24 Best things to do in San Francisco on a budget

Visiting San Francisco on a budget is totally possible.

That might be surprising given the city’s proximity to the infamous Silicon Valley and all its billions of dollars and the fact that it’s notoriously expensive to find housing near San Francisco. I’ll forgive you if you don’t think of San Francisco when you “budget travel”.

But, like with most cities, there is plenty you can do and see on a budget.

And, actually, a lot of the best things to do in San Francisco on a budget are also the city’s top sights.

It took me a day or so to warm to San Francisco and it’s still not one of my favorite cities we visited during our West Coast Road trip.

We spent several days exploring San Franciso for cheap and discovered plenty of free things to do in San Francisco as well as places to visit nearby that I loved.

Below, I’ll share all of my favorite things to do in San Francisco on a budget and how we spent our days exploring this California city as part of our USA road trip.

Best San Francisco Sight Seeing Passes to Save Money

When you’re looking to save money on a trip to San Francisco, it’s a good idea to decide what you’d like to do before you arrive. That way, you can plan your budget effectively as you enjoy your trip to the United States.

Sightseeing passes can be a great cost-saving choice if they match up with the kind of things you want to do and your schedule.

San Francisco CityPASS

The San Francisco CityPASS is another excellent choice that lets save money and explore San Francisco on a budget.

This pass gives you admission to the California Academy of Sciences and Blue & Gold Fleet San Francisco Bay Cruise, plus admission to 2 more attractions of your choice from any of these: Aquarium of the Bay, Exploratorium, San Francisco Museum of Modern Art — SFMOMA, San Francisco Zoo & Gardens, or The Walt Disney Family Museum.

San Francisco Explorer Pass

The San Francisco Explorer Pass allows you to choose two, three, four, or five activities from 25+ choices including the California Academy of Sciences, Exploratorium, and Aquarium of the Bay.

You’re also able to visit the attractions at your own pace since this San Francisco card is valid for 60 days after the first use

Best cheap things to do in San Francisco

Want cheap and free things to do in San Francisco? You’re in luck! These San Francisco attractions don’t cost much money but are some of the top things to do in the city and the Bay area.

1. Watch the sea lions at Pier 39

San Francisco’s sea lions are amongst the city’s most famous residents. After an earthquake in 1989 the sea lions moved into the pier and they’ve never really left.

They seem to spend most of their day sleeping, barking, and pushing each other off into the water. They really smell, but it’s good fun to watch them and completely free!

2. Japanese Tea Garden

The Japanese Tea Garden is a serene, picturesque escape from the city’s hustle and bustle.

The best part? It’s free to enter for an hour between 9 am and 10 am on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays.

If you’re visiting outside of these times it’ll cost you between $12 and $16 to enjoy a walk through an ornate wooden gate into another world, complete with a five-story pagoda, a high arching drum bridge, and a zen rock garden.

This beautifully maintained and peaceful garden in Golden Gate Park will leave you feeling calm and rejuvenated.

• Opening hours: 9 am to 6 pm, until 5 pm from November to February
• Entrance fees: $12 – $16 per adult

3. Eat clam chowder by the seafront

You probably couldn’t get more touristy than this but clam chowder is good and it’s a fun thing to do.

Grab a clam chowder in a bread bowl from one of the numerous stalls near the seafront (under $10) and enjoy. Though food can be expensive in San Francisco, this is a budget option that’s filling and tastes great!

Watch out for the pesky seagulls though – and please don’t feed them!

4. Take a hike by the Golden Gate Bridge

There’s more to the Golden Gate Bridge than simply walking across it.

There’s so much history to the surrounding areas and plenty of old forts to go exploring too. Park up on the south side of the Golden Gate Bridge and take a walk along one of the many signposted trails.

Or, head over the bridge to the north side and walk around Battery Spencer.

Wherever you go you’ll get some great views of the Golden Gate Bridge, Alcatraz, and the ocean.

AllTrails is my go-to hiking app for finding, planning, and navigating while I’m out on the trails. With offline maps on AllTrails+ you can be confident you’re still on the right track, even without mobile signal.

5. Picnic at Golden Gate Park

If the sun’s out and the San Francisco wind isn’t too strong then take a picnic in the Golden Gate Park. It’s an absolutely massive park (1,00+ acres!) and great to explore one afternoon.

