According to Forbes magazine, as of 2009, San Francisco was the fourth most expensive city in the United States. Rent and the cost of a hamburger may be higher in the city that first boomed with the mid-19th century Gold Rush; but the architecture and famous landmarks that make the city an international tourist destination cost nothing to see. Also free is the workout that navigating the city's many hills by foot provides.
Golden Gate Bridge
Pedestrian and bicycle access to the Golden Gate Bridge, with its panoramic views of San Francisco, the San Francisco Bay, and Alcatraz Island, is free every day of the year. Cyclists have 24-hour access to the east sidewalk of the bridge, while pedestrians only have access to it during daytime hours between 5 a.m. and 9 p.m. during Daylight Savings Time or until 6 p.m. during Pacific Standard Time. While vehicles have to pay a toll to cross the bridge, pedestrians and cyclists can cross for free. Roller blades, skateboards and roller skates are not allowed. The main span of the bridge spreads 4,200 ft. (1,280.2 m), and the entire span, including the approaches on both sides, stretches 1.7 miles (2.7 km).
Walking Tour of Chinatown
Take a free walking tour of the largest Chinatown outside of Asia and the oldest one in North America with San Francisco City Guides (SFCG), a non-profit organization with more than 200 trained volunteers who give history and architectural walking tours throughout San Francisco. SFCG offers the Chinatown tour year-round starting at the Washington Street side of the upper level of Portsmouth Square at the corner of Kearny and Clay Streets. As 2010, summer season tours start Saturdays at 10 a.m. and Mondays at 10 a.m. and 1:30 p.m. Tours last between an hour and a half and two hours.
Lombard Street
The section of Lombard Street in the Russian Hill neighborhood of San Francisco that comes billed as "the crookedest street" in the U.S. is but a single block between Leavenworth and Hyde Streets. Lombard is one-way on this block and winds down the single, steep block with sharp switchbacks all the way down. Lombard Street makes its way through landscaped flowerbeds that are in full bloom in spring and most of the summer and past Victorian mansions with views of the city. Lombard Street is a public street; so it is free to visit at any time. When visiting, do take care to respect the people who live there. Climbing the city's many hills to reach this one will be its own kind of exercise. Make sure you wear good walking shoes.
Golden Gate Park
The Golden Gate Park is disconnected from the bridge of the same name; but like the bridge it is narrow and long. It stretches for 3.10 miles and includes regular and disc golf courses, a botanical garden, an archery field, two stadiums, 12 lakes, a tulip garden and plenty of picnic areas, dog runs and children's playgrounds. There are plenty of open meadows to enjoy. You can also run or hike through the park for your daily exercise. The Western end of the park connects with Ocean Beach, which has hiking trails that head north all the way to The Golden Gate Bridge.
The Presidio
A working military post from 1776 to 1994, The Presidio is now a national park. Its almost 1,500 acres are open 24 hours a day year-round and function as a "bicycle friendly community." Parking is available for those who drive to visit. Inside the Presidio, there is a free internal shuttle system. Hike one of a dozen trails and appreciate the views of the Pacific Ocean, Alcatraz, and the city skyline from either the Immigrant Point or Crissy Field Overlook. The Presidio has plenty of sporting and recreational facilities, including four different fields for baseball or soccer, a golf course, a bowling alley, and an indoor swimming pool. With a reservation, you can camp on one of four sites on Rob Hill.
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