"Cheap" isn't usually the first word that comes to mind in reference to San Francisco. With a little research and an open mind, you can find many budget-friendly activities that encourage you to discover San Fran's hidden side streets and natural beauty, while being active.
Bike Ride
A quintessential San Francisco activity is biking across the Golden Gate Bridge to Sausalito and returning by ferry. The bridge has a main-span length of 4,200 feet. However, the trip extends to eight miles in length if you begin at Fisherman's Wharf. From the bridge, you can enjoy views of the San Francisco skyline, Marin County, Alcatraz and Angel Island.
Golden Gate Park
A favorite spot for dog walkers, sun bathers, runners and walkers, Golden Gate Park also offers a number of free or inexpensive things to do. Recreational facilities include equestrian stables, a golf course, tennis courts and archery, polo and soccer fields. Children's play areas, dog parks and picnic areas are located around the park. The park is also home to variety of specialized gardens including a tulip garden, the Japanese Tea Garden, and Strybing Arboretum and Botanical Gardens.
Filbert Street Steps and Coit Tower
To reach this view of the Bay Bridge, you have to earn it. First, climb the more than 300 Filbert Street Steps, and along the way, you will see tucked away homes and hidden gardens. Sitting at the top of Telegraph Hill and waiting for you at the end of your climb is Coit Tower. Although entrance to the tower is free, a small fee is charged to ride the elevator to the top, which offers more views of the Bay.
Walking Tours
San Francisco City Guides, a local volunteer organization, conducts a myriad of free walking tours highlighting San Francisco's many districts and varied history and cultures. Walking in San Francisco more likely than not involves steep hills and gives visitors an opportunity to discover new neighborhoods while getting some exercise. Regularly scheduled tours include Chinatown, the Castro, Haight-Ashbury, and the Ferry Building, or you can learn about the City by the Bay during the Gold Rush or Victorian eras.
Camping and Hiking
Accessible by ferry from Tiburon and San Francisco, Angel Island is the largest island in the San Francisco Bay and offers a selection of outdoor activities away from the buzz of the big city. Fire roads and the five-mile perimeter road are available for biking. In addition, hikers may use foot trails to reach the top of Mt. Livermore at 788 feet. Those wishing to stay overnight may reserve a campsite on line. You can also visit the United States Immigration Station, which functioned to help stop the flow of Asian immigrants into the United States until 1940.
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