Best Free Things to Do in San Francisco
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Sights & Landmarks
Golden Gate Bridge
49,314 reviews
"A marvel of modern engineering it has withstood the test of time and weather (rough in that Bay!) We went to Vista Point where you get a great view of the bridge and can enjoy the bronze statue of "The Sailor."""bay cruise is a must and the golden gate bridge view is breathtaking - - also alcatraz view from cruise is good! the guide gives a comprehensive history of the bridge and Alcatraz and overall it is a must see!"
Nature & Parks
Golden Gate Park
9,507 reviews
"The art and science museums, the playgrounds, the lakes (Stow Lake is my favorite), the meadows, the Arboretum, the Japanese Tea Garden, the bison, hippie hill, the merry-go-round, the windmills, the scenes of bea...""rose, dahlia), Japanese Tea Garden [savor a cup of tea], Botanical Garden and Conservatory of Flowers; enjoy a paddle boat ride [a children favorite] on Stow Lake; art at the Fine Arts Museum (aka DeYoung); scienc..."
Nature & Parks
Lands End
2,830 reviews
"Also from the Cliff House (well known San Francisco restaurant) overlooking Seal Rock and Ocean Beach you can hike the trails of Lands End and visit the coffee shop and gift center there run by the National Parks.""The coastal trail at Land's End is a wonderful place to explore and appreciate the cliffs, nature and beautiful views across thhe water."
Shopping
Ferry Building Marketplace
7,357 reviews
"The Ferry Building has a wide array of attractions: wonderful restaurants like Slanted Door and Boulettes Larder, great food from top of the line local purveyors like Cowgirl Creamery and Acme Bread, shops with al...""The best of California is here: Cowgirl Creamery Cheese, Acme Bread, mushrooms, chocolates, meat, wine, oysters, dim sum, pizza, tacos, coffee, pantries and kitchen/cooking items."
Sights & Landmarks
Lombard Street
18,131 reviews
"we caught the cable car to the top of Lombard street, we absolutely loved the weave road and how beautifully it is maintained with all the gorgeous flower's, there was certainly alot of tourist there, some even we...""walking from Pier 39 you reach the Lombard st, (after climbing the steep streets !!!) One meets the best of landscapes, on the one hand looking towards the bay, and then touring this beautiful street with its hous..."
Nature & Parks
San Francisco Bay
7,326 reviews
"We took advantage of the great views from many different vantage points in SF.. Be sure you take a boat tour so you can see the fabulous SF skyline""Strolling along the Embarcadero affords a beautiful view of San Francisco Bay, the Bay Bridge, ATT Park, Alcatraz, Angel Island, the Golden Gate Bridge, Piet 39, Fisherman’s Wharf and Ghirardelli Square."
Museums
Cable Car Museum
3,702 reviews
"Great way to learn how the cable cars work - can see all in 30 minutes, free and makes you appreciate those cable cars!""The Cable Car Museum houses a collection of historic cable cars, photographs, mechanical displays and gift shop run by the Friends of the Cable Car Museum - a nonprofit organization dedicated to the preservation o..."
Sights & Landmarks
Pier 39
22,505 reviews
"Loved this place lots of restaurant and bars lots of shops with lovely little nic naks the views are to die for and the clam chowder is amazing loved watching the seals this place is full of life""We loved Pier 39! Amazing fun place to go! Great restaurants, family fun place, a lot of shops, you get to see the sea lions, you can see Alcatraz or take the tour from there also."
Museums
Musee Mecanique
2,868 reviews
"This was one of the absolute highlights - got to play a bunch of my old favourites while also checking out some crazy vintage coin operated machines.""This place is amazing with a wide range of old arcade games from cheesy old games that show some sort of scenario, to strength games, ski ball, common video games, love tests and our favorite; The Gypsy Queen fort..."
Nature & Parks
Presidio of San Francisco
1,860 reviews
"... U.S. Army in 1994 to the National Park Service.It is almost 1500 acres and includes a golf course, national cemetery, hiking and biking trails, beaches, some good restaurants,and the Walt Disney Family Museum.""The Presidio has terrific trails to hike, Andy Goldsworthy sculpture here and there, the surprisingly good Disney museum, a historical museum at the Officer's club and just a lot of great views."
Other
Fisherman's Wharf
19,330 reviews
"There is so much to see, great people watching and I love watching the sea lions, there are so many and they are so fun, always putting on a show!! Great food options, lots of stores to browse.""Best seafood ever, the fish was fresh and perfectly cooked, the sauce was complement it to perfection The garlic bread and polenta were delicious plus the fresh made Sangria made everything perfect"
Shopping
Ghirardelli Square
3,517 reviews
"I had the Muir Woods Black Cherry Vanilla Sundae, which consists of black cherry vanilla ice cream and handmade hot fudge topped with whipped cream, Ghirardelli Mini Dark Chocolate Chips, and a cherry.""If you love chocolate this is a must stop between the ice cream and the store with all the chocolate treats you wont go wrong"
Sights & Landmarks
Grace Cathedral
1,324 reviews
"A Lovely, and Iconic Cathedral In August, while staying on Nob Hill, I took the opportunity to explore Grace Cathedral, a block and a half from our hotel.""The Cathedral is breathtaking, 19th century English gothic architecture with soaring ceilings, Chartres style stained glass windows, Flying buttresses, and a wonderful labyrinth to evoke the deepest spirituality o..."
Other
The Embarcadero
923 reviews
"Within the Embarcadero Centre, the 17 storey atrium in the Hyatt Regency Hotel is stunning; we partook of some pleasant refreshments in the breathtaking space.""... promenade walk with a varied selection of piers on one side which offer everything from shops, eateries, boat trips, Alcatraz Island tours, an arcade museum, sea lions, Ferry terminal, Bay Bridge, and much more."
Other
The Castro
961 reviews
"Easy to access from or to Haight-Ashbury and the centre of the city (Streetcar F-line).""... or a band playing worth the time to stop, Castro has a great tram service that goes down market st to fisherman’s wharf and also has a bart station See where Harvey Milk lived and soak up the history of the area"
Other
Chinatown
7,030 reviews
"Love this place it is vibrant much like Hong Kong in a way great food places shops new traditional... My favorite new era Chinese food restaurant is here""The shops are plentiful and quirky and lots and lots of great places to eat and explore We preserved in finding the fortune cookie factory which was also fab! Will be going back on an evening to see it all lit up..."