’!
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