What is free in San Francisco on Thursdays

Official sources checked Oct 4, 2026

Free museum hours in San Francisco change with the day of the week. This is the list for Thursday: first what is free on this day in particular, then what is free on any day.

Free walking tours in San Francisco2

These have no fixed price. You reserve a spot, and at the end you tip the guide what you think the tour was worth.

Tip-based

Free Walking Tour of San Francisco

2h30 · rated 9.2/10 in 4,425 reviews

Guided in English

Reserve a spot

Tip-based

Chinatown & Little Italy Free Evening Tour

2h · rated 8.8/10 in 101 reviews

Guided in English

Reserve a spot

Spots are booked through Civitatis.

Free on Thursdays in particular1

San Francisco Botanical Garden, free early hours

Golden Gate Park

Free on certain daysGood with kids

Fifty-five acres of plants arranged by region, including a redwood grove and a cloud forest collection that grows outdoors here because of the fog.

Free when: Daily 7:30 am to 9 am, enter before 9. Also free all day on the second Tuesday of every month, Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year's Day.
Free for whom: Everyone during the free hours
Reservation: Not needed
Time needed: 1h to 1h30
How to get there: Muni N Judah to 9th Ave and Irving, then 5 minutes on foot to the main gate at 9th Ave and Lincoln Way

Worth it? Yes.Once you are in before 9 you can stay. Early morning is also when it is quietest. In February and March head straight for the magnolias.

Source: Gardens of Golden Gate Park · checked Oct 4, 2026Open in Maps

Free every day, Thursday included16

Golden Gate Bridge walkPresidioAlways · East sidewalk 5 am to 9 pm from early March to early November, 5 am to 6:30 pm the rest of the year. Gates lock automatically.
Fort PointPresidioAlways · Thursday to Monday, 10 am to 5 pm. Roof closes at 4:30 pm. Closed Tuesday, Wednesday, Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year's Day.
Crissy Field promenadePresidioAlways · Open every day, shoreline access is unrestricted
Presidio Tunnel TopsPresidioAlways · Open daily, year-round. The outdoor space is open at any time, the visitor center and playground keep their own hours.
Lands End and the Sutro Baths ruinsOuter RichmondAlways · Daily, 6 am to one hour after sunset
Golden Gate Park and JFK PromenadeGolden Gate ParkAlways · Park hours 5 am to midnight, every day. JFK Promenade is car-free 24 hours a day.
Twin PeaksTwin PeaksAlways · Park hours 5 am to midnight, every day
Palace of Fine ArtsMarinaAlways · Park hours 5 am to midnight, every day. The rotunda can close for a few hours for repairs or private events.
ChinatownChinatownAlways · Streets are open at all times, shops roughly 10 am to 6 pm
Ferry Building and Ferry Plaza Farmers MarketEmbarcaderoAlways · Building open daily 6 am to 10 pm. Farmers market Tuesday and Thursday 10 am to 2 pm, Saturday 8 am to 2 pm.
Cable Car MuseumNob HillAlways · Tuesday to Thursday 10 am to 4 pm, Friday to Sunday 10 am to 5 pm. Closed Monday, New Year's Day, Thanksgiving and Christmas.
Musée MécaniqueFisherman's WharfAlways · Every day of the year, 10 am to 8 pm
Hamon Observation Tower at the de YoungGolden Gate ParkAlways · Tuesday to Sunday, 9:30 am to 4:30 pm. The tower closes 45 minutes before the museum. Closed Monday.
Alamo Square and the Painted LadiesWestern AdditionAlways · Park hours 5 am to midnight, every day
SFMOMA free public galleriesSoMaAlways · Monday and Tuesday 10 am to 5 pm, Thursday noon to 8 pm, Friday to Sunday 10 am to 5 pm. Closed Wednesday.
Lombard StreetRussian HillAlways · A public street, open at all times

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