45 free things to do and get in San Francisco and around the San Francisco area, including 20 attractions, 7 classes & fitness, 5 food.
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Daily during park hours (5am–10pm); education center Tue–Sun 10am–4:30pm
Tilden Nature Area, Little FarmSan Francisco
Visit the historic Little Farm in Tilden Nature Area, next to the Environmental Education Center (open Tuesday–Sunday, 10am–4:30pm). Parking is free. Public feeding of the animals has stopped, so leave the celery at home.
Verified Oct 27 · ebparks.org
No catch
Mon–Tue and Fri–Sun 10am–5pm, Thu noon–8pm (closed Wed)
SFMOMASan Francisco
SFMOMA keeps 45,000 square feet of art-filled public space on Floors 1 and 2 open with no ticket, including large commissions and murals. Guests 18 and younger get free admission to the whole museum every day. Adult tickets are $30. Closed Wednesdays.
Verified Oct 27 · sfmoma.org
Catch: Full museum free only for ages 18 and under; public galleries free for all
Mon–Sat (hours vary; closed Sunday)
Oakland Tool Lending Library
Skip buying a drill or ladder: the Oakland Public Library lends tools for home repair, remodeling and gardening to Oakland, Emeryville and Piedmont residents, and runs repair workshops. 5205 Telegraph Avenue; closed Sundays.
Verified Oct 27 · oaklandlibrary.org
Catch: Library card required: Oakland, Emeryville and Piedmont residents only
Daily: breakfast 7:30–9am, lunch 11:30am–1pm, dinner 3:30–5pm
GLIDESan Francisco
GLIDE serves breakfast (7:30–9am), lunch (11:30am–1pm) and dinner (3:30–5pm) every day, 364 days a year, with no eligibility rules and no intake form. Seniors, families and adults with disabilities have a reserved breakfast from 7:30 to 8am.
Verified Oct 27 · glide.org
No catch
Tuesday–Sunday, 9:30am–4:30pm
de Young museum, Golden Gate ParkSan Francisco
The 9th-floor Hamon Observation Tower at the de Young museum in Golden Gate Park gives 360-degree views over the park and city, and it never needs a ticket. Wilsey Court, the museum's central space, is also free to walk into. Tower open Tuesday–Sunday, 9:30am–4:30pm.
Verified Oct 27 · famsf.org
No catch
Daily 7:30–9am; all day on the 2nd Tuesday of each month
San Francisco Botanical Garden
San Francisco Botanical Garden in Golden Gate Park is free for everyone every day from 7:30 to 9am, all day on the second Tuesday of each month, and on Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year's Day. San Francisco residents and veterans get in free any time (see the separate listing).
Verified Oct 27 · gggp.org
No catch
Helpline Monday–Friday, 9am–4pm
Alameda County Community Food BankSan Francisco
The Alameda County Community Food Bank connects people to free groceries and hot meals near them as soon as possible. Call the Emergency Food Helpline at 510-635-3663 (Monday–Friday, 9am–4pm) or use the online Food Locator. Short-term home-delivered groceries are available for people who can't get to a pantry.
Verified Oct 27 · foodnow.net
No catch
Monday, Wednesday and Friday, 9–10am
Japanese Tea Garden, Golden Gate ParkSan Francisco
The Japanese Tea Garden in Golden Gate Park is free for everyone from 9 to 10am on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays. Open daily from 9am; last entry 4:30pm November–February.
Verified Oct 27 · gggp.org
No catch
Tuesday–Saturday, 10am–5pm
Randall MuseumSan Francisco
The Randall Museum on Corona Heights is a free city museum with live animals, model trains, earthquake and ocean exhibits, and big views. Saturdays bring drop-in science and art workshops and animal meet-ups. Open Tuesday–Saturday, 10am–5pm.
