There are hundreds of reasons to come to San Francisco. Just ask the 15.9 million people from all over the world who visited in 2010. There's spectacular natural beauty, art & architecture, world class dining, vibrant nightlife, history, and more. The city has numerous free attractions. Just bring your camera, comfortable shoes and curiosity!

1. Walk or Bike the Golden Gate Bridge

The Golden Gate Bridge opened in 1937 connecting San Francisco to Marin County and other communities north of the city. Bike or walk the 1.7 mile span for spectacular panoramic views of the city, Alcatraz and the Pacific Ocean. There are vista points on both ends of the bridge to enjoy the surrounding scenery and watch ships headed out to sea. (If you decide to drive across the bridge, there is a $5 toll in the southbound lanes.)

Fort Point, built for the Civil War, is a very interesting site to visit at the south anchorage of the Golden Gate Bridge. It is open Friday through Sunday and admission is free.

2. Take a Tour

San Francisco City Guides has dozens of diverse, fun and interesting walking tours that are free. Most of them are 1-1/2 to 2 hours long and are led by knowledgeable volunteers who are passionate about San Francisco. The subjects cover historic sites, landmarks, major tourist attractions, art and architecture, neighborhoods such as Chinatown, Noe Valley, Mission Dolores, Pacific Heights and Castro. (Although the tours are free, donations to the organization are appreciated.)

3. Enjoy Nature at Golden Gate Park

Golden Gate Park attracts tourists and residents year-round because of its natural beauty, diverse venues, and outdoors activities. The park is actually larger than Central Park in New York City covering 1,000 acres and 50 city blocks.

Walk or jog along the paths at Stow Lake or in the Rhododendron Dell, or take in the fountains and statues on the Music Concourse between the de Young Museum and California Academy of Arts and Sciences. At the de Young Museum, admission is free to its fine art collections on the first Tuesday of the month. The California Academy of Sciences is free the third Wednesday of the month. Get there early to see visit this unique aquarium, planetarium, natural history museum, and rainforest.

A highlight of a visit to the park is the Japanese Tea Garden where pagodas, bridges, statues and tea house are situated in a setting of lush foliage along winding paths. Enter before 10 a.m. on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays for free admission.

If you're visiting the park on the first Tuesday of the month, admission to The Conservatory of Flowers is also free. The beautiful grounds in front of the conservatory are always open to the public for free.


4. Visit a Museum

San Francisco has several museums that are always free. Here are a few of the most popular ones.

Cable Car Museum

Wells Fargo History Museum

San Francisco Fire Department Museum

5. Explore Union Square

Union Square, bounded by Geary, Stockton, Post and Powell Streets, is a popular year-round attraction for  tourists and meeting place for locals. The square is surrounded by many upscale department stores, boutiques, galleries, restaurants, theaters and hotels, including the famous St. Francis Hotel. Walk around the square to see the heart sculptures painted by Bay Area artists.  Singer Tony Bennett, renowned for “I Left My Heart in San Francisco”, painted one of the sculptures.

Maiden Lane is a small side street off of Union Square that was once the center of San Francisco’s red light district. Now there are cafes, galleries, and high-end shops.

It's also a treat to browse through Gump’s, a San Franciscso landmark at 135 Post Street, to see its collection of luxurious gifts, home decor, and other eclectic items.

6. Experience the Ferry Building

Browse the gourmet food shops in the Marketplace of San Francisco’s Ferry Building, at the foot of Market Street on the Embarcadero. Go there on a Tuesday, Thursday or Saturday and you’ll catch the Ferry Building Farmer’s Market, acclaimed as one of the best in the country. It's free to spend time at the Ferry Building, but you probably won't be able to resist making some kind of fresh food purchase or meal. San Francisco City Guides (mentioned above in #2) offers a free tour of the Ferry Building that includes much historical and architectural information.

7. Get a Thrill

Take a drive on the section of Lombard Street that is called "The Crookedest Street in the World" and then on some of the city's steepest streets nearby. When approaching the crest of some of the hills, it can be seem like you're about to drive off of a cliff since you can't see the street below. It can be a thrill!

About the Author:

Catherine Sweeney is publisher of Traveling with Sweeney, where she shares her experiences and perspectives based on a lifelong passion for travel. She has traveled extensively in the North America, the Caribbean and Europe and is looking forward to experiencing more of the world. She hopes to inspire others to travel, consider new destinations, and bring back memories of their own travel experiences. A Chicago native, she now lives in the San Francisco Bay Area. Follow her on Facebook and Twitter.