There’s a carousel, an aquarium, and the Japanese Tea Garden too!

Grab a picnic from Whole Foods on Haight Street beforehand if you’re feeling fancy.

6. Visit Pier 24 Photography Museum

If you love art and photography, the Pier 24 Photography Museum is a must-visit. The museum, located behind a simple door on the pier, houses 20 galleries filled with stunning photos, all arranged uniquely.

Entry is entirely free, but you need to book in advance. Set aside around two hours to soak in the full museum experience – it’s worth it!

• Opening Hours: Weekdays 9 am – 5.15 pm
• Tickets: Book in advance online (free)

7. Go up Coit Tower

For a mere $10, you can enjoy breathtaking views of the bay and city from Coit Tower’s observation deck on Telegraph Hill.

The tower’s interior is covered in vibrant, Diego Rivera-inspired murals that capture local life from the 1930s, a feature you can enjoy for free.

You can reach the tower by driving, taking public transit, or walking up the Filbert stairs while listening to the park’s famous wild parrots.

• Opening hours: Daily 10 am to 5 pm
• Cost: $10

8. Walk, run, drive or cycle over the Golden Gate Bridge

• TOP TIP: It’s free to drive over the Bridge if you’re leaving San Francisco, but if you’re driving in towards the city you’ll have to pay the toll fare.

There are so many gerat plces to enjoy a view of Golden Gate Bridge but it’s even better to go over it.

You can drive over it for free (one-way) but it’s free to walk, run or cycle over the bridge, and that way you’ll actually get to take in the views and the bridge itself.

No matter how many pictures you’ve seen of the bridge, it’s still pretty impressive to see in person.

9. Climb the Moraga Steps

These steps are a bit of a hidden gem – at least to most San Francisco visitors.

The 163 steps have been decorated in beautiful, colored mosaic tiles.

At the top, there’s even a park you can relax in (after having climbed a few more, less colorful steps!).

From the park, you’ll also see a tiny part of the Golden Gate Bridge poking up behind the Golden Gate Park.

10. Free San Francisco Festivals

San Francisco puts on a lot of free festivals for music lovers and arts lovers throughout the year.

Every fall, Golden Gate Park hosts the Hardly Strictly Bluegrass Festival, showcasing over 100 musicians across seven stages over three days usually at the end of September.

The Stern Grove Festival is another free concert series happening every Sunday during the summer.

Similarly, the North Beach Festival provides live entertainment in the summer, complemented by over 100 arts, crafts, and food booths. The Union Street Festival also in June is another great choice, though sampling wine and beer comes at a small cost.

11. Browse the shops on Haight Street

Haight Street is pretty unique and is packed full of quirky shops. One of the best, and more well-known ones, is Amoeba Music.

Amoeba Music is an absolutely massive shop packed full of CDs, vinyl, DVDs, videos(!), and posters. It’s like HMV on steroids (and before it got rubbish). It’s well worth browsing.

12. See the Painted Ladies and Alamo Square

Personally, I think these are massively overrated.

I will add them to the list anyway because I think they’re just one of those things you have to see in San Francisco.

They were refurbing the park and Alamo Square when we were there, so our view of the houses wasn’t the best.

Still, the Ladies didn’t seem that impressive compared to the other houses around them which I thought were much prettier.

13. Day trip to Sausalito

Sausalito is to the north of San Francisco and is a great little village to wander around.

Many people hire a bike in San Francisco and then cycle over the Golden Gate Bridge before catching the ferry back to San Francisco.

Because of this, you’ll notice you have to pay to lock your bike up near the ferry while you explore the town which is a little crazy.

Still, if you want to escape the madness of San Francisco then Sausalito is a great choice.

14. Buy a techie book at Dog Eared Books

On our first evening, we took a stroll down Valencia Street in The Mission District. It’s full of bars, cafes, restaurants and a couple of bookshops too.

I love a good bookshop and Dog Eared Books is a very good bookshop.

It’s full of the book on all types of genres including start-up and techie books.

What more would you expect from a bookshop so close to Silicon Valley?

15. Cable Car Museum

Riding San Francisco’s iconic cable cars is a cost-effective and enjoyable way to see the city.