Verified Oct 27 · randallmuseum.org
No catch
Daily, 10am–5pm
Rosie the Riveter/WWII Home Front National Historical Park Visitor CenterRichmond
The visitor center for Rosie the Riveter/WWII Home Front National Historical Park in Richmond. There's no fee to enter. Open daily, 10am–5pm.
Verified Oct 27 · home.nps.gov
No catch
Museum Wednesday–Sunday, 10am–4pm
San Francisco Maritime National Historical Park
San Francisco Maritime National Historical Park charges no entrance fee. The Maritime Museum is open Wednesday–Sunday, 10am–4pm, and the visitor center every day, 10am–5pm. Hyde Street Pier is closed for a rebuild, and the historic ships have moved temporarily to Mare Island in Vallejo.
Verified Oct 27 · National Park Service
No catch
Mon, Tue, Wed and Fri, 3:15–4:15pm
Half Moon Bay LibrarySan Francisco
Adults and kids eat free at the Half Moon Bay Library, 3:15–4:15pm on Mondays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Fridays (no meals on some holidays; check the library calendar). Meals are first come, first served while they last.
Verified Oct 27 · smcl.bibliocommons.com
No catch
Tuesday–Sunday, 10am–5pm (Oct–Mar; 10am–6pm Apr–Sep); closed Mondays
San Francisco Cable Car Museum
Housed in the Washington-Mason powerhouse and carbarn on Nob Hill, the museum shows historic cable cars, photographs and mechanical displays from 1873 to today, and you can watch the machinery that pulls the cables. Admission is free. Closed Mondays, plus Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year's Day.
Verified Oct 27 · cablecarmuseum.org
No catch
Tuesday–Sunday, 10am–4pm
Sulphur Creek Nature CenterHayward
The Hayward Area Recreation and Park District's nature center has free admission and parking. Open Tuesday–Sunday, 10am–4pm; closed Mondays.
Verified Oct 27 · haywardrec.org
No catch
Daily 8:30am–5pm (Oct–May); docent tours Sat 2pm, Sun 11am and 2pm
Tilden Regional Parks Botanic GardenSan Francisco
A botanic garden in Tilden Regional Park in the Berkeley hills. Entrance and parking are free. Free docent tours meet at the visitor center Saturdays at 2pm and Sundays at 11am and 2pm (10 spots each). Open daily 8:30am–5pm October–May.
Verified Oct 27 · ebparks.org
No catch
Mon–Fri 10am–4pm; Sat–Sun 11am–4pm
Central Park Japanese GardenSan Mateo
Designed by Nagao Sakurai of Tokyo's Imperial Palace, this garden in downtown San Mateo's Central Park has a granite pagoda, tea house, koi pond and bamboo grove. Open Monday–Friday 10am–4pm and weekends 11am–4pm; no dogs.
Verified Oct 27 · cityofsanmateo.org
No catch
Mon–Thu 5:30–6:30pm; Sat and Sun at 10am and 11am
United Nations PlazaSan Francisco
Drop in for free hour-long dance workouts at United Nations Plaza: Monday–Thursday 5:30–6:30pm (jazz funk, K-pop, hip hop, R&B) and weekends at 10am and 11am (K-pop, shuffle, Drenched!, BollyX).
Verified Oct 27 · sfrecpark.org
No catch
During garden hours (Botanical Garden from 7:30am, Tea Garden from 9am, Conservatory 10am–4:30pm, closed Wed)
Gardens of Golden Gate ParkSan Francisco
San Francisco residents and veterans get in free any day at all three Golden Gate Park gardens: the Conservatory of Flowers, the Japanese Tea Garden and the San Francisco Botanical Garden. Show a California license or ID with your San Francisco address (or a utility bill or lease plus photo ID; a photo on your phone works). EBT cardholders also get free entry for up to four people.
Verified Oct 27 · gggp.org
Catch: San Francisco residents or veterans only: bring proof · Special exhibitions and events still charge
Daily: breakfast from 7am, lunch 10am–1:30pm
St. Anthony's Dining RoomSan Francisco
St. Anthony's in the Tenderloin serves more than 1,000 guests a day: breakfast from 7am (dine in or to go), lunch 10am–1:30pm, and a to-go hot meal at 2pm on weekdays. A weekly grocery 'Farmers Market' serves low-income Tenderloin residents and seniors.
