What are some fun, free and/or cheap things to do in San Francisco?

Question

My Girl Scout troupe is going on a trip to San Francisco and would like to know some fun, free and/or cheap things to do in San Francisco. Thanks in advance!!!!!

~~~~~~~~Yuki

Answer 1

I'm from Italy, and I live in San Francisco when I'm in America. If you come to my city at the right time, there's free admission to the San Francisco Zoo, the Exploratorium and other interesting places. That is the first of the month for most of them. The Exploratorium has many scientific exhibits that are interesting. It's at the northern end of the 30 Stockton bus line. Walk west two blocks to it from the terminal. To reach the zoo from downtown, take the L Taraval trolley under Market Street. Fisherman's Wharf and the Embarcadero Center have many free shows. Fisherman's Wharf can be reached from downtown by the Hyde & Beach or Bay & Taylor cable cars or the 30, 15, 19 and 32 buses. Stages for street performers are at Ghirardelli Square, the Cannery, the Anchorage and Pier 39. The Embarcadero Center is at the eastern end of Market Street. In the summer, there are often shows of many types in Stern Grove. The 18 and 28 buses go by there. The L trolley goes a few blocks north of it.

Answer 2

well, lets see.....you can just crumple up balls and start playing wastebasket basketball! yeah i know thats lame....but you guys can have one of those oreo cookie contests and see who licks the creme off first!

yeah thats lame too but thats all i can think of .......have fun!

;D

Answer 3

You must visit Japantown. From downtown, take the 38 Geary, 2 Clement or 3 Jackson bus over there. There is a Japanese mall with 3 buildings bounded by Geary to the south, Post to the north, Fillmore to the west and Laguna to the east. The east building is the Tasamak, the central one is the Kintetsu and the west one is the Kinokuniya.  There is a big Japanese bookstore called Kinokuniya there.There are restaurants, etc. Buchanan Plaza has some nice stores and restaurants too. There is a big stage in Peace Plaza between the Tasamak and Kintetsu buildings.There are many programs on it for Cherry Blossom and Summer Festivals. You might like to see Chinatown that is bigger than Japantown. Take the 30 stockton, 45 Union-Stockton or 15 Third St. bus to get there from downtown. There are some cheap restaurants there. Menus are usually in the windows, so you can see the prices. Fisherman's wharf has several stages where street performers play music, do magic, juggle, etc. They pass the hat to tourists, so you do not pay unless you want to. At the west end of the area is Ghirardelli Square with a stage in the courtyard. It has stores on several levels. Heading east, next is the Cannery that also has a stage in a courtyard. It too has interesting stores and restaurants. Across from it is the Anchorage that has another stage. Continuing east, there are such things as the Guiness Book of World Records and Ripley's Believe It or Not museums. Finally, at the east end of the area is Pier 39. It has 2 stages. We enjoy walking around the area on weekends. Take the 15, 19, 30 or 32 buses from downtown to get there. You might like to see Embarcadero Center with 3 buildings with many shops, restaurants, etc. all of the streetcars have a terminal near it underground. Some buses do too. It is at the east end of Market Street. We know San Francisco well, since we are residents.

Answer 4

look at this website

arthurfrommersbudgettravel.com

and search sanfrancisco.

Answer 5

Take the F Line street car down the Embarcadero.  You will pass all of the piers and eventually arrive at Fisherman's Wharf.  Entry to the Wharf is free.  They have a carousel and and a video arcade (cheap to do), lots of shops and eateries, all kinds of cool street performers (free, they appreciate all tips).  All of the street cars in SF are cheap to ride. Ripley's Believe it or not is across the street and I think it's about $12 to enter but you might want to contact them and see if they'll give your troop a group discount.  There is also an aquarium on the wharf but I'm not sure of the entry fee.  If you are going between Thanksgiving and New Year, there is an ice skating rink that sets up across from the ferry dock at Justin Herman Plaza which is reasonably priced.  Really, as a tourist, you can spend all day on the Embarcadero without spending much money and have a great time.

Please know that San Francisco is not that warm (even in summer!), it is on the water and can get very windy.  This may sound silly, but dress in layers and wear sunscreen.