Top 10 Free Things to Do in San Francisco

San Francisco is a beautiful, fun, and exciting place to visit, but it is also extremely expensive. Many people struggle trying to find a way to explore this great city without burning a hole in their pockets. Have no fear! There are several great things to do in San Francisco for free! The following includes a list of ten of the top free things to do in the city:

1. Golden Gate Park: A beautiful spot in San Francisco with trails and all sorts of attractions to visit. There are several free attractions such as the botanical gardens, the rose gardens, the AIDS memorial, and more!

2. City Lights Bookstore: a historical landmark for the beatniks! Besides just browsing books, they frequently have book readings and speakers. For more information ad a list of events visit http://www.citylights.com/

3. Lombard Street: you do not need a tour group to go see the curviest street in San Francisco! This street is right near North Beach and Fisherman's Warf.

4. Walk across the Golden Gate Bridge: Why pay for a tour or a bike when you can explore the bridge for free? Take a nice stroll over the bridge and enjoy the views of the bay.

5. Museums: several museums across San Francisco offer free admission certain days and times. For example, there are some that are free on the first Tuesday of the month like the M.H. de Young Memorial Museum, Asian Art Museum, and the San Francisco Museum of Modern ART (SF MOMA). There are several other museums that offer free days. Check websites for more information.

6. Ferry Plaza and Farmer's Market: The ferry building is located right on the water and offers gourmet food and shopping. During the farmer's market there is excellent food and arts and crafts outside the building.

7. Marina: Take a stroll along the water front through the marina. See the kite flyers and the boats. If you want to walk further, keep going to Crissy Field and walk along to beach for a view of the waterfront and the Golden Gate Bridge.

8. Palace of Fine Arts: A beautiful place to go visit, relax and have a picnic. It is also right next to the Exploratorium.

9. Yerba Buena Gardens Festival: from May through October, go to free events including music concerts, art, culture, and theater. For a list of events, visit http://www.ybgf.org/

10. Free walking tours of SF: take a walking tour almost anywhere in the city for free! Visit http://www.sfcityguides.org/ for more information and a schedule.

Other helpful websites:

http://www.sftravel.com/
http://www.sfgate.com/traveler/guide/
http://gosanfrancisco.about.com