San Francisco hotels and restaurants are expensive, but many of the city's best experiences are free, and some of its best food is cheap.

Free things to do

  • Walk across the Golden Gate Bridge.
  • Hike the Lands End Trail and see the Sutro Baths ruins.
  • Explore Golden Gate Park and go up the de Young's observation tower.
  • Visit the Cable Car Museum and watch the machinery.
  • See the sea lions at Pier 39.
  • Walk the murals of the Mission and the stairways of Telegraph Hill.
  • Sit in Salesforce Park, the rooftop garden in SoMa.
  • Visit Presidio Tunnel Tops and Crissy Field.
  • Many museums have free days; check each museum's site for current offers.

Cheap eats

A Mission burrito is a meal for most people. Dim sum takeout in Chinatown, bánh mì in Little Saigon, pizza slices in North Beach and the food trucks around the city are all good value. Farmers markets have cheap fruit and ready-to-eat food.

Getting around for less

A Muni multi-day pass, which includes the cable cars, pays for itself quickly. BART from the airport costs far less than a car.

Sleeping for less

Hotel prices swing with conventions and events; shifting your dates by a few days can halve the price. Sunday nights are often cheapest. Hostels exist downtown and near Fisherman's Wharf. For more ideas that work in any city, see city trips on a budget.

A free day in San Francisco

  1. Morning: walk the Filbert Steps to Coit Tower for the murals, then down to North Beach and Chinatown.
  2. Midday: dim sum takeout in Chinatown, eaten in Portsmouth Square.
  3. Afternoon: walk the Embarcadero to Pier 39 for the sea lions, then the Musée Mécanique.
  4. Late afternoon: bus to Lands End for the coastal trail and the Sutro Baths ruins.
  5. Sunset: Golden Gate Bridge or Ocean Beach.

The only costs are the transit fares and the food.

Saving on food

  • Eat your main meal at lunchtime, when many restaurants offer cheaper menus.
  • Buy picnic supplies at a market or deli and eat in a park.
  • Happy hours in bars often include cheap food.
  • Remember that tax and tip add a lot to a restaurant bill; see tipping in the US.

Saving on attractions

  • Check each museum for free days, discounted evenings or reduced rates for students and seniors.
  • City sightseeing passes can save money if you plan to visit many paid attractions; do the math before buying.
  • A ferry ride is a cheap alternative to a bay cruise.

Saving on sleep

  • Compare hostels, which have private rooms as well as dorms.
  • Look at hotels near BART stations outside the city center.
  • Avoid big convention dates.

Frequently asked questions

What is the cheapest way from the airport?

BART, which is much cheaper than a car or shuttle.

Is San Francisco expensive for visitors?

Hotels and restaurants are, but many sights are free and transit is reasonable.

Are there free walking tours?

Yes, the public library and some local groups run free walking tours of different neighborhoods. Check schedules in advance.