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  • CALENDAR

Free Things to do & Places to Go
in San Francisco


Here is a list of free events, places, beaches, activities, local festivals and museums you can enjoy, all with little or no money.

Free Walk Tours - The BEST! These free tours are lead by volunteers who love San Francisco. I recommend the walking tour of China Town and Golden Gate Bridge and City Hall but they are all great!  (It's nice if you plan to tip your volunteer leader at the end of the tour a couple of dollars per person.)

TRANSPORTATION: 
Before getting started, please check out 511.org for trip planner, schedules and fares for public transit for San Francisco, East Bay and South Bay Area.  Make sure you leave enough time in your travel for late buses and other events that may delay your trip. 

Cal Train Regional Transit: city to city. 
(800) 660.4287 
http://www.caltrain.com 

San Francisco Muni Local Transit: bus lines & subways. 
(415) 673.6864 
http://www.sfmuni.com 

B.A.R.T. (Bay Area Rapid Transit) 
Train to SF, Fremont, Millbrae SFO, Richmond, Oakland, Berkeley.
(510) 464.6000 
http://www.bart.gov 

Golden Gate Transit Regional Transit: bus lines & ferries 
(415) 923.2000 
http://www.goldengatetransit.org 

AC Transit (SF to East Bay, SF to South Bay) 
(510) 817.1717 
http://www.actransit.org 

SamTrans San Mateo County 
(800) 660.4287 
http://www.samtrans.org 

MUSEUMS & MORE: 
The Academy of Sciences 
Free third Wednesday of each month. 
55 Music Concourse Dr., SF CA 94118 
Monday - Saturday 9:30 am - 5 pm 
Sunday 11 am - 5 pm 
(415) 379.8000 
http://www.calacademy.org 
It's as if the new Academy brings the whole universe under one roof - an aquarium, a planetarium, a natural history museum and more! The 412,000 square foot structure is not only physically impressive, but it just may be the greenest museum on the planet, with a 2 1⁄2 acre Living Roof, an expansive solar canopy, an extensive water reclamation system, and walls insulated with recycled blue jeans. 

Asian Art Museum Free first Sunday of each month 
200 Larkin Street (between Fulton and McAllister Streets) SF, CA 94102 
Tuesday - Wednesday 10 am - 5 pm 
Thursday 10 am - 9 pm 
Friday - Saturday 10 am - 5 pm 
Monday Closed 
http://www.asianart.org 
The Asian Art Museum of San Francisco is one of the largest museums in the Western world devoted exclusively to Asian Art, with a collection of over 17,000 artworks spanning 6,000 years of history. The museum is a public institution whose mission is to lead a diverse global audience in discovering the unique material, aesthetic, and intellectual achievements of Asian art and culture. 

Berkeley Art Museum Free first Thursday of each month. 
2626 Bancroft Way (Between College and Telegraph), Berkeley, CA 94720 
Wednesday - Sunday 11 am - 5 pm 
(510) 642-0808 
http://www.bampfa.berkeley.edu 
The UC Berkeley Art Museum and Pacific Film Archive is the visual arts center of the University of California, Berkeley. Through art and film programs, collections and research resources, we aspire to be locally connected and globally relevant, engaging audiences from the campus, community, and beyond. 

Cable Car Museum Free admission. 
1201 Mason Street at Washington Street, SF 94108 
Monday - Sunday 10 am - 5 pm 
(415) 474-1887 
http://www.cablecarmuseum.org 
Houses a collection of historic cable cars, photographs, mechanical displays and gift shop run by the Friends of the Cable Car Museum - a nonprofit organization dedicated to the preservation of cable car history. 

de Young Museum Free first Tuesday of each month 
Golden Gate Park 
50 Hagiwara Tea Garden Drive 
San Francisco, CA 94118 
Tuesday through Sunday 9:30 am to 5:15 pm 
Monday Closed 
415.750.3600 
http://www.famsf.org/deyoung 
Founded in 1895 in San Francisco’s Golden Gate Park, the de Young Museum has been an integral part of the cultural fabric of the city and a cherished destination for millions of residents and visitors to the region for over 100 years. 

Exploratorium Free first Wednesday of each month 
10 am to 5 pm 
3601 Lyon Street at Palace of Fine Arts 
http://www.exploratorium.edu 
The Exploratorium is an experimental, hands-on museum designed to spark curiosity—regardless of your age or familiarity with science. There are hundreds of exhibits to touch, pick up, and tinker with. Your curiosity can be your compass to endless discoveries! 