Verified Oct 27 · stanthonysf.org
No catch
Adults Mon–Fri 8:15am–noon; families Mon, Tue, Thu, Fri 1–4pm and Sat 8:30am–3pm
St. Anthony's Free Clothing ProgramSan Francisco
San Francisco's largest free clothing program lets guests pick new and gently used clothes, from warm layers to work clothes and kids' sizes, in a boutique-style room. Everyone is welcome but needs an appointment; first-timers register in person at 121 Golden Gate. Individual service weekdays 8:15am–noon; family service Mon, Tue, Thu, Fri 1–4pm and Saturdays 8:30am–3pm.
Verified Oct 27 · stanthonysf.org
Catch: Appointment required: first visit, register in person · One visit every 28 days
Tuesday–Sunday, 4:30–5:15pm
de Young and Legion of Honor museumsSan Francisco
Both Fine Arts Museums open their permanent collections free to everyone at 4:30pm, no ticket needed, until closing at 5:15pm. It's a short window, so pick a few galleries. Adult tickets are otherwise $25; special exhibitions still charge.
Verified Oct 27 · famsf.org
Catch: Permanent collection only: special exhibitions still charge
Tuesday–Sunday, 9:30am–5:15pm
de Young and Legion of Honor museumsSan Francisco
Visitors 17 and under always get free admission to the permanent collection galleries at both Fine Arts Museums. Pair it with the free Saturday for Bay Area residents or the free first Tuesday and the whole family gets in free.
Verified Oct 27 · famsf.org
Catch: Ages 17 and under only: adults pay unless on a free day · Permanent collection only
Fridays and Saturdays, 7:30–10:30pm (weather permitting)
Chabot Space & Science CenterOakland
Every Friday and Saturday night, 7:30–10:30pm, Chabot astronomers open the observatory deck, 1,500 feet above the Bay, for free views through three big telescopes, including the 1883 'Leah' and the 20-inch 'Rachel' refractors. Weather permitting: domes close in rain or high humidity, so check the telescope status first.
Verified Oct 27 · chabotspace.org
No catch
Thursday–Monday, 10am–5pm
Fort Point National Historic SiteSan Francisco
Explore the historic fort at the south anchorage of the Golden Gate Bridge, including its roof. No entrance pass is needed. Open Thursday–Monday, 10am–5pm (roof closes 4:30pm); the outside of the fort is open every day.
Verified Oct 27 · National Park Service
No catch
Weekly: Tue 4–5pm (Fremont); Thu 4–5:30pm and Sat 10:15am–12pm (Newark Library)
Alameda County Library (Fremont Main Library and branches)
Alameda County Library runs free drop-in English practice every week: Tuesday Chat at the Fremont library (4–5pm, plus a Monday 7–8pm chat), and Thursday (4–5:30pm) and Saturday (10:15am–noon) conversation groups at the Newark library with free learning materials. All skill levels welcome; registration at Newark is recommended but not required.
Verified Oct 27 · aclibrary.org
No catch
Saturdays, 9:30am–5:15pm
de Young and Legion of Honor museumsSan Francisco
Every Saturday, residents of the nine Bay Area counties (Alameda, Contra Costa, Marin, Napa, San Francisco, San Mateo, Santa Clara, Solano and Sonoma) get free general admission to the de Young in Golden Gate Park and the Legion of Honor in Lincoln Park. Book ahead online or show ID at the desk. Adult tickets are otherwise $25.
Verified Oct 27 · famsf.org
Catch: Bay Area residents only: bring ID · Permanent collection only: special exhibitions extra · Free ticket recommended: book online
First Sunday of each month, 11am–5pm
Oakland Museum of California
On the first Sunday of every month, admission to the Oakland Museum of California is free, now including all special exhibitions: galleries of California art, history and natural sciences, plus the garden. Open 11am–5pm. Reserve a free entry time online to skip the wait, or pick up a ticket at the desk.
