As one of the most pedestrian-friendly cities in the U.S, San Francisco offers a range of accessible walking trails, lush parks and architectural landmarks steeped in history, perfect for travellers looking to experience the picturesque Golden City on a budget.
From taking in the serenity of the authentic Japanese Tea Garden and ambling through the seasonal blooms of the Botanical Gardens to soaking in the cityscape views from the newly introduced Bayfront Park, there are endless ways to experience the city’s enriching natural beauty and diverse heritage without breaking the bank.
See San Francisco Travel Association’s guide to exploring the city on a budget below:
Discovering San Francisco’s Vibrant Gardens
Conservatory of Flowers
The oldest building in Golden Gate Park, the Conservatory of Flowers has captivated visitors with its rare tropical flora since 1879. Travellers can explore the property’s distinct galleries, each dedicated to a unique ecosystem, from Sumatra’s dense tropical rainforests to Ecuador’s breathtaking cloud forests. Admission is free on the first Tuesday of every month, allowing budget-conscious travellers the opportunity to enjoy these breathtaking gardens without stretching the purse strings.
Japanese Tea Garden
One of the city’s most iconic cultural landmarks, the Japanese Tea Garden is an exquisite display of Japanese architecture, tradition, and natural beauty. Originally constructed in 1893, the garden features a stunning array of pagodas, rock sculptures, waterfalls, and a Buddha statue. Every corner of the Japanese Tea Garden offers a thoughtful and culturally significant design, making it an idyllic spot to unwind and appreciate the city’s expansive cultural diversity. The Japanese Tea Garden also offers free admission for visitors arriving from 9 am to 10 am on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays each week, making it the perfect, cost-effective way to start the day.
San Francisco Botanical Garden
Spanning 55 acres and home to nearly 9,000 different plant species, the San Francisco Botanical Garden fosters an extraordinary variety of fauna, ideal for botany enthusiasts. Dahlias have flourished in Golden Gate Park since the 1880s, with Mayor Rolph declaring the dahlia the official flower of San Francisco in 1926. The best time to see the Dahlias in bloom is during the summer months (July – September) and what’s more, admission into the San Francisco Botanical Garden is completely free from 7:30 am to 9 am.
Exploring the City on Foot
Crosstown Trail
Offering a unique chance to explore one of the U.S.’ most walkable cities, Crosstown Trail is a 17-mile urban trek designed by citizens and maintained by local volunteers to showcase the city’s diverse neighbourhoods and natural beauty. The trail winds through hidden paths, public parks, shopping corridors, community gardens, and tiled stairways that offer stunning views of the city’s skyline. Whether walking, running, or biking, adventurous travellers can enjoy this trail at their own pace, ambling through each section or conquering the entire city in one day.
Golden Gate Bridge
An iconic landmark recognised around the world, The Golden Gate Bridge is more than a picture opportunity, but is a stunning structure, and a bucket list attraction for travellers when visiting San Francisco. With large pedestrian walkways, offering panoramic views of the city, an amble across to Sausalito is the perfect way to spend an afternoon. History buffs can also enjoy free walking tours where they can learn all about the Golden Gate Bridge’s interesting history. Taking place twice weekly, Thursdays and Sundays, the free walking tours are offered by San Francisco City Guides, a non-profit organisation associated with the San Francisco Public Library.
Immersive tours with the California Migration Museum
For a unique and immersive experience into the city’s history, the California Migration Museum offers free, self-guided walking tours exploring first-hand experiences of migration across several neighbourhoods across the city. Including narratives of Japanese American integration in Japantown and personal stories of queer communities in Castro, travellers can discover how each neighbourhood is steeped in history to create the vibrant community of today.
San Francisco City Guides’ Free Tours
Provided by volunteers, San Francisco’s free city guides allow travellers to explore the city’s richly diverse neighbourhoods, local history and vibrant art scene via a range of carefully curated walking tours, taking place daily. From tours delving into the history of the city’s Chinatown – the largest in North America – to visiting the Haight-Ashbury district, crowned the ‘Hippie Capital of the world’, there is a free tour to suit every traveller!
San Francisco’s New Parks
Bayfront Park in Mission Bay
In addition to Golden Gate Park’s historic attractions, the city has recently unveiled Bayfront Park in Mission Bay, a stunning new waterfront park with expansive views of the Bay. As the city’s largest open space added since 2012, Bayfront Park opened in 2024 and spans five acres, featuring lush lawns, a waterfront boardwalk, and ample seating areas.
China Basin Park in Mission Rock
Embodying the inclusive community and natural beauty of San Francisco’s waterfront, China Basin Park is a 5-acre park located in the Mission Rock neighbourhood. As well as boasting views of Oracle Park, the home of the San Francisco Giants, the park also offers diverse amenities such as an immersive Stormwater Garden, open plazas and ‘The Great Lawn’ lined with cypress trees.