After your ride, visit the Cable Car Museum for free to learn about this traditional transportation’s history.

The museum also has a great gift shop, where you can find all your San Francisco souvenir needs in one place.

• Opening hours: 10 am-4 pm Tuesday-Thursday, Sundays, 10 am-5 pm Friday & Saturday, closed Mondays
• Tickets: Free

16. The Presidio

The Presidio of San Francisco is an area of nearly 1,500 acres near the Golden Gate Bridge.

It has loads of fun cheap San Francisco activities and is loved by both locals and visitors to the city.

You can expect stunning views and great trails to explore since it’s part of the Golden Gate National Recreation Area. There’s also a museum in the park and the top attraction for kids is the Outpost play area where they’ll have hours of fun.

Make sure you check out the Golden Gate Overlook scenic viewpoint – it’s such a good view of the bridge.

To get there you can use the free PresidiGo Shuttle from downtown.

17. Wander The Mission District

The Mission district in San Francisco can be a little bit dodgy but it’s also one of the cooler areas to visit – maybe just don’t go in the early hours of the morning, or late at night.

It’s the hipster area of San Francisco so if that’s your kind of thing then head here.

18. See Lombard Street

Another San Francisco classic is Lombard Street. You may know it as the super steep, twisty road.

It’s super busy whatever time of day you visit and I can’t imagine what it’s like to actually live on that road.

If you’ve got a car you can still drive down the road yourself if you really want to.

19. Get fresh produce at the Ferry Building Market Place

We weren’t in San Francisco at the right time for the marketplace to be open but I’ve heard it’s supposed to be great.

You can get all sorts of fresh foods and great coffee at the market and then enjoy them along the waterfront.

20. Visit Muir Woods National Monument

California is known for its redwood trees but the majority of them are in Northern California.

If you’re only in San Francisco for a short amount of time and still want to see some traditional Californian Red Woods then head to Muir Woods National Monument.

It’s under an hour away from the city and it has plenty of trails and huge redwoods for you to explore.

It does get really, really busy though so go first thing in the morning if you want to get a parking space!

21. Free San Francisco Walking Tours

Free walking tours are another excellent way to get to know San Francisco on a budget.

The San Francisco City Guides offer tours throughout the year to popular neighborhoods like Castro, Haight-Ashbury, Chinatown, and Potrero Hill.

Some tours even focus on local ghost stories, murals, past earthquakes, fires, and the history of numerous landmarks.

Just bear in mind that the tours are never entirely free. The guides work for tips so you should expect to pay in that way.

22. Visit the Beat Museum

The Beat Museum is a fun and cheap San Francisco activity where you can learn about the influential Beatnik pioneers of the early 20th century.

At the museum, you’ll get to explore the works of Beat Generation activists and poets like Jack Kerouac and Allen Ginsberg and it’s definitely something a bit different!

• Opening hours: 10 am – 7 pm Thursday to Monday
• Entrance fees: $8 per adult

23. Mission District Murals

If you love art, don’t miss the vibrant murals in the Mission District.

Many of these works of art have been around for several decades and offer unique insights into various topics, including politics, human rights issues, natural disasters, and diverse art styles.

This free walking tour is a great way to get to know more about the stories behind the murals while discovering San Francisco on a shoestring.

24. Baker Beach

Baker Beach is one of the best places to go for the best views of the Golden Gate Bridge.

It’s also the best place to take a chilled-out afternoon reading and enjoying the views if you need a rest from big city life.

The beach has public restrooms and picnic tables and best of all, visiting is completely free making it one of the best San Francisco things to do.

Top tips for how to visit san francisco on a budget

Visiting San Francisco on a budget can be a breeze if you follow these practical steps for how to save money in San Francisco.

