FreeGolden Gate Fortune Cookie Factory
ChinatownA one-room factory open since 1962 where cookies are folded by hand off a hot rotating griddle. You walk in, watch, and usually get handed a warm sample.
Daily, 9 am to 6 pm, at 56 Ross Alley
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Eating for free, or close to it, in San Francisco
Free tastings and samples anyone can walk into, and the cheap local classics that keep a day of sightseeing going.
Free
FreeFerry Plaza Farmers Market samples and cooking demos
EmbarcaderoOn Saturday more than 100 farm stalls set up around the Ferry Building and many put out cut stone fruit, citrus or cheese to taste. Foodwise, which runs the market, also hosts free cooking demos.
Saturday 8 am to 2 pm is the big one. Tuesday and Thursday 10 am to 2 pm are much smaller.
Source: Foodwise
FreeDrink Tap water stations
CitywideSan Francisco tap water comes from Hetch Hetchy in the Sierra Nevada and the city has put bottle-filling stations in parks, plazas and along the waterfront. The water agency publishes a map of them together with public restrooms.
Always. Bring a bottle and check the map before a long walk.
FreeTea tasting at Vital Tea Leaf
ChinatownA Chinatown tea merchant with three shops on Grant Avenue. Sit at the counter and the staff brew small cups of oolong, pu-erh and jasmine while explaining each one. There is a sales pitch at the end and you can say no.
During shop hours at 509, 905 and 1044 Grant Ave. Quietest on weekday mornings.
Source: Vital Tea Leaf
PAID · ONE PER CITY
If you spend on one thing in San Francisco, make it this.
Alcatraz Island, by the official ferry
You can look at Alcatraz from a dozen free spots, but the cellhouse audio tour, narrated by former guards and inmates, only exists on the island. The ferry ticket includes it and the park ranger talks. Book weeks ahead in summer, since the single official operator sells out.
Everything above is free. This is the only paid pick on the page, chosen because no free option replaces it.
See tickets and prices
