How to See San Francisco for Free

San Francisco may have one of the top costs of living in the country, but enjoying the sights of the "City by the Bay" doesn't have to cost a fortune. San Francisco offers a number of attractions, parks and museums that don't cost a dime. Below are a few examples.

Instructions

Difficulty: Easy

1. Walk across the Golden Gate Bridge. The symbol of San Francisco, the Golden Gate Bridge is free to bikers and pedestrians. Bikers may travel the 1.7 mile bridge 24 hours; pedestrians are limited to daylight hours. The view from the photogenic suspension bridge is well worth the energy.
2. Explore Chinatown. San Francisco's Chinatown is one of the largest in the United States. A walk through this compact neighborhood is like taking a quick trip to Asia. The narrow streets abound in interesting vistas and shops selling all kinds of exotic wares.
3. Take advantage of free museum days. Many of San Francisco's top museums offer free admission one day a month. The free day varies from museum to museum so you're likely to find a free museum day no matter when you visit. Among the participating museums are the DeYoung Museum, the Asian Art Museum and the San Francisco Museum of Modern Art.
4. Visit the Cable Car Museum. Some San Francisco museums are always free. Among these is the city's Cable Car Museum, which combines the working hub of the city's cable car mechanisms with displays about the history of San Francisco's iconic mode of transportation.
5. Stroll in Golden Gate Park. At over 1000 acres, San Francisco's Golden Gate Park is larger than New York's Central Park. It spans the central to western part of the city and features historic windmills, frequent free concerts, an arboretum and the National AIDS Memorial Grove. The museums and the Japanese Garden in the park carry admission fees, but most of the 3-mile long park may be enjoyed for free.