Verified Oct 27 · museumca.org
Catch: Free timed ticket recommended: reserve online
First Sunday of each month, 10am–5pm
Asian Art MuseumSan Francisco
General admission to the Asian Art Museum near Civic Center is free on the first Sunday of every month, with family activities, storytelling and tours. November 1 is a Diwali celebration with rangoli and henna art, a chef talk with a tasting and dance performances. Special exhibitions are discounted to $10 that day.
Verified Oct 27 · about.asianart.org
Catch: General admission only: special exhibitions $10
Sat, Dec 5 · check hours
Main Street, Downtown Pleasanton
Pleasanton's Hometown Holiday Celebration fills Main Street on Saturday, December 5: a 5pm parade of floats, cars and marching bands, then a community tree lighting in front of the Museum on Main with live music and a visit from Santa and Mrs. Claus. It runs rain or shine.
Verified Oct 27 · cityofpleasantonca.gov
No catch
Sat, Dec 12, 10:00 AM – 6:00 PM
Courthouse Square, Downtown Redwood City
Downtown Redwood City's Hometown Holidays on Saturday, December 12 brings a holiday parade, live performances and a community singalong, Santa's Village with crafts and cookie decorating, Santa photos at the San Mateo County History Museum rotunda, and the traditional tree lighting to close the day. Carnival rides need tickets.
Verified Oct 27 · redwoodcity.org
Catch: Carnival rides need tickets
Each semester
City College of San Francisco
San Francisco residents with California residency (or an AB 540 exemption) pay no tuition at City College of San Francisco, with no income limit, even if you already have a degree. You still apply to CCSF and register for classes.
Verified Oct 27 · ccsf.edu
Catch: San Francisco residents with California residency (or AB 540) · Apply and register with CCSF
Semester classes; apply and register any time
City College of San Francisco
City College offers free noncredit classes for California residents across the city: English as a second language, high school diploma, citizenship prep, job skills and more. Apply online, take the ESL placement if needed, then register.
Verified Oct 27 · ccsf.edu
Catch: California residents · Apply and register with CCSF
Weekly classes at several branches (see the library calendar)
San Mateo County LibrariesSan Francisco
San Mateo County Libraries offer free English classes taught by certified instructors, free U.S. citizenship classes on the 100 civics questions, conversation clubs and one-on-one adult literacy tutoring (18+). Classes run in person at branches such as North Fair Oaks and Half Moon Bay, and online.
Verified Oct 27 · smcl.org
No catch
Third Wednesday of each month, 10am–noon
GLIDESan Francisco
On the third Wednesday of each month, volunteer lawyers from the Bar Association of San Francisco's Justice & Diversity Center give free drop-in consultations at GLIDE on immigration, family and housing law, with a Clean Slate clinic too. Check in at the front desk; help goes in sign-up order.
Verified Oct 27 · glide.org
Catch: Complete an intake form on site · Short consultation only: no ongoing representation
During museum hours
Exploratorium, Pier 15San Francisco
California public school PreK–12 teachers get a free general admission voucher to the Exploratorium at Pier 15. Apply through the museum's teacher form and bring your teacher ID.
Verified Oct 27 · exploratorium.edu
Catch: California public school PreK–12 teachers only · Apply on the museum's teacher form; bring teacher ID · One voucher per teacher
First Tuesday of each month, 9:30am–5:15pm
de Young and Legion of Honor museumsSan Francisco
General admission to the de Young and the Legion of Honor is free for everyone on the first Tuesday of every month. Book a free ticket online or pick one up at the desk while they last. Special exhibitions still charge.
Verified Oct 27 · famsf.org
Catch: Free ticket recommended: book online · Permanent collection only: special exhibitions extra
