San Francisco Free or Really Cheap Things to Do
San Francisco can be an expensive city to live in and it can be especially expensive to visit. Here's a list of things that you can do that are free or that cost very little.
Visit Open Homes on Sunday
If you're in the city on a Sunday and you want to get a feel for how the professional class of San Franciscans live, pick up the Real Estate section of the Sunday San Francisco Chronicle. Typically there will be hundreds of open homes for you to choose from. They usually run between 2 and 4 p.m., however some start as early as noon or 1 p.m. I would recommend picking places in North Beach, Russian Hill, the Castro, Eureka Valley (the official name of the Castro) or Noe Valley. These are some of the best places to live in San Francisco (IMO). I would also look for listings that say "views".
Ride a Historic Streetcar
I'm really a fan of public transportation. You probably already know about the San Francisco Cable Cars. They cost $5.00 a ride and you have to stand in line. However, another historic way to get around the city is to take a historic F-line streetcar. For $1.50, you'll be riding a vintage electric street car. The F-line streetcars were purchased from cities around the world, so you may get on a car that originally in service in Milan, Moscow, Philadelphia, New York or Newark. The F-line runs from the Castro down Market Street past the Civic Center and around the Embarcadero to Fisherman's Wharf. You can hop of at the Ferry Building on a Tuesday or Saturday afternoon and enjoy the Farmer's Market.
Get a Cup of coffee
I love hanging out in coffee bars. They are a great way to enjoy the day and do some people watching. For $1.50, you will have the opportunity to get off your feet, sip some brew and meet some interesting people. Try one of the coffee shops suggested in my coffee shops tops list or discover one for yourself. In North Beach, you'll find a coffee shop about every half block.
Explore stairways around Telegraph Hill
If your up for a nice walk, great views and a little neighborhood exploration, you may want to try exploring some of San Francisco's stairways that adorn San Francisco's forty-two hills. I would suggest that you explore those around Telegraph Hill. Start at Levi Plaza (Embarcadero and Union). Walk through the plaza towards Coit Tower (on the hill). At Sansome, turn right and walk to Filbert. At Filbert, turn left and walk up the stairway that goes up the side of Telegraph Hill. Take your time and enjoy the views. At the top, walk around Coit Tower and further enjoy the views. Descend the stairway that leads into Greenwich street. If you're thirsty, stop for a drink at Fog City Diner (1300 Battery Street at Greenwich). For more stairway walk ideas, refer to the Stairway Walks in San Francisco by Adah Bakalinsky in the best books section.
Take a walk in Crissy Field
Crissy Field was formerly the only airstrip located within the boundaries of San Francisco. A recent renovation project has returned much of the field to it's natural wetland habitat. The restoration project also included walking and biking paths, beach access, grass playgrounds and a barbecue and picnic area. Crissy Field has become one of San Francisco's best and most beautiful places for a relaxing stroll or a more energetic jog. Start at the Palace of Fine Arts (near Baker and Marina) and walk towards the bay, then walk towards the Golden Gate Bridge. You'll soon connect with one of the walking paths. Depending on your stamina, you may want to walk all the way to Fort Point (under the bridge). You can stop at the Warming Hut for a rest or an energy booster.
Spend a Sunday Afternoon in Golden Gate Park
Any day is a good day to go to Golden Gate Park, but my personal favorite is Sunday. On Sunday's Kennedy Drive is closed to car traffic, so the street will be filled with bikers, in-line skaters, joggers and walkers. Enjoy a walk outside the Conservatory of Flowers or in the San Francisco Botanical Gardens at the Strybing Arboretum. Keep your eye out for a group of roller-skaters dancing (on skates) to boom-box music. These performers are a treat to watch.
San Francisco Maritime National Park
The Maritime National Park is located at the Hyde Street pier (near the end of the Hyde Cable Car line). You can walk along the pier and view the ships for free. For a small fee, you can purchase a pass that allows you to board some of the ships. You'll see a scooner and a steam ferry boat from the 1800s as well as several ships from the early 1900s. After your walk along the pier, stroll over to the ship shaped building (around the Aquatic Park at Polk and Beach) and enter the Maritime Museum (also free).
City Guides walking Tour
If you want to go an a guided walking tour, San Francisco City Guides are a group of volunteers who provide a variety of walking tours to suit your tastes. The tours are free, but the volunteers do ask for donations at the end of the tour to help keep the organization going. Maiden Lane, Nob Hill and Victorian San Francisco are some of my favorites. Check out their schedule and find the tour that suits your schedule.
Ghirardelli Chocolate Factory Free Sample
If you are walking along the piers or you got off the Hyde Street Cable Car, you can go over to Ghirardelli Square. Once a chocolate making plant, this historic square has been converted to a shopping center. Be sure to stop by the Ghirardelli Chocolate Shop (next to the Ghirardelli Soda Fountain). As you enter the chocolate shop, you'll be handed a free Ghirardelli chocolate sample. (Now, to make this experience totally free, you cannot purchase any chocolate that you see on display. If you decide that you do want to purchase some Ghirardelli Chocolate to take home for your trip, I recommend Cost Plus World Market (2552 Taylor Street at North Point) where you'll be able to purchase some of the same fine chocolate at discount prices.
Walk or Bike Across the Golden Gate Bridge
The Golden Gate Bridge is one of San Francisco's star attractions and one of its unique identifying characteristics. Unlike the San Francisco Bay Bridge, the Golden Gate Bridge allows pedestrians to cross. The bridge spans just over a mile, so I would recommend walking out to the first tower. You'll enjoy great views of Alcatraz and the city skyline. If your timing is lucky, you may get to see a cargo ship from China pass under the bridge.