Museo Italo Americano  Free admission 
Museo hours: 
Tuesdays through Sundays 12-4pm 
Mondays by appt. 
99 Marina Blvd Building C 
http://www.museoitaloamericano.org/ 
The Museo ItaloAmericano is the only museum in the United States devoted exclusively to Italian and Italian-American art and culture.

Museum of the African Diaspora 

Wednesday - Saturday 11 am - 6 pm 
Sunday 12 pm - 5 pm 
685 Mission Street (at Third) SF, California 94105 
(415)358.7200 
http://www.moadsf.org 
Drawing from the collections of museums, institutes, organizations, universities and private citizens, MoAD is a collector of stories—a repository of information to be shared with all who wish to know about the African Diaspora. 

Oakland Museum of California 
Free the second Sunday of each month 
1000 Oak Street at 10th Street, Oakland 94607 (one block southeast of the Lake Merrit Bart station) 
Wednesday through Sunday 10 am - 5 pm 
Sunday Noon - 5 pm 
Monday - Tuesday Closed 
(510) 238-2200 
http://www.museumca.org/ 
The Oakland Museum of California provides unique collections, exhibitions and educational opportunities designed to generate a broader and deeper understanding of and interest in California's environment, history, art and people. Museum programs are responsive, accessible and meaningful to the public, including school children, teachers, scholars, the immediate Oakland community, and an increasingly diverse California population. 

Palace of the Legion Of Honor  Free the first Tuesday of each month 
9:30 am to 5:15 pm 
Clement St and 34th Ave 
http://www.famsf.org/legion 
The Legion of Honor, San Francisco's most beautiful museum, displays an impressive collection of 4,000 years of ancient and European art in an unforgettable setting overlooking the Golden Gate Bridge. 

SF Museum of Modern Art (SFMOMA) 
Free to AAU students with I.D. / Free first Tuesday of each month.
151 3rd St. (between Mission & Howard) 
Monday -Tuesday 11 am - 5:45 pm 
Wednesdays Closed 
Thursday 11 am - 8:45 pm 
Friday - Sunday 11 am - 5:45 pm 
(415) 357-4000 
http://www.sfmoma.org/ 
Founded in 1935, SFMOMA was the first museum on the West Coast devoted to modern and contemporary art. From the outset, the museum has championed the most innovative and challenging art of its time, and we continue to exhibit and collect work by both modern masters and younger, less-established artists. 

SF Zoo 
Free to SF residents on first Wednesday of each month(please see website for details). 
Open daily 365 days a year (will be closed on Christmas) 
1 Zoo Road, SF, CA 94132 
10 am - 5 pm 
(415) 753-7080 
http://www.sfzoo.org 
The San Francisco Zoo connects people with wildlife, inspiring caring for nature and advancing conservation action. 

The Contemporary Jewish Museum 
Free on Sunday, April 26, 2009 
736 Mission Street (between Third and Fourth streets) SF, CA 94103 
(415) 655-7800 
Open daily (except Wednesday) 11 am - 5:30 pm 
Thursday 1 pm - 8:30 pm 
http://www.thecjm.org 
Since its founding in 1984, the Contemporary Jewish Museum has engaged audiences of all ages and backgrounds through dynamic exhibitions and programs that explore contemporary perspectives on Jewish culture, history, art, and ideas. Throughout its history, the Museum has distinguished itself as a welcoming place where visitors can connect with one another through dialogue and shared experiences with the arts. 

GREEN SPACES 
Arboretum / Botanical Gardens in Golden Gate Park 
Free to enjoy 
Monday - Friday 8 am - 4:30 pm 
Saturday - Sunday & Holidays 10 am - 5 pm 
(415) 661-1316 
http://www.sfbotanicalgarden.org 
55 acres of land stretch across San Francisco, laying out the foundation for a symphony of plants, flowers, and trees to share the roaring sound of nature with the public. A visit to this magical display of greenery consists of more than 7,500 varieties of flora from across the globe. As a result, the San Francisco Botanical Garden is the largest of its kind on the West Coast. 
The San Francisco Botanical Garden is situated about the Golden Gate Park with a main entrance found on Ninth Avenue at Lincoln Way. When coming from the Japanese Tea Garden, this attraction may also be reached through the Friend’s Gate. 

Crissy Fields 
Crissy Field Center, Café & Bookstore is located at 603 Mason Street, Presidio, SF CA 
Monday - Sunday 9 am - 5 pm 
(415) 561-7690 
Crissy Field Center 
Crissy Field is the park area along the northern shoreline of the Presidio of San Francisco. It is southeast of the Golden Gate Bridge between the Palace of Fine Arts and Fort Point. Mason Street runs parallel to Crissy Field. 

