The Penny-Pincher’s Guide to 25 FREE Fun Things to do
I hear these two phrases often: “there’s nothing to do” and “everything is too expensive”. It’s true things are way too crazy expensive lately. However, we’re lucky in the Bay Area because we have a ton of FREE things happening all the time! I won’t gate keep any of the fun things from you. These 25 FREE ideas range from beautiful hikes to less expected date ideas. You can go with friends, solo or even on a date.
Albany Bulb. Photo courtesy of The San Francisco Bay Trail
- Check out Albany Bulb – one of the best displays of renegade art in The Bay Area
- Hike The Troll Trail – it’s strange, unusual, surrounded by beauty and a beginner-level hike perfect for talking and walking.
- THIS WEEKEND! There’s an adult bouncy house set up in Golden Gate Park called “BTx Bouncy Castle Party!“. Hosted by Brass Tax!
- SF at Lindy in The Park and Oakland at Lake Merritt Lindy Hop
- Learn from Experts at the Famous Annie’s Annuals and Perennials
- Bring your cardboard for the slides across from the rose garden, too!
- Explore The Chapel Of The Chimes if you’re in a spooky mood.
- Free museum days – Pro Tip: Did you know that you can get museum passes through your local library? Just look it up on their website with your library card.
- San Francisco Critical Mass bike ride
- East Bay Bike Party – Every 2nd Friday of the month
- Take an adorable walk around Lake Merritt
- Go to Little Farm in Berkeley – you can feed li’l ducks and other animals
- Catch a Circus Bella performance.
- Hikes are always free and we’ve listed a bunch of beautiful ones on our site, including some you can bring your pup on!
- Golden Gate Park’s Bandshell has a bunch of free shows.
- Stern Grove Festival – you do need to register online for a ticket a month before a show you’d like to see – but it’s still free!
- Sundown Cinema is back! Check out a free outdoor movie this summer – Invasion of the Body Snatchers is next up on June 8th.
- Play some board games at a board cafe like Victory Point Cafe in Berkeley or It’s Your Move
- First Friday in Oakland – the next one is June 2nd where they will be celebrating Juneteenth.
- Due South at McLaren Park – The 2023 season has yet to be released but every show will be free and open to the public.
- Ferry Building Farmer’s Market – always a great time and the perfect way to walk, talk and grab a bite.
- May 27th is Carnival in SF – check it out in The Mission
- 30th Taiwanese American Cultural Festival – May 13 at Union Square
- Surprisingly, at least to me, Salesforce Park has the most random list of free events including Bollywood Nights and San Francisco Square Dance: Fourth Thursdays.
- SF’s Botanical Gardens and The Japanese Tea Garden are both free with an SF ID
Which of these 25 FREE things to do is your favorite? Fun fact, I’ve been writing for Broke-Ass Stuart for nearly 5 years! One of my first stories was “The Penny-Pincher’s Guide to Date Night in the East Bay”. Every time I write one of these lists, I’m reminded of how special The Bay Area is. So many fun things happening everywhere all at once. The hardest part is choosing which adventure you’ll go on next.
Howdy! My name is Katy Atchison and I'm an Associate Editor for Broke-Ass Stuart.
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