These are the best free things to do in San Francisco

Scrap the usual old dinner and a movie for a free flick under the stars—just don’t forget to layer up. Proxy SF’s spring series will be in full swing in Hayes Valley on select Fridays in March and April (Mar 28; Apr 4, 11, 18 and 25). The screen is large and the crowd is fun at Proxy, a cultural hub at the corner of Hayes and Octavia streets. If you miss the spring series, you only have a few months to wait until the fall one rolls around.

Three beautiful gardens exist within Golden Gate Park—and they’re free every day for San Franciscans. If you’re a visitor rather than a resident, plan your visit around the regularly scheduled free times described below.

The first of the gardens is the Conservatory of Flowers (regular admission is $15 for adults), the oldest public wood and glass conservatory in North America. It holds a collection of rare plants and is free for non-residents the first Tuesday of every month. Be aware that the conservatory closes each year for maintenance between January 22 and February 5.

Next is the Japanese Tea Garden, the oldest operating public Japanese garden in North America with lush gardens, a curved bridge and a beautiful teahouse, free for non-residents from 9am to 10am every Monday, Wednesday and Friday. Otherwise, admission is $19.

And finally, the San Francisco Botanical Garden provides a wonderful space to ramble through 55 acres of landscaped plantings. It’s free for non-residents in the early morning hours of 7:30 to 9am daily; admission at other times is $15. And if you wish to start off your new year in lush surroundings, the botanical garden is always free on January 1, New Year’s Day.

The volunteer history buffs at San Francisco City Guides offer 70 free walking tours throughout the city. Tours focus on music, architecture, the city’s social history and even a survey of stairways and views. Some tours go into deep dives, like visiting spots related to San Francisco’s first Black millionaire, William Leidesdorff, or examining the use of glass in the city’s commercial buildings. If you prefer to stay home, there are several Zoom tours to select from. The tours are absolutely free, but guests may wish to make a donation of $20.

It’s a joy to wander through the bright fruits and dark greens of seasonal produce at the various farmers’ markets throughout the city, but we especially love the Ferry Plaza Farmers’ Market. This vibrant market is held both in front and behind the Ferry Building (see website for hours, currently Saturday 8am–2pm and Tuesday, Thursday 10am–2pm, year round). It’s a paradise with an unparalleled view of the Bay Bridge. Besides the visual feast, you may be offered free samples of the Bay Area’s freshest fruit, cheese, bread, hummus and nuts as you walk around.

Entry to the de Young Museum costs $20—but admission to its Hamon Observation Tower is always free. Bypass the lines and take the elevator up to the ninth floor. There, the stunning, glass-encased space overlooks Golden Gate Park, downtown San Francisco, the bay and the Marin headlands. One wall is swathed in an enormous topographical map of the city, so you can pinpoint locations from multiple bird’s-eye perspectives. The stairwell has several Ruth Asawa sculptures, too! And if you don’t mind a shorter, late-afternoon visit, the de Young’s permanent collection is free for all visitors starting at 4:30 until the museum’s 5:15pm closing.

Get loose and join a throwback Lindy in the Park swing dance party. It happens every Sunday so long as it’s sunny. Head to where JFK Drive meets Music Concourse Drive in Golden Gate Park anytime from 11am to 2pm to join other Lindy hop enthusiasts dancing to DJ-spun tunes. The streets are closed to traffic and open to dancers! If you’re not quite sure what Lindy hopping is, drop by from noon to 12:30pm for a free lesson. No need to bring a partner. You’ll be dancing on asphalt so sneakers are encouraged.

The San Francisco Friday Night Skate is a group of skaters (inline and old-school) that come together on Friday nights to take to the streets en masse. Meet at the Ferry Building at 8:30pm to gather in the plaza while music plays, then at 9pm everyone departs for a 12-mile roll past sites like Pier 39, Chinatown and the Palace of Fine Arts. Helmets and reflective gear/lights are encouraged. The group also holds other occasional events, like a Wednesday night silent skate.

There are, of course, many outdoor art installations in the city, but here are our three current favorites. Ned Kahn’s Bus Fountain at the rooftop Salesforce Park is a length of 247 geysers that spurt water whenever a bus on the level below them goes by, activated by sensors.

The Wave Organ by Peter Richards and George Gonzalez is made of PVC piping that creates music whenever the waves at the Marina waterfront reach the pipes at various elevations. The sound is subtle—your best bet is to arrive at high tide—but while you wait for your ears to acclimatize, take a moment to notice that the organ’s jetty is built of crypts and mausoleum stonework from a long ago cemetery.

Finally, Fog Bridge #72494 by Fujiko Nakaya is a 150-foot installation between Piers 15 and 17. Walk across the bridge and get enveloped in mist (don’t worry about seeing it during drought years; this water is desalinated bay water). It’s especially atmospheric at night.