Golden Gate Park Always free 
Visit the Academy of Sciences, Conservatory of Flowers, free year-round outdoor concerts, de Young Museum, Japanese Tea Garden, etc..Go explore! 

Justin Herman Plaza, located at the foot of Market Street at the Embarcadero, just behind the Hyatt Regency Hotel. It is just across the street from the Ferry Building.


SF PUBLIC PARKS
San Francisco has many beautiful parks scattered throughout its neighborhoods.  Here are some resources to help you locate a park in your area, or if you would like to visit a park.

SF Parks & Recreation 
The San Francisco Recreation and Park Department's Mission is to provide enriching recreational activities, maintain beautiful parks and preserve the environment for the well-being of our diverse community. 
Check the website for features, news & events, activities, facilities.

Balboa Park 
Balboa Park is a neighborhood and public park in San Francisco, California. The neighborhood (sometimes referred to as Mission Terrace, Cayuga, or Ingleside) is located between Mission Street and Interstate 280 north of Geneva Avenue and the park is located on San Jose Avenue, north of Ocean Avenue. Inside of the park there is a public swimming pool, a children's playground, a stadium, baseball diamonds, tennis courts and the Ingleside police station. 
Pool: 51 Havelock St San Francisco, CA 94112 (415) 337-4701 
Dolores Park Nob Hill / Grace Cathedral 
Marina, South Park, Washington Square 

URBAN SPACES IN SF 
Central YMCA Rooftop Garden 220 Golden Gate Avenue (between Dale Pl & Leavenworth St) SF, CA 94102 (415) 885-0460 
http://www.ymcasf.org/ 

The Embarcadero 
The Embarcadero is the eastern waterfront roadway of the Port of San Francisco, San Francisco, California, along San Francisco Bay.  It begins at the intersection of 2nd and King Streets near AT&T Park, and travels north, passing under the San Francisco – Oakland Bay Bridge. The Embarcadero continues north past the Ferry Building at Market Street, Fisherman's Wharf, and Pier 39, before ending at Pier 45. A section of The Embarcadero, was known as East Street, which ran between Folsom Street and Drumm Street. 

Embarcadero Center and Maritime Plaza 
Approach from Sansome Street, between Sacramento and Clay streets. Cross Sansome Street and ascend a regal stone staircase with Roman columns, an arched pergola and a stair-step fountain cascading with water. On your right is the Old Federal Building and your left the Park Hyatt Hotel, The staircase deposits you on Embarcadero Center's Promenade Level. Ahead is the Cinema and beyond that the black metal grid of the Maritime Plaza Building. Follow the walkway left through the Embarcadero Center Building 2 (2EC). 

100 First St. Outdoor Terrace 
 For a South of Market outdoor terrace, walk down First Street until you come to 100 First St. just across Mission Street. Take the elevator up to the second floor. 

Roof garden at Crocker Galleria 
Crocker Galleria is located on Post Street between Montgomery and Kearny streets.  Take the escalator to the top floor and follow the sign to the roof garden. Step out onto the rooftop of the Wells Fargo Banking Hall (formerly the Crocker Bank); this lush open space provides a wonderful place for a brown-bag lunch or for take-out food from one of the many nearby restaurants. 
Roof Terrace at Crocker Galleria 
If you want more solitude than the busy roof garden offers, cross over to the Crocker Galleria's Roof Terrace in the northwest corner on the same level. 

343 Sansome St. Roof Garden 
Walk along Market Street to Sansome Street, then turn left on Sansome until you're just past Halleck Street, to 343 Sansome. To get to the roof garden, take the elevator to the 15th floor. Step out to a gorgeous view of the Transamerica Pyramid. 

Wells Fargo Rooftop Garden 
One Market Street at Stuart Street, Stuart Tower, seventh floor. A photo ID is required to obtain a visitor pass at the security desk. Enter on Market Street, between Spear and Stuart 

Yerba Buena Center for the Arts & Garden 
This beautiful public facility is conveniently located at Fourth and Mission Streets.  Reverend Martin Luther King memorial fountain you can walk under!

