Experience San Francisco like a local with these free things to do

12.02.2024 - 20:55 / lonelyplanet.com

Taking up a small piece of real estate only 7 miles wide and 7 miles long, space in San Francisco is at a premium which is partly why it is expensive to live here – and to visit. However, it is still possible to explore some of the best things San Francisco offers at no cost.

There are, of course, well-known free things that every visitor loves to do, like seeing the sea lions at Pier 39 and browsing the City Lights bookstore (both great ways to spend the day). This list is more of a local's take on how we like to spend our days and not our money.

With these free activities, you'll see a truer cross-section of the people who live in San Francisco and get to experience local SF life for yourself.

In the northeast corner of Golden Gate Park lies a treasure that not all visitors or even locals know about. Skatin’ Place (labeled as 6th Ave Skate Park on Google Maps) is an outdoor roller rink that’s actually been around since 1984, and hosts joyful roller discos on Friday evenings and Sundays afternoons, all coordinated by local “Godfather of Skate,” David J Miles (who also founded Western Addition indoor roller rink Church of 8 Wheels).

A psychedelic roller skate ground mural was painted on the rink in 2022, and pays tribute to GGP’s wild 1970s rollerskating days, pre-rink. All ages, levels (and outfits!) are welcome. Advanced skaters use the middle rink for solo and group roller dances. Smaller kids use the northern tip of the oval to skate together in a quieter, slower-moving area.

Planning tip: If you don’t have your own skates, the closest rentals are currently for rollerblades only from Unlimited Biking ($25 for 24 hours) 1 mile southeast in the Lower Haight (skate back to the park!). If you want to keep your Skatin’ Place visit free without the skate rentals, almost just as fun is sitting on the bordering grassy areas to watch skaters whizz by with mesmerizing grace.

The distinctly San Francisco Folsom Street Fair has been celebrating BDSM culture and educating the public about it for 40 years in what is now the Leather & LGBTQ Cultural District in SoMa. Dog head masks, nipple clamps, black leather chest harnesses, and lots of skin are the norm at this annual September festival. Plenty of booths sell whips and ball gags if you accidentally left yours at home.

Folsom is a party where you can get consensually flogged publicly, or just sip on a beer and munch on food truck eats while marinating in the scantily-clad ambiance. Admission is for those 18-plus and is free, though a suggested donation of $10 goes toward public health nonprofits. Be respectful of others, as this is a community celebration and safe space.

Wear sunscreen and keep your reusable bottle full at the water-filling stations, as September is