Watching seals in the bay is fun and free.
San Francisco is filled with museums, theaters, nightclubs, jazz clubs and fine restaurants, but most of that entertainment does not come cheap. Seeking out experiences that cost little or no money will help a visitor to San Francisco experience some of the more authentic parts of the city -- not just tourist traps and chain-style attractions that can be found in other major U.S. cities.
Go to the Beach
Though some of the beaches surrounding San Francisco have dangerous tides that make them unsafe for swimming, they are still an enjoyable place to spend the day building sand castles, hunting for shells and spending time with family and friends. A day on the beach costs nothing beyond the price of your picnic supplies and sunscreen. Ocean Beach is the largest beach in San Francisco, according to the Golden Gate National Parks Conservancy website. Visitors on the beach during low tide may spot the vestiges of a genuine shipwreck still visible through the sand. The sunniest months at Ocean Beach are September and October and swim warnings are posted regularly, even so, the beach is still populated with locals and visitors year-round.
People-Watch at Fisherman's Wharf
Fisherman's Wharf is one of the most visited tourist attractions in the world, according to the Frommer's website. Extending from Pier 39 to Ghirardelli Square, the wharf offers plenty of low-cost activities, including street entertainers to watch, campy souvenir shops to poke around in and street-side food vendors where you can still buy a cheap meal of clam chowder served in a bowl of authentic San Francisco sourdough bread. Those who don't enjoy crowds should visit the wharf in the morning to watch the fishing boats head out to sea. Museums and other attractions on the wharf typically charge a modest entry fee, around $10 for adults in 2010. Dining options offer everything from chain-style burger joints to family-owned restaurants that specialize in local ingredients.
Ride a Cable Car
Though the fee for riding public transportation changes through the years, San Francisco cable car fares remain generally inexpensive, especially considering that riding a cable car is a sightseeing tour, history lesson and mode of transportation all in one. In 2010, the fee for an adult/youth all-day pass was $13. An all-day pass allows the rider as many entries onto the car as he wants and access to each of the three routes: the Powell-Mason; the Powell-Hyde; and the California, which takes riders on a scenic tour of Chinatown and over Nob Hill. A free visit to the Cable Car Barn and Powerhouse completes the experience. Visitors to the Barn learn about the history and operation of cable cars in San Francisco.
Take a Walking Tour
Many architectural sites of note are available for viewing in San Francisco. A Frank Lloyd Wright design built in 1948 once served as a prototype for the Guggenheim's distinctive circular space and now houses a variety of folk art galleries.
Frank Lloyd Wright Building
140 Maiden Lane
San Francisco, CA 94108
The Spreckels Mansion, built in 1913 by George Applegarth, was the home of a famous romance writer as of 2010 and is a prime example of French baroque architecture in America. Because the mansion is a private residence, it can be enjoyed only from the outside.
Sprekels Mansion
2080 Washington St.
San Francisco CA 94109
The Transamerica Pyramid is one of the most recognizable buildings in the United States. Built in 1972, it remains one of the tallest buildings in the city.
Transamerica Pyramid
600 Montgomery St.
San Francisco, CA 94104
To view all three buildings on the same day, begin at the mansion, then visit the gallery before heading to the financial district to see the Transamerica building. The entire tour is just under 2 1/2 miles. The pyramid and the gallery are less than one mile apart.
Tags: all-day pass, Fisherman Wharf, Frank Lloyd, Frank Lloyd Wright, Lloyd Wright, Ocean Beach