Alcatraz Tour and San Francisco Bay Cruise
From$139
— No ticket required
Free things to do in San Francisco
You don't need a big budget to enjoy San Francisco. These experiences are completely free to attend — though many still require you to reserve a spot in advance because capacity is limited.
See all San Francisco
Zero cost, still worth booking.
Matches
20
City
San Francisco
Total in city
20
Min rating
any
About this list
Why this shortlist
Free walking tours are the single most popular free activity in San Francisco, and we list every reputable one in town. Many are tip-based, which means you pay what you think the tour was worth at the end.
Aside from walking tours, look for free museum entry days, open-air concerts, and self-guided routes with downloadable maps.
Shortlist
Free things to do in San Francisco
California Academy of Sciences Tickets
From$25
San Francisco Museum of Modern Art Tickets
From$30
San Franciso All-Inclusive Pass By Go City
From$109
San Franciso Explorer Pass By Go City
From$89
Streets of San Francisco: Electric Bike Tour
From$115
Golden Gate Bridge to Sausalito Guided Bike Tour
From$115
Big Bus: San Francisco Hop-on Hop-off Bus Tour
From$56.1
Alcatraz Tickets with Ferry Ride
From$87.3
Alcatraz Tour and Fisherman’s Wharf Guided Walking Tour
From$99
Big Bus: San Francisco Sunset Tour
From$45.05
Escape from The Rock Cruise
From$48
San Francisco Bay Sunset Cruise
From$58
From San Francisco: Alcatraz, Muir Woods, & Sausalito Day Trip
From$159
Golden Gate Bay Cruise
From$39
Alcatraz Tour with Muir Woods and Sausalito
From$159
Exploratorium Tickets
From$39.96
From San Francisco: Alcatraz, Aquarium of the Bay & Yosemite 2-Day Trip
From$289
From San Francisco: Alcatraz, Aquarium of the Bay, & Napa/Sonoma Wine Country 2-Day Trip
From$275
Golden Gate Helicopter Tour
From$399
Before you book
FAQ
- Are tip-based tours really free?
- Yes — there's no obligation to tip. Most guides survive on tips, though, so €5–€10 per person is the norm if you enjoyed it.