EXPLORE OUTDOOR ACTIVITIES 
Cal Sailing Club 
Cal Sailing is a non-profit cooperative that owns and operates a fleet of about 23 sailboats from 14 to 26 feet in length, and about 80 windsurfing boards including novice, intermediate, and advanced designs. Located on the south side of the Berkeley Marina, CSC's major activity is teaching sailing and boating safety to its members. The boats are also available to members for recreational sailing, cruising, and racing. 
Free sailing on open house, please check website for dates coinciding with high tides, a great opportunity to test the waters. 
http://www.cal-sailing.org/ 

BIKE RENTALS 

Bay City Bike 
Located in the heart of San Francisco’s historical Fisherman’s Wharf, Bay City Bike offers self guided and guided bike rental tours. 
2661 Taylor Street & 1325 Columbus Ave, Fisherman's Wharf, SF 
Open daily at 8 am 
(415) 346-BIKE 
http://www.baycitybike.com 

Blazing Saddles 
All rental bikes include maps, helmets, locks, front packs, rear racks and bungee cords for FREE!  Open daily at 8 am 
5 Locations: 1095 Columbus @ Francisco St. Pier 41 and Pier 43 1/2 and    2715 Hyde St. and 465 Jefferson St. @ Hyde (415) 202-8888 

FERRIES 
Ferry to Sausalito Ferry Schedule: 
Ferry to Alcatraz Island 
Alcatraz Cruises is the official source for tickets to Alcatraz Island. 
http://www.alcatrazcruises.com/ 

Ferry to Angel Island Visit Angel Island State Park, the “Jewel of San Francisco Bay,” by taking the 10-minute ferry ride from downtown Tiburon!

BEACHES 
Ocean Beach 
Ocean Beach is the widest and longest expanse of sand on San Francisco’s shores, extending from the Cliff House to Fort Funston along the Pacific Ocean. 
Ocean Beach 
Golden Gate National Parks Visitor Guide for Ocean Beach 

Hyde St. Pier 
The pier is part of the San Francisco Maritime National Historical Park. Various historical ships are anchored to the pier, some available for self-guided or docent-led tours. Among the ships on display or in storage are the Balclutha, an 1886 square rigged sailing ship, as well as C.A. Thayer, Eureka, Alma, Hercules, Eppleton Hall, and over one hundred smaller craft. 
Wikipedia article about Hyde St. Pier 
SF Maritime National Historical Park & USS Pampanito at Hyde St. Pier 

SEASONAL FESTIVALS & STREET FAIRS 
(Please check websites & local papers for current time & locations) 
Chinatown Night Market Fair 
This is a summer event. Saturdays 6 pm to 11 pm 
Portsmouth Square near Grant at Kearney and Clay Streets 
Haight Ashbury Street Fair
 How Weird Street Faire 
 Chinese New Years 
Cinco de Mayo

MOVIE THEATERS 
Castro 
429 Castro Street, at Market Street, SF (415) 621-6120 
http://www.thecastrotheatre.com/ 

Balboa Theatre 
3630 Balboa St. SF, CA 94121 (415) 221-8184 
http://balboamovies.com/ 

Embarcadero Center Cinema 
One Embarcadero Center, Promenade Level, SF, CA 94111 
 (415) 267-4893 
Landmark Theatre at Embarcadero 

Kabuki AMC Theatre in Japantown 
1881 Post St., SF, CA 94115 (415) 931-9800 

ACM IMAX Metreon 16 at 101 4th St, SF, CA 94103  (415) 369-6201 

Paramount, Oakland 2025 Broadway, Oakland CA (510) 465-6400 
http://www.paramounttheatre.com/ 

Pacific Film Archive, Berkeley 
2575 Bancroft Way, between College & Telegraph, Berkeley CA 94720 
(510) 642-1124 
http://www.bampfa.berkeley.edu/filmseries/

Roxie Cinema  3117 16th Street, San Francisco, CA (415) 863-1087 
http://www.roxie.com/ 

Van Ness Opera Plaza Cinema 601 Van Ness Avenue, SF, CA 94102 
(415) 267-4893 
Landmark Theatres on Van Ness 


CONCERTS & THEATERS 

San Francisco offers amazing concert venues and live theater companies, including musicals, dramas, comedies, and experimental productions. 

Golden Gate Park Band Concerts 
Sundays 1 pm Music Concourse in front of the de Young Museum 

San Francisco Chamber Orchestra http://www.sfchamberorchestra.org 
San Francisco Symphony http://www.sfsymphony.org/ 

Shakespeare in the Park Saturdays and Sundays Golden Gate Park 7:30 pm http://www.sfshakes.org 

Lindy in the Park, Swing dancing parties every Sunday 
11 am to 2 pm Golden Gate Park 
http://www.lindyinthepark.com 

Yerba Buena Garden Concerts http://www.yerbabuenagardens.com/ 

Stern Grove Concerts Free Sundays 2:00 pm 
19th Ave. and Sloat Boulevard (NEAR SFSU)
Musicians include Allen Toussaint, Voices of Latin Rock, One Hawai’i and the San Francisco Opera sterngrove.org 

FREE EVENTS 
For listings of current free art events, please check out: 
SF Arts  http://www.sfarts.org