13 Sep Free Things to do in San Francisco

City living can be very expensive, so here’s a list of some of the best free things to do in San Francisco for full day trips or just a chance to get out of the house when the college work load gets too much!

The Golden Gate Bridge

An instantly recognizable land mark, and one of the first things I did when I arrived in the city, the Golden Gate Bridge is completely free and really pretty! I’d recommend going at sunset on one of the sunnier September days we’re currently having for some amazing views. The visitor center sells cool gifts if you’re looking for something for friends and family and it’s a great spot for photos. You can walk on the bridge and see Alcatraz, and on super clear days all the way to Oakland. The 28 goes from right outside the SFSU campus to the bridge.

16^th Avenue Tiled Steps

These are really cool mosaic steps where you can watch the sunset over the Pacific. It’s just a thirty-minute ride on the 28. This is still on my list of things to do whilst in San Francisco!

Golden Gate Park

Hop on the 28 and get off either on Fulton Street or Lincoln Way. Be sure to check out free days at the DeYoung Museum if you fancy taking in some culture. There are also multiple places around the park, like the Japanese Tea House or the Conservatory of Flowers, which charge a small fee to get in, but are amazing places to visit. My favorite experience so far of the park would be hiring bikes (around $20 for two hours) as you can see so much more of the park! Be sure to wrap up warm though as the winds get pretty strong and be safe on the roads as you’ll be sharing them with regular traffic and a lot of tour buses! If you fancy relaxing in the park, the Robin Williams Meadow is a lovely place to sit and is just a stone’s throw from the Haight-Ashbury District, a must for music fans!

Ocean Beach

If you manage to traverse the whole of the Golden Gate Park, Ocean Beach is waiting for you at the end! It’s really pretty, even on the foggiest of days. The IEEC is hosting a bonfire there on Saturday which is a great way to meet new people! Take the 18 from behind the Annex where the international orientation was for beach side views on the way there!

Pier 39

Hop on the 28 to Fisherman’s Wharf and explore pier 39. There are loads of shops to explore, you can watch the sea lions and even see a free magic show! For a few dollars there are a couple of photo booths around to remember the day where you can choose backgrounds! I’d recommend going in the week as it can get super busy at the weekend.

Most importantly, don’t forgot your SFSU ID card for free muni travel!

Let me know which of these you’ve tried and if you’d add any more!

Meg x