• Plan Your Trip in Advance: Research attractions, events, accommodations, and transportation options ahead of time. Look for any discounts or package deals available during your travel period.
• Use Sightseeing Passes: San Francisco CityPASS and the Sightseeing Pass are excellent ways to save money on multiple attractions.
• Use Public Transportation: Opt for public transport instead of renting a car or using taxis. The city’s public transportation system, including BART, buses, and cable cars, is reliable and covers most tourist sites.Free Shuttle Service: Use the free PresidiGo Shuttle to travel to the Presidio.
• Eat Like a Local: Avoid expensive tourist traps and explore local eateries and food trucks. The Mission District, in particular, offers great affordable food options.
• Free Attractions: Plan to visit free attractions like the Presidio, Golden Gate Park, the Cable Car Museum, and Pier 24 Photography Museum. Walk around neighborhoods like Haight-Ashbury, Chinatown, and Castro, and check out the murals in the Mission District.
• Free Walking Tours: Take advantage of the free walking tours offered by the San Francisco City Guides. It’s a budget-friendly way to explore and learn about the city.
• Free Festival Fun: Time your visit to coincide with free festivals like the Hardly Strictly Bluegrass Festival, Stern Grove Festival, and the North Beach Festival.
• Budget Accommodation: Choose budget-friendly accommodations like hostels or budget hotels. Consider options outside of the city center, which are usually cheaper.
• Visit During Off-Peak Times: The cheapest time to visit San Francisco is during the off-peak season. Avoid summer and major holidays when hotel and flight prices can skyrocket.
• Pack a Picnic: Grocery shopping and preparing your own meals can save quite a bit. Plan a picnic at places like the Presidio or Golden Gate Park.
• Free Museum Days: Many museums offer free admission on certain days of the month. Research these and plan your itinerary accordingly.

Remember, your San Francisco trip on a budget doesn’t mean you’re compromising on the quality of your experience. With a little planning, you can make traveling to San Francisco on a budget memorable and fun.

Cheap stuff to do in San Francisco California map

Click the image below to load up an interactive map of the best things to do in San Francisco for free and on a budget.

You can then use it while planning your San Francisco itinerry or as you wander around the city.

Where to stay in San Francisco on a budget?

Staying in a city can be expensive but there are so many options in San Francisco that affordable hotels and hostels aren’t too hard to find. Here are some of the best cheap hostels and hotels in San Francisco.

Best hostels in San Francisco and best San Francisco hotels

• Cow Hollow Inn and Suites: With free parking and comfortable rooms, and a good location near the Marina District. A great option for those who value comfort and location without breaking the bank.
• Club Quarters Hotel Embarcadero, San Francisco: This is one of the best hotels in San Francisco for cheap in the CBD. It has a fitness center, and is close to Embarcadero, making it ideal for sightseers alike.
• Hotel Majestic: Historic charm with modern amenities in the scenic Pacific Heights neighborhood. This is one of the best affordable hotels in San Francisco.
• Nap York San Francisco Sleep Station: Offering minimalistic rooms with shared bathrooms and free WiFi, Nap York is a top choice for San Francisco cheap accommodation for budget travelers desiring a central location and clean, simple accommodations.
• HI San Francisco Downtown Hostel: With its practical furnishings, access to a full kitchen, free WiFi in public areas, and location near Union Square, this hostel caters well to solo travelers and backpackers on a budget.
• HI San Francisco Fisherman’s Wharf Hostel: Overlooking the bay with communal facilities, and daily activities, this hostel is excellent for travelers who desire a social environment with views.
• Green Tortoise Hostel: In the North Beach Little Italy district, this San Francisco Hostel offers a communal kitchen, and social events, and is ideal for travelers looking for a lively, communal stay.

FAQs about cheap things to do San Francisco

Final thoughts on how to visit San Francisco on a budget

As you can see it’s definitely possible to plan a budget trip to San Francisco.

Your San Francisco budget itinerary can include a range of activities such as hiking, visiting the waterfront and the Pier and seeing landmarks like the Painted Ladies and, of course, the Golden Gate Bridge. There are plenty of things to do with a small budget in San Francisco.

With a bit of careful planning, budget-friendly options like passes and free entry times, you can have a great San Francisco trip without breaking the bank. I’ve alaso shared some of the best cheap places to stay in SF which includes both hostels and cheap hotels in San Francisco.

If you’re looking for more things to do near San Francisco, be sure to check out these must see places on California’s Big Surf road trip, or head north and check out these weird places to stop on Hwy 101. You could also head east to Yosemite National Park or check out the beautiful Mammoth Lakes Hot Springs.

Last Updated on July 20, 2023 by Hannah