San Francisco is a beautiful city with a rich history, but it’s not exactly known for being cheap. Parking alone can put you out twenty dollars at a minimum, and don’t even get me started on the rising costs of BART (one of our main lines of public transportation in the Bay Area). Despite this, there are still plenty of things you can do that won’t break the bank. These are some of my favorite ways to get the best of San Francisco on any budget. Visit a MuseumI wrote an entire post on the five best museums to see in San Francisco, which you can check out here! In addition, did you know that most major museums have a free day? The ones in San Francisco are no exception, and on the first Tuesday of every month, you can check out quite a few of them for free, including the de Young, Legion of Honor, Yerba Buena Center for the Arts, Museum of Craft and Design, and the Contemporary Jewish Museum. If you’re not in town that day, check out this list of every museum in SF and which days they’re free to the public. Fort Point, while not technically a museum, is a free National Historic Site of California, and a really cool place to check out. As a bonus, it gives you a pretty great view of the Golden Gate Bridge. ...Or a Garden!The Botanical Gardens (near the de Young, Legion of Honor, and California Academy of Sciences) is free every day from 7.30-9 am (come in early and stay as long as you want), or free anytime on the the second Tuesday of every month! It's seriously beautiful--I spent a few hours there the other day when it first opened in the morning, and hardly saw any other people. Then we have the Japanese Tea Garden, "the oldest public Japanese garden in the United States." It's a truly stunning combination of traditional Japanese architecture and gorgeous plants. Also in the Golden Gate park, it's free every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday before 10am. Visit the Famous Wave OrganFull disclaimer: I haven’t actually been here yet! I wanted to go on my last visit, but I ran out of time. This sculpture, maintained by the Exploratorium, creates music from the waves crashing against its pipes. I’ve been told it’s beautiful and eerie, and it’s next on my list to visit. Check out the Golden Gate BridgeIt’s iconic, it's pretty, it's the gateway to the golden state, and it's free to walk, so you really have no excuse not to visit. I always recommend visiting in the “golden hour,” the hour just after sunrise or before sunset. The way the light hits the bridge is truly stunning. Morning in particular is a good time to visit, because you’ll have to deal with fewer tourists. If you’re lucky, you might even be able to visit the San Francisco swing. It’s a really cool place to sit and watch the view, but be warned that it’s constantly being taken down and put back up again. Take a Walking TourYou can take walking tours all over SF, from the city's top highlights to in-depth tours of some of the coolest neighborhoods. I've taken free walking tours in cities all over the world, and always had a blast, so I encourage you to check it out! Also, while technically free, you should really tip your guide after the tour for all their hard work. I recommend about $5 per person. Visit Lombard StreetYeah, it’s touristy, but so what? The most crooked street in the world is lined with adorable houses and is sure to put a smile on your face. That being said, gas costs money, so you’re always free to walk down if you want to go super-cheap. Go Hiking!Yup, you can hike in San Francisco. There’s actually quite a few trails scattered around the city! Check out Lands End for shipwrecks and the Sutro Baths ruins, or try the California Coastal Trail, Mount Sutro, Corona Heights park, or (my personal favorite) Twin Peaks. Alternatively, walk around one of the city’s large parks, like Golden Gate (home to several of the attractions I talked about already on this list) or McLaren. I love San Francisco (as evidenced by how much I post about it on my Instagram), but I don't love going over-budget just to spend the day there. Luckily, visiting the city doesn’t have to break the bank; there are so many things to do on the cheap in San Francisco, from everything listed above to the myriad of free festivals and classes that are offered year-round. Trust me when I say there’s something for everybody and every budget here. Do you have a favorite place to visit for free in the city? I'd love to hear about it in the comments below! See more adventures!If you liked this post, you may also like:
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Hi, there! Call me Kris. I’m a world traveler, author and artist working to showcase the world's beauty and inspire you to find your confidence to